Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2024, stage 9: Motril - Granada, 179.2k

[Tim Cahill]

What are you refering to? When Vlasov reeled him in yesterday and set the stage up for WvA?

Yes, I heard a clip from LR talking about it towards the end of his podcast today.

 

[Netserk]

I want to say one thing. I love Giro d'italia, it is probably my favourite race in the world and those climbs full of snow and those green landscapes are so beautiful in the spring but I think Giro and Vuelta should be swaped in the calendar. These 40° stages are so difficult and demanding, almost unfair to human body. Vuelta doesn't have those high altitude stages like the Giro so the risk of a stage being cancelled is lower in the Vuelta. And Italy doesn't have these horrific hot weather in the summer that we always have in Spain (specially Andaluzia).
What do you guys think about this?

I like Grand Tours to be different. So greater differences in weather is a bonus.

 

[Cookster15]

I want to say one thing. I love Giro d'italia, it is probably my favourite race in the world and those climbs full of snow and those green landscapes are so beautiful in the spring but I think Giro and Vuelta should be swaped in the calendar. These 40° stages are so difficult and demanding, almost unfair to human body. Vuelta doesn't have those high altitude stages like the Giro so the risk of a stage being cancelled is lower in the Vuelta. And Italy doesn't have these horrific hot weather in the summer that we always have in Spain (specially Andaluzia).
What do you guys think about this?

I am thinking this is a very good idea. Another thing, most of stages at this Vuelta are being raced at 600-800metres elevation. That means it is potentially 6-8C cooler* than if raced at sea level. Racing a bike in these conditions is brutal. But your suggestion might also reduce the likelihood of Giro stages being canceled or shortened due to snow storms.

*From a Google search:

As altitude increases, temperature decreases. Various factors are responsible for this, including air pressure and water-vapour content. With every 100 metres, the temperature drops by an average of 0.65°C. Where the air is very dry, such as in an area of high pressure, the air can cool by almost 1°C per 100 metres.

 

[Mako]

Sivakov was interviewed in the Cycling Podcast after yesterday's stage, yes:

"Honestly, I'm quite pissed at Vlasov today. I think, it was in my opinion... I don't know, but it seems really personal, because Primoz didn't even sprint in the end. I watched the footage, and it was literally only him pulling with Wout van Aert in the wheel, and he did a perfect leadout for him. Yeah, that was a bit unfortunate. At one point I thought I made it, so it's really disappointing... but it is as it is."

"I don't know [what's the personal reason], maybe because I have a Russian name. We raced quite a lot when we were young, but I noticed... also in the climbs, when I'm moving, he is always moving with me. I don't know. I just don't see why they would give six minutes to O'Connor yesterday, but close me down for just a few seconds. Knowing that for GC, he [Primoz] is better in the TT, and much faster than me on the punchy climbs. I don't know... it was really weird for me to see that."

So it's something personal but he doesn't know what it is? Sounds all super weird

 

[Netserk]

Sivakov was interviewed in the Cycling Podcast after yesterday's stage, yes:

"Honestly, I'm quite pissed at Vlasov today. I think, it was in my opinion... I don't know, but it seems really personal, because Primoz didn't even sprint in the end. I watched the footage, and it was literally only him pulling with Wout van Aert in the wheel, and he did a perfect leadout for him. Yeah, that was a bit unfortunate. At one point I thought I made it, so it's really disappointing... but it is as it is."

"I don't know [what's the personal reason], maybe because I have a Russian name. We raced quite a lot when we were young, but I noticed... also in the climbs, when I'm moving, he is always moving with me. I don't know. I just don't see why they would give six minutes to O'Connor yesterday, but close me down for just a few seconds. Knowing that for GC, he [Primoz] is better in the TT, and much faster than me on the punchy climbs. I don't know... it was really weird for me to see that."

Crying hard about being on a black list. I'm sure Politt can console him.

