Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco, 4-9 April

[theyoungest]

Can Velits reproduce his Vuelta form particularly in regards to the TT? He did well in T-A generally, maybe he's building towards this? Martin didnt lose time on the climbing stage in P-N, if he only loses a few seconds/tens of seconds here and there then he may well be able to get the time back in the TT.

Be interested to see how well Dan Martin goes, although he may end up having to help Vandevelde and/or Hesjedal. With Valverde's suspension, Intxausti was promoted to second last year and will be back for another go this year

Intxausti didn't really feature at any point in the race last year, I'd be surprised if he repeats his performance.

Dan Martin will have to climb awfully well to get a good GC, the Volta Catalunya was pretty much his dream race with an MTF and no time trialing. Vande Velde might be the better option for Garmin.

Velits could be a dark horse, although I'm still not quite sure how to rate his Vuelta performance.

 

[taiwan]

Can't wait for this race! It's like a mini-TdF!

But with Menchov and Rodriguez added.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Dan Martin will have to climb awfully well to get a good GC, the Volta Catalunya was pretty much his dream race with an MTF and no time trialing. Vande Velde might be the better option for Garmin.

I'd guess that it'll depend on who is in form. And that will depend on what their plans are for the Ardennes. There doesn't seem to be any set pecking order between Garmin's potential stage race GC men / climbers.

 

[Flamin]

Very exciting stages and line-up. Curious how good Van den Broeck's current form is.

Samu takes a stage + GC.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Looks like the climbers are coming out to play. As best as I can tell with my face only inches from the screen, there are no super climbs, but bumps that are easy enough to be contested by many, and close enough to the finish to be combated.

Rodriguez and Di Luca can be exciting on these kinds of finishes, but many others will be better suited to wait for the TT.

It will at least pass the time between RVV and PR

It is very difficult to "wait until the TT" in the Euskal Herriko Itzulia, because a lot of the climbs are stupidly steep, which makes it hard to just follow wheels. Even the TT is bumpy. I will be most surprised (and disappointed) if nobody attacks and Tony Martin wins it in the TT here. No, if he wins this it will be 8000000x as impressive a win as Paris-Nice was. A lot of those bumps are going to cut things to ribbons and people will finish in smallish bunches.

That is true. I had to hurry home to catch the last few minutes of Horners TT, but it was worth the rush.

There are many studs and summits, but it still fills the time between a very highly anticipated pair of races. You are right though, it could be a very good week of cycling.

EDIT: and now that I can see those percentages, this is shaping into a good week for spectating.

The riders will be thanking their lucky stars that there's no Alto de Aia this year though. Aia is like Montelupone, but actually harder.

Almost all the profiles look like crazy mountain stages but there only seems to be one climb above 1000 meters.

I wonder if we'll get to see Rafael Valls a bit!

There really aren't many places in the Basque country where the roads go over 1000 metres. Not in the actual province of País Vasco at least. There are some climbs in strongly Basque-populated areas of La Rioja and Navarra that reach those heights, but the main characteristic of the Vuelta al País Vasco is short, leg-biting climbs, longer and harder than the Ardennes but too short and steep to grind tempo on like the big Alpine and Pyrenean climbs.

I've always wished for a French counterpart to this, a Tour de Pays-Basque Français. There, they could use climbs like Larrau and Errozate and you could have the super-climbs as well as the short, sharp stuff of the Euskal Herriko Itzulia together.

 

[meandmygitane]

Going to be real interesting to see Rodgers+Uran+Löfkvist and how they will cope.

Could determine a lot in the pecking order for some GT's in the future...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yup, climbs are between those of the Tirreno (short and very steep) and Paris Nice (medium but not steep)... sooo medium length AND steep. And very irregular.

I really love this race. I look forward more to this than to de Ronde or Roubaix. Not because of the profiles, but the actual playing field, the participants..

In RVV/Roubaix it's just Cancellara vs 5 maybe 6 others who can do something. Here... nobody can predict it. Just look at the past winners, ranging from Cobo to Contador to even Horner last year.

 

[greatking88]

I'd guess that it'll depend on who is in form. And that will depend on what their plans are for the Ardennes. There doesn't seem to be any set pecking order between Garmin's potential stage race GC men / climbers.

