Vuelta Espana

SpainSte
SpainSte Posts: 181
edited September 2013 in The cake stop
The Vuelta Espana passed through my town (La Duquesa in Andalucia) yesterday (Saturday) during Stage 8 of the tour.

http://www.lavuelta.com/13/en/recorrido/index.html?e=8

Took some pictures with my phone but they all went by so quickly it was difficult to get any decent ones....

Lots of support cars:

m83c.jpg

09hm.jpg

upod.jpg

d5e7.jpg

c57p.jpg

0m6h.jpg


The lead group coming through:

qf9a.jpg



After watching the Tour de France this year I saw people virtually fighting over water bottles dropped by the riders...so imagine my surprise when an Omega Pharma Quick Step rider dropped one right to my feet :D

0lox.jpg

No fancy potion in it, just standard Aquarius, an isotonic drink in Spain you buy from the supermarket.


I follow Laurens ten Dam on Strava, and you can see how fast the peloton were going through some of my local segments!

They smashed a local cat 4 climb;

http://www.strava.com/activities/78979267#1596879402

Were very very quick through all the others, I think the KOM on these was in a car....

http://www.strava.com/activities/78979267#1596879392

http://www.strava.com/activities/78979267#1596879397

http://www.strava.com/activities/78979267#1596879407

http://www.strava.com/activities/78979267#1596879424

Overall a great hours entertainment what with all the helicopters and Guardia Civil on their motorbikes making it like a MotoGP stage. Never seen a pro bike race before, and grand tour at that. Would definitely recommend it if you are lucky enough to be near one some day!!

Comments

  • IanREmery
    IanREmery Posts: 148
    Saw my first pro race when the Tour of Britain went through Wales last September. We were basically at the top of Caerphilly Mountain which they climbed twice. Fantastic atmosphere, the riders speeding their way up the mountain a few feet away from us, helicopters, the works. Definitely going again in a few weeks.

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