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2013 Vuelta a Espana - Week 2 (31st August - 7th September)
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| Malkael |
Posted on 30-08-2013 17:26
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Sprinter
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La Vuelta a Espana enters her second week. While they say you cannot win a Grand Tour during Week Two, you can certainly lose it during Week Two. Four difficult stages built to coax out the General Classification contenders will soon eliminate the feeble from winning La Vuelta overall.
Stage 8 - Jerez De La Frontera to Estepona. Alto Peñas Blancas (166.6 KM)
The second week of la Vuelta a Espana hath arrived, and now it should be time for the General Classification contenders to rise to the fore and perform. The stage finishes on the Alto de Peñas Blancas, which at 14.5km in length and 6.6% average gradient, with sections of up to 12%, should tax the legs
Stage 9 - Antequera to Valdepeñas De Jaén (163.7 KM)
Whilst Stage 9 does not finish upon an imposing climb, the finale shall still sort the weak from the strong. Whilst the peloton may only have to negotiate a 1000m ramp up to the finish, at average gradients above 5% it will not be easy.
Stage 10 - Torredelcampo to Güéjar Sierra. Alto Hazallanas (186.8 KM)
Anyone who found Stage 8 and 9 difficult are in for a treat, as the race really hots up with a finale on the Alto de Hazallanas. With the climb's length and average gradient not telling the full story, as the peloton face an immense challenge during the last 8km of the ascent. With the gradient constantly over double digit gradients, peaking at 18%, for much of the last 8km.
The sole individual time time trial of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana, and it does not favour the time trial specialists. The course climbs the Category 3 Alto del Moncayo, before the riders descend back in to Tarazona. A course seemingly suited to Vincenzo Nibali, thanks both to his climbing and descending abilities.
Another rare opportunity for the sprinters, who have been witnessing their limited chances of claiming victory go up in smoke during stages meant for them. Will the sprinters managed to take this opportunity with both hands? Or shall a plucky band of opportunists ruin their day once again?
An uphill finale for a sprint finish suited to those riders with an uphill sprint. However, first they shall have to survive some rough stuff and recover to have enough in the tank to claim the stage victory. Not to mention they must also make sure they are not unexpectedly beaten to the line by those vultures ready to pounce on any weaknesses.
If the General Classification contenders have no left their shells to do battle yet, than Stage 14 will soon cause some havoc. La Vuelta crosses over in to Andorra for a tremendous mountain stage, with a finale on the Collada de la Gallina. With their legs already heavy from three prior climbs, the peloton face an ascent of 7.2km at an average gradient of 8%, with gradients up to a maximum of 15%.
-- Stage 8 Preview
-- Stage 9 Preview
-- Stage 10 Preview
-- Stage 11 Preview
-- Stage 12 Preview
-- Stage 13 Preview
-- Stage 14 Preview
-- Pro Cycling Stats Startlist
Edited by Malkael on 07-09-2013 11:15
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| Malkael |
Posted on 30-08-2013 17:26
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Stage 8 - Jerez De La Frontera to Alto Peñas Blancas (166.6 KM)
La Vuelta a Espana bids farewell to week one of the race and ushers in a challenging week two with Stage 8. The peloton and General Classification shall warm up for a potentially decisive week. Beginning in Jerez De La Frontera, the 166.6km stage shall conclude with a finale upon the slopes of the Category 1 Alto Peñas Blancas.
Oddly the stage will feature less cumulative elevation gain than some of the sprint stages, with just 1,575m of elevation gain accumulated. Ascending the Alto Peñas Blancas to conclude the stage shall more than make up for that oddity however. Measuring 14.5km in length with an average gradient of 6.6%, the Alto Peñas Blancas should sort the wheat from the chaff.
The weather is expected to once again be quite warm for much of the stage, with temperatures (Celsius) currently predicted to be around the high 20's to low 30's. With the stage hugging close to the coast for some 40km before the ascent of the Alto Peñas Blancas, the coastal winds could cause some havoc on an unfavourable day. Coming from predicted Easterly direction, there could be potential for crosswinds to batter the right flank of the peloton.
Category 1 - Alto Peñas Blancas (14.5 KM)
The Alto Peñas Blancas is not one consistent and gradual slope however, so the peloton will encounter gradients of up to 12.5%. The beginning two kilometres of the Alto Peñas Blancas happens to be where the steepest gradient is, commencing with a gradient of 11.5%. There is a section of roughly 2km of low gradients below 5%, located with 3km of the climb ridden, where the cyclists can try and recuperate slightly.
However, the climb soon resumes the hurt with the gradient never slipping below 6%. As sections of 8-9% welcome the riders back to reality for roughly two to three kilometres. Before the climb settles in to a consistent gradient of between 6-7% for the majority of the ascent remaining. With the final kilometre at a gradient of just under 6%, at precisely 5.83%.
With the 38.7 kilometre individual time trial on the horizon, anyone who is currently behind Maillot Rojo wearer Vincenzo Nibali of Astana may want to make a move. The Stage 11 individual time trial arguably suits Nibali the most with its mix of climbing and descending. With the Italian supposedly not yet even at his peak, as he aims to peak in week three, he should only get stronger.
