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2013 Vuelta a Espana - Week 2 (31st August - 7th September)
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| HaRe |
Posted on 06-09-2013 18:46
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what a win for the French! Awesome! He was the smartest one from the break. And why was Omega - Pharma trying to chase em? |
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 06-09-2013 19:56
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Hard luck Pinot..
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 13:19
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 06-09-2013 20:01
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Well, he may attack on climbs and then get caught on downhills. Still, he would loose 5 minutes tough. |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 06-09-2013 20:02
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Yep. Plus he said on twitter that he's ill and hopes to recover in time for tomorrow (mustn't be serious, but mustn't help either).
Given the descents, I wouldn't bet anything on him. |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 06-09-2013 22:15
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Pellizotti2 wrote:
Got home just after the stage had ended. Caught the final few kilometres above, but I'd really like to know who the "Bargoy" guy, who Kirby claims won the stage, is? 
Awesome winner.
To be fair, the letters uil for french things are usually pronounced similar to how he is saying it, atleast here in Canada, and I would assume most anglophone countries.
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 06-09-2013 22:19
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Am I the only ready for some Horner 6 W/kg tomorrow? |
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| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 06-09-2013 22:46
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Alakagom wrote:
Hard luck Pinot..
Fudge... losing less than 20 minutes tomorrow will be a victory, let's hope otherwise...  |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 06-09-2013 22:47
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Some nice climbing battles tomorrow by the looks of it  |
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| wogsrus |
Posted on 07-09-2013 00:31
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Gerrans is out of the race, and his season is finished. Hip fracture picked up in a MRI scan after his crash on Stage 3. Sam Bewley also wont start. |
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| 547984 |
Posted on 07-09-2013 00:31
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Was in school, so didn't see...I'm assuming today's stage was won from a break?
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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| Nin1388 |
Posted on 07-09-2013 03:47
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547984 wrote:
Was in school, so didn't see...I'm assuming today's stage was won from a break?
Yes break of 10 riders, peleton decided not to chase.
Edited by Nin1388 on 07-09-2013 03:47
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| 547984 |
Posted on 07-09-2013 03:52
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Okay, I see...
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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| Malkael |
Posted on 07-09-2013 07:33
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Ugh, thunderstorm decided to ruin my day and KO my power. So preview is a bit delayed at the moment. Great victory for Warren Barguil however  |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 07-09-2013 07:46
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valverde321 wrote:
Pellizotti2 wrote:
Got home just after the stage had ended. Caught the final few kilometres above, but I'd really like to know who the "Bargoy" guy, who Kirby claims won the stage, is?
Awesome winner.
To be fair, the letters uil for french things are usually pronounced similar to how he is saying it, atleast here in Canada, and I would assume most anglophone countries.
The correct pronunciation is barg-il though, not barg-wil or something.
Also, it might be worth mentioning that I've rarely seen or read that much praise from team mates, peers, other teams staff or journalists for a rider after a win. And it was "just" a win from a break.
Edited by Aquarius on 07-09-2013 07:53
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| Matrix |
Posted on 07-09-2013 10:46
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Alakagom wrote:
Hard luck Pinot..
On paper, looks interesting enough. But lets take a look at what a rider said about the stage:
Saturday, September 7, 5:25 CDT
96.8 miles • 4 KOMs • 2 Sprints
Overview
Vuelta stages into Andorra usually finish with one big climb in the tiny Pyrenean country but today's route packs in four of its most renowned ascents. The first and the last are the toughest, and quite different. The road to the 2,408m summit of the Envalira starts climbing from Seu d'Urgell, 47km away. However, the final 25km are relentlessly tough. The Ordino is another lofty pass, while the Comella continues the examination of the GC riders' climbing credentials. Those will be put to the ultimate test on the final ascent of the very steep Gallina. Alejandro Valverde, Joaquim Rodríguez and Alberto Contador duelled on its precipitous ramps last year, Valverde winning the day.
José Azevedo: "This finish featured last year but the approach to it was flat as far as the Port de la Comella. Even then, there were big gaps but now we have the Envalira and Ordino. This will be one of the key days. There won't be too many riders in GC contention after this."
Pain,Agony,Suffering...Thats why I love cycling! |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 07-09-2013 11:14
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Stage 14 - Bagà to Collada De La Gallina (155.7km)
After two transition stages la Vuelta a Espana reaches the Pyrenees to commence three gruelling stages through both the Spanish and French sides of the infamous mountain range. This first of three mountain stages, before the second rest day, crosses over the border in to Androrra. Whilst only 155.7km in length, the stage more then compensates for that with the difficulty of the climbs.
An additional concern to the peloton shall be the inclement weather forecast for Stage 14. While the temperature will begin rather mildly between the high teens and low 20's (Celsius), the temperature could drop as low as nine degrees by the summit of the Port de Envalira. While rainstorms and fog are also forecast to appear during the stage, with rain predicted to dog the peloton for most of the stage.
