Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2024, stage 17: Arnuero - Santander, 141.5k

[Tricycle Rider]

Wish Arkea's Bianchis had a bit more of the legendary Celeste color, but at least they still have the tape

 

[Scarponi]

One for the purists today. Stage designed in honour of the legendary Vuelta performances of Gianni Meesrman, Chris Sutton, Geffrey souepe, Jonas van genachtens.

It’s one of those things in December when you wouldn’t mind anything on in the background but in August/September is torture

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Meersman doesn't belong on that list. He was not a bad rider, and he didn't even get the opportunity to show anything after that Vuelta.

It was not a comment about the ability of the riders involved, rather a nostalgic moment to enjoy mythical veulta sprint wins

I watched Meesrman winning a lot for years and am aware of why he retired. Souepe was doing high level leadouts for a decade before his stage win.

Van genachten has multiple WT wins and Sutton won Kuurne

But yeah Meesrman the best of them. Great rider

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Jackets are coming off, there was a bit of sunshine peeking through...

44km to go and the peloton is about 3:37 behind, not sure what to make of the break. But if Champion won that would make him a champion.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Some really neat and very sturdy looking old buildings, they look like they could survive a nuclear war!

 

[Danskebjerge]

I wish there was a rule that prohibited motorbikes in front of sprinter teams chasing a breakaway. You can see from the helicopter shots that the motorbikes are less than 2 seconds ahead of the first rider in the peloton. That's a massive advantage for him, and at the same time it's not camera angles that we as viewers couldn't live without.

Yeah, I know, it's the world's oldest complaint in cycling, but there are still no really good arguments for this practice.

"But what if the motorbikes do the same for the breakaway?" Sure, that could "solve" it, but then it needs to be implemented which there is no sign is the case.

 

[Netserk]

"But what if the motorbikes do the same for the breakaway?" Sure, that could "solve" it, but then it needs to be implemented which there is no sign is the case.

It's a far better solution than cutting images. With all the moaning about moto pacing, more unequal but less in total is what we get though.

 

[Danskebjerge]

They'll get caught with 5 k to the finish today.

 

[Danskebjerge]

Less than a second between the motorbike and the front of the peloton through that forest. That's several kph for the peloton.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Peloton picking up the pace now, and cameraman needs to wipe his lens cause there's some rain drops...

 

[Danskebjerge]

It's a far better solution than cutting images. With all the moaning about moto pacing, more unequal but less in total is what we get though.

It's not hard at all to make a rule about at least a 3 second gap. Not hard at all. The organizers and tv production teams just think that it's okay to influence the race. That's the problem.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Groves fearing the looming threat of Tejada in the green competition no doubt.

 

[ice&fire]

Not many people in that beach

 

[Samamba]

Something bad about to happen with this weather

 

[Tim Cahill]

Keep looking up and expecting "3. Roglic +4.30"

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I feel for the break, they're just giving it everything but I doubt they'll succeed. At least Champion got some sprint bonus points though and got some exposure.

 

[search]

there's a reasonably strong cross/tail wind coming in for the final 15k or so

 

[Ilmaestro99]

there's a reasonably strong cross/tail wind coming in for the final 15k or so

Basically worst kind of wind in these conditions from my experience?

 

[Samamba]

The break is just a little bit too weak. Replace the Euskatel guy and Champion in 2 decent riders and peloton wouldn't see them again in this weather.

 

[RedheadDane]

Rolf getting the Jonases mixed up.

 

[Samamba]

Campenaerts with one of his wtf are you doing moments

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I love you, Victor!

 

[Tim Cahill]

Generous of Victor to shave 15 seconds off the breaks lead at a crucial moment, though he's got separation now.

 

[Samamba]

Still not sure why break didn't slow down on the climbs/before the climbs so that a jump was possible. It's like they really didn't try today while it was definitely possible to beat Alpecin, DSM and Kern Pharma here

 

[Sciatic]

Watching them help pull the break back, I’m wondering when was the last time a pro-Conti team were so prominent in a GT as Kern Pharma has been in this Vuelta?