Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2024, stage 8: Úbeda - Cazorla, 158.7k

[SHAD0W93]

The graphic on the right with Rog's head stuck on that jersey makes him look fat as f***.

I see some podge ripples on the belly as well.

Extra cushion in case he has a crash. Lord knows it helped me when I fell off a wall on my right hip at a Spartan race.

 

[Samamba]

30° ain't like 40°. O'Connor made clear after the stage he won how much a difference it made that it was less scorching hot than on stage 4.

Exactly the reason why I think Bora and Movistar in particular should absolute go mental tomorrow. Last day in the scorching heat, you could completley crack OConnor there imo. Today again, he overheated he said. Very possible that we could see other rider thrive in a week time when it's more like 22 degrees. Yates and Carapaz for example have said to be struggling with it a lot. Mas in particular is really good in the heat, use it when you can I would say.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

I would like for O'Connor to explain to me how his brain works. He said he was struggling due to the heat. Okay, cool, that's fine. Everybody responds differently to the weather. Then why would you not only respond hard to a Roglic attack, but try to make a statement by riding beside him as well? That's without even mentioning his facade on Oropa.

 

[Samamba]

From the top 15 today Van Eetvelt and also Gall (who seems really strong) were the ones who were impacted by the crash the most losing 10-15 seconds and having to close the gap quickly in the beginning.

 

[Samamba]

I would like for O'Connor to explain to me how his brain works. He said he was struggling due to the heat. Okay, cool, that's fine. Everybody responds differently to the weather. Then why would you not only respond hard to a Roglic attack, but try to make a statement by riding beside him as well? That's without even mentioning his facade on Oropa.

It was pretty arrogant and just plain stupid, but he probably overheats mid climb when he's going deep. He probably felt really good at the moment. But again, plain stupid and just weird. I mean the way he went to ride next to Roglic.

 

[Mako]

Look at the Vuelta preview on the main page. Al Fotheringham didnt mention Más among his contenders. The other one mentioned him among the long shots behind guys like del Toro.

Well, the preview was about "who could win the Vuelta" not "who will surely be 2nd" ;-)
JK obviously, but Mas' record of P2 Overall in the Vuelta is just astonishing.

 

[Bolder]

Exactly the reason why I think Bora and Movistar in particular should absolute go mental tomorrow. Last day in the scorching heat, you could completley crack OConnor there imo. Today again, he overheated he said. Very possible that we could see other rider thrive in a week time when it's more like 22 degrees. Yates and Carapaz for example have said to be struggling with it a lot. Mas in particular is really good in the heat, use it when you can I would say.

Mas said after the stage that he's used to heat, being from Majorca.

 

[Netserk]

Wasn't the Tour mainly 30 C in the valleys and then 20s on the climbs anyway?

Plateau de Beille was the hottest, I think. ~35 degrees in the last valley, by the strava posts of Evenepoel and Jorgenson. Between 24 and 30 degrees in the last 10 km on the climb.

EDIT: As comparison, the steep section on the final climb on stage 4 was at 38 degrees, with the stage max at 42 degrees.

 

[Rob5091]

Well, I can guess who Horner will call knuckleheads after today's stage. Shame for the guys who crashed including Ciccone who had a close encounter with a deer apparently.
Did not have Yates and Almeida more then 9 minutes down after 8 stages on my bingo card. Will UAE unleash "the Soler"?!

 

[Remy55]

From the top 15 today Van Eetvelt and also Gall (who seems really strong) were the ones who were impacted by the crash the most losing 10-15 seconds and having to close the gap quickly in the beginning.

and Lipowitz

 

[ice&fire]

In another news, the crash of Ciccone and Juaristi was caused by three herds of roe deer crossing the road. They also did some damage to one of Euskaltel's cars.

El salto de tres corzos provoca la caída de Ciccone y Juaristi

“Tres manadas atravesaron la carrera. La primera impactó con Txomin y la última de ellas rompió dos bicis del coche”, dicen del Euskaltel a AS.

as.com

 

[Oldermanish]

I really don’t think Pogacar would have the same charge in his legs in this awful heat (in addition to two tours). I don’t doubt he could have won, but he would have struggled more.

Realistically this UAE lineup has melted down. Pogacar would rely on Roglic's team much like the first Tour he won....on the last stage. I don't think he walks from Primoz on the climbs in this Vuelta.

