Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2025, Stage 18: Valladolid - Valladolid (12.2k)

[Brullnux]

That's the way it's. Almeida would surely have been closer. Who knows, Ayuso's lack of work on stage 9 could turn out to be quite crucial (but GOAT director Matxin freed his beloved Juan from any duties).

There's no way Ayuso could've made a difference on stage nine. The only way he could've was somehow sticking with Almeida and Pidcock, otherwise he'd just been in the Ciccone group.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Ayuso's lack of work on stage 9 could turn out to be quite crucial

Yes, because Ayuso has totally shown the level to either close down the strongest attack of the entire race or climb with the current podium to help Almeida out that way at any point in the other 17 stages. There's plenty to criticise Ayuso for, but ultimately I think his antics have mattered very little to the current GC situation.

 

[postmanhat]

Three stage wins by three different riders for Ineos. As at the tour, they're compensating fairly well now that their GC riders are failing.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Vine maybe lost the stage by messing up the very first corner

 

[Krzysztof_O]

There's no way Ayuso could've made a difference on stage nine. The only way he could've was somehow sticking with Almeida and Pidcock, otherwise he'd just been in the Ciccone group.

Vingegaard and Almeida were quite close for a long time (within 10 seconds). Ayuso's strong pull (if he had form of course) on that section could've helped Almeida weather the storm until the shallower section.

 

[Rou]

They should change the course and do Gamoniteiru!!! Or picon Blanco near burgos!! Save the vuelta!

If they add Gamoniteiru Plugge will sue the Vuelta.
Vingegaard is riding on fumes.

 

[Heston]

For those making asterisks, remember Jonas was robbed of bonus seconds in the stage where he and Pidcock would have sprinted for the win if it wasn't cancelled.

 

[Red Rick]

Yes, because Ayuso has totally shown the level to either close down the strongest attack of the entire race or climb with the current podium to help Almeida out that way at any point in the other 17 stages. There's plenty to criticise Ayuso for, but ultimately I think his antics have mattered very little to the current GC situation.

The best part of the whole situation is that when Vingegaard attacked Almeida was literally 2 wheels back and chose not to respond himself, instead hoping Jay Vine would close it

 

[Hugh Januss]

Almida robbed . Double the distance and he is within 30s of Jonas lead

On the other hand Vingegaard was robbed of the time bonus on stage 11, 10 or 6 seconds right there.

 

[RobertCrawley]

If they add Gamoniteiru Plugge will sue the Vuelta.
Vingegaard is riding on fumes.

It's either fatigue or sickness or both for Jonas. Almeida has an opening here to win this thing.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Yes, because Ayuso has totally shown the level to either close down the strongest attack of the entire race or climb with the current podium to help Almeida out that way at any point in the other 17 stages. There's plenty to criticise Ayuso for, but ultimately I think his antics have mattered very little to the current GC situation.

Let's just say I was more criticizing Matxin than Ayuso (if the DS freed him from duties after he won a stage then it's not his fault). Obviously his strong pull could've saved Almeida some seconds (if he had form of course).

 

[Cycling111]

Almeida would have achieved 25 seconds today. Similar to two years ago.

 

[RobertCrawley]

The best part of the whole situation is that when Vingegaard attacked Almeida was literally 2 wheels back and chose not to respond himself, instead hoping Jay Vine would close it

Yep. There's a reason Jonas has 40 seconds on Almeida. He earned the lead.

 

[Rou]

It's either fatigue or sickness or both for Jonas. Almeida has an opening here to win this thing.

Gianneti needs to make some calls.
UAE needs to pace stage 20 like their lives depend on it.
If they let Visma do it they will slow pace and babysit Vingegaard.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Useless waste of a stage. If they are cutting it in half just make it an old style a / b stage and make them do it twice

Is doing a-b twice not the same as a-b-a? Which is what they did.

 

[Hugh Januss]

The best part of the whole situation is that when Vingegaard attacked Almeida was literally 2 wheels back and chose not to respond himself, instead hoping Jay Vine would close it

Jay Vine did close it, but then he had to sit up to wait for Almeida.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

You can see Almeida is pissed off in his interview ...with the shortening of the stage but I think with more than that

 

[Earns1985]

Gianneti needs to make some calls.
UAE needs to pace stage 20 like their lives depend on it.
If they let Visma do it they will slow pace and babysit Vingegaard.

Yeah, and Visma will surely not chase the breakaway. They will of course prefer now, that there will be no bonus seconds at the finish for the GC guys anymore..

 

[Red Rick]

You can see Almeida is pissed off in his interview ...with the shortening of the stage but I think with more than that

Probably pissed cause he's not been able to drop Vingegaard for 3 weeks while Pidcock has managed to do it twice and even Hindley has put time into Vingegaard uphill.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Probably pissed cause he's not been able to drop Vingegaard for 3 weeks while Pidcock has managed to do it twice and even Hindley has put time into Vingegaard uphill.

Almeida is not explosivity master though Those Vuelta climbs are like sprints for him: he needs Veleta, Teide or Los Muchacos.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

Probably pissed cause he's not been able to drop Vingegaard for 3 weeks while Pidcock has managed to do it twice and even Hindley has put time into Vingegaard uphill.

I think Jonas is below par and maybe 2 back to back GT is too much for him , which is normal but Almeida has shown he too can win a GT (with a better team)
Dont think he is pissed for not dropping Vinge as he did in a way when he beat Vinge on the Angryloo as Jonas could not come round him
Almeida was the best climber on that stage

 

[Red Rick]

I think Jonas is below par and maybe 2 back to back GT is too much for him , which is normal but Almeida has shown he too can win a GT (with a better team)
Dont think he is pissed for not dropping Vinge as he did in a way when he beat Vinge on the Angryloo as Jonas could not come round him
Almeida was the best climber on that stage

If you're on UAE, it seems to be a strange claim you could win a GT on a better team. They're the highest performing team across the board.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

If you're on UAE, it seems to be a strange claim you could win a GT on a better team. They're the highest performing team across the board.

i dont think you understand what the word team means

 

[Red Rick]

i dont think you understand what the word team means

I must have missed the part where Almeida lost big time in the TTT.

 

[pelotonIQ]

And if Jonas finished the TT faster than Almeida, people would have said that Jonas was robbed.