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Well, after the roaring success of Le Tour threads let try it with what is generally the most exciting tour of the year. Every chance this'll fizzle out in 2 days time, but lets try anyway.
Following the success of the 2012 edition, where we already lived this stage finale, the Vuelta itinerary takes on the spectacular climb to the Mirador de Ézaro once again, one of the most beautiful places to feature in the Spanish tour in recent years. The first part of the stage will be flat and calm, later crossing into very windy terrain with two noteworthy peaks: the Alto de Lestaio and the Alto Das Paxareiras, 3rd and 2nd category climbs, respectively. The stage's outcome will be decided in a short but very tough climb that will give us some great images for posterity. 170 kilometres that will come to an end in a finale that will leave no one indifferent and that will allow riders to make up for any possible differences established in the first day of the race
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And [url= http://inrng.com/ ]Inrng[/url] once again doing the honours.
The Contenders: a short, explosive finish? It’s over seven minutes long making it an intense but awkward climb where pacing and restraint matter as much as explosivity and punch.In 2012 it was Joaquim Rodriguez back his pomp when he was unbeatable on a finish like this. Nostalgia? No, his victory is informative because he’s the prototype rider for a finish. In his absence this is a good test for Alberto Contador who was second then, has he got the sizzling form of old? The same for Alejandro Valverde who was third in 2012, has he got the zip needed, the passage of time and 71 race days (only 14 riders have more) so far this season mean the question needs to be answered today while Movistar team mate Dani Moreno has excelled in uphill finishes before – he’s won the Flèche Wallonne – but looks slower these days.
Fresher picks are Orica pairing Esteban Chaves and Simon Yates, both pack an explosive finish and surely trump Simon Gerrans who would have been a pick here but surely has to work for the team today? Outsider picks are Gianluca Brambilla (Etixx-Quickstep) and Andrew Talansky (Cannondale-Drapac). Can Chris Froome win? He was close on the Cumbre del Sol finish last year so he should place but an outright stage win seems unlikely.
Can a breakaway stick? Unlikely because the finish is so important, the first uphill test will mean all teams with overall hopes are on red alert and they will not want to let others take time.
Textbook peloton pic.
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And a textbook riders on a bridge pic.
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#OBEROCKS (that's all I have on a Monday morning)
Riders on a bride? I've seen those sites, hurr hurr hurr 😉
I'm going for an Orica win today, either Gerrans in a breakaway or hopefully Yates in a bunch finish. Might be Chaves but I hope not 'cause I couldn't afford him in my Fantasy Vuelta team
Riders on a bride?
Just sneaked that edit in before the time limit, thanks!
Out of interest why isn't Adam Yates riding? After his tour performance would have been good to see. I guess too fatigued and needing recovery prior to tour of Britain which I think he is riding?
TOB runs parallel to the Vuelta's final week so it's one or the other
Did anyone see that Katusha ride go down yeterday? Looked like he tried to push someone in white who pushedback and Katusha guy came off worst (by some way given that the guy behind him ran over his head)
ferrals - Member
Out of interest why isn't Adam Yates riding? After his tour performance would have been good to see. I guess too fatigued and needing recovery prior to tour of Britain which I think he is riding?
They've got another 'well rested' version of Adam to roll out when the first Adam isn't up for it
TOB runs parallel to the Vuelta's final week so it's one or the other
Ah yes, this year is running away with me - was still in 'only just august' mindset 😳
Good breakway finish to the stage, that final hill looked brutal, considering it looked steep on tv when TV made all the TdF climbs look flat it must have been crazy in reality.
Nice to see even the pros struggle with a Devon Hill (20-25%). A bit hotter though. Bertie's not doing it for me. Better join the STW league now.
They know how to make the first week interesting eh?
Looks like we're going to have a tasty battle between Valverde, Froome and hopefully Chaves for GC.
Shame Kruijkswijk is so far back already. Seems to be unwell, from his interview after.
Silly steep climb there, no time to ride yourself into form on this Vuelta!
A good idea to have something like that so close to the start of the race? There's now been quite a GC shakeout and it's only day 3. Takes a bit of the fun out of it with no chance for someone to nab the jersey for a stage or two. But then it is the Vuelta and I guess they'll want a little Spanish climber in red for as long as possible.
[quote=mrblobby ]Silly steep climb there, no time to ride yourself into form on this Vuelta!
...Takes a bit of the fun out of it with no chance for someone to nab the jersey for a stage or two...
It's Day 3 and we've had 3 different people in the red, none of whom are likely to keep it till the end. I think that's a pretty good start myself!
Where can I watch this?
It's Day 3 and we've had 3 different people in the red,
3 very different stages so far though! And the top 10 (other than Fernandez) are mostly GC or their domestiques now. Another uphill finish today for another shakeout.
Will give the breaks more freedom for the mid-mountain stages during the first week though now that a lot of riders are well down on time.
Where can I watch this?
Eurosport (live, highlights, online.)
I'm watching it in the evenings on ITV4 catchup
Same, quite like the 1hr itv programmes
Who's doing the commentary on Eurosport?
Kirby and Bäckstedt at the moment. Bäckstedt to be replaced by Kelly sometime this week.
Ta, I'll stick with ITV4 then, much as I love Magnus and Sean I'm getting increasingly allergic to Kirby's Patridge-isms.
Or is he actually getting worse. I didn't used to mind him too much?
Or is he actually getting worse. I didn't used to mind him too much?
A little. I don't mind him. At least when the alternative was Ligget and Sherwin! Who's doing ITV4?
Boulting & Millar.
Ned's getting pretty good at the commentary, Millar always has something insightful to offer (though obvs he's no Sean Kelly).
Ironically I don't really care for either of them as writers.
Gary Imlach does the Studio, Ned Boulting does the commentary, both with David Millar. New guy Daniel Friebe does the rider interviews and pieces to camera about how steep the hills are etc