Yeah Dan Martin was on Irish radio on monday saying his next big goal is Fleche Wallone, thinks he can do something there..
He wasn't too worried about pais vasco, just hoping to climb well..

 

[Cobblestoned]

Yup, climbs are between those of the Tirreno (short and very steep) and Paris Nice (medium but not steep)... sooo medium length AND steep. And very irregular.

I really love this race. I look forward more to this than to de Ronde or Roubaix. Not because of the profiles, but the actual playing field, the participants..

In RVV/Roubaix it's just Cancellara vs 5 maybe 6 others who can do something. Here... nobody can predict it. Just look at the past winners, ranging from Cobo to Contador to even Horner last year.

I mean, it's a prestige race and great competition, but how can you say something like that ?
And you can predict outcome of Ronde and Roubaix ?
Please tell me. Then I will tell you who will win Pais Vasco.

Perhaps we can get big money out of that arrangement.

 

[theyoungest]

I mean, it's a prestige race and great competition, but how can you say something like that ?
And you can predict outcome of Ronde and Roubaix ?
Please tell me. Then I will tell you who will win Pais Vasco.

Perhaps we can get sbigome money out of that arrangement.

Count me in with the "I look forward to Pais Vasco more than to the cobbled classics" crowd as well. I love stage races and hilly classics. And this is one of the best short stage races, maybe the best.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I'm with Ruben.

It's not that I'm denigrating RVV or P-R... but what makes me tick is the excitement of the climbs, the steep little walls, and the sheer unpredictability. I really enjoy the passion that the Basques show for their team and the sport, and their love for the event is almost on a par with the Flemings' love of Flanders. Almost. As a result you have a great atmosphere, everything broadcast live on ETB, unpredictable weather, unexpected results...

De Ronde and Paris-Roubaix are bigger, better, more prestigious races than Euskal Herriko. But I look forward to the latter more.

 

[El Pistolero]

Nah, bunch of second tier climbers

 

[nvpacchi]

Can;t wait for this race.!!

Redemption time for Amets after his unfortunate tumble last year. EE is gonna come out swinging looking for that elusive first victory of the year.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I mean, it's a prestige race and great competition, but how can you say something like that ?
And you can predict outcome of Ronde and Roubaix ?
Please tell me. Then I will tell you who will win Pais Vasco.

Perhaps we can get big money out of that arrangement.

Nothing to facepalm for...

If you disagree than disagree, but it's a matter of personal opinion.

Am I supposed to like a race more just because it's a monumental classic?

I really always look more forward to hilly stage races, hilly classics and though mountain stages then cobbled classics.

I simply don't have the same fascination with cobbles and stones like some people do with RVV and the Roubaix roads... never had too.
I mean I like the races, but just not as much.
And Pais Vasco is a special one, like Libertine just explained...

 

[Cobblestoned]

OH dear, oh dear. I wet my pants when I go on reading here any further.
Just had a look back. Outta here - fast.
Just wanted to ask when the "TT-whining" and "no one drops Martin, easy boring race decided by TT" starts.
But some people, well, especially 8000000x Libertinchen - I can't take them serious any more. Heavy heavy doublestandards and nonsense comparisons, and will be another week of P-N and Tony Martin bashing.

Nothing against that race, looking forward to it too, but no, I get rash when I go on reading.
This race is soooo great compared to P-N. Its soooo unpredictable. The climbs are soooo loooong, steeeeeeep and haaaaaaaard. TT will in nooooooo way decide that race.

Have a nice race. Now outta here faaaaaaaast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3arub4vlziE

 

[jens_attacks]

lol this will so totally happen.too bad vino doesn't have the legs(i suppose).can't see anyone beating martin.24 km itt is the heaven for him.

 

[El Pistolero]

I'm with Ruben.

It's not that I'm denigrating RVV or P-R... but what makes me tick is the excitement of the climbs, the steep little walls, and the sheer unpredictability. I really enjoy the passion that the Basques show for their team and the sport, and their love for the event is almost on a par with the Flemings' love of Flanders. Almost. As a result you have a great atmosphere, everything broadcast live on ETB, unpredictable weather, unexpected results...

De Ronde and Paris-Roubaix are bigger, better, more prestigious races than Euskal Herriko. But I look forward to the latter more.

