Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2024, stage 20: Villarcayo - Picón Blanco, 172.0k

[Krzysztof_O]

Congrats to Dunbar: strong effort to keep his lead ahead of the favourites group.
GC guys: almost draw. Primoz tried an acceleration, Mas as well but almost no gaps. O'Connor suddenly much stronger after losing the jersey, his podium spot is very likely now. Will Mas get his beloved #2 tomorrow? Time will tell.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Well Roglic shouldn't make Mas' top 2 of priorities

Ofc he should since he was also afraid of dragging Roglic to a stage win. It was a tough situation, and under normal circumstances, he would have caught Dunbar, but he was really good today.

 

[tobydawq]

Skjelmose admitted that he had overestimated the difficulty of the penultimate climb and that it was a big mistake not to go with the group when Landismosaurus Rex and Mattiasauros forced the pace.

I whole-heartedly agree with that assessment, I think it was incredibly stupid. Even Rolf thought that but didn't want to be too explicit about it. Clearly, he didn't read @ devil elbow's preview.

 

[Sciatic]

... As long as they don't have whatever Bora had last night.

😁

 

[Netserk]

Ofc he should since he was also afraid of dragging Roglic to a stage win. It was a tough situation, and under normal circumstances, he would have caught Dunbar, but he was really good today.

Pathetic. Today it serves him right to end up with nothing.

 

[ice&fire]

Legs were too tired for any attack. Bring back the unipuertos.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Pathetic. Today it serves him right to end up with nothing.

Ok, and I don't agree. It was a hard spot to be in, and I also don't think he was superb as well which Dunbar was.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Skjelmose admitted that he had overestimated the difficulty of the penultimate climb and that it was a big mistake not to go with the group when Landismosaurus Rex and Mattiasauros forced the pace.

I whole-heartedly agree with that assessment, I think it was incredibly stupid. Even Rolf thought that but didn't want to be too explicit about it. Clearly, he didn't read @ devil elbow's preview.

He's been peaking all year for this race, how the *** have he and Trek not so much as studied the penultimate climb of the final mountain stage?

 

[tobydawq]

He's been peaking all year for this race, how the *** have he and Trek not so much as studied the penultimate climb of the final mountain stage?

No idea. His DS is quite a dinosaur (Kim Andersen), I wouldn't think attention to such detail is on the forefront of his mind.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

If Rogla's kids don't want the prized stuffed animal (probably because they have so many already) I'll take it!

Good to see Vine back and ultimately in the polka dots.

 

[Sciatic]

Roglic didn’t have it

He wasn’t going after the win, he could have dropped these guys far down the climb.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I might not have watched all interviews but could you elaborate on the latter? I know he came off quite poorly in the Netflix show, but if he came off even worse here, that would be impressive.

I hadn't seen all of the Netflix show, so am coming from perhaps a more neutral position than somebody who watched that more closely, but his general demeanour here has been of somebody who is deeply aggrieved that anybody might not have as high an opinion of him as he has of himself.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Can't wait for Skejlmose to ride like this for a 9th in TdF while that simultanously [[deleted]] their chances of bringing the best stage hunting squad with Mads, Milan and Nys and throwing stage wins left and right.

He should do Giro + Vuelta. These days thats the best for 2nd/3rd tier riders

 

[Netserk]

You love to see it!!!!

LET'S GO, JAY!

 

[yaco]

Dunbar got better as the race unfolded. His form is still a surprise, seeing he has struggled all year through a combination of crashes, injuries and form. Now that he's in form, the team can find a suitable race or two in the next month.

 

[JosefK]

Another entertaining stage. The excitement is raised when mere mortals clash.

 

[tobydawq]

I think it was just the huge headwind making everyone cluster together.

Doesn't this often happen on such a steep climb?

 

[ice&fire]

I think it was just the huge headwind making everyone cluster together.

I think I saw a few flags in the last climb indicating tailwind

 

[tobydawq]

You love to see it!!!!

LET'S GO, JAY!

I certainly don't. Too bad Soler didn't have a few friends in the favourite's group who could get in front of the Australian jerk.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Gorgeous last heli shots of this beautiful area.

 

[Sciatic]

I think this is quite a bizarre way to react to him securing his fifth Grand Tour win.

It’s not the usual champagne ride into Madrid. He’s had “adventures” in final weekend ITT’s before so I think he’s still focused on performing tomorrow.

 

[tobydawq]

It’s not the usual champagne ride into Madrid. He’s has “adventures” in final weekend ITT’s before so I think he’s still focused on performing tomorrow.

You can say what you want, he secured the win today.

 

[elguapo]

What happened to Carlos Rodriguez?

Tour fatigue. He should race Giro + Vuelta next year or race the Tour only. According to Luke Rowe, CRod has had Covid after the Tour and he was to support Arensman in the Vuelta.

 

[Bolder]

Dunbar got better as the race unfolded. His form is still a surprise, seeing he has struggled all year through a combination of crashes, injuries and form. Now that he's in form, the team can find a suitable race or two in the next month.

He and BoC are going to make jayco forget about the yatseses once and for all ...

 

[Sciatic]

You can say what you want, he secured the win today.

Not sure you understood what I meant —I totally agree he’s wrapped up the win—but he might still keep his game face on. That’s being professional about it.