Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y León - 13th to 17th April

[Ryaguas]

Any thoughts on today's stage??
I dont want Contador to win... I think that He will just cover the attacks and be cool, the % are not even interesting... I think that Coppel could do something then We'll see a good battle in the ITT... also... what about Nairo Quitana FTW tomorrow?

 

[rantanplan]

Intersting stage today

A really good climb (El Penon) and a final summit quite dull (Laguna de los Peces), with no much flat in the middle.

El Penon (1 Cat): Alt: 1840 m Long:14,4 Km Aver: 5 % Coef APM:194

Laguna de los Peces (2 Cat) : Alt:1725 m Long: 16,8 Km Aver:4,16 % Coef APM: 99

Profiles in http://plataformarecorridosciclistas.org/2011/04/12/vuelta-a-castilla-y-leon-2011/


Note:

If Coef APM 30-60 3 Cat
If Coef APM 60-120 3 Cat
If Coef APM 120-240 3 Cat
If Coef APM >240 H.C

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Nice trees:

 

[canyonball]

but he did win on Monte Assunção

God I remmember that. He just looked so strong going in to the finish line, although Assunção is not some super climb. I really would like to see him take the leap next year. If ventoso, rojas... hell, if cardoso got a spot at pro tour, I think he deserves one at a pro conti at the very least.

 

[theyoungest]

Nice trees:

Maybe even Richie Porte can stay with the front group on that one. This certainly looks like a race he could win (or could have won if Contador weren't there).

 

[Sylvester]

Frankly, I don't think Porte wants to win Castilla y Leon at all costs. He might as well take it easy today.

Quite a strong and evenly matched climbing field here, with Mollema, Possoni, Pozzovivo, Garate, the Colombians, Pardilla, Coppel, Santi Perez... though Contador will most likely win once more, the climbs are long enough for him to make a difference. Unless Anton will stay with him, but I think Igor does not want to show his cards before the Flèche.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Oh dear, that final climb looks in keeping with the racing we have seen so far.

 

[jens_attacks]

stefano pirazzi FTW!!!

 

[issoisso]

Oh dear, that final climb looks in keeping with the racing we have seen so far.

Laguna de los Peces always ends in a 30 or so rider sprint. Anyone expecting time gaps is going to be disappointed.

I'm not saying it definitely won't result in time gaps....I'm just saying it would be the first time ever.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Considering he managed to stay within 5 and a half minutes of the winner on last year's Volta (I know the racing wasn't as selective as it often is on Senhora da Graça or Torre especially after the re-routing so they basically climbed Piornos then a bit more rather than the usual Seia-Torre route, but he did win on Monte Assunção), it can't be TOO dreadful.

He had a pretty mediocre year on his return in 2009 with 4ths and 5ths his best results in Torres Vedras and the Volta, but he's been back on form in 2010 and so far in 2011. Nice to see the Portuguese teams outside of their homeland.

Just wish LA-Antarte were the ones getting all the invites. They're my favourites of them.

what does his climbing on da grace and torre have to do with his itt? I'm noet deniening he's a good climber

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

What was weird about it?

his team fired him and no other team wanted him anymore. I blieve the tema said it had to do with violants regarding doping but eventually a team picked him up. I don't even think he got suspended actually.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Any thoughts on today's stage??
I dont want Contador to win... I think that He will just cover the attacks and be cool, the % are not even interesting... I think that Coppel could do something then We'll see a good battle in the ITT... also... what about Nairo Quitana FTW tomorrow?

horrible final climb where about 20 guys finishes in 2009 and cobo won. let's hope a fierce pace by the colombians on te climb before but there's long valley in between

 

[theswordsman]

Contador said yesterday that he wished other teams would have helped with the work, but he gave his own team a ten.

If they have to lead again today, it's the kind of day where he would go for the stage win to reward them for the effort. It would mean more to put on the leader's jersey as a result of team effort than if he rode into it alone in a Time Trial.

Alberto said the finish at Catalunya wasn't tough enough to be decisive, but then he was able to put 23 seconds on Scarponi. He's got today and La Fleche Wallone as his last big days before the Giro. I hope there's a battle, but mostly hope for a win.

 

[Ney the Viking]

Contador said yesterday that he wished other teams would have helped with the work, but he gave his own team a ten.

If they have to lead again today, it's the kind of day where he would go for the stage win to reward them for the effort. It would mean more to put on the leader's jersey as a result of team effort than if he rode into it alone in a Time Trial.

Alberto said the finish at Catalunya wasn't tough enough to be decisive, but then he was able to put 23 seconds on Scarponi. He's got today and La Fleche Wallone as his last big days before the Giro. I hope there's a battle, but mostly hope for a win.

And this is why I can have respect for a guy like Contador, he understands how important the team around him is, and tries to express it to the world around him that he is grateful for the help, and want to reward the team with a win. He just got a positive mark in my book for sure.

 

[Viskovitz]

horrible final climb where about 20 guys finishes in 2009 and cobo won. let's hope a fierce pace by the colombians on te climb before but there's long valley in between

This year the flat in between climbs is way shorter than in 2009 (when they did a stupid flat loop). The Alto del Peñón is the key of the stage, with really steep slopes in the final section. The plan for every climber should be to attack there:

 

[Viskovitz]

Contador said yesterday that he wished other teams would have helped with the work, but he gave his own team a ten.

If they have to lead again today, it's the kind of day where he would go for the stage win to reward them for the effort. It would mean more to put on the leader's jersey as a result of team effort than if he rode into it alone in a Time Trial.

Alberto said the finish at Catalunya wasn't tough enough to be decisive, but then he was able to put 23 seconds on Scarponi. He's got today and La Fleche Wallone as his last big days before the Giro. I hope there's a battle, but mostly hope for a win.

Contador saying Pal wasn't steep enough to gain time was bull****. The last 6Km of Pal, were Contador attacked, are at 7,5% gradient. That's the kind of climb that suits Contador to perfection (like Verbier or Montagna di Lure).

On the other hand, Laguna de los Peces last 5Km are at 4,8%.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

there's no point in attacking on that climb because in downhil and flat they will be brought back by organised peloton. important is to make big selection in that climb so no one can get back almost. I expect fireworks from at least colombia es passion.

 

[Viskovitz]

there's no point in attacking on that climb because in downhil and flat they will be brought back by organised peloton. important is to make big selection in that climb so no one can get back almost. I expect fireworks from at least colombia es passion.

Attacking on that climb is the only way to win the stage and the Vuelta for 99,9% of the pack, everyone not named Contador.

And there will be no "organized peloton" after El Peñón. A gruop of 4-5 riders can gain time in the downhill and the flat.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I think peloton can regroup after that climb easily when they just attack and don't force a tempo on the climb and only last 5 km are hard so timegaps won't be too big.

 

[will10]

Too long a valley for any attackers on the penultimate climb to stay clear of the Saxo train unfortunately. Very unimaginative route.

 

[hrotha]

Hell, Rojas might win this.

 

[Ryaguas]

are at 7,5% gradient. That's the kind of climb that suits Contador to perfection (like Verbier or Montagna di Lure)

Huh?
Angliru (The climb not the forumite ) called and wants to differ with you
Maybe you were thinking in Andrew when you wrote that...
Contador is good in almost any climb over 6% but He excels in the really steep stuff... that's why He pwnd Mende or Angliru or like He's going to do with Huy soon...

 

[Ferminal]

Does anyone have an ETA on the finish? Need to be up early tomorrow so either stay up and watch this or ZzZzZz.

 

[Ney the Viking]

Any news, on break of the day or anything?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

http://www.rtvcyl.es/Directo.aspx

it's on