Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2023, stage 13: Formigal - Col du Tourmalet, 134.7k

[Nick2413]

This may be a good stage for UAE. Almeida and Ayuso excel on this terrain and Jumbo may be more focused on Remco and waiting for the next day or waiting to see how Kuss does. Would be happy to be proven wrong but not overly confident about Remco on these type of stages. This is also 1% lower gradient than this year’s Tour Tourmalet route and it’s not Angliru so drafting and team dynamics should play a big role on the climb itself.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

I am kind of pessimistic for this stage. Jumbo have the red jersey, Evenepoel just has to wait for Kuss to crack or Stage 20. UAE will need to make the race, imo

 

[Escarabajo]

Really hard for the break to take this one. With most of the start being downhill, it’s likely the move only goes on Aubisque. That leaves zero flat for the break to build a lead because the peloton isn’t softpedalling the valley between Spandelles and Tourmalet, so the peloton would have to do an impressive amount of sandbagging on the climbs for the gap to be big enough for anyone to hold on on Tourmalet. Unless we get another break with GC threats, that is.

I have the feeling that the peloton will sand bag in Aubisque.

 

[Ulle97]

If the GC men ride even @80% pace, the stage profile alone will whittle the group down.

There will be minutes shed in this stage. The relative lack of aggression in the mountain stages so far is partly due to that fact that this monster stage lay ahead.

Even Remco stated in an interview that this is the stage everyone fears.

 

[Andy schleck]

Probably ayuso or almeida, with vingegaard, will attack on spandelles.

 

[Red Rick]

Really hard for the break to take this one. With most of the start being downhill, it’s likely the move only goes on Aubisque. That leaves zero flat for the break to build a lead because the peloton isn’t softpedalling the valley between Spandelles and Tourmalet, so the peloton would have to do an impressive amount of sandbagging on the climbs for the gap to be big enough for anyone to hold on on Tourmalet. Unless we get another break with GC threats, that is.

I also think the breakaway climbers aren't that strong this Vuelta anyway.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

There's a 10% section about a kilometer after the start. I think Skeletor will engage megawatts here. Gonna be epic!

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I also think the breakaway climbers aren't that strong this Vuelta anyway.

Hence the phrasing 'impressive amount of sandbagging'.

 

[Bonimenier]

There's a 10% section about a kilometer after the start. I think Skeletor will engage megawatts here. Gonna be epic!

They will have to bring this back!

 

[Samamba]

Ok but whats the point of the (basically) downhill start?

Don't think the little kicker at the beginning is enough to get riders up the road.

 

[Red Rick]

Ok but whats the point of the (basically) downhill start?

Don't think the little kicker at the beginning is enough to get riders up the road.

They read this forum and are afraid to make one of the queen stages under 100km?

 

[Netserk]

Ok but whats the point of the (basically) downhill start?

Don't think the little kicker at the beginning is enough to get riders up the road.

So that it starts in Spain.

 

[hfgon1]

Will be a crazy stage, I think. Think Jumbo will control it all but it will be hard as riders like Buitrago, Cras, Thomas, Rubio, Uijtdebroeks, De la Cruz or Rodriguez should try to reach the breakaway group. After tomorrow there should be only 2-3 guys left who are still able to win it all.

 

[Volderke]

How big is the finish area? Asking for a friend with ambitions.

 

[Unchained]

I am kind of pessimistic for this stage. Jumbo have the red jersey, Evenepoel just has to wait for Kuss to crack or Stage 20. UAE will need to make the race, imo

Keep in mind that Sepp's new surprise job is racing for the win,maintaining the lead he has previously always been a donkey workhorse and this race is completely different because he has not been doing any water, food carrying and pace making that was his previous role. And Remco had to get a gut punch when Kuss of all people didn't lose 2-3 minutes in the time trial.. Tomorrow is going to ruin some people's life..just a question of who gets broken into bits. I am always impressed by Remco and his style of relative racing, I am always super jealous watching him finish races w gas still left in the tank.. And Kuss and the others are one good or bad climb from dropping from the top 6 or so positions.. anything can happen tomorrow and the next few days.. Sepp is in dangerous territory..

 

[hfer07]

This is it!!

may the strongest prevail & triumph.
looking forward to it.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

This stage is reminiscent of one half of the famous one:

From Casteldelfino to Granon one could create a 95-km monster, even harder than tomorrow's stage. @Red Rick Under 100 km queen stage.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

This stage is reminiscent of one half of the famous one:

From Casteldelfino to Granon one could create a 95-km monster, even harder than tomorrow's stage. @Red Rick Under 100 km queen stage.

Someone needs to offer RCS big money to ruin their race by making this nine hour massacre Stage 20.







Edit: This should be a big one-day race.

 

[HelloDolly]

So Remco said in an interview this is the stage everyone fears ??
Guess he must have been talking about himself


Em
Sepp Kuss: The Tourmalet is a bit overhyped

 

[HelloDolly]

Would love if Egan Bernal got in the break and won this stage

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Someone needs to offer RCS big money to ruin their race by making this nine hour massacre Stage 20.







Edit: This should be a big one-day race.

I'm fine with a dynamic, 100 km stage including 3 of them - already a monster stage. If they use 4 of them you get circa 150 km stage, which is already among the hardest in history. Who needs long distance?
Tomorrow's stage is perfect in this regard - uphill or downhill all the time, maximum usage of mountain kilometers and huge elevation gain. Probably a big penultimate col and a smaller MTF would be better for longer action though.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Formigal 2016 post stage

 

[Cookster15]

What a profile. I think Jumbo will ride tempo and see how Kuss handles it. If he fades they still have Roglic and Vingo to assume leadership. But I am not sure Kuss will fade by only stage 13? Might have to wait until the Angliru stage to see that eventuate.

Hoping that Remco hangs tough.

 

[JosefK]

The first hill is aptly named. If I had to ride this route, I would be in immediate need of a Port-O-Let!

 

[Valv.Piti]

Overrated stage IMO

I think stage 14, 17 and 18 will create bigger gaps. At least Im looking more forward to 14 - actually a lot.

Still a very hard stage, but no clue why they didn't just do all of Formigal instead.