 

[Gigs_98]

Honestly, given the amount of big passes in Italy it's truly fascinating this stage is probably a more exciting multi mountain stage design than anything we've seen at the Giro. And that's true while the character of this Vuelta is still very much having lots and lots of mountainous finishes. Absolute Giro L and Vuelta W

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Landa to send satellite riders in the break and bridge on the climb/descent, a majestic long range raid to claim back some minutes on roglic. Cattaneo doing his usual great work and the big Knox pulling in the climbs. The Slovenian roglic will cross the line with concussion symptoms despite not having crashed; the use of such aggressive and astute tactics will have baffled him completely

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Sivakov was interviewed in the Cycling Podcast after yesterday's stage, yes:

"Honestly, I'm quite pissed at Vlasov today. I think, it was in my opinion... I don't know, but it seems really personal, because Primoz didn't even sprint in the end. I watched the footage, and it was literally only him pulling with Wout van Aert in the wheel, and he did a perfect leadout for him. Yeah, that was a bit unfortunate. At one point I thought I made it, so it's really disappointing... but it is as it is."

"I don't know [what's the personal reason], maybe because I have a Russian name. We raced quite a lot when we were young, but I noticed... also in the climbs, when I'm moving, he is always moving with me. I don't know. I just don't see why they would give six minutes to O'Connor yesterday, but close me down for just a few seconds. Knowing that for GC, he [Primoz] is better in the TT, and much faster than me on the punchy climbs. I don't know... it was really weird for me to see that."

I have to say, it didn’t make sense. I’d love to know why Vlasov did that.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

I have to say, it didn’t make sense. I’d love to know why Vlasov did that.

he was 13 in GC and Siva 14o by 1s??

 

[The Barb]

Looks a strong likelihood of being a GC day.

Roglic at about $2.40 is too short. If it were a mountain top finish, then maybe. But the descent to the finish opens up other possibilities even if Roglic is the strongest on the climb.

Which leads me to Carlos Rodriguez at $34.

1. These are basically his home roads (home town is only about 20km from stage finish in Motril).

2. Form is improving - sneakily looked much better today on a climb that didn't suit. I say "sneakily" because it wasn't immediately obvious how good he was until I re-watched it. First, he was delayed by the crash early in the climb. This meant that when his group made it back to the leaders he was caught out in the split when Roglic attacked with about 2.5km to go and others in front of him couldn't hold wheels. Then he dragged a small group back up to the Roglic group. He ended up being the first finisher of those that were delayed by the crash,

3. Outstanding descender.

4. Sits 2:06 behind Roglic on GC, so Roglic needn't worry about giving Carlos 20-30s if he wants to take more risks on the descent.

5. Stage profile is PERFECT for him. Similar to Stage 14 of TDF last year when he caught Tadej and Jonas on the descent and rode away for stage win.

Anyway, just my thoughts. Should be a great stage to watch (and a horrible one for the riders in this heat, yikes).

 

[scribers]

Sivakov was interviewed in the Cycling Podcast after yesterday's stage, yes:

"Honestly, I'm quite pissed at Vlasov today. I think, it was in my opinion... I don't know, but it seems really personal, because Primoz didn't even sprint in the end. I watched the footage, and it was literally only him pulling with Wout van Aert in the wheel, and he did a perfect leadout for him. Yeah, that was a bit unfortunate. At one point I thought I made it, so it's really disappointing... but it is as it is."

"I don't know [what's the personal reason], maybe because I have a Russian name. We raced quite a lot when we were young, but I noticed... also in the climbs, when I'm moving, he is always moving with me. I don't know. I just don't see why they would give six minutes to O'Connor yesterday, but close me down for just a few seconds. Knowing that for GC, he [Primoz] is better in the TT, and much faster than me on the punchy climbs. I don't know... it was really weird for me to see that."

Maybe it’s a political thing. That’s how I interpret it

 

[movingtarget]

O'Connor in his second grand tour of the year already looks tired. He admitted that the extreme heat is not helping. He could hang on tomorrow to some of his lead but not by much probably. He looked better in the Giro but had issues with crashes and illness and still did well to finish 4th. Have doubts about O'Connor finishing top five overall. Third week will really test him.