Hors catégorie - Port de Envalira (26.7 KM)
Peaking at a maximum altitude of 2,410m and featuring an accumulated 3,990m of climbing, Stage 14 will be horrendous for anyone not feeling on form. The first climb encoutered will be the Hors catégorie Port de Envalira, which at at distance of 26.7km features several sections above 7% and a deceptive average gradient of 5.2%. Commencing just 60.6km in to Stage 14, the Port de Envalira will whittle down the size of the peloton even before we reach the three remaining categorised climbs of the stage.
After which a much reduced peloton will descend 20.7km to the foot of our next climb, the Category 2 Coll de Ordino. Which should not challenge the remaining riders left in the peloton, but at a length of 8.8km and an average gradient of almost 5% will fatigue the rider's further. Following which, the peloton will descend another 18.7km to the foot of the Category 2 Alto de la Comella. Whose slopes measure a mere 4km in distance, also at an average gradient of 5%.
Category 1 - Collada de la Gallina (7.2 KM)
After the breaching the summit of the Coll de Ordino, the much reduced and fatigued peloton will descend 4.5km before climbing to reach the beginning of the Category 1 Collada de la Gallina. Whilst her slopes are just 7.2km in length the Collada de la Gallina has an average gradient of 8%, with sections of up to 15%. Apart from one section at a mere 4.5%, the ascent never dips below a gradient of 7%.
In combination with the narrowness of the road the ascent of the Collada de la Gallina includes several twists, turnbacks, and bends. Riders will be keen to avoid the inside of the hairpin bends, where the gradients are higher than taking the outside line. While the team mechanics and riders will have to account for a section of gradient at 15% around halfway in to the climb, preceded by sections of 9% and followed by sections of 7%. With the final kilometre of the climb around 10% in gradient, and the road curving snaking its way to the finishing line.
Today should a day for the General Classification to challenge either other through the mountains. However, a breakaway claiming the stage victory would not be unlikely if the General Classification contenders insist on playing cat and mouse with each other. Expect those riders with nothning left to ride for in the General Classification to be aiming for a stage victory somewhere in the mountains, so keep an eye out for the likes of Euskaltel-Euskadi and Luis Sergio Henao.
Joaquim Rodriguez narrowly missed out on winning a similar stage in Andorra during the 2012 Vuelta a Espana. The Catalonian cyclist reportedly now lives in Andorra and knows the climbs very well. So expect “Purito” to be motivated to perform in front of his “home crowd”, where he will be hopeful of avenging last year's defeat on the line to Valverde by winning today's stage.
Chris Horner will be the dark horse for today's stage, with the Radioshack-Leopard rider showing impressive form and fitness so far. However, will his age and the fact la Vuelta a Espana is nearing her third week cause the veteran American rider to finally succumb to his younger rivals? Horner could once again get the jump on his General Classification rivals if they once again disregard him as a significant threat.
Alejandro Valverde will be another contender for today's stage victory, if a breakaway attack does not claim it beforehand, should the finish come down to a “sprint”. The Spanish Movistar rider will be hopeful of clinging to the group of race favourites containing Vincenzo Nibali. Valverde is still a major threat in the General Classification, and claiming the stage victory and the 10 bonus seconds up for grabs would be a massive boost to his chances of winning the 2013 Vuelta a Espana.
As current race leader, wearer of the Maillot Rojo (Red Jersey), Vincenzo Nibali naturally must be considering a strong contender for today's stage. The Italian will be beginning to come in to his peak fitness, as the third week of the race approaches. With Team Astana bringing a strong team in support of Nibali, he should have plenty of support around him through the mountains. During the 2013 Giro d'Italia we saw the Italian assert his dominance with several aggressive attacks, will he do likewise today?
Other contenders for the stage victory includes riders of the pedigree of Ivan Basso of Cannondale and Domenico Pozzovivo of AG2R Le Mondiale. French FDJ.fr rider Thibaut Pinot would be a serious contender, but with his recent documented issues with descending he could unfortunately be adrift of the group of favourites before they reach the Collada de la Gallina. Whilst our joker for the day could be Irish Team Saxo-Tinkoff rider Nicolas Roche, who has been impressive in his efforts to compete with some of the world's strongest Grand Tour competitors.
A challenging day in the mountains for the peloton as they cross over the border from Spain in to Andorra. Joaquim Rodriguez missed out on victory here last year, but will he get his revenge today? Will Christopher Horner continue his strong performances or fall by the wayside coming in to week three of la Vuelta?
Who will win and who will lose? Will we see someone go a long way to losing their hope of capturing the Maillot Rojo (Red Jersey) before Madrid? |
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| HaRe |
Posted on 07-09-2013 11:18
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Lets see what Purito can do! I bet all my PCMs on him so I hope he will win. |
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| jsh312mufc |
Posted on 07-09-2013 11:45
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think nibali's gonna get this one |
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 07-09-2013 12:12
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Lulu Sanchez, Gilbert, Chanel, Ratto and Graeme Brown in the BOTD.
In Brown especially we have a serious contender for the win today
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 07-09-2013 12:37
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Brown went into the breakaway to have a chance to make the time cut at the finish
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