La Vuelta a Espana enters her third and final week, as the contenders for the overall race victory in the General Classification gradually fall by the wayside. One mistake here could spell disaster for a hopeful's opportunities of securing a position in the Top 10 of the General Classification.
As could it utterly ruin the dream of wearing the Maillot Rojo (Red Jersey) for Vincenzo Nibali, Christopher Horner, or Alejandro Valverde. Just two flatter stages remain, with one of those the stage to and around Madrid. With the third week of La Vuelta dominated by the mountains, with the Alto de L'Angrilu her crowning glory.
"The peloton will face its longest stage right in the heart of the Pyrenees. The 230-kilometre journey that joins Andorra and the Peyragudes mountain pass, in France, will determine the number of riders who will fight it out for the ultimate triumph. This mountain stage will end at the summit where Alejandro Valverde won his last stage of the Tour de France. The day’s four mountain passes will mean changes in the general classification and will leave many riders out of the running to reach their final goal. Those who obtain a good place during this tough stage will not necessarily win the Vuelta, but those who have a bad day will have definitely ruined their chances completely. The Vuelta a España will, once again, have an arrival in France after the arrival at Cauterets back in 2003. In this way, the Vuelta pays homage to the 100th edition of the Tour de France."
"This is the third and last day in the Pyrenees. The peloton bids farewell to Aragon in this sixteenth stage that will take us from Graus to the Formigal ski resort. The 147-kilometre route may be the least demanding out of the three days spent in the Pyrenees, but the riders’ flailing energy will be obvious by now. The peloton will have already pedalled for many, many kilometres and the pressure experienced in the mountain stages may take its toll on more than a few riders. This stage will pay homage to Fernando EscartÃn, one of the best climbers ever to emerge from Spanish cycling."
"Before facing the final few days, the peloton will once again enjoy an explosive finish in Alto de Peña Cabarga. Joaquim RodrÃguez and Froome already know what it feels like to cross this finish line first. In 2010 and 2011, they won two victories now remembered for their spectacular performances as well as for the wonderful atmosphere that always surrounds the final climbs. Before facing the Asturian mountains, the riders will attempt to retain whatever is left of their strength after almost three weeks of the Vuelta."
"The third last stage of the Vuelta brings us back to the Principality of Asturias. The day will start off with a departure from San Vicente de la Barquera and will end at the Alto del Naranco, a 1st category climb. The 177-kilometre journey will not make much of a difference in the general classification. Those riders with the chance to fight for the ultimate triumph will preserve their energy for the dreaded second last stage that will end in the Alto de l’Angliru. The game is well and truly on and the Asturian mountains will decide who wins the 68th edition of the Vuelta a España."
"For the sixth time in its history the Vuelta a España will finish a stage at the Alto de l’Angliru. For many, this is the toughest climb you can face in any race throughout the entire cycling calendar and it will surely mean another unforgettable chapter in the history of the Spanish tour. Crossing this particular finish line first is a challenge for many riders. The winner will not only have another victory under his belt, but will have conquered one of the mythical climbs in the cycling world - Its ramps, as well as the atmosphere that always surrounds the race as it passes through this mountain, guarantees a spectacle worthy of a truly outstanding Vuelta. The Cordal, which will have to be tackled before l’Angliru, will be the icing on the cake for the stage winner."
La Vuelta a Espana continues the hurt, as the race travels from Andorra and in to France to utilise the Peyragudes mountain pass. If you are familiar with the 2012 Tour de France you may remember that Stage 17 also finished at Peyragudes, with a victory for Alejandro Valverde. Stage 15 of la Vuelta a Espana sees the peloton journey 224.9km from Andorra to the Ski Resort at Peyragudes.
For a second consecutive stage in the Pyrenees the weather is forecast to be inclement. Similar to Stage 14, rain and thunderstorms are predicted to be present throughout the entirety of the stage. Whilst the temperatures will again be rather chilly for the peloton, with several riders already abandoning Stage 14 due to hypothermia.
Categoy 1 - Puerto del Cantó (24.4 KM @ 4.2%)
There will be little respite from climbing for the peloton, with 4,180m of accumulated climbing and the first categorised climb of the day beginning just 7km in to Stage 15. First climb on the agenda will be the Category 1 Puerto del Cantó, at a distance of 24.4km. Featuring an average gradient of 4.2%, the rugged climb begins with sections around 8-10% for the initial 5km.
