Vuelta al Pais Vasco 2013 *SPOILERS*

frenchfighter

6 day stage race starts today. No stage classified as a mountain stage but there are a lot of hills all over the profiles and two 'medium' mtfs. Ends with a with a 24km TT.

Contador is back racing and looking for this third win of the race. Other notable racers are: Sanchez, Porte, Peraud, Quintana, Cunego, Ulissi, TJ, VDB, Pinot, Talansky, Hesjedal, Danielson, Stetina, De Gendt, Tony Martin, Coppel.

Other riders to look out for: Txurruka, Taaramae, Navarrro, Barguil, Elissonde, Albasini, Gilbert, Cummings, Serpa, Betancur, Cobo, Slagter, Dombrowski, Henao, JTL, Anton and Sicard.

Stage 1:

Last climb: Alto de Aiastia, 4,8 km, av 5,42%, 7 km from the line

I like these stages for nice attacks.

ES coverage about 2.30 each day.

http://vueltapaisvasco.diariovasco.com/

#VueltaPaisVasco

SKY race guide: http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290, ... 67,00.html

inkyfingers

Often get some good racing here, last years edition was pretty good.

Think your man will finally have his moment here, but will be interesting to see how some of the other names here are going.

Gilbert also riding, desperately looking for some form.

DeadCalm

All aboard the Saxo express! Contador obviously fancies this from the way he has his train working at the front.

Lightning

Why is Sky low on numbers? Any particular reason?

jam1e

It'll be interesting to see how that train compares to the real one if it's their plan for the entire race.

thomthom

That is a how a stage profile should look. Up and down all day, possibilties for attacks, tactics and descending skills a necessity.

frenchfighter

That's Txurruka in the break. That guy LOVES attacking!

frenchfighter

Tux has turned on the gas, dropped Didier and has increased the lead from 59 to 1.18

frenchfighter

Now 1.37, Tux going all out

thomthom

Saxo not strong enough in front according to OPQS

blazing_saddles

Amets is always good value for money.
Going on a break from the break.
Meanwhile, Eurosport on another break! :P

frenchfighter

Just over 1.30 at the top of the climb. Come on Tux - would love for him to win this - he deserves something for all his efforts over the years. Another climb to come then descent to the finish.

frenchfighter

He is doing a good job on this 'flat' not to let the gap drop too much yet the peloton is not yet lined out.

Macaloon

Contador to Saxo's mountain choo-choo stoker (former skybot, M Rodgers): "Call this a train? Get shedding!"

inkyfingers

Don't you just hate seeing a team sitting on the front and killing the race.

thomthom

inkyfingers wrote:

Don't you just hate seeing a team sitting on the front and killing the race.

Well, the difference will show if Alberto attacks before 1km to go.

frenchfighter

Macaloon wrote:

Contador to Saxo's mountain choo-choo stoker (former skybot, M Rodgers): "Call this a train? Get shedding!"

Let me just get this out the way once. There is a big difference between a train packed full of expensive diesels going great guns purely so that no one can attack and the field gets shelled and so there is little competition for their guys TO a team with the favourite taking responsibility to take down the break gradually. Since I have been watching it, the tiny Tux has been holding them off without much trouble for a long, long time. No more will be said on it. Lets see what happens on the final climb. Enjoy the racing.

frenchfighter

20km, 20 secs. I thought it was a possibility 10km ago, not today though.

danlikesbikes

Done deal for him, but on the climb will anyone else go for it?

inkyfingers

frenchfighter wrote:

Macaloon wrote:

Contador to Saxo's mountain choo-choo stoker (former skybot, M Rodgers): "Call this a train? Get shedding!"

Let me just get this out the way once. There is a big difference between a train packed full of expensive diesels going great guns purely so that no one can attack and the field gets shelled and so there is little competition for their guys TO a team with the favourite taking responsibility to take down the break gradually. Since I have been watching it, the tiny Tux has been holding them off without much trouble for a long, long time. No more will be said on it. Lets see what happens on the final climb. Enjoy the racing.

Do you think that Saxo signed Rogers because he's a nice guy, or because he was so bloody effective as part of the Sky hell train?

blazing_saddles

That's a pretty classy Saxo train, FF, it has to be said.
CAS on the front at the moment, but there's Rogers, Roche, Paulinho, Zaugg, Henandez and Kreuziger behind.
Pretty sure they were letting little Amets dangle, but I don't think any solo attack will derail
this train, now he's been caught.

frenchfighter

Harmon quite observant saying Tux has his right foot always pointed inwards and the other foot straight forward.

frenchfighter

I hope you guys are watching this closely especially when they get to the climb proper.

frenchfighter

Are you guys watching? We are nearly at the base of the climb.

thomthom

Lol, Sky just walk past Saxo in front of the peloton.

oneof1982

Yes watching.

FF - "My train is not as good as your train" is a strange argument!

frenchfighter

Are you seeing what I am seeing? Are you seeing what I posted about in reply to Macaloon.

frenchfighter

Top of the climb is at 7km to the finish.

frenchfighter

You guys enjoying this climb so far?

oneof1982

frenchfighter wrote:

Are you seeing what I am seeing? Are you seeing what I posted about in reply to Macaloon.

Actually, probably not. Just realised I am on delay on Sky+ so should aviod the thread. Still 18 k to go for me!

Will get back to you....

frenchfighter

Damn, Peraud off the back with two riders trying to pace him back. Puncture I think.