Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2022, stage 9: Villaviciosa - Les Praeres, 171.4k

[Devil's Elbow]

The second half of the Asturian mountain block. Just like the previous stage, it should be all about the MTF, and for the first and only time this Vuelta it's a climb of insane gradients. Will it be all about Vine and Evenepoel again? And will we actually see all the action happen?

Profile:

Map:

There are barely 20 kilometres between the start and finish as the crow flies, and so we have a long loop through eastern Asturias to find some distance. The first 48 kilometres are close to the coast and rolling, then the real climbing starts with Alto del Torno.

We pass the start of the road to Lagos de Covadonga just after the descent en route to the other Vuelta classic in the area, Mirador del Fito, unusually from its easier southern side.

The next climb, Alto de la Llama, is a lot easier.

We then return to Villaviciosa for the intermediate sprint and the easy Alto de la Campa.

There's a flattish section into Nava, from where the MTF starts. Just like with Fancuaya today (and the 2018 stage finishing here), there's a little descent into the bottom of the climb and it's narrow this time.

 

[Netserk]

I'd rather have Lagos de Covadonga every year or every other year than this.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I'm seriously seeing remco doing a Robobasso at Zoncolan

 

[sir fly]

Part two of the test... or the opportunity, depending on positions.
Important day.
Mental watershed.

 

[rghysens]

Roglstomp incoming.

 

[hq87]

Mandatory Roglstomp

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I'd rather have Lagos de Covadonga every year or every other year than this.

Covadonga is a great climb. The problem is that its location is extremely difficult to do anything but a one-climb stage there. We got very fortunate last time out and that was a great stage, but the majority of Covadonga stages over the years have had Fito (from its harder side which is already a debatable cat.1, giving it cat.1 from Arriondas as they are doing in this stage is ridiculous) as the only major obstacle of any relevance beforehand; the only significant climb you can put closer is El Torno, but since Cangas de Onis tends to be the municipality paying for the finish it goes through there, which it wouldn't if El Torno was used. The discovery by the race of Collada Llomena/Los Bedules and Collada Mohandi increases options significantly, but you still can't do much about that false flat from Soto de Cangas to the sanctuary (as an aside, I'd quite like to see a finish at the sanctuary/basilica one time, maybe with a cronoescalada to Los Lagos the next day) and unless the Asturian government fully paves the descent from Següencu to Cabielles I don't see that problem going away any time soon.

 

[Skalman]

Vine will win with ease again if he choose to be in the break, hell he probably win otherwise too.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Vine will win with ease again if he choose to be in the break, hell he probably win otherwise too.

If there's any fog atop the mountain Vine has the win in the bag.

 

[houtdffan]

I'm seriously seeing remco doing a Robobasso at Zoncolan

Robo Remco Robotnik

 

[Izzyeviel]

Nibali.

 

[Riek s]

Steep climb with sections up to 25% but its less than 4km.

Seems a bit more on the explosive side, especially with the road flattening out a little at the end. where 1.2km from the finish to 700meter for the finish averaging 7%, followed by a steep section for 200m. So i think if you want to launch you can either go on this section, or just after the steep section.

Again seems like a Roglic finish (but what doesn't). He was a lot better today, so stage 6 might have been a worse day due to the weather transition) I think he has a good shot if he can keep himself at the front. Not expecting a major GC shift here since its only 4km. (unless someone has a bad day ofcourse).

 

[tobydawq]

Nibali.

To OTL?

 

[perico]

Didn't we ride this in either 2014 or 2018?

 

[tobydawq]

Didn't we ride this in either 2014 or 2018?

I don't know about "we", but yes, it was on the course in 2018 where Simon Yates won.

 

[Extinction]

I'm seriously seeing remco doing a Robobasso at Zoncolan

I'm curious to see how he handles these gradients. If he has a bad day it will be difficult. On the other hand, he seems rather in control.

 

[HelloDolly]

Thought this was good ...not least the daily Roglic v the daily Remco

https://twitter.com/x/status/1563621831394967552

View: https://twitter.com/cycling_podcast/status/1563621831394967552?s=20&t=7wM5lXHCX2271oy4eyb1fg

 

[CyclistAbi]

If Roglič will be feeling well then JV should make it difficult for Alaphilippe during the race and Kuss should be there at the end.

 

[Izzyeviel]

To OTL?

He ain't here to go home or make up the numbers. What better way to go than lighting up the stage that has an actual shark fin in the profile? That's my logic & i'm sticking with it.

 

[houtdffan]

Robo Remco Robotnik is saying in the media that the finish actually suits him, and he wants to win

Sounds like he wants to release the death egg tomorrow

 

[SHAD0W93]

I’m pulling for Evenepoel to show the gate he gets is uncalled for. We shall see if Mas and Roglistomp can stick with him. It’ll be good in the long run for Mas to be as close as possible so Movistar helps with any chasing.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Remco putting on another Ullrich/Basso type of MTT display to combine stages 6 & 9 will give us 69; arousing viewing for true fans of the sport.

 

[movingtarget]

Froome might be jogging up the final climb this time with his bike. Looks like a good one for Roglic. Vine is due for a day off.........if he's feeling charitable.........

 

[Pantani_lives]

Remco will throw another brick on this wall.

Could this be the MTF with the steepest average gradient? I read 12.9 average over 3.9 km.

 

[Riek s]

Remco did look in control yesterday and recovered much much better than Roglic after the stage.
Its a pity remco is missing the acceleration to not have the others in his wheel... i'm pretty sure Mas and roglic wouldn't be able to keep the same pace as Remco if they can't draft. Dropping people in your wheel is just much harder and i don't see how Remco can overcome this like he is riding now.