Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2022, stage 20: Moralzarzal - Puerto de Navacerrada, 181.0k

[Red Rick]

I'd understand that concept if Roglič had been ahead of Evenepoel when he crashed out, but he wasn't and besides, to finish first, first you have to finish. If Roglič had been taken out by a spectator or had been kamikazed by a QS rider that might have made some sense, but Roglič is out of the race due to a crash which he himself was responsible for. I mean, even if Evenepoel crashes out of the race today and Mas inherits the win it shouldn't be asterisked, at least unless Mas himself caused the crash taking out his rival perhaps.

Most GTs will see GC contenders fall by the wayside from crashes or illnesses. It's a shame for it to happen so deep into the race, but it still happens. Hell, Sean Kelly had to withdraw from the Vuelta while leading it only a couple of days from the finish in 1987, and there isn't an asterisk on Herrera's inherited triumph or even Bernal's 2019 Tour win when it is highly likely people would have raced differently had they known that time would be taken at l'Iseran. There aren't many race wins in 2022 that actually "deserve" an asterisk. Serrano's win in Britain due to the race being called off and him inheriting just because of having the lead at that time is a contender, maybe Schmid's win in Belgium because it was due to illegal actions of his teammate that he held the jersey, but even those are contentious.

Too often we talk about what-ifs as if they're asterisks. On the other hand you can't talk about field strength without people getting super defensive.

 

[Didinho]

Remco doesn't have to hold back for this last MTF, wanna see him drop everyone again.
I'm confident but also a little stressed, you never know.

 

[roundabout]

Somehow people getting stressed regarding Evenepoel today don't get the same reaction as daring to suggest that Evenepoel is unproven over 3 weeks in his own thread.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

Today is the day. Remco has proven himself to be an excellent three week racer, and this is the graduation party. This stage should be perfect for him, but Movistar likely has other ideas. They need to go on the attack on the Puerto de la Morcuera. Minor places should be be an interesting fight, but all eyes are on QST and Movistar.

 

[noob]

What on earth is Contador wearing :O

 

[Salvarani]

Should be an easy win for Remco

 

[RedheadDane]

Mas on the attack!




Lluis.

 

[Samamba]

That's a boring break. No Movistars in is so that makes it even easier for Evenepoel.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Disappointing break once again, it seems.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Utterly dismal breakaway. If it somehow goes all the way, Stannard has a shot at KOM and that's literally the most exciting thing about it.

 

[noob]

I woke up with a feeling of impending doom today. So far seems to be accurate. I'm falling back into sleep alredy.

 

[Samamba]

So now Movistar attacks...

 

[JosefK]

Why would there be asterisks?

I was kind of joking. Remco's performance has been convincing throughout. He's had one stage with vulnerability (stage 14), but that was probably affected by his earlier crash, and he was already recovering strongly on stage 15.

 

[ice&fire]

You can recognise Gesink on a climb from the heli

 

[Salvarani]

QS working

 

[Valv.Piti]

Good opening of the stage

 

[Samamba]

Valverde on the attack

 

[ice&fire]

TV moto reports Carlos Rodriguez dropped

 

[noob]

Rodriguez in trouble ;/

 

[Salvarani]

Carlos in trouble

 

[Samamba]

Evenepoel only Van Wilder left, they catched the duo attack with Valverde tho.

 

[ice&fire]

Remco only has one teammate

 

[Salvarani]

Only Van Wilder left

 

[roundabout]

And of course no decent shot of how big the MR group is

Edit: ok, it's pretty small

Edit 2: a good heli shot would have been more useful tho

 

[Salvarani]

Vervaeke further down in the peloton. Might make it over the top and catch up on the descent.