 

[The Barb]

O'Connor in his second grand tour of the year already looks tired. He admitted that the extreme heat is not helping. He could hang on tomorrow to some of his lead but not by much probably. He looked better in the Giro but had issues with crashes and illness and still did well to finish 4th. Have doubts about O'Connor finishing top five overall. Third week will really test him.

I tend to agree. He's a from a very hot part of Australia but before this race I've thought of him as being better in poor weather (Stage 9 win in 2021 TDF was in some of the worst conditions you'd ever see).

 

[Rob5091]

I hope Roglic said thanks to the Israel PT guys for pulling the break back yesterday. O'Connor could be in for a torrid time today and if he paces himself to the finish he might only lose 2,3 minutes. If he tries too hard to follow, then he's toast.
What UAE do now could be very entertaining or completely bonkers or both.

Whatever happens, and I expect guys to be left all over the parcours unless there is some "go slow agreement", all will be glad of the rest day and cooler weather next week.

 

[E_F_]

Has Mas ever attacked in his career? He'll have to attack if he wants to win the vuelta and tomorrow should be the day but you know he's just going to follow wonder boy.

He could just follow Roglic into 2nd and hope Primoz crashes out...

 

[Valv.Piti]

Excitement is also very subjective. The GC situation is so different here than in the Giro. I don't think for example this is harder than double Grappa. And Vuelta gets different treatment than the Giro in terms of route expectations, I am guilty of that too.

And I do think a bit that Hazallanas is overrated. It might be the best cat 1 we have, but still only a cat 1.

Nah, everytime any peloton goes through Hazallanas, good things happen. Thats just how it is. Nobody says its Finestre or something like that, but for what it is its great. It also helps that it chains really well with Purche and its usually blazing hot. What doesn't help though is 5% roads to Sierra Nevada if they go that route which they do too often.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Almeida DNS.

 

[Lequack]

He gone

https://twitter.com/x/status/1827594371228631329

View: https://twitter.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1827594371228631329

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Would like to see O'Conner limiting the loss to under a minute which should prevent the other GC guys from sticking to the tiny squirts of attacks moving forward. Hopefully the cocktail of heat, parcours and the general lack of descending skills in the modern peloton won't result in too many incidents. Maybe young Tiberi can find his inner shark.

 

[Rob5091]

He gone

https://twitter.com/x/status/1827594371228631329

View: https://twitter.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1827594371228631329

Shame for him after finally getting a chance to lead the team ... Covid. Hope he gets well soon.

 

[Heston]

Almeida without covid looked like he could fight with Roglic for the overall win.

I fear Roglic will end up winning easily now, with Mas being poor in the TT and never really attacking.

 

[memyselfandI]

Thumbs up for VLB to drill it all out to the foot and lower slopes of the Purche climb and Sepp K going for Bardoneccia style attack. I hope he's been hiding something as it looked slightly promising the way he drilled for Wout.

 

[Gigs_98]

Excitement is also very subjective. The GC situation is so different here than in the Giro. I don't think for example this is harder than double Grappa. And Vuelta gets different treatment than the Giro in terms of route expectations, I am guilty of that too.

And I do think a bit that Hazallanas is overrated. It might be the best cat 1 we have, but still only a cat 1.

I think there is some truth to that and Grappa is certainly a much harder climb than Hazallanas. But those brutal ramps make Hazallanas so much more interesting despite the numbers of the climb not being that eye popping. Grappa is just very long so it was always all about the final ascent while this stage could blow up much earlier hence I genuinely think this is a better mountain stage design.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

So Bora will try everything today to crack O Connor

I hope everyon e stays on their bike and well

 

[AmRacer]

Thumbs up for VLB to drill it all out to the foot and lower slopes of the Purche climb and Sepp K going for Bardoneccia style attack. I hope he's been hiding something as it looked slightly promising the way he drilled for Wout.

I think the Wout episode cost Sepp way too much.