Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2023, stage 16: Liencres Playa - Bejes, 120.1k

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Just reading news TJV will not thinking of any cycling today due to Hooydonck incident.
Just hope they will now withdraw before entering the start ramp but turn this tiny stage into a heck of a TJV show to show support to their support rider.
*edit* didn't realize stage has already started. I bet it will be a death stage if TJV can motivate themselves for something honourful (sorry my mobile sucks so cannot read thead properly, besides no TV Signal, just short work break before entering within a couple of hours, next year think my summer vacation should be moved to Vuelta calendar).

 

[Rob5091]

Jumbo seem happy with the 10 guys up the road so are trying to slow things down.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Jumbo seem happy with the 10 guys up the road so are trying to slow things down.

OK then Grisha was right - TJV will not think cycling today.
But I didn't think they now even hate cycling.
*edit* can understand for upcoming tomorrow, not risking loosing it all today. But then I definitely expect a 1-2-3 tomorrow, hand-in-hand.

 

[search]

Break is gone anyways. So either Bardet wins or Jumbo controls.

could be short (and steep) enough for Sobrero to give him a run for the money.

 

[Aimar16]

Ineos not happy

 

[Samamba]

could be short (and steep) enough for Sobrero to give him a run for the money.

5km isn't short. No chance if Bardet still has his legs from the first 2 weeks, definitely knowing Sobrero has been sick.

 

[Aimar16]

The break has started to cooperate, even gaining time against Ganna

 

[Samamba]

This is actually perfect for GC guys if the want to win. Just less kilometers they have to control.

 

[topcat]

Will Remco try to bridge? It looks like he has built a bridge over stage 13. If he takes it easy today, it means he’s going to pull a Contador tomorrow.

 

[Rob5091]

The break has started to cooperate, even gaining time against Ganna

The TV showed Ineos warming up before the start so I assumed they want to be in the break.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

After the last couple of climbing stages today's pace feels so hyper and frantic...

 

[ice&fire]

The TV showed Ineos warming up before the start so I assumed they want to be in the break.

By the look of things, they were still warming up then the break was gone

 

[saunaking]

Love seeing Ineos doing the garbage team donkey work as punishment from their DS

 

[topcat]

Average speed of 50 km/h. Tailwind or nutrition?

 

[Gratemans]

This is actually perfect for GC guys if the want to win. Just less kilometers they have to control.

Yep, was thinking the same thing. Especially on a short stage like this one.

 

[Samamba]

20 seconds now but no teammates anymore. Think the peloton is about to break.

 

[Netserk]

Ineos gifting the stage win to Rogla.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Commentators questioning what Ineos are doing

 

[Samamba]

Ineos gifting the stage win to Rogla.

Would be ridiculously stupid from Jumbo if they don't control now.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

A real terrible pity the route planners will not take advantage of the full climb.

Stupid me, I confused with another similar climb in Galicia I think.
Just 3D panned at earth.google.com to find today's finish line. What a phenomenal location Bejes is, just at the foot of Cantabria mountains. And dragging and having a view round the slopes from La Hermida to Bejes is beyound beautiful.
And now to the point. Yes, seems to be paved segment above Bejes. But
'middle' summit some 500 altitude meters longer upwards is indeed very narrow and with a gorge directly vertical 700 meters down on one side not THAT suitable for a finish line.
On the other hand, when you pan 3D down towards Bejes from here, it looks so fantastic that I hope it will be overcast with fog so that the place is not overrun with tourists next year.
But the "real" top point is mostly for Strava segments for single trainers and not for a GT peleton. Not at all.
So right decision from route planners. But think La Vuelta stay is at max, quite tiny location, team busses will most definitely be parked at the buttom at the climb maybe even before La Hermida. Typical quirky and beautiful, beautiful roads it seems.
OK got solved my work earlier than expected, away on the saddle in order not to miss more drama.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Looks like the teams in the breakaway may have shot themselves in the foot by not letting Castroviejo go.

 

[Aimar16]

or Remco will be forced to win.

 

[Samamba]

That' more like 17 seconds left and there's an uphill stretch coming up where a jump is possible.

 

[Samamba]

Gap growing again

This is so typical. Coming back to under 20 seconds again to just let it go up immediately after

 

[Gratemans]

Well, this was a weird chasse-patat.
Now no one from Ineos has the energy left to do anything.