Vuelta a Espana 2011 Stage 6: Úbeda - Córdoba 196,8 km

[El Pistolero]

Quickstep will control tomorrow I think. They can win with Boonen and keep their red jersey with Chavanel.

 

[icefire]

Google Maps says 14% is to the north of Cordoba while San Jeronimo Monastery is to the west.

It's actually the same mountain line running to the north-west of Córdoba. You may see it if you switch on the relief map on Google.

 

[The Hitch]

Wait a sec. Haedo's still riding as well, isn't he?

Yes but theres a hill here. Cant see him getting over it.

 

[LukeSchmid]

It's actually the same mountain line running to the north-west of Córdoba. You may see it if you switch on the relief map on Google.

I think they are going north, that is the only way to get 580m in about 10 kilometers, then southwest, then coming back into Cordoba from the west. It is the only route I can see that make sense of the map and the profile.

 

[roundabout]

I think I found the road.

14% indeed. Ouch.

 

[Lexman]

Peter Sagan.

Yep, i hope for Boonen of Farrar but with that 2nd category climb close to the finish i think it will be Sagan as well...

 

[icefire]

Found it:

They don't do the last km in the profile. They probably turn there to a different road to go back to Córdoba.

http://www.altimetrias.net/aspbk/verPerfilusu.asp?id=632

 

[LukeSchmid]

Looks right, nicely found.

 

[royalpig180]

Found it:

They don't do the last km in the profile. They probably turn there to a different road to go back to Córdoba.

http://www.altimetrias.net/aspbk/verPerfilusu.asp?id=632

If that profile is indeed what they'll be climbing, then there's no way a sprinter takes this.

If Peter Sagan had shown anything in the earlier stages I'd pick him but I just don't think he's climbing that well. I think someone like Nicholas Roche or LL Sanchez is a better pick for this stage.

With that said, it'll really all come down to how they race it. If QS wants to keep the jersey and they have to pull back a threatening break, then the climb will likely be difficult and someone like Sanchez or maybe even Chavanel could win. If the break's already caught or really weak by then, and QS doesn't work, then a Sagan or maybe even a Boonen type could make it to the finish. Question is, would the break even be caught in that scenario...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Carlos Barredo in a breakaway.

They always climb some version of this climb, but usually on the other side of it (usually a fair bit of flat before descending back into Córdoba for the finish).

 

[Sylvester]

Breakaway stage, unless there's a threat to the GC in the break. Quick Step will want to keep Chavanel's jersey for another day.

 

[icefire]

Carlos Barredo in a breakaway.

They always climb some version of this climb, but usually on the other side of it (usually a fair bit of flat before descending back into Córdoba for the finish).

Barredo has another stage in his agenda. Movistar will send someone. Lastras was yesterday in gruppetto mode, today was hidden in the main group, so it's his turn tomorrow to go into classic mode.

 

[Fergoose]

Does this Vuelta have any proper day off for the main contenders? That last climb could see someone unexpected join Anton in popping off the back, especially if its still roasting. So I doubt we'll see a totally passive peloton up that climb.

Stagewin
I have even less idea on this one than normal and Luis Leon Sanchez apparently tried to get in a breakaway today but it was reeled in. I can't see them letting him go away tomorrow either as Rabobank still have three riders (including him) in decent position. I'd have said Sagan before I saw the breakdown of the last climb. I'd pick Taaramae who tried today apparently, but his condition seems awful. Hmm, I've got nothing better up my sleeve. So Taaramae it is.

Prediction score: 0 out of 5
Stage 5: I was surprised to see Nibali's amazing sprint in the clip of todays finish from last year. I was then surprised to see him come nowhere near to recreating it.

 

[icefire]

Does this Vuelta have any proper day off for the main contenders? That last climb could see someone unexpected join Anton in popping off the back, especially if its still roasting. So I doubt we'll see a totally passive peloton up that climb.

Next Friday will be the day off for the contenders, I guess. Then they have the rest day on Tuesday next week, the stage on Thursday next week and then a few more days in the last week.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Does this Vuelta have any proper day off for the main contenders?

The idea of a Grand Tour is that you race for three weeks. I know the Tour may have changed that perception somewhat, but even the flat stages should create the possibility of action - remember that flat stage of the Giro last year when all the GC men one-by-one made it into a break and Evans started punching Daniele Righi as if a Lampre domestique was responsible for BMC's lack of strength and ability to pull it back? Or Karpets doing a 45km solo to try and catch back up to the breakaway the day before Monte Grappa? Good times, good times.

 

[roundabout]

Yeah, Karpets. Everybody shrugged and let him fry himself.

I'd trade a couple of these anti-sprinter hills for one proper mountain stage with more than 2 big climbs in it.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah, Karpets. Everybody shrugged and let him fry himself.

I'd trade a couple of these anti-sprinter hills for one proper mountain stage with more than 2 big climbs in it.

Uhm, Karpets did that for Rodriguez... who won the race

 

[roundabout]

In the 2010 Giro?

 

[Fergoose]

The idea of a Grand Tour is that you race for three weeks. I know the Tour may have changed that perception somewhat, but even the flat stages should create the possibility of action

Ah, well despite watching more TdFs than I'd care to mention this is my first Vuelta which explains my perception (and sadly I've never seen a Giro). Its brutal. The slightest weakness is just massively exposed with no chance to recover if you hold out any ambition of a top 5 finish.

Its going to be same again for Anton tomorrow I fear. If he puts up another fight like that then he has no shortage of courage. He must be close to accepting his fate, throwing in the towel, losing 20mins and settling for a tilt at stage wins and possibly the King of Mountains if he regains any form?

 

[niidirull]

. I'd pick Taaramae who tried today apparently, but his condition seems awful. Hmm, I've got nothing better up my sleeve. So Taaramae it is.

Taaramäe wrote in his blog that his plans for the following 2 stages is to recover and just finish with the sprinters. He will assess his shape after that and will see what he can do.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/46884770

That be more to your taste? That's 230km from Ponferrada to Oviedo over El Puerto de Somiedo, San Lorenzo, Ventana, Cobertoria, Cordal (you could therefore put Angliru after that if you were even more sadistic) and Ablanedo. Again, if you were super sadistic you could then add the climb to Monte Naranco after that - it's only about 6km @ 6%, but after all that climbing it could still make a difference.

 

[roundabout]

That's a great stage.

 

[Fergoose]

Taaramäe wrote in his blog that his plans for the following 2 stages is to recover and just finish with the sprinters. He will assess his shape after that and will see what he can do.

Its alright, I'm a big boy. I can handle going 0 for 6.

 

[Fergoose]

That's a great stage.

I think there are a few riders who'd disagree. Outrageous!

 

[roundabout]

I did propose lightening the load elsewhere.