Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco Stage 1: Zumarraga - Zumarraga 150km

[The Hitch]

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

This stage already has Samuel Sanchez written all over it.

 

[Havetts]

This stage already has Samuel Sanchez written all over it.

Wow you just wrote down exactly what I thought, looking forward to see in what form Gesink is and how he'll descend .

 

[jsem94]

Terrible profile pictures...

 

[hrotha]

Terrible profile pictures...

The profile shows altitude and distance properly and even gives the average slope. Sure, it's ugly as hell, but considering the atrocities we've had to put up with this season, I'd say it's a great profile.

 

[nvpacchi]

I like how one of the feed zones is crossed out

 

[benpounder]

Interesting to note who each team is designating as leader.

Horner - TRS
Martin - HTC
Rogers - Sky
Cunego - Lampre
Vande Velde - Gar
Porte - Saxo
Pineau - QST

 

[Ryaguas]

I'll go with Il Principe for this one!
Really hope that He is well recovered from his otitis!

 

[benpounder]

I'll go with Il Principe for this one!
Really hope that He is well recovered from his otitis!

I'm going with Sanchez, as he is the obvious leader of Eusketel, and pretty much the favorite, just noting who the other teams are setting forth...

[sorry] Euskaltel/Euskadi

 

[wirral]

Not clear if Dennis Menchov is participating for Geox. He's not on the start list.

The final time trial will suit Tony Martin.

 

[Connor Pass]

I just can't get enough! dUran dUran FTW

 

[theyoungest]

I just can't get enough! dUran dUran FTW

You mean Depeche Mode FTW?

 

[ingsve]

Interesting to note who each team is designating as leader.

Horner - TRS
Martin - HTC
Rogers - Sky
Cunego - Lampre
Vande Velde - Gar
Porte - Saxo
Pineau - QST

This has probably more to do with seniority. I would expect Uran and Löfkvist to have a better shot at this race given how they have all ridden so far this year. Rogers hasn't had the same year so far as he had last year.

It's funny really. Rogers going to Sky seemed like it would be the solution to their lack of placings on GC but instead it's everyone else that's getting better results this year.

 

[Ferminal]

Etb broadcast starts at 1530 CET.

That should give us the last four climbs.

 

[Magnus]

I like how one of the feed zones is crossed out

Maybe it depicts beginning and end of the feed zone

 

[theyoungest]

This has probably more to do with seniority. I would expect Uran and Löfkvist to have a better shot at this race given how they have all ridden so far this year. Rogers hasn't had the same year so far as he had last year.

It's funny really. Rogers going to Sky seemed like it would be the solution to their lack of placings on GC but instead it's everyone else that's getting better results this year.

It's a matter of form of course, but I'd rate Rogers higher than Löfkvist for a race like this.

 

[Lupetto]

The last ramp of La Antigua.

For a detailed preview, take a look at this.

 

[Jamsque]

This has probably more to do with seniority. I would expect Uran and Löfkvist to have a better shot at this race given how they have all ridden so far this year. Rogers hasn't had the same year so far as he had last year.

It's funny really. Rogers going to Sky seemed like it would be the solution to their lack of placings on GC but instead it's everyone else that's getting better results this year.

I don't think Rogers will be picking up many GC placings this year outside of California or the odd other TT-heavy short stage race. I don't think Sky brought him on to be a leader, I think they brought him on because he is experienced and durable enough to ride 2 GTs a year and be a superdomestique on any terrain.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

should be a great start to a great race

 

[ingsve]

It's a matter of form of course, but I'd rate Rogers higher than Löfkvist for a race like this.

Well, last year I would certainly have agreed but this year Löfkvist has looked better so far. Both are below Uran though I would say.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

When is the last time Rogers rode a decent ITT?

Same goes for Löfkvist really. I mean they can't even beat Gesink in an ITT anymore, so then were are they going to win time?

 

[theyoungest]

When is the last time Rogers rode a decent ITT?

Same goes for Löfkvist really. I mean they can't even beat Gesink in an ITT anymore, so then were are they going to win time?

Almost every TT Rogers rode last year was decent, if not good.

 

[jens_attacks]

will eurosport broadcast this?

 

[fezzer]

L.P Nordhaug has been given a "free-role" for at least a couple of stages. Really hope he can follow up on those great climbs recently, and with a nice breakaway he could pick up a stage win.

I know the pack is much stronger in this race, but he has grown a lot as a climber this year, and I really hope he gets his chance.

Rogers came to Sky for races like this, and I am pretty sure we will be there main leader. Although he will crack in the end..

 

[Mellow Velo]

Not sure that this stage isn't even a tougher finish than tomorrow.
Time Joachim Rodriguez turned up for a race. The last two, sharp ramps should suit him and only a couple of kms to the finish.

I haven't a clue who will win the GC, given that 24km ITT at the end.