Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2024, stage 13: Lugo - Puerto de Ancares, 175.6k

[Devil's Elbow]

Apologies for the late thread, I had more important things to tend to today.

GC hostilities resume with the - by average gradient - steepest MTF of the race.

The first half of the stage marks the final chapter of this Vuelta's long stay in Galicia. And as has been the case throughout, it's anything but flat, starting with the uncategorised Alto de Ansareo.

This is followed immediately by the first KOM, Alto Campo de Arbre.

The next climb, Alto O Portelo, is a pass on the range that forms the Galician-Leonese border, slightly less contentious here than at Ancares. It's the first 8k of the profile below.

Following a long flat section through the wide Bierzo valley, the roads become progressively tougher in the final 45 kilometres. Things start with the uncategorised Alto de Ocero.

Next up is Puerto de Lumeras (misspelled on the official profile), the obligatory route into Ancares from this side. It's the green part of the profile below.

And then, finally, it's time for Ancares itself. Although nowhere near as hard from the Leonese side as from the HC Galician one seen in 2014, 5.3k at 11.9% is nothing to be sneezed at. As you can see, it's surprisingly consistent for a steep Vuelta MTF.

 

[Red Rick]

They only did the hardest side of Ancares in 2014 no?

I actually think they won't take off from near the bottom this time, just a hard pace until 2.5 or 2km to go.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

They only did the hardest side of Ancares in 2014 no?

Can you tell that early 2010s is before I consistently watched the Vuelta and that I didn't bother to look it up?

 

[Red Rick]

Can you tell that early 2010s is before I consistently watched the Vuelta and that I didn't bother to look it up?

I mostly know cause I've sunk too many dozens of hours looking at race profiles. I only realized the 2012 and 2014 ones were different after the fact.

Pelliceira + Ancares is such a sick combo

 

[Tim Cahill]

Ben O'Cooked.

 

[Faserr]

I think Red Bull will control tomorrow. The 50 km before the last climbing part is good for Gamper and Denz.
O'Connor will loose 30-60 seconds and the win is between Mas, Landa and Roglic.

 

[Red Rick]

Actually attacking from the bottom is possible cause if he's following attacks he's just being stupid.

 

[Mako]

I think / hope this has written Roglic all over it.

 

[Netserk]

Break takes the stage. RedBull will want an easy pace before the last 5 km, Ag2r are happy to see the bonus seconds gone. Movistar too weak to do ***.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Ben O'Cooked.

Ben B’Cooking but he might not like what the others have cooked up.

 

[Mako]

Break takes the stage. RedBull will want an easy pace before the last 5 km, Ag2r are happy to see the bonus seconds gone. Movistar too weak to do ***.

Ah well. The unpleasant truthbomb.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

mixed up this stage with todays and I cant see it live as on plane ...aaaahhh

Anyway I think a Spanish winner from GC ...the Senors need to start making hay while the sun shines

 

[Red Rick]

Break takes the stage. RedBull will want an easy pace before the last 5 km, Ag2r are happy to see the bonus seconds gone. Movistar too weak to do ***.

I think it depedns on how Roglic is feeling and if Hazallanas was a one off. In none of the other stages has he shown any regard for if Enric Mas was there being very sure of himself.

So it turns to what's the better predictor for a pretty fresh 20 minute climb. A very fatigued 20 minute climb or a fresh 10 minute climb. And my money is on the latter.

 

[Psycat]

Hope Roglic crack and Mas+Carapaz pedals away. Not that I dislike Roglic but much prefer if every GT is not won by one of 3 riders, given that they are present. In the Tour I cheer for him.

Don't have much faith in O'Connor but would be more than happy if he managed to clinge on for the win aswell ,Mas winning would be ideal and not entirely unlikely in my mind. Of course Roglic is most likely winner(of both the Vuelta and this Stage if not break) till proven otherwise.

 

[Escarabajo]

Come on, I want to see some blood!
Roglic for the win. If he falters I see Carapaz capitalizing.
O'Connor to keep bleeding seconds.

 

[Escarabajo]

They only did the hardest side of Ancares in 2014 no?

I actually think they won't take off from near the bottom this time, just a hard pace until 2.5 or 2km to go.

It is 5 km at 12%. What pace? should be everyone on their own fighting for their life!

 

[Sciatic]

It is 5 km at 12%. What pace? should be everyone on their own fighting for their life!

The last approx 1.5 km are at 13-14%, so I’d guess trying to ride steady pace in small grps and then attack that final stretch ((if strong enough).
Carapaz to attack from the bottom.

 

[ashhutch1997]

This side of the Ancares is very similar to the last 5km of the Marmolarda, there should be decent sized gaps IMO.

 

[Red Rick]

This side of the Ancares is very similar to the last 5km of the Marmolarda, there should be decent sized gaps IMO.

Prior fatigue because of earlier sections matters a lot on those climbs.

I see it more like a longer version of Mas de la Costa or something rather than one of them monsters.

 

[JosefK]

Is the carriage about to turn into a pumpkin for Ben? Stay tuned.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

May the force be with Carapaz.

 

[Andre]

...who will be on the break as the last climb starts? C. Rodriguez? Meintjes? Narvaez? Cepeda? Poole? please don't let it be Soler or anyone from UAE

 

[ashhutch1997]

Prior fatigue because of earlier sections matters a lot on those climbs.

I see it more like a longer version of Mas de la Costa or something rather than one of them monsters.

Yes that's true, or even La Camporona. The ealier sections of Fedaia aren't too horrific IMO, just a few steep sections (I actually rode the Fedaia last week lol, and the last 5k are hell).

 

[Peyroteo94]

Movistar needs to kill this stage for Mas.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

There's a climb before the Llumeras, they don't even categorize it, smh.