Category 1 - Puerto de la Bonaigua (20 KM @ 5.5%)
After which the riders will begin a 19.5km descent, before beginning the ascent to the foot of the Category 1 Puerto de la Bonaigua. Which at 20km in length at an average gradient of 5.5%, with sections up to 12.5%, will not be easy on the legs. The ruggedness of the climb helps lessen the average gradient of the climb, but make no mistake the majority of the climb has gradients of 6% or above.
With the 15km descent that follows leading directly in to the foot of Category 1 Col de Peyresourde. Which is not to be mistaken for two different climbs on the stage profile, as the slopes are counted as just the one climb. The Col de Peyresourde will be the shortest climb of the day, with its slopes measuring 16.7km in length. A depression in the climb lowers the average gradient to 4.7%, but the ascent will feature sections of up to 13.33%.
Final Kilometres
A day of rugged and inconsistent climbs is personified by the Col de Peyresourde. With sections of 6% or above followed afterwards by sections at 5% or below. Whilst the final kilometres approaching the finishing line take this ethos to its maximum. As the stage finishes on a something not exactly flat and yet not exactly a vertical climb either. With the ramp preceding the Flamme Rouge at gradients of around 6%.
The final kilometre of Stage 15 is almost flat, at a gradient of 0.67%, and will favour those riders with a decent sprint from small reduced groups. As mentioned before, the final 50km of today's stage were used in the 2012 Tour de France. That day saw Alejandro Valverde claim the stage victory ahead of Team Sky. Valverde would be the type of rider suited to the finish were the stage to boil down to a sprint to the finishing line.
Stage Contenders
Unless several of the major General Classification riders are prepared to cooperate to control the breakaway for an opportunity at a stage victory, today seems like another good stage for the breakaway. The tough mountain stages yet to come combined with the inclement weather will likely have Nibali, Horner, and Valverde eager to conserve energy. The absolute last thing either needs now is to overexert oneself and contract an energy sapping illness.
There will be several teams teams yet to claim a stage victory eager to position at least one rider within the breakaway. Predicting the ultimate make-up of the breakaway is terribly tricky. However, some of the following teams will be eager to salvage something of their 2013 Vuelta a Espana campaign. Perhaps the most notable name among the lot are Team Sky, who have no real General Classification threat with both Luis Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Uran far adrift on time.
Expect to see a presence in the breakaway from Caja Rural again, as they attempt to claim a massive stage victory. Euskaltel-Euskadi will be eager to salvage more than just provisional 11th, 14th, and 17th placings in the General Classification. With Cofidis another squad who will be seeking to improve their fortunates with a stage victory. While BMC already have some stage honours to their name, with no real General Classification threat they will be eager to add another via someone like Ivan Santaromita.
Epilogue
Will this become another day for the breakaway? Or will the General Classification riders dial back the caution to take the bull by the horns and aggressively ride the stage? Picking the composition of the eventual breakaway of the day can be quite challenging, who would your favourite be?
This one should be a real cracker of a stage, with the conditions I would not be surprised to see a win from a breakaway and Nibali to confirm that he will win this race unless Horner goes full retard
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Jesleyh wrote:
Nah, if the break holds, I fear a Sky win...
Probably. But I give Nieve, Scarponi, Majka and Arroyo a big chance as well. If the weather is just like yesterday as Pellizotti said then could even Flecha win this stage.
Sooo, Barguil for another stage-win then?
Nah, if the break holds, I fear a Sky win...
No way.Henao is too tired.The most obvious choices are Nieve,Majka,Barguil and Arroyo.Scarponi and Henao are out of form.Also Cataldo is there to help Henao.
Edit : The breakaway is just 1:45 in front of peloton.
Edited by romaniangoat on 08-09-2013 11:42
Would surprise me if that break is allowed to go very far. Plenty of well placed riders in that group (Arroyo, Nieve, Scarponi, etc) who could enter the top 10 overall if they gain a few minutes today.
Bit of a shame, really. I would've liked to see if Landa could win this after the amazing climb yesterday.