 

[Oldermanish]

30° ain't like 40°. O'Connor made clear after the stage he won how much a difference it made that it was less scorching hot than on stage 4.

As mentioned earlier O'Connor and all GC contenders need reliable feeds in this heat. A tougher stage with isolated attackers can rely on their team car if they can get to it or neutral support. That can change the game quickly if you lack a teammate in a break....

 

[QueenStagiaire]

and Lipowitz

Lipowitz was less affected than Haig for example, he just had to ride around, it didn‘t really cost him.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

So just watched the race

Why were UAE not waiting for Almeida
Why did Gall not wait for O Connor towards the end >

what is going on

 

[Mako]

So just watched the race

Why were UAE not waiting for Almeida
Why did Gall not wait for O Connor towards the end >

what is going on

Almeida is apparently sick with C-19 and was dangling off the back for the entire second half of the race day
The last 400m were so steep, Gall couldn't do anything anymore for Ben O Connor. In double digits grades, it's every man for himself.

The bigger questions is why IPT were pulling the bunch. Did they really think they could upset Roglic on a terrain like that? A climb like this is a living room for Roglic.

 

[Samamba]

and Lipowitz

He slowed down because of it indeed but he did not stop. Haig also had to slow down, but didn't lose 10-15s standing still like Van Eetvelt or Gall. Same with Carlos Rodriguez, had to slow down a bit which is annoying but never had to stop.

Haig actually looking pretty good for once.

 

[Cookster15]

What a difference a day makes. The heat in Spain really taking its toll. Kudos to those riders who are excelling in these inhuman conditions for bike racing - Roglic obviously but also Enric Mas who must be used to the heat and surprised me.

Obviously the red jersey suffered a big blow but the other shock is UAE who have completely melted - pun intended. But in the space of today's final climb O'Conner has gone from looking in a strong position to super vulnerable. He will need to have a much better ride tomorrow's even harder stage on paper. Also disappointed Felix Gall didn't stay with O'Conner. What exactly did Gall achieve by leaving the red jersey?

 

[AnotherArmChair]

For Ben O conoor this has long Vuelta written all over it

 

[Mako]

What a difference a day makes. The heat in Spain really taking its toll. Kudos to those riders who are excelling in these inhuman conditions for bike racing - Roglic obviously but also Enric Mas who must be used to the heat and surprised me.

Obviously the red jersey suffered a big blow but the other shock is UAE who have completely melted - pun intended. But in the space of today's final climb O'Conner has gone from looking in a strong position to super vulnerable. He will need to have a much better ride tomorrow's even harder stage on paper. Also disappointed Felix Gall didn't stay with O'Conner. What exactly did Gall achieve by leaving the red jersey?

Gall is clearly in better form, so AG2R simply hedging their bets. Anyway, nobody can really help you in double digit gradients.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

Gall should have stayed with O Connor for psychological support if nothing else

Just like for Yates and co riding out the front and Almeida all alone at the back ...you can offer support to your leader in more ways than one

 

[AnotherArmChair]

O Connor and Landa need to pray from some cooler weather

 

[Mako]

Gall should have stayed with O Connor for psychological support if nothing else

Just like for Yates and co riding out the front and Almeida all alone at the back ...you can offer support to your leader in more ways than one

Oh come on, BOC had his fun in the red and by the looks of it, it'll be gone by tomorrow anyway. He's probably gonna ship 10 minutes on the second Hazallenas ascent.

 

[Lequack]

Caption this

 

[aruipksni]

Almeida is apparently sick with C-19 and was dangling off the back for the entire second half of the race day
The last 400m were so steep, Gall couldn't do anything anymore for Ben O Connor. In double digits grades, it's every man for himself.

The bigger questions is why IPT were pulling the bunch. Did they really think they could upset Roglic on a terrain like that? A climb like this is a living room for Roglic.

i think Eurosport comentator told the answer about IPT: obviously IPT DS didn't like ther are not in the break , and didn't want to reward teams like ASTANA, ARKEA, DSM, COFIDIS, MOVIESTAR JAICO easy points, that will help them with the relegation battle next year - simple as that, and it proved itself, because otherwise , the break would succeed and cepeda would have scored easy 180 points , and stage victory, while other teams score points.