Vuelta stage 9 *spoiler*

afx237vi
afx237vi Posts: 12,630
edited September 2009 in Pro race
profile9_600.gif

Seven riders in the break, including Devolder and David de la Fuente, who is the new KOM leader.

Still two climbs to go.

Carlos Barredo, Allan Davis and Laurent Lefevre are the latest riders to abandon.
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Comments

  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    was just writing a spoiler-starter too... Another mountain stage, but very different from yesterday. The final climb is extremely steep, up till 20%, but just 5 km, with a short, dangerous descent to the finish. The Xorret de Cati is this year's alternative to the Angliru, but shorter. Probably more like LBL/Fleche Wallonne/Giro di Lombardia terrain than the high, alpine mountains. The finale is not unlike the Eibar stage in this year's Vuelta del Pais Vasco, with many of the contenders there also present here.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    FJS wrote:
    The final climb is extremely steep, up till 20%, but just 5 km, with a short, dangerous descent to the finish. The Xorret de Cati is this year's alternative to the Angliru, but shorter.

    Wow. Will have my eyes glued. The Angliru is one of my favourite climbs.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    4.4 mins with 44km to race.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    At kilometer 185.6, the stage reaches the final climb of the day. The Alto Xorret del Catí is a nasty piece of work. Rated a category 1, it climbs just five kilometers, but it hits a maximum gradient of 20%. After a flat kilometer run-in, the climb road turns upward with a vengeance, and between kilometers 2 and 3, the gradient averages 8.2%, followed by a kilometer at 10.9%, a kilometer at 14.5%, and the final kilometer at 10.6%. Sprinkled throughout the Alto Xorret del Catí are brief ramps at 15%, 17%, and 20% gradients. That’ll leave a mark. The Alto Xorret del Catí summits at 1100 meters above sea level with 3.2 kilometers left to race.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • moray_gub
    moray_gub Posts: 3,328
    FJS wrote:
    was just writing a spoiler-starter too... Another mountain stage, but very different from yesterday. The final climb is extremely steep, up till 20%, but just 5 km, with a short, dangerous descent to the finish. The Xorret de Cati is this year's alternative to the Angliru, but shorter. Probably more like LBL/Fleche Wallonne/Giro di Lombardia terrain than the high, alpine mountains. The finale is not unlike the Eibar stage in this year's Vuelta del Pais Vasco, with many of the contenders there also present here.

    Probably a day more suited to the Little Prince than yesterday was.Just heard Kelly saying taking leaders jersey too early for Evans i agree with that dont think his team is strong enough and he struggled to cope when he had the leaders jerrsey early in lst years Tour, granted the pressure is nowhere near the same.
    Gasping - but somehow still alive !
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    Ooh, it just occurred to me that Evans has now led all three GTs without winning any of them.

    That's something he can put on his CV, at least.
  • moray_gub
    moray_gub Posts: 3,328
    afx237vi wrote:
    Ooh, it just occurred to me that Evans has now led all three GTs without winning any of them.

    That's something he can put on his CV, at least.

    A few sprinters have probably done that as well i reckon
    Gasping - but somehow still alive !
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    afx237vi wrote:
    Ooh, it just occurred to me that Evans has now led all three GTs without winning any of them.

    That's something he can put on his CV, at least.

    Him and one other Ozzie at least!
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  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    calvjones wrote:
    afx237vi wrote:
    Ooh, it just occurred to me that Evans has now led all three GTs without winning any of them.

    That's something he can put on his CV, at least.

    Him and one other Ozzie at least!

    McGee wasn't it?
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Yup.
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  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    The break still has more than 5 minutes with 11 km to go.... one of them to win ... De la Fuente? Can't remember Devolder shining on the Mur de Huy etc.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    FJS wrote:
    The break still has more than 5 minutes with 11 km to go.... one of them to win ... De la Fuente? Can't remember Devolder shining on the Mur de Huy etc.

    :lol: It's a bit longer than the Muur I think
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  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    edited September 2009
    calvjones wrote:
    FJS wrote:
    The break still has more than 5 minutes with 11 km to go.... one of them to win ... De la Fuente? Can't remember Devolder shining on the Mur de Huy etc.

    :lol: It's a bit longer than the Muur I think
    yes, but similar steepness, and similar style of riders to ride well... both too long steep for Devolder I guess.

    Edit: I meant the Muur of Huy from the Fleche Walonne, not the Geraardsbergen one....
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Caisse had enough of Lotto's faffing...
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  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Blimey, the fight to be in the front 20 of the peloton on narrow roads before the climb is like the sprint to the start of the Kwaremont or Muur in the Ronde though :shock:
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Caisse always do a wonderful job for their leaders.

    The only two people to stick close to Contador on the Angliru were Valverde and Rodriguez, only 42 and 58 secs back. Valverde can hold his own very well on the very steep slopes. He made his attack on the steep sections of the Ventoux in the Dauphine this year.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • NervexProf
    NervexProf Posts: 4,202
    Break now down to 2 minutes. Looks like things are being set up for Valverde
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    I used to live around there up until a few years ago and can guarantee that the last 3 or 4 km are awful and it will be hot too. I want Samu Sanchez to win!
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  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Joaquim. King of the 20% ers.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    And behind Sammy Sanchez distanced by an Evans attack
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Joaquim. King of the 20% ers.

    Yeah, the first Km...
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Valverde goes with Basso and Evans - Sanchez drops :(

    The bonifications can make it interesting!
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  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Basso looking comfortable.
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  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    the leader caught again.... just before the summit
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    FJS wrote:
    the leader caught again.... just before the summit

    Only by a fellow escapee though?
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    calvjones wrote:
    FJS wrote:
    the leader caught again.... just before the summit

    Only by a fellow escapee though?
    Yes, Marzano and Veloso were still in between
  • FJS
    FJS Posts: 4,820
    Veloso takes it..... first :shock: Spanish victory in this year's Vuelta
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Gesink boxed Evans. Made him lose 3secs to Valv.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    calvjones wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Joaquim. King of the 20% ers.

    Yeah, the first Km...

    Don't show your ignorance of his past wins.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Valverde leader I think.
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