Arguably both Alejandro Valverde of Movistar and Joaquim Rodriguez of Team Katusha should be looking to reduce the time gap to Nibali. On paper Nibali should extend his lead over the two Spaniards in the time trial, so the two shall need to minimise their loses one way or another. With bonuses seconds up for grabs at the finishing line, finishing upon the stage podium could be their best bet if they cannot escape the Italian.
With pre-race team leader for Team Sky Sergio Luis Henao practically out of the running without a massive performance somewhere. The burden of expectations will be upon fellow Colombian Rigoberto Uran, who was runner up to Nibali in the Giro d'Italia this year. On paper Uran has the skillset and ability to compete with the best, so should he be feeling great on the day he could be a contender for the stage victory and 10 bonus seconds.
There are several other General Classification hopeful who may also be in contention for the stage victory. With Nicolas Roche of Team Saxo-Tinkoff maybe a dark horse on current form if he covets possessing the Maillot Rojo. However, there is the chance that Astana could try and let the breakaway cycle to victory to burn up the bonus seconds available to the first three finishers of the stage, though the other teams will have something to say about that.
With the individual time trial looming, shall we finally see the General Classification favourites emerge from their defensive shells to come out and play some ball? Will Valverde and Rodriguez look to close the gap to Nibali ahead of the time trial? Where, personally, I would expect some loses to the Italian.
Or will the breakaway be allowed to go free and claim the stage victory? Unless they be fiercely chased down in the search of those bonus seconds available on the line to the first three riders.
Edited by Malkael on 30-08-2013 17:34
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 30-08-2013 17:44
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Bring on the Mountains  |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 03:22
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
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Any news on how hurt Dan Martin is?
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| 547984 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 03:37
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5008
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Even better preview!
The reason I say that is:
You used Whilst only twice! Anything below 5 is legit. 
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar! |
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| ste_18 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 08:02
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1430
Joined: 06-08-2012
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baseballlover312 wrote:
Any news on how hurt Dan Martin is?
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 08:41
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World Champion
Posts: 10497
Joined: 23-06-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Mountains
Let's go Purito. |
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| Maxvir |
Posted on 31-08-2013 11:39
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Stagiare
Posts: 185
Joined: 16-08-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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baseballlover312 wrote:
Any news on how hurt Dan Martin is?
Edited by Maxvir on 31-08-2013 11:41
LMGKK Ziemia Brzeska
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 31-08-2013 13:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3906
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Maxvir wrote:
baseballlover312 wrote:
Any news on how hurt Dan Martin is?
Will he be able to race at the worlds, does anybody know?
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 09:52
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Bot Agent
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 13:56
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World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
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14 riders in the break today:
Dario Cataldo (Team Sky)
Kevin De Weert (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
Ben Gastauer (AG2R)
Rafael Valls Ferri (Vacansoleil)
Francis De Greef (Lotto)
Jorge Azanza (Euskaltel)
Alex Howes (Garmin-Sharp)
Bartosz Huzarski (NetApp-Endura)
Thierry Hupond (Argos-Shimano)
Christian Meier (Orica GreenEGDE)
Matthew Busche (RadioShack Leopard)
Dominik Nerz (Cannondale)
Antonio Piedra (Caja Rural)
Beñat Intxausti (Movistar)
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 14:34
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Feel sorry for Dan Martin  |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 15:08
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
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Awww sh*t.. Well now Garmin are really screwed.
And Peli Nerz s on BMC.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 15:11
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World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
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baseballlover312 wrote:
And Peli Nerz s on BMC.
Blame Cyclingnews. I just copied the list from their live feed
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| Nin1388 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 15:15
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Sprinter
Posts: 1565
Joined: 04-09-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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sutty68 wrote:
Feel sorry for Dan Martin
Is he out of Vuelta? |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 15:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
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Nin1388 wrote:
sutty68 wrote:
Feel sorry for Dan Martin
Is he out of Vuelta?
If you read 5 posts above you could see that. 
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| steve smink |
Posted on 31-08-2013 15:46
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 322
Joined: 31-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Should be back for florence
Irish hopes now rest on nico roche |
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| Nin1388 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 16:00
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Sprinter
Posts: 1565
Joined: 04-09-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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baseballlover312 wrote:
Nin1388 wrote:
sutty68 wrote:
Feel sorry for Dan Martin
Is he out of Vuelta?
If you read 5 posts above you could see that.
Oh!! Sorry!! |
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| 547984 |
Posted on 31-08-2013 16:03
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5008
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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heh, Cataldo dropping everyone.
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar! |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 31-08-2013 16:11
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 22918
Joined: 08-02-2007
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Bye Roman. Nico won't be coming around to save you this time
This is totally not a GTA reference. I totally mean Nico Roche.....totally...
Edited by issoisso on 31-08-2013 16:12
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| CountArach |
Posted on 31-08-2013 16:11
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8290
Joined: 14-07-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Well there goes the hope of anyone who thought Kreuziger could ride GC.
Is Horner smirking there?
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