Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco 2015 (6-11 april)

[lemon cheese cake]

Re: Re:

There should be a rule, TT bikes in TTs, just so we can see somebody take on Aia on a TT bike. That would be true insanity.

Zakarin, Izagirre and van Garderen are all still in with outside shots at the podium as well as those mentioned above, you know. Izagirre will be motivated and looks to be peaking for this race; Zakarin is goodish against the clock, and Tejay's pedigree is well known. Sure, they may have done more work than many because of attacking and or domestiquing, but País Vasco TTs are always a bit out there. Don't be surprised if Adam Yates takes the overall. Short-to-mid length climbs that are steep seem to be his forte, and there are many, many of those in País Vasco, so racing in this region looks good for him. I certainly wouldn't expect him to win, but given the time gaps and the sometimes topsy-turvy results in EHI time trials it wouldn't shock me at all.

Yes, he'll reenter the race just in time to take the overall.

Twin magic. Conserve energy by changing rider often enough they don't know who is the correct one in the race and allow the result to stand. Have you never seen pro wrestling?

The Schlecks should have done this long ago!

 

[Carols]

Is there any update on Oliver Zaugg??

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Is there any update on Oliver Zaugg??

no fractures, besides that no news

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

Tomorrow will be very interesting as the race is still very open. Quintana, Rodriguez, Henao and Spilak can all still win the race in my opinion. I still think that Quintana is the favorite with Jrod second. Then all of Yates, Zakarin, TJVG, Izagirre and Pinot can all podium. Yates is a bad TT'er, but he'll probably be able do do quite well here being in peak condition.

17th here last year on a flatter time trial when he clearly wasn't in form this good so really can't see how he's particularly bad.

Can't even guess how someone makes Quintana favourite, but it takes all sorts I suppose.

http://www.procyclingstats.com/mob/race.php?id=116786

The guy who rode that time doesn't lose 15 seconds on today's final climb.

When has Quintana ever been good on short, steep climbs? Here he's up against two of the best in the world. No, Quintana definitely isn't at 100% but he doesn't need to be to win this race. I don't see how it's possible not to mention Quintana as one of, if not the, biggest favourites for the overall win.

 

[Bushman]

Re: Re:

Tomorrow will be very interesting as the race is still very open. Quintana, Rodriguez, Henao and Spilak can all still win the race in my opinion. I still think that Quintana is the favorite with Jrod second. Then all of Yates, Zakarin, TJVG, Izagirre and Pinot can all podium. Yates is a bad TT'er, but he'll probably be able do do quite well here being in peak condition.

17th here last year on a flatter time trial when he clearly wasn't in form this good so really can't see how he's particularly bad.

Can't even guess how someone makes Quintana favourite, but it takes all sorts I suppose.

http://www.procyclingstats.com/mob/race.php?id=116786

The guy who rode that time doesn't lose 15 seconds on today's final climb.

Agreed, he doesn't look top notch at the moment. But he doesn't need to ride a tt at 2013 level to win the race.

 

[AlexNYC]

For those who read Spanish: http://www.elespectador.com/deporte...uedo-luchar-el-podio-nairo-qu-articulo-554262

In short, Quintana does not think he can win and will focus on trying to make the podium. He's suffering from allergies too, which sounds similar to his sickness during last year's Giro.

 

[MatParker117]

Crash on Stage 1 is under investigation. Race off World Tour calender?

 

[TMP402]

Re:

Crash on Stage 1 is under investigation. Race off World Tour calender?

I think a final warning would be more appropriate.

 

[manafana]

Yeah have my douts for quintana, tvg might get to shine here, katusha probably have two riders better than rodriguez to win the overall now with this tt.

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

Is there any update on Oliver Zaugg??

no fractures, besides that no news

Thanks, I saw where TS released a statement, no internal injuries, no fractures. But they are keeping him overnight for observation.

 

[Dedelou]

Re: Re:

Is there any update on Oliver Zaugg??

no fractures, besides that no news

Thanks, I saw where TS released a statement, no internal injuries, no fractures. But they are keeping him overnight for observation.

Another Saxo suffering crashes.. This has been a weird start of the season for them

 

[movingtarget]

In a flatter TT I would say TJVG is well placed but the TT would also need to be a bit longer possibly. Can't pick a winner in this one, it's too close too call as all of the riders near the top of the GC are good TT riders but not great ones.

 

[SafeBet]

ITT very wide open. It's almost impossible to make a prediction.
I think Ion will do very well, he could have a shot at the overall if he takes risks.
Scarponi also an underrated time triallist. At least ten riders with a chance of winning it.

 

[Jagartrott]

I'm guessing that quite a number of riders will not start today?
I think the parcours today TT with (28% hill) is too much of a gimmick.

 

[Samson]

Starting times, pretty please?

 

[Rollthedice]

Starting times, pretty please?

http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/vuelta-a ... 11-04-2015

 

[Samson]

Thanks!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Belkov with best time so far:
1. Belkov 31:23
2. Vanontti a 10
3. Petrov a 44

updates: http://biciciclismo.com/cas/site/evento ... asp?id=625

 

[Flamin]

Imo it's just Henao vs Purito for the overall, and both will finish top-5 today (or just outside).

 

[Netserk]

Seems like this will be the slowest PV TT ever(/as long as I have been following)

 

[AlexNYC]

I think Henao will hold on, but would not be surprised if Yates or Quintana pull it off. I don't see Purito winning and think Spilak has a better chance than him.

Let's go Henao!

 

[May0maniac]

Re: Re:

I don't know if he's a better or worse TTer than Purito, but Henao has been a poor TTer in his career, even in hilly terrain.

Nairo is an enigma IMO. He has had both good and bad hilly TTs in the past.

I don't know how good a TTer Yates is, so not sure.

The next one up is Spilak, who I think has a good chance tomorrow.

I don't think Nairo has had a bad hilly TT. The only TT that he has not been so good are the flat pancake ones, or windy flat TT. I don't really remember one bad hilly TT from him.

He wasn't that great in the Barolo ITT in the Giro. The hilly 2013 TdF ITT also wasn't that great, sure in the end he was 6th but over 1min behind Purito.

 

[roundabout]

Re:

Seems like this will be the slowest PV TT ever(/as long as I have been following)

I think 2000 was probably the slowest. I remember riders literally crawling at times.

At least this one has a mega fast first half.

 

[Hugo87]

Tony not switching bikes?

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Taaramae fastest time!