Vuelta a Espana Stage 4: Baza - Sierra Nevada 170.2 km

[Ferminal]

I feel we may get a La Toussuire situation here, but what is important is that Purito tries to win, he needs all the time bonuses he can get.

 

[Swede1]

Nibali looked comfortable today. Ill say Sky, Liquigas, and Katusha all set pace alternately on the climb. Wiggins, Brajkovic, Nibali to be up in the front group and JRod to win by about 3 seconds with a powerful sprint. Yes I am a Brajkovic fan

 

[Michielveedeebee]

And I'm sure he is the only one....

oh wait... (do you realise half the spanish cycling pro's live on this climb, even many sucky ones? Also many foreign climbers also practically live on the climb btw)

So typically Belgian, they read stories of VDB training on Sierra Nevada so often, and immediately think he is the only one. LOL

Where did I say that? If there's anyone around here that does not believe one rider is the one, it's me...

What does being Belgian have to do with it anyway ?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Racist racist bla bla. He calls something typically Belgian, get over it.

It was rather unfair and quite an ignorant comment on D-T's behalf. Don't you join in.

Anyway, I think the break will win this one

I would like to see some of the big boys come out and play but i doubt it will happen. Will Movistar really chase down the break?

 

[Midnightfright]

Wiggins to. treat this as a TTT and ride everyone of his wheel.

 

[Midnightfright]

It was rather unfair and quite an ignorant comment on D-T's behalf. Don't you join in.

Anyway, I think the break will win this one

I would like to see some of the big boys come out and play but i doubt it will happen. Will Movistar really chase down the break?

I think they will do everything they can to get someone in the break.

 

[theyoungest]

Left it at the swimming pool. Getting back to work sucks.

"I Left My Love at the Swimming Pool." Sounds like a Tony Bennett song.

I have no idea how today's stage will pan out. Remember, Etna didn't look too hard on paper either. I just hope Kruijswijk is spared any more bad luck.

 

[Mellow Velo]

"I Left My Love at the Swimming Pool." Sounds like a Tony Bennett song.

I have no idea how today's stage will pan out. Remember, Etna didn't look too hard on paper either. I just hope Kruijswijk is spared any more bad luck.

Me neither. Get the feeling that someone "non-threatening" will be allowed to come out of final bunch to pinch the win.
Who? I know not.

 

[The other McHoy]

Kloden being 14 mins back after 3 stages is a shocker, he was in tremendous form before the TdF injuries, must still be in recovery mode. On form he would have been there or thereabouts on Sierra Nevada.

 

[manafana]

I'll repeat myself again: those who crashed at the Tour have had almost 2 weeks less for recovery than Fränk Schleck had last year. Their performance will depend on the pace set by those who had the Vuelta in their agenda before starting the Tour.

To counter that frank actually had a 3week tour in their legs, those that crashed didnt have a tour to recover from just a crash.

 

[Talented]

hi

going to be intresting stage today! Cant wait!

 

[l.Harm]

It was rather unfair and quite an ignorant comment on D-T's behalf. Don't you join in.

Anyway, I think the break will win this one

I would like to see some of the big boys come out and play but i doubt it will happen. Will Movistar really chase down the break?

It just annoys me when people misuse racism. I didn't say I agreed with D_T.

 

[AussieGoddess]

Scarponi FTW today.

I do think the main contenders will have a go

 

[Tuarts]

Kloeden isn't a surprise. He said before in an article he has no form and doesn't know how he'll fare. Jani and Zubeldia are the RS leaders.

 

[Duartista]

To counter that frank actually had a 3week tour in their legs, those that crashed didnt have a tour to recover from just a crash.

Eh? He crashed out on stage 4 or 5 and he hadn't done the Giro. However, I'm not sure how relevant the example is to Brajkovic, Wiggins, VDB etc.

For today, I would pick Moncoutie. Unlike most riders, he is enjoying the heat and has said he will test himself today.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

To counter that frank actually had a 3week tour in their legs, those that crashed didnt have a tour to recover from just a crash.

No he didn't. Fränk crashed out in stage 5 and didn't ride the Giro.

 

[icefire]

To counter that frank actually had a 3week tour in their legs, those that crashed didnt have a tour to recover from just a crash.

I'll refresh your memory: Fränk crashed (and left the race) last year on stage 3 of the Tour. This year crashes were on stage 9. And last year there was one more week between end of Tour and start of Vuelta.

 

[boomcie]

It just annoys me when people misuse racism. I didn't say I agreed with D_T.

Conveniently, it annoys me when somebody misuses his keyboard to stain these boards.

You Harm. Great to hear you don't agree with D_T though.

Now let's get on with today's stage. I like it and am looking forward to it. Last k's look lame though, something I've only noticed today. Can't see anyone of the major riders finishing solo. Except Menchov maybe, at the back.

 

[mariposa]

I think they will do everything they can to get someone in the break.

+1
I think that this was always going to be a tough day mentally for Movistar and Intxausti in particular ending as it does in the ski station where Xabi Tondo died. The great win yesterday has to a degree taken the pressure off the team to do something in Xabi's memory and having the red jersey to defend today will give them something positive to focus on. It will be interesting to see who they try to get into the break.
I would love to see Intxausti win it or at least do well today.

Whatever happens any tribute to Xabi at the end of the stage is going to be very emotional for everyone.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Where did I say that? If there's anyone around here that does not believe one rider is the one, it's me...

What does being Belgian have to do with it anyway ?

They always react the same on cycling boards, thats why

Just like the Dutch on football forums (annoying as hell, I know)

 

[Thomsena]

hard to make a prediction on this one isn't it.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Nobody knows what to expect. Will the favorites go for it or watch eachother until 2km to go?

Plus there is no real top favorite here anyway. There are 5/6/7 people who can win

 

[boomcie]

They always react the same on cycling boards, thats why

Just like the Dutch on football forums (annoying as hell, I know)

I call foolish and improper generalization.

 

[LaFleur]

This is going to be breakaway ftw surely? Nobody is interested in bringing this back unless some bigshot goes in it. Moncoutie could target this one as he could get quite a few KOM points.

I mean even yesterday the chase wasn't really on at any point, and today, neither Leopard, Rabobank or Liquigas can be very interested in bringing this back, Movistar don't have the strength

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I call foolish and improper generalization.

Go cry me a river with that calimero behaviour, please