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Great finish to yesterdays stage with the short sharp Peña Cabarga climb saw Froome and Quintana sweeping up the break and fighting it out for the win, with Froome getting the win and maximum bonification in the last few feet. I'm sure people will say he looks ungainly with a Cava bottle...
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So Quintana still in red but with a slightly reduced gap to Froome. Valverde slips back to 3rd. Contador and Chaves both losing time, despite Tinkoff doing all the work going into the climb, and Chaves attacking early.
Interesting to see the balance tipping away from Quintana slightly. He thinks he needs at least 3 minutes ahead of next Friday's ITT. Still a lot of tough finishes to go.
On to today...
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Another tough stage to sap the strength. Probably one for the break. I'd expect the GC to finish together. Preview over at [url= http://inrng.com/2016/09/vuelta-stage-12-preview-bilbao/ ]inrng[/url] as always worth a read.
We might even get a finish line report from beej today, our very own roving STW reporter in Bilbao 🙂
Only Froome could look to take time today with a decent as he achieved in the TdF. Predict no change at the end of today.
3 mins is perhaps overkill for NQ to need, but he definitely needs more than 54s.
I'd agree. It looks a lot like the first ITT in the Tour, very similar distance, maybe a bit more technical. An off-form Nairo lost 2 minutes to Froome on that one. Think he'd probably like to go into that with a reasonable buffer though.
Break not being given much time today. Looks like Movistar want to keep it together.
In a bar at the finish line. Beer and tortila is good. We've seen Flecha and Jake doing their pre coverage chat.
Nice 8)
Enjoy Beej. I was there in 2011 when Igor Antton won the stage for Euskaltel, to describe the atmosphere as mental doesn't come close.
Can't get there today but will be on Monte Igeldo tomorrow, work permitting. An ex student has the KOM, currently taking bets on whether it'll fall (I think it might survive...)
Now in another bar. They are playing Iron Maiden over the cycling on TV. Just by the final corner before the finish straight. Plan is to rush out and wave as they come past, then rush back in to see finish on TV.
We didn't find out who the winner was on Covadonga until we were back at the hotel about an hour later.
Now in another bar.
Envious!!! Stuck in a meeting with your former employer here 🙁
Anyway 50k to go and 2 mins to the break, it's coming down fast with the peloton riding hard though coming up to the first ascent of the Alto el Vivero.
Publicity caravan has just come through. I got a hat, then gave it away to a small child.
Doesn't sound like such a bad meeting if you're watching the vuelta!
Doesn't sound like such a bad meeting if you're watching the vuelta!
It's a conference call 🙂 (a very dull one I might add!)
Who are Astana riding for?
No idea, they seem intent on closing down the gap though (only 32 seconds now.) They've got Scarponi in 8th on GC. Maybe thinking about the stage win. Cataldo maybe? Can't tell who's sat at the back of their train.
Big ask to stay clear. 5k and 30s in hand.
Edit.. Yates chipped off the front but (almost) all together now.
Edit... Beej, time to put down the beer!
Edit... Jens Keukeleire for OBE by quite a margin. Tired sprint that by the bunch.
Um, some guy won. There were people cycling past very fast.
Report ends.
Suspect we'd get a more comprehensive report on the beer and tapas than the race 🙂