Vuelta Stage 17: Villadiego - Los Machucos (180.5 km)

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

Wonder what gears they've put on their frames for this wall.

Cobo had 34x28 in his recon video. I guess that active pros can do it with 36t small chain ring and 28t or 29t sprocket.

Besides 1:1 gearing, I'd even go with 26" wheels.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Alberto Contador will win this bike race

For once let this meme come true.

It's actually possible today too.

It's possible on any stage, but I don't think it's at all likely today. As Flecha said, the rain is a huge disadvantage for riders who prefer to climb out of the saddle and he is clearly not among the best 4-5 climbers in the race.

Anyway, I expect a breakaway win, or otherwise either Lopez or Froome.

 

[jarvo]

De Marchi seems a glutton for punishment, feels like he is in the break every day!

 

[saganist]

Amazing how Kirby made up everything Nibali said there!!

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Amazing how Kirby made up everything Nibali said there!!

What did he say really?

 

[Pennino]

Re: Re:

Alberto Contador will win this bike race

For once let this meme come true.

It's actually possible today too.

It's possible on any stage, but I don't think it's at all likely today. As Flecha said, the rain is a huge disadvantage for riders who prefer to climb out of the saddle and he is clearly not among the best 4-5 climbers in the race.

Anyway, I expect a breakaway win, or otherwise either Lopez or Froome.

On Angliru 2008 he didn't went out of the saddle that much neither. He simply danced away from everybody sitting in the saddle.

 

[saganist]

Re: Re:

Amazing how Kirby made up everything Nibali said there!!

What did he say really?

Well, nothing relevant, but he said he does not know the climb, contrary to what Kirby reported

 

[HelloDolly]

Nicolas Portal ....sigh...same old same old

 

[del1962]

Perfect break composition for Sky

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

DNS Lennard Kämna. Knee problems

http://teamsunweb.com/kamna-abandons-lv/

Wow Kelderman has almost no teammates left

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

Oss abandons.

Preparing for Worlds TTT ? or maybe he si sick like many BMC riders

 

[Jagartrott]

DNS Lennard Kämna. Knee problems

http://teamsunweb.com/kamna-abandons-lv/

Wow Kelderman has almost no teammates left

He has Sky.

 

[stetre76]

Nice to see Denifl in the break!
He normally knows how to climb...

 

[Gigs_98]

Even if nothing spectacular happens in the gc battle today, this is probably at least the most scenic stage of the race
Portillo de Lunada:

Puerto de Alisas:

Los Machucos:

I really love this region

 

[saganist]

btw, where is Froome?

 

[Laplaz]

Re:

btw, where is Froome?

Taking a nap

 

[Climber123]

Re: Re:

Alberto Contador will win this bike race

For once let this meme come true.

It's actually possible today too.

It's possible on any stage, but I don't think it's at all likely today. As Flecha said, the rain is a huge disadvantage for riders who prefer to climb out of the saddle and he is clearly not among the best 4-5 climbers in the race.

Anyway, I expect a breakaway win, or otherwise either Lopez or Froome.

Stage 5 and 7 showed he may be as strong as Froome on these climbs. Even Woods could do well. It's the longer endurance climbs that doesn't suit Alberto anymore. He is a chance I reckon.

 

[klintE]

More than 9 minutes gap. Suppose, no interest to win the stage in the bunch. Denifl or Alafpolak ftw

Lopez was the strongest on 2 previous challenging stages. If he is today he will attack, possibly 3km to go

EDIT: outdated, Astana and Bora working on the front, gap getting lower immediately

 

[sir fly]

Re:

More than 9 minutes gap. Suppose, no interest to win the stage in the bunch. Denifl or Alafpolak ftw

Astana heard you...

 

[Valv.Piti]

Lopez the saviour.

 

[Red Rick]

Break needs 4 and a half minutes at the foot of the penultimate climb minimum I think.

 

[skippo12]

Bora seems to think that Majka can win the stage against the GC contenders.

 

[Der Effe]

Re:

Break needs 4 and a half minutes at the foot of the penultimate climb minimum I think.

Seems legit, but the advantage will probably have been almost diminished by then.

quote="skippo12"]Bora seems to think that Majka can win the stage against the GC contenders.[/quote]

The earlier they reel in the break, the more chance Majka has.

 

[sir fly]

Re:

Break needs 4 and a half minutes at the foot of the penultimate climb minimum I think.

Not sure about the time gap, but I agree the penultimate climb is crucial.
The wall is pure survival. Not much of racing there, I think.

 

[Asturiano]