WC Ponferrada 2014. Altimetry

[OlavEH]

The route seems pretty good to me, not great, but surely tough enough to create a decent selection.

The total meters of climbing doesn't seem to differ much for Firenze, but the climbs in Firenze are perhaps a bit tougher and espcially somewhat steeper.

Still, i'm a bit disappointed. Was hoping for a really tough route, a route similar to Sallanches or Duitama. Thought that was a real possibillity in a mountainous regions as Ponferrada.

 

[Lupetto]

Still, i'm a bit disappointed. Was hoping for a really tough route, a route similar to Sallanches or Duitama. Thought that was a real possibillity in a mountainous regions as Ponferrada.

Of course it is possible. But not with UCI.

 

[Descender]

It's underwhelming.

The main positive is that it opens the range of possible winners.

 

[theyoungest]

Of course it is possible. But not with UCI.

Did you check the course for 2013, in Firenze? Damn hard.

This course looks like a slightly easier version of the Limburg one.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

3700 meters of climbing, so definitely not a bunch sprint at least. Group of about 15 or a late attack to stick.

yeah but average of like 5%

 

[rantanplan]

Of course it is possible. But not with UCI.

You are right, Emilio Villanueva wanted to do this




But UCI didn't let him

 

[LaFlorecita]

You are right, Emilio Villanueva wanted to do this




But UCI didn't let him

Why?
________

 

[scullster46]

For a comparison this Geelong had about 3,000 meters of climbing, which is 700 meters less than this, albeit with more difficult climbs. The key will be that last descent. Does anyone know how technical it is? It doesn't look like there will be much flat at the end, so the last climb could be decisive.

 

[hrotha]

My podium prediction:
1- Brochard
2- Hamburger
3- Van Bon

 

[roundabout]

lol

from the description the last descent is technically easy FWIW

 

[scullster46]

Ok, I just mapped out a possible route based on the description there.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/829115

Based on this, the first descent is somewhat technical, but the second one is a straight shot. The only difference I found between my map and the description was that over 13 laps, mine always had more climbing. It wasn't a small amount more either, my map had 5400 meters of climbing over 13 laps. So either something is wrong with the gps, or I mapped it wrong.

 

[rantanplan]

Why?
________

Sorry, in spanish, i have no time now to translate it (this is part of the article):

El plan inicial era utilizar el famoso circuito de Lombillo (que causó sensación en la Vuelta a España 2008), tal y como nos comenta Emilio: “La verdad que me obcequé con ese circuito y lo defendí a muerte ante la UCI en varias reuniones, pero la peligrosidad de la bajada y el miedo de la UCI a un mundial deslucido con menos 10 corredores disputando la última vuelta si alguna selección daba tralla, han provocado que se descartara esa opción”
A pesar de este revés, Villanueva siguió luchando para conseguir unos circuitos que “conjugaran atractivo deportivo y vendieran la ciudad”.
Pasemos a analizar esos recorridos que “casi con toda seguridad se probarán en un Campeonato de España previo”.

 

[the asian]

2013 's gone, so let's focus on 2014. Sadly the ITT looks like Froome's race to lose. Who would have thought that when Ponferrada selected this course, that Contador Would be a shadow of the rider he was, in three years' time.

 

[Arredondo]

I really hope for JRod

 

[the asian]

2014 will be a similar scenario to this years' race, though it's obviously much easier than Firenze 2013.. Will Sagan, Cancellara and Gilbert survive the 2nd short but steep climb, or will the likes of Nibbles, Purito and Valverde attack and stay ahead. The Descent isn't too technical according to some of the posters though.

 

[the asian]

I really hope for JRod

He'll lose too much time on the flat. Has a decent chance in the RR, 3Km of descent after the climb though.

 

[roundabout]

Valverde to win.

 

[the asian]

Valverde to win.

Nah, More likely he'll mess it up in spectacular fashion again !

 

[trevim]

Nah, More likely he'll mess it up in spectacular fashion again !

Why on earth would he do that?

 

[LaFlorecita]

2013 's gone, so let's focus on 2014. Sadly the ITT looks like Froome's race to lose. Who would have thought that when Ponferrada selected this course, that Contador Would be a shadow of the rider he was, in three years' time.

Yup

10 characters

 

[Eshnar]

We certainly don't need two threads for the same subject.
Merged

 

[the asian]

We certainly don't need two threads for the same subject.
Merged

Well one was for the RR and the other for the ITT wasn't it?

 

[Eshnar]

Well one was for the RR and the other for the ITT wasn't it?

yes, but as for now there's really no need to keep them separate.

 

[Anderis]

With the knowledge we have today, it's kinda funny to read some of the beginning pages of this thread about Contador.

 

[the asian]

With the knowledge we have today, it's kinda funny to read some of the beginning pages of this thread about Contador.

TBH, He was the best TT in these sort of courses back then. and nobody could have predicted the rise of Froome and Porte.