Vuelta stage 15 *spoiler*

thomthom

Cumulonimbus

Early start today. They are already over the top of the Canto, with a group of 28 out in front. Arroyo is the best placed overall at about 11 minutes down with Nieve about that distance behind too. Sammy Sanchez was apparently dropped by the peloton on the climb but is making his way back on the descent. Group of 28 are...

Giampaolo Caruso (122), Yaroslav Popovych (187), Yannick Eijssen (52), Michele Scarponi (131), Javier Moreno (8), Mikel Nieve (96), Francis De Greef (142), Juan Manuel Garate (45), Mikael Cherel (15), Oliver Zaugg (209), Kenny Elissonde (103), David Arroyo (61), Iker Camano (153), Juan Antonio Flecha (214), Warren Barguil (22), Rafal Majka (202), Sergio Luis Henao (191), Andre Cardoso (63), Nicolas Edet (84), Michael Matthews (178), Alexandre Geniez (104), Gorka Verdugo (99), Serge Pauwels (165), Maciej Paterski (76), Jose Joao Mendes (157), Mikel Landa (94), Jose Herrada (5) y Dario Cataldo (193).

Edit: Luke Rowe and Baden Cooke have retired from the Vuelta

mike6

The weather in the Pyrenees is like yesterday, so expect more trouble.

Cumulonimbus

Gilbert has quit too.

Pross

Cumulonimbus wrote:

Gilbert has quit too.

Job done for him, stage win and a very good workout and high placed finish yesterday. I know where my money is going for the worlds.

How far behind is Henao now? I know he has lost a lot but didn't realise he was over 11 minutes back!

Pross

How big a gap has the break got (assuming they are still away)? It looks a high quality group.

mechanism

More bad weather could mean more problems with live video.

I had assumed that ITV4's highlights programme would have access to recorded images for yesterday's stage even though live coverage was delayed by the weather, but they didn't.

thomthom

Much better conditions and helicopters are in the air as well.

jerry3571

Why is FDJ chasing their own guy on the front. 13k at 5 mins is not a lot.

thomthom

Interesting stuff from Saxo here.

jerry3571

Kelly just saying my motto of better being too hot than too cold.

All kicked off now!!!!!

afx237vi

Nibali is a class apart in this field.

jerry3571

Nibs not chancing his trademark suicidal downhill skills these days. First signs of getting old.

thomthom

Impressive racing, this.

jerry3571

What's Nibs got on his shoes?? Has he got some shoe cover type things on?? Cold toes??

Horner's mate putting the hurt on. Horner is off soon then.

jerry3571

I was just enjoying the lack of stupid Americans on the roadside but alas a guy getting too close to the riders with the stars and stripes flag. DOH!!

Crampeur

Great win by Geniez!

Crampeur

...

Crampeur

Roche takes back 17'

jerry3571

Roche's tactics worked.

Nibs not cracking the other GC guys. Not over yet as Evans in a past Vuelta managed to lose a minute from a puncture so Nibs better be lucky. Good stuff.

Paul 8v

Quite enjoyed that, nice to see a bit of a dig from Roche. His Dad basically said to him before if you aren't going to try and win then don't bother. Nice to see a bit of determination. Great bit of descending from Geniez today.

takethehighroad

Nibs seems to struggle on the steeper parts, where Horner excels, which will keep things interesting until the Angliru

Crampeur

Paul 8v wrote:

His Dad basically said to him before if you aren't going to try and win then don't bother.

He says that about everyone.

Pross

This has been a really good race, probably as there has been very little team control throughout both on flat and hilly stages.

mechanism

As Inrng pointed out, despite 225km and 4 major climbs the top 5 on GC finished as a group and almost in the correct order.

frenchfighter

Another huge stage. This Vuelta continues to smash it up for the true fans who are watching. I curse my connection which has made viewing this for me difficult but I will getting the full coverage of the stages later.

Three days in a row we have a great winner - young guns with class. WHAT a ride by Geniez. Ballsy by Roche and I am glad he got a few seconds at least.

They need to shake this old man though. Still plenty of opportunities to do that.

frenchfighter

Ps. SKY are getting pounded left right and centre. They should all retire.

alan_a

jerry3571 wrote:

Roche's tactics worked.

Did they? That's a lot of extra matches he lit for only 17 secs.

Paul 8v

frenchfighter wrote:

Ps. SKY are getting pounded left right and centre. They should all retire.

Haha, that's classic Frenchie! To be fair, I don't know why they bothered turning up, at least Froome gave it a go last year. I was hoping Uran would put on a bit of a show but they've been pants. Roche has been my favorite so far. Something not right about Horner, I think it's that cheshire cat grin whilst everyone else is suffering. I wonder if that's a tactic? i.e. he's trained himself to do that to intimidate others!

frenchfighter

Maybe we can blame the lack of heat. They are Colombian after all.

Escher303

I know it wasn't the Tour and they were in France but weren't there all of about 12 spectators at the finish? When the Tour visits Spain there'll be a lot more people than that to see the finish.