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

[Rob5091]

I was going to write that this stage will be over before 15.00 if they start at lunch time, but I see to build up the excitement (the old Vegas trick of making the audience wait) so we're in a frenzy of anticipation, the start time is 14. 40 CET. I suppose we get to see the whole sorry excuse for a pro-cycling stage live on TV. Thank you Vuelta organizers! Do we get the added bonus of Kirby too? Wow! Our cups runneth over ...

 

[tobydawq]

I was going to write that this stage will be over before 15.00 if they start at lunch time, but I see to build up the excitement (the old Vegas trick of making the audience wait) so we're in a frenzy of anticipation, the start time is 14. 40 CET. I suppose we get to see the whole sorry excuse for a pro-cycling stage live on TV. Thank you Vuelta organizers! Do we get the added bonus of Kirby too? Wow! Our cups runneth over ...

Uh, why wouldn't they time the start time to match with the usual finish time???

 

[KZD]

As this is the day before Angliru, I think that the breakaway has a good chance of making it to the finish so Bardet ftw

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Lazkano FTW

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

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

So most definately neither UAE, Bahrain or Movistar would touch much today.

It's 95% on the breakaway. Also due to the quircky roads up to last 'meh' ramp.

Sorry, didn't read other posts here until now, think my mobile browser teases me yet again.

 

[Bolder]

I'm fine with unipuertos but ideally at the start of a tour. All kinds of unpredictable results.

 

[Rob5091]

Uh, why wouldn't they time the start time to match with the usual finish time???

Why not start about the normal time and finish early so everyone can get back to their hotels early? Or why not start at 17.00 and still be done before it gets dark? Infact they could have had a ITT in the morning then the stage afterwards and still get home before dark. Of course that would mess up the TV schedules.
I remember posting similar thoughts in 2016 about a seemingly dumb 110 km stage which turned out to be one of the funniest stages in history. We can but hope.
Edit - a chance of some rain today which might cause problems, but only light winds.

 

[Rob5091]

De La Cruz a DNS today as well.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Lazkano FTW

I'm starting to think he won't get a stage win in this race. He hasn't looked too great so far, and even if he gets into the breakaway, there'll probably be som better climbers with him, although the flat-ish start will make it harder for them to hit the right move.

I'm wondering if the news about Van Hooydonck will change JV's tactics for today. They might want to win the stage now (if they didn't already).

 

[Rob5091]

Lazkano might be best suited for stage 20. If he can get into a strong break, he'll have a good chance.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Rainy conditions today.

 

[Rob5091]

Rain! The forecast got that right!

 

[Samamba]

Very wet

 

[Samamba]

Sketchy start with the rain, up and down, turns, ...

I see Kron, Groves, Bardet, Gregoire at the front

Splits everywhere.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Peloton already in pieces

 

[Samamba]

DSM has Bardet and Poole in front. Win in the bag if they go clear.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Maybe the camera folk have wiped their lenses or the rain has subsided a bit...

 

[ice&fire]

Love this flat unipuerto ending in a climb of 400m drop for a total of more than 2000m of climbing in 120km

 

[Aimar16]

Soler doesn't look good, always at the back

 

[noob]

Soler is behind.

Almeida shared his virus? Just guessing.

 

[Samamba]

It's clearing up

 

[Samamba]

Jumbo blocking the road in 1 2 3

 

[ice&fire]

Jumbo blocking the road in 1 2 3

Road looks too wide to be blocked by a single team at the moment

 

[Samamba]

Road looks too wide to be blocked by a single team at the moment

Alpecin will join just cause they're used to it

EDIT: they actually are trying to lmao. joke team.

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

 

[Aimar16]

Road looks too wide to be blocked by a single team at the moment

Alpecin helps them