Vuelta Stage 14: Écija - Sierra de la Pandera (175 km)

[Rollthedice]

The break looks doomed.

 

[spalco]

Man, Bahrain is not playing around, the peloton is almost splitting.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

my gawd
Aru is a bit far back in the group

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re:

my gawd
Aru is a bit far back in the group

More of a sign Astana is going full Lopez. A wise decision

 

[Climbing]

Pretty clear they going for Lopez.

 

[skippo12]

Nibali and Contador know that they need to pressure Froome on all remaining stages. If he isn`t cracking today maybe Froome will pay for his efforts tommorrow or later in the race.
It is risky because both can blow up as well but at least they are racing for the win and not for a top 5 like the GC-wannabes.

 

[portugal11]

I would love to see aru destroy the skyborgs

 

[sir fly]

The stage to the observatory suggests Nibali and Froome are pretty much equal regarding their strength and breaking up the climb in favourable sections, so it's most probably about cumulative fatigue.

 

[Red Rick]

I think Nibali was definitely stronger than Froome on Calar Alto, alhtough the difference wasn't enough to stay away.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

This will be a loooooong day for Froomey.

I sooo hope you're right. His crashes looked minor but maybe they will have some effect.

 

[Eagle]

Kirby talking about a minute per 10km on a mountain stage....

 

[El Pistolero]

Meh, will be another day where Froome extends his lead.

 

[sir fly]

Re:

I think Nibali was definitely stronger than Froome on Calar Alto, alhtough the difference wasn't enough to stay away.

Could be... That would mean (in my opinion) he rushed a bit with the acceleration.

The weather impact during that stage shouldn't be overlooked, too.

 

[Matteo.]

Re:

I think Nibali was definitely stronger than Froome on Calar Alto, alhtough the difference wasn't enough to stay away.

a rather bizarre theory. but somebody said that nothing is impossible, so it can be :lol:

 

[dgodave]

Mmm. Olive oil.

 

[portugal11]

I feel sad for flecha. He is suffering a lot in this recon. I can't even imagine what face he will make in angliru

 

[Ricco']

Can someone replace Flecha for Contador next season?

Pros:
- Contador is a climber
- Contador can climb
- Contador speaks better
- Contador has a nicer pain face
- Contador can provide more racing knowledge for climbs

Cons:
- Can't find any.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

I feel sad for flecha. He is suffering a lot in this recon. I can't even imagine what face he will make in angliru

And he's doing it at least twice during the broadcast, hard job.

 

[Asturiano]

¿A flat stage until Pandera?, well in a Vuelta style

Puerto Mojón - 3ª C: Km 85'5 - 8'8 km - 3'7 %
Alto de las Caserías - Km 125 - 6 km - 5'4 %
Puerto del Castillo - Km 138'5 - 4'4 km - 3 %
Alto de Valdepeñas - 2ª C: Km 153'1 - 8'5 km - 4'8 %
Muro del Chaparral - 1'9 km - 5'8 % (last 800 m - 10 %)
Alto de la Pandera - 12 km - 7'3 %

 

[TourOfSardinia]

The kids should spell out
Cynic Kirby

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re:

¿A flat stage until Pandera?, well in a Vuelta style

Puerto Mojón - 3ª C: Km 85'5 - 8'8 km - 3'7 %
Alto de las Caserías - Km 125 - 6 km - 5'4 %
Puerto del Castillo - Km 138'5 - 4'4 km - 3 %
Alto de Valdepeñas - 2ª C: Km 153'1 - 8'5 km - 4'8 %
Muro del Chaparral - 1'9 km - 5'8 % (last 800 m - 10 %)
Alto de la Pandera - 12 km - 7'3 %

Plus even the flat parts in Spain are not flat. They are at least as hilly as Amstel

 

[sir fly]

Fun is the most important.
Just ask fans.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

stomach virus at Sunweb, 50% of the team sick, Kelderman not (yet). Seems similar like Dimension Data

 

[Lexman]

Re:

stomach virus at Sunweb, 50% of the team sick, Kelderman not (yet). Seems similar like Dimension Data

that must be terrible in a team present at a GT, once you know it's there, your teammates have it, when will it struck the next rider ...

 

[Rollthedice]

Katusha joined the fun.