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

[KZD]

Ayuso was my initial bet for this stage either with a downhill attack on Spandelles or an attack on the Tourmalet but given that he seems to have back pain, I think it could end up in a reduced sprint between the best GC riders with likely Roglič winning because Remco will probably arrive there more tired having done some work to distance Kuss or Vingegård.

Almeida should also perform well in a stage like this.

 

[CyclistAbi]

If all Sepp did was talk about cycling, I'd probably get on with him pretty well. At least on the subject of routes and the likes. I have serious issues with his interviews about in-race tactics.

Better to cherish the similarities and things in common, such as the goals, then to nitpick about trivia.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Who says JV will attack before Tourmalet? They need people on the road in order to attack on Spandelles, if not, they risk only having GC riders left and no one to set the pace / control in the valley before Tourmalet (or having to sacrifice a rider).

IMO, JV will (if they don't get a strong rider in the break) use the team's strength until Tourmalet and attack uphill and hope their tridente has the best legs of the lot.

Likely they won't, due to van Aert not waiting on the other side, but this is for sure an option. An option they actually tried a couple of times. Successfully. If not that then they could just attack on the last climb hard. Done successfully a couple of times in the past too.

Still. Others need to attack Kuss ATM. So we'll see on what tactics JV will apply today.

 

[ice&fire]

And they're onto the neutralised start

 

[Volderke]

We have riders on the road. Wheels are spinning. Neutralisation. Hopefully the only neutralisation today

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The JV riders will probably attack each other, and the UAE riders likewise, while Remco can just enjoy the show and then diesel himself up Tourmalet, where he will arrive at the finish 15 seconds after Pelayo Mayo, because Sepp Kuss told him there were no riders ahead.

 

[Lexman]

Vamooos!

 

[noob]

I just wonder if Almeida ITT was a sign of him becoming better overall or if his climbing will suffer. If he's becoming better this climb might suit?

 

[repre]

We have riders on the road. Wheels are spinning. Neutralisation. Hopefully the only neutralisation today

we'll get one if Remco we'll be in trouble again

 

[Lexman]

Aular (Caja rural) DNS

 

[gunara]

On the other hand, we have some absolute dumbasses who can't bother to actually look at the race they're riding, don't know what Angliru is and don't know it features in this year's race, have no clue about the stage they are riding tomorrow etc. Its a total joke to listen to some of these riders.

Who?

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

It's one thing to have a plan, it's another thing to pull it off.
There will always be one of the favourites dropping out of the lead group (very likely), or one of the favourites dropping all others (a bit less likely).

I am curious ...
if there will be a kind of masterful tactical sound plan by e.g. Jumbo or UAE;
if Ayuso does a downhill attack on Spandelles;
if Remco drops one of the Jumbo riders with a hard pace on Tourmalet;
if Vingegaard / Mas attack with 5K to go on Tourmalet;
if Kuss is still in the leader's jersey after the stage;
If Soler happens to be stronger than Kuss and on par with all others and becomes the outright favourite for the Vuelta;
if Roglic wins a GC lead group sprint on the Tourmalet.

Let the show begin!

I am curious ...
if this stage is reduced to a 300 meter sprint...

Hope I've jinxed it now.

 

[Volderke]

Gesbert getting some killer shots if there is a photographer nearby (spectacular landscape, no one to be seen around the curve,...)

 

[noob]

These kind of heli shots are everything!

 

[Volderke]

They're on top. So we'll have to wait until Aubisque, unless Bardet thinks he can get rid of the peloton in the downhill.

 

[HelloDolly]

Robbie McEwan : Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face
ha ha

 

[Lexman]

They're on top. So we'll have to wait until Aubisque, unless Bardet thinks he can get rid of the peloton in the downhill.

he tries at least

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

Beautiful scenery but that uphill start turned out to be a bit pointless.

 

[Volderke]

Beautiful scenery but that uphill start turned out to be a bit pointless.

I was wondering as well, I can only guess it was logistically easier / cheaper to have the start in Spain.

 

[Volderke]

Trek again trying to put their biggest / heaviest rider in the mountain stage break.
They haven't learned from the Tour it seems.

 

[nightowl]

Trek again trying to put their biggest / heaviest rider in the mountain stage break.
They haven't learned from the Tour it seems.

They’re trying to do the WvA strategy but they’ve missed the fact that you need a WvA for that to work

 

[Gratemans]

Robbie McEwan : Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face
ha ha

Stole that quote from Mike Tyson.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Can't wait to see the comments if the GC riders come rolling in like stage 11. LOL

 

[Valv.Piti]

Who?

Heard on the cyclingpodcast stage 12. Might have been Larry Warbasse, but didn't fully pay attention. I was barely awake.

 

[Lexman]

no doms send ahead for the moment