Sounds like Flanders.

Of course this sunday it's going to be a predictable winner, but Vasco would be just as predictable if Contador was here.

The difference is, Cancellara will enter RVV because it's one of the most prestigious events, while Contador will not enter Vasco because it's really not all that special.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

You clearly have never watched Pais Vasco if you think everything will stay together and Martin will take it by winning the ITT...
Martin will face hell here, not one easy not so steep climb like in Paris Nice.

It's the only conclusion I can have after reading your post, cobblestoned. You simply never saw the race

 

[jens_attacks]

of course i don't want panzerwagen to take it but he became a monster these days.i expect to counter every attack even andy's.

and i so hope that il killer di spoltore will take a win.

 

[Cobblestoned]

Nothing to facepalm for...

If you disagree than disagree, but it's a matter of personal opinion.

Am I supposed to like a race more just because it's a monumental classic?

I really always look more forward to hilly stage races, hilly classics and though mountain stages then cobbled classics.

I simply don't have the same fascination with cobbles and stones like some people do with RVV and the Roubaix roads... never had too.
I mean I like the races, but just not as much.
And Pais Vasco is a special one, like Libertine just explained...

I agree. It's a nice nice race and a special region.
I am waiting for hobbits coming out every year, because it looks like Auenland. Like I said earlier - I also love this race. I love all races and stageraces.
Especially when there is a TT in it.
Your personal taste is your personal taste. Thats ok for me.
Just can't understand it, because the real men are born in Roubaix and Ronde.
But I at least hope you give Roubaix and de Ronde 8/10, and Pais Vasco 10/10 ?
I think you are just hyping a bit. The outcome and the climbs and so on....

Anyway, so who will win Roubaix and Ronde ?
If you tell me that, then I tell you who will win in Baskenland, although this race is soooooo wide open.

 

[Parrulo]

i am also looking for this race. martin has no chance. if he wins i will east my sofa and stream it live.

also cobblestone either you are making a poor atempt at trolling or you are just being childish. no need to bash other people's opinion

 

[Libertine Seguros]

OH dear, oh dear. I wet my pants when I go on reading here any further.
Just had a look back. Outta here - fast.
Just wanted to ask when the "TT-whining" and "no one drops Martin, easy boring race decided by TT" starts.
But some people, well, especially 8000000x Libertinchen - I can't take them serious any more. Heavy heavy doublestandards and nonsense comparisons, and will be another week of P-N and Tony Martin bashing.

It wasn't really Tony Martin's fault that P-N was dull. It was the organisers serving up a route that didn't provide enough of a challenge, and the other contenders' fault for being too content with their post-TT GC positions.

If Tony Martin stays with every attack and wins País Vasco in the TT, I will personally go to Cottbus, congratulate him in Sorbian and shake his hand. He'll deserve it.

 

[taiwan]

Nah, I don't think this will be one for Tony Martin. There did seem to be quite a lot of attacking going on on the climbs last year, and I still don't think that suits him. If I had to pick a podium it would be: Gesink, Sanchez, Tondo.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

@cobblestone I'm not hyping anything, I watched this race for years and years and every year it's the same on those climbs... nothing overhyped about that.

It is also very recognizable terrain again. Lekunberri, Eibar-Arrate, the Zalla ITT... they have all been done before. You know they are going to deliver. Unlike PN

And still I think you have no clue if you really think there is not going to be differences or if Martin actually stands a chance of holding on to the best climbers in the race

 

[theyoungest]

@cobblestone I'm not hyping anything, I watched this race for years and years and every year it's the same on those climbs... nothing overhyped about that.

It is also very recognizable terrain again. Lekunberri, Eibar-Arrate, the Zalla ITT... they have all been done before. You know they are going to deliver. Unlike PN

And still I think you have no clue if you really think there is not going to be differences or if Martin actually stands a chance of holding on to the best climbers in the race

I must say I was quite baffled with Martin's strength in Paris-Nice. That Col de la Mur had 10+ % gradients, and he rode it with the ease of a natural climber. Frankly, if Chris Horner can win this race, then why not Tony Martin?

The presence of Tony Martin adds a nice dynamic: Gesink and Sanchez must ride their guts out on the climbs, or they're toast in the TT.