Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 16 *Spoilers*

Macaloon
Macaloon Posts: 5,545
edited September 2014 in Pro race
The Queen stage
stage16_profile.png

The climax
Vuelta-a-Espana-Stage-16-1408359615.png

The peerless preview.
The finish
The 16.5 km towards the top of La Farrapona have an average gradient of 6.2 %. The first 5 km are relatively easy. After a short flat section, the road starts to kick up with 8-10 % for 2 km. This is followed by a quick descent, a short uphill section and another flat part before the final 5.5 km are uphill towards the finishing line. This final part of the climb is very steep with an average gradient of nearly 10 %. In the hair-pin corners, starting with 2.5 km to go, the gradients even hit 15 %. We can expect a great fight between the GC riders.

The Homage to Catalonia

Homage will triumph over the VCR Civil war. World-citizen Froome will tip his sombrero to the largest avocados in the game, sending Kennaugh + 1 into the breaks, taking off solo 100km from the line, only to fall agonizingly, heroically, Britishly, short of overhauling Alberto on GC. Avotador will magnificently defend his honour, ruthlessly wheelsucking the Parsifal-enrobed Alejandro up the final ramps.

Aye. You wish.

Breaking News (@AigorGaldeano) Chris Froome delivering eggs.
Bw_7ljVIUAATamz.jpg:large
...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
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Comments

  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Right, I'll just add the other essential bits.

    Map:
    Vuelta-a-Espana-Stage-16-1408361485.png

    Other Major Climbs:
    Vuelta-a-Espana-Stage-16-1408359596.png

    Vuelta-a-Espana-Stage-16-1408359602.png

    Vuelta-a-Espana-Stage-16-1408359608.png

    Climb Stats:
    Alto de la Colladona 7,4 km 850 m 500 m 6,7 % 11,67 %
    Alto de la Cobertoria 10 km 1.185 m 885 m 8,8 % 16 %
    Puerto de San Lorenzo 10,1 km 1.347 m 860 m 8,5 % 13 %
    La Farrapona 16,5 km 1.705 m 1.035 m 6,2 % 12,5 %

    Weather (foul):
    etp16.png
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,462
    The final climb looks more suited to Froome. It's pretty much his last chance if he wants to try to win it rather than get on the podium.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Pross wrote:
    The final climb looks more suited to Froome. It's pretty much his last chance if he wants to try to win it rather than get on the podium.

    No liking for the stage 20 finish?

    20_puerto_2.png

    How about the stage 18 finish for an few more seconds either way?


    monte-castrove.png
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    20 is a brute. Reckon Contador will crush them there if needed.

    The penultimate climb today is not that far off and wouldn't be surprised to see some attacks there although no one from top handful as they are too close together and dont want to risk blowing.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    According to the Vuelta ticker, Alberto Contador's translated name is Albert Counter. Kind of loses some of its exoticness.
  • salsiccia1
    salsiccia1 Posts: 3,725
    Joelsim wrote:
    According to the Vuelta ticker, Alberto Contador's translated name is Albert Counter. Kind of loses some of its exoticness.

    The probable closest English equivalent would be Albert Clark.
    It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.
  • d_o_g
    d_o_g Posts: 286
    **Ignore me**
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,311
    D O G wrote:
    Totally OT, but I always liked the fact that ex England managrer Fabio Capello's name in English would be Mr. Hat. :)

    That would be Cappello with 2 P. Capello is hair (the one growing on your head) as singular... in English you use hair only as plural, in Italy capello is singular and capelli is plural.
    Hair as the one growing on your chest is "pelo" or "peli" as plural...

    Simple...
    left the forum March 2023
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Early drama as Contador, Valverde and Froome tried to bridge over to the escape on the opening climb. Rodriguez and others brought them back on the descent.

    Our breakaway: Rohan Dennis (BMC), Laurens ten Dam (Belkin), Luis León Sánchez (Caja Rural-RGA Seguros), Peter Kennaugh (Sky), Ivan Rovny (Tinkoff-Saxo), Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale), Romain Sicard (Europcar), Johan Le Bon (FDJ.fr), Wouter Poels (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Gianluca Brambilla (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Merida) and Peio Bilbao (Caja Rural-RGA Seguros).
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    RichN95 wrote:
    Early drama as Contador, Valverde and Froome tried to bridge over to the escape on the opening climb. Rodriguez and others brought them back on the descent.

