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

[Red Rick]

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.

If you're truly much better then you shouldn't need the acceleration much if it's sufficiently steep like yesterday.

Today is dangerous for Rog because the temptation to follow on the steepest part will be huge but it can also lead to blowing up later.

 

[ashhutch1997]

At this rate I'm expecting Vine to do a Landis

 

[Frobisher Bay]

Serry out with COVID-19. Hope the GC won't be decided by people dropping out due to COVID.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

Normally, this climb should be too steep and too short for Evenepoel, who prefers longer climbs with ca 6% average gradient.

He seems to be in very good shape, however, so he should be able to stay in Red.

The time gaps between the best GC riders were very small here, in 2018 - only few seconds. This today could be a stage where strong, lightweight climbers, who‘s Vuelta was a disappointment until now, could save their Vuelta by winning the stage.

Maybe the strong climber Elissonde will win this. He likes the steep climbs, and should have the experience to join the decisive breakaway, that stays in front until the final climb.

 

[gregrowlerson]

This final climb looks steep enough for Sepp Kuss.

 

[Red Rick]

Normally, this climb should be too steep and too short for Evenepoel, who prefers longer climbs with ca 6% average gradient.

He seems to be in very good shape, however, so he should be able to stay in Red.

The time gaps between the best GC riders were very small here, in 2018 - only few seconds. This today could be a stage where strong, lightweight climbers, who‘s Vuelta was a disappointment until now, could save their Vuelta by winning the stage.

Maybe the strong climber Elissonde will win this. He likes the steep climbs, and should have the experience to join the decisive breakaway, that stays in front until the final climb.

Evenepoel should be the favorite for today. Low altitude 15 minutes climb is hardly the questionmark for him. High gradient makes it near impossible to suckwheel him for Roglic and Mas.

 

[Frobisher Bay]

This final climb looks steep enough for Sepp Kuss.

Read somewhere he's not starting as well, can't find an official source yet.

EDIT: found it :

https://twitter.com/x/status/1563817429305905153

View: https://twitter.com/JumboVismaRoad/status/1563817429305905153

 

[Red Rick]

Read somewhere he's not starting as well, can't find an official source yet.

EDIT: found it :

https://twitter.com/x/status/1563817429305905153

View: https://twitter.com/JumboVismaRoad/status/1563817429305905153

It's just a random twitter user though

Source: Copium

 

[Devil's Elbow]

So many Covid-related abandons, seems inevitable that we'll be robbed of at least one main GC rider soon. If so, this Vuelta will become what I feared the Tour would be...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Movistar's WT status panic intensifies the more Covid absences come in. Mas withdrawing would be an abject disaster for them. They already lost a bank of steady Tour points, even if not that much, from him getting it, and they've lost enough from him crashing this year already that they don't need to be scared from both sides regarding his potential withdrawal.

 

[Riek s]

So many Covid-related abandons, seems inevitable that we'll be robbed of at least one main GC rider soon. If so, this Vuelta will become what I feared the Tour would be...

Indeed. But afaik Kuss and Serry were both sick, Fever etc So its normal they stop (even if it wasn't covid). ITs a bit different when you test positive but have no symptoms. But indeed, this doesn't bode well for the proceding of the Vuelta. At least it seems to be in the teams of JV and QS. so guess the roomates of Kuss & Serry need to be watched and kept away from their GC rider

 

[tobydawq]

Movistar's WT status panic intensifies the more Covid absences come in. Mas withdrawing would be an abject disaster for them. They already lost a bank of steady Tour points, even if not that much, from him getting it, and they've lost enough from him crashing this year already that they don't need to be scared from both sides regarding his potential withdrawal.

One solution: Don't test him.

So far, there have been so few DNFs based on official rest day tests that it seems very unlikely to be felled in one of those.

 

[Rollthedice]

Indeed. But afaik Kuss and Serry were both sick, Fever etc So its normal they stop (even if it wasn't covid). ITs a bit different when you test positive but have no symptoms. But indeed, this doesn't bode well for the proceding of the Vuelta. at least it seems to be in the teams of JV and QS. so guess the roomates of Kuss & Serry need to be watched and kept away from their GC rider

It's a Russian roulette and we are not even half way to Madrid.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Serry is a loss, he looked to be in good nick and that kind of experience cant be overlooked.

Good news for Ineos, BEX, Movistar.

I think Mas looks the strongest out of those but is sadly rather conservative, it could be self-doubt or perhaps team tactics, given a podium would be a good result at their home race and they need the points which is understandable. Someone just needs to get him in a quiet room and tell him that he can win.

 

[Netserk]

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

Yeah, I think this might be the last climb where Evenepoel will have the upper hand.

While it's super steep, it's quite regular and of medium length (Yates did it in 15'17'' in 2018). Erlaitz was a bit similar at 11 %, and Evenepoel climbed it in 11'52'', so it's a good length for him.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Movistar's WT status panic intensifies the more Covid absences come in. Mas withdrawing would be an abject disaster for them. They already lost a bank of steady Tour points, even if not that much, from him getting it, and they've lost enough from him crashing this year already that they don't need to be scared from both sides regarding his potential withdrawal.

At least they will get a couple of top-12s in Germany.

If Mas get corona, this will surely be one of the most unlucky years ever in cycling. Crashing out/getting sick in all 5 of the biggest races of the year

 

[ashhutch1997]

I swear cycling is the only sport where there are loads restrictions and protocols regarding C19. Other sports have seemed to move on, and cycling needs to do the same as it's starting to ruin it.
Stop testing and the problem goes away...

 

[Netserk]

Well, that was quickly done.

Ah, thankfully a few more want to be in the break!

 

[Netserk]

Vine no longer allowed to go up the road.

 

[Netserk]

Pedersen looks ready to join any promising attacks.

 

[noob]

Remco does the Remco thing chasing attacks on his own

 

[Netserk]

Clouseau is patrolling at the front, but Bambi doesn't hesitate and jumps on the wheel of Carapaz.

 

[Riek s]

I wonder if something can happen like Armstrong once had in the tour... making the escape and the peleton be like "wtf is happening".

 

[topcat]

Bambi has transformed into Schwarzenegger.

 

[Netserk]

35 km until the start of the first proper climb.