Vuelta a Espana Stage 9: Villacastín - Sierra de Bejar. La Covatilla 183,0 km

[AussieGoddess]

yeah I actually think the break will stay away on this one.

will be interesting .... I think JRod still needs a heap of time if he is to contend for overall. Otherwise will be Niballi, Scarponi and JVDB to fight it out for the podium (I dont think Anton can make it on the podium from here)

 

[Winterfold]

Busy day for Katusha I reckon - time for the breakaways to start eating up those bonifications

Fancy VDB2 for the stage.

I thought this looked like a Wiggo friendly MTF but there are lots of nasty little ramps on that climb.

 

[jens_attacks]

halamala,thanks for posting the times.
well,in 2006 it wasn't a decisive stage,it was just the 5th stage, too early to go full gas.
and i remember that in 2004 it was unbelievable hot,an absolutely scorching day even at that altitude.

 

[LukeSchmid]

halamala,thanks for posting the times.
well,in 2006 it wasn't a decisive stage,it was just the 5th stage, too early to go full gas.
and i remember that in 2004 it was unbelievable hot,an absolutely scorching day even at that altitude.

So it was the weather then!!!

 

[Raceoftruth]

Busy day for Katusha I reckon - time for the breakaways to start eating up those bonifications

Fancy VDB2 for the stage.

I thought this looked like a Wiggo friendly MTF but there are lots of nasty little ramps on that climb.

Wiggins could do well but think he may lose 30 seconds or so due to accelerations from the other favourites. If he were to put the team on the front that would help him and be a real show of strength but not sure how long they would last on the front.

 

[jens_attacks]

So it was the weather then!!!

man i bet that if katusha goes full gas and purito attacks like in the dauphine,he beats all those times besides heras and beloki(who were better climbers than purito let's face it).
it's not all about medical assistance,there are other factors too.for example in 2002 and 2004,covatilla was pretty decisive being placed in the last mountainous stage.now it's just the 9th stage and they will watch each other i'm sure of that unfortunately.but if someone attacks early we might see a nice performance by purito i guess.

 

[gilbertador]

I personally think Rodriguez will be fine recovering, his recovery appears to be excellent with his packed racing schedule and his ability on the last MTF of GTs see 3rd on tourmlet and Finnestre which were better than what he managed earlier in the GTs, im worried about Nibali and Wiggins, the climb appears to be very uneven in gradien on the way up and will hurt a rhythmic rider, i think this is between Jrod VDB2 and Scarponi, VDB2 to ultimately win the vuelt for me

I love the way hes not a follower hes always prepared to lead and put in his fair share of work when the group is down to 10 much like Evans AC and Basso, no half hearted 10 second pushes to be found here

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

the climb appears to be very uneven in gradien on the way up and will hurt a rhythmic rider,

Changing gradient every km or 2 is not an issue - the problem is when it switches every 200m, but I think this one is pretty consistant within its macro sections.

 

[the chicken from T]

don't underestimate menchov, despite his loss in stage 2 he's riding very well.
he has been always at the front the last couple of days, in fact i haven't seen him riding like this snce Giro 2009.

 

[Freddo]

Thought's on Fuglsang's chances?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I personally think Rodriguez will be fine recovering, his recovery appears to be excellent with his packed racing schedule and his ability on the last MTF of GTs see 3rd on tourmlet and Finnestre which were better than what he managed earlier in the GTs, im worried about Nibali and Wiggins, the climb appears to be very uneven in gradien on the way up and will hurt a rhythmic rider, i think this is between Jrod VDB2 and Scarponi, VDB2 to ultimately win the vuelt for me

I love the way hes not a follower hes always prepared to lead and put in his fair share of work when the group is down to 10 much like Evans AC and Basso, no half hearted 10 second pushes to be found here

meh everyone would have felt the finish yesterday.

 

[theyoungest]

don't underestimate menchov, despite his loss in stage 2 he's riding very well.
he has been always at the front the last couple of days, in fact i haven't seen him riding like this snce Giro 2009.

The Tour 2010?

 

[auscyclefan94]

TGBM was quite impressive yesterday. Lets hope he has some strength on these longer climbs to do something. He's looking a bit better than Kruiswijk atm.

 

[the chicken from T]

The Tour 2010?

you are correct

 

[Raceoftruth]

Thought's on Fuglsang's chances?

Interesting one. Does well as a super-domestique and been touted as having potential. Think grand tour wise this is his first chance at leading, although monfort may disagree. For me think he will start to slide down the leaderboard compared to the other contenders.

 

[dlwssonic]

Im surprised that BMC have still have their full squad, the hot weather has absolutely decimated the team.

 

[Nielsa]

Tschopp and someone I forgot have abandoned.
So the second part of your sentence is more or less correct, the team is more than decimated.

 

[dlwssonic]

They don't, Tschopp and someone I forgot have abandoned.

oops my bad. I have been pretty disconnected to this vuelta(its not because BMC have been crap)

 

[LukeSchmid]

Im surprised that BMC have still have their full squad, the hot weather has absolutely decimated the team.

Tschopp????

 

[LukeSchmid]

Tschopp and someone I forgot have abandoned.
So the second part of your sentence is more or less correct, the team is more than decimated.

Only Tschopp, all the rest, Santambriogio, van Avermaet, Frank, Santaromita, Kohler, Kroon, Quinziato and Phinney, finished yesterday. None of them are doing much.

 

[dlwssonic]

Only Tschopp, all the rest, Santambriogio, van Avermaet, Frank, Santaromita, Kohler, Kroon, Quinziato and Phinney, finished yesterday. None of them are doing much.

GVA looks dead from the heat, pretty dissapointed.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

TGBM was quite impressive yesterday. Lets hope he has some strength on these longer climbs to do something. He's looking a bit better than Kruiswijk atm.

To be fair I think Mollema is better at the shorter more explosive stuff.
But tonight we should have more of an idea at who is better here.

 

[LukeSchmid]

To be fair I think Mollema is better at the shorter more explosive stuff.
But tonight we should have more of an idea at who is better here.

Also Kruiswijk seems to get stronger as a GT continues and has had a bit of bad luck. I still think he will beat Mollema unless he has to work for Mollema.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

With the TT tomorrow I think ultimately Rodriguez, Scarponi, Nibali will be reluctant to make a big effort and will mark each other. Someone not threatening GC will nip off for the win - Moncoutie / Sorensen / Kruiswijk / Zaugg / Poels - think the winner will come form one of those

 

[theyoungest]

Also Kruiswijk seems to get stronger as a GT continues and has had a bit of bad luck. I still think he will beat Mollema unless he has to work for Mollema.

I think so too, although he complained about some back problems yesterday.