    Our breakaway: Rohan Dennis (BMC), Laurens ten Dam (Belkin), Luis León Sánchez (Caja Rural-RGA Seguros), Peter Kennaugh (Sky), Ivan Rovny (Tinkoff-Saxo), Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale), Romain Sicard (Europcar), Johan Le Bon (FDJ.fr), Wouter Poels (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Gianluca Brambilla (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Merida) and Peio Bilbao (Caja Rural-RGA Seguros).

    Ahem: "Froome will tip his sombrero to the largest avocados in the game, sending Kennaugh + 1 into the break"
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Macaloon wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Wouter Poels (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
    Ahem: "Froome will tip his sombrero to the largest avocados in the game, sending Kennaugh + 1 into the break"
    And that may be your plus one
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    Just get the feeling that one of Contador's attacks will stick on the final climb after all the climbing beforehand.

    That said J Rod looked pretty comfortable to me yesterday. It was clear he couldn't drop Contador but he hardly lost the wheel all day. He has an excellent team with him as well.

    Wish Quintana was in the mix.
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,434
    RichN95 wrote:
    Macaloon wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Wouter Poels (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
    Ahem: "Froome will tip his sombrero to the largest avocados in the game, sending Kennaugh + 1 into the break"
    And that may be your plus one

    What's the connection to Poels?
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    TailWindHome wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Macaloon wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Wouter Poels (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
    Ahem: "Froome will tip his sombrero to the largest avocados in the game, sending Kennaugh + 1 into the break"
    And that may be your plus one

    What's the connection to Poels?
    Widely rumoured as joining Sky next season (not confirmed though)
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • alan_a
    alan_a Posts: 1,587
    FFS
    Eurosport 1 showing ToB then Tour of Alberta

    Eurosport 2 showing last weekends NFL

    3 additional channels of snooker

    own goal.
    http://www.3pistescycle.co.uk
    Twitter @3pistescycle
    INSTA @tourclownunder
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Alan A wrote:
    Eurosport 2 showing last weekends NFL
    The Vuelta is on at 2pm, which is when the host broadcast makes pictures available.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Both NOS and Sporza have been live since 13-30 ish.
    The Sun is shining!
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,462
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    Pross wrote:
    The final climb looks more suited to Froome. It's pretty much his last chance if he wants to try to win it rather than get on the podium.

    No liking for the stage 20 finish?

    20_puerto_2.png

    How about the stage 18 finish for an few more seconds either way?


    monte-castrove.png

    Possibly too late in the day by then plus it's that bit steeper but the main reason is I think Froome didn't batter himself with loads of attacks over the weekend so may well be fresher today. I think that may have been his plan.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Uran already seems to be in trouble on the 2nd cat.
    Out the back and with Degenkolb and Ferrari.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • adr82
    adr82 Posts: 4,002
    Warren Barguil (Giant-Shimano) is rarely less than forthright in his opinions and the Frenchman expects Rodriguez and Valverde to lay down the gauntlet to Contador and Froome on the road to La Farrapona. “Today, I think Purito and Valverde will try to bury Contador and Froome," Barguil said at the start. "I like Froome as a person but I don’t like the way he rides, always watching his SRM.”
    Tsk tsk, such ignorance. Someone inform Mr Barguil that Froome is of course watching his beloved stem, the location of the SRM is a mere coincidence!
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    If you can't hack Carlton, this is a fine soundtrack https://t.co/Qa56bzqf5q
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    Sneaky change of plan. 85km to run and Froome remains in touching distance of Alberto's helmet. Break at 4:41.
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • jamie1012
    jamie1012 Posts: 171
    It's amazing that Chris Froome is apparently now known for his "metronomic calm" climbing style. Kirby really does make it up as he goes along.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Davide Bramati, director of Spanish Television OPQS reveals what happens to Rigoberto Uran (177) in the day today: "Tonight has not slept well takes several days with a bronchial problems and today is having a bad day." .
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Carlton lauds Cunego's descending skills. Tick it off your bingo cards.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    Cancellara going down in that sexy way, having nipped off the front to make sure he's marked in Worlds.
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    For those focusing on the Vuelta, the last ten km of the Tour of Britain was worth a watch.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    I assume that Cancellara has gone on ahead to check that the roads are suitable for a bike race. If he sees a pot hole we may have a neutralised stage.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Site access is slow again, today, much like this stage.
    Kennaugh not happy with Sicard sitting on the break and doing zero work.
    The standard Europcar/Voeckler/Rolland tactic.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • The_Boy
    The_Boy Posts: 3,099
    "Like"

    ETA: in response to rich
    Team My Man 2018: David gaudu, Pierre Latour, Romain Bardet, Thibaut pinot, Alexandre Geniez, Florian Senechal, Warren Barguil, Benoit Cosnefroy

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