Vuelta a Espana 2018 Stage 4 *SPOILER*

DeadCalm

Yesterday's "medium mountain" stage turned out, as expected, to be one for the sprinters. Today's stage, a 161.4km jaunt from Vélez-Málaga to Alfacar, is also described as "medium mountains" but, crucially, will finish atop the Sierra de la Alfaguarathis, a category one climb. It is 12.4 kilometres at 5.4% with its steepest sections near the middle. The top flattens out a bit.

The ascent of Alto de la Cabra, (18.2 kilometres at 5.2%) after 51 kilometres would seem to be an ideal launch point for a strong break to get away and try to hang on to the finish.

The profile:


The final climb:


The finale:


The jerseys:
Kwiatkovski continues to dominate all jerseys except for the climber's jersey which will once again be worn by Luis Ángel Maté. Confusingly, Valverde is second in both the combined and points competitions so will be in white or green depending on which takes precedence. Anyone know? If Valverde is in white then Viviani will presumably be in green. If Valverde is in green, expect to see Laurens de Plus in white.

Local interest:
According to the Vuelta site "The Granada locality of Alfacar hosts a La Vuelta finish-line for the first time. With a past that is steeped in Muslim history, its name comes from the Arabic term “al-Fajjar”, which means “clay”. The municipality is famous for its bread, with its own designation of origin, which the riders will be able to enjoy should they manage to overcome the slopes of the Alfaguara Mountain Range, upon which Alfacar is located."

Vino'sGhost

ahhhh Jersey order! no idea which takes precedence but either way it's great to see a champion like Valverde in a GT jersey.

Hopefully today wont be a snoozefest like yesterday.

inseine

Kwiatkowski - Red leaders jersey
Valverde - Green points jersey (Kwia is the holder)
Mate - Spotty climbers jersey
De Plus - Combined jersey (Kwia is the holder)
Combativity - Simon Casulleras
Team - Sky

larkim

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Though every day is Christmas Eve - perhaps it will start to gain some energy.

DeadCalm

inseine wrote:

Kwiatkowski - Red leaders jersey
Valverde - Green points jersey (Kwia is the holder)
Mate - Spotty climbers jersey
De Plus - Combined jersey (Kwia is the holder)
Combativity - Simon Casulleras
Team - Sky

Thanks for the clarification.

Valverde seems to be the favourite for today going by PTP.

DeadCalm

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Isn't there one GT of that ilk pretty much every year? For example:

2016 Giro
2015 Vuelta
2014 Vuelta
2013 Vuelta
2012 Giro
2011 Vuelta

Some of them had multiple winners but the competition was pretty weak. The strongest riders are always generally going to ride the TDF and maximum one other GT. Last year seemed to be an exception though.

Vino'sGhost

I was going to say that you missed Wiggins tdf win out of that list but that would be harsh. Sometimes the course or accidents do favour a weaker rider but its still a serious achievement winning a GT and accidents are as much part of the race as the course.

If you cant get to the end you cant win. If you havent got the skills and mindset, just ask Porte.

hanshotfirst

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Mate, what you on about? You've got Nibali there, Aru, Quintana, Valverde all GT winners. MS have sent the Yates twins who are their main GC contenders, BMC have sent Porte, likewise Pinot, Uran, Zakarin, Kruijswijk....

inseine

We’re missing Froome, Bardet too, though he doesn’t really ride it anyway, same with Dumoulin. I think we have most if the rest of the potential GC guys.

TheBigBean

DeadCalm wrote:

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Isn't there one GT of that ilk pretty much every year? For example:

2016 Giro
2015 Vuelta
2014 Vuelta
2013 Vuelta
2012 Giro
2011 Vuelta

Some of them had multiple winners but the competition was pretty weak. The strongest riders are always generally going to ride the TDF and maximum one other GT. Last year seemed to be an exception though.

I'd have this year's tour above some of your inclusions e.g. 2014 Vuelta.

shirley_basso

I think the point is that always one of the 3 GTs in any given year could be said that 'XYZ wasn't there'

Exchanging a 2014 example for a 2017 example doesn't really work.

kingstongraham

TheBigBean wrote:

DeadCalm wrote:

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Isn't there one GT of that ilk pretty much every year? For example:

2016 Giro
2015 Vuelta
2014 Vuelta
2013 Vuelta
2012 Giro
2011 Vuelta

Some of them had multiple winners but the competition was pretty weak. The strongest riders are always generally going to ride the TDF and maximum one other GT. Last year seemed to be an exception though.

I'd have this year's tour above some of your inclusions e.g. 2014 Vuelta.

I'd take the 2014 Tour over the 2014 Vuelta.

DeadCalm

KingstonGraham wrote:

TheBigBean wrote:

DeadCalm wrote:

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Isn't there one GT of that ilk pretty much every year? For example:

2016 Giro
2015 Vuelta
2014 Vuelta
2013 Vuelta
2012 Giro
2011 Vuelta

Some of them had multiple winners but the competition was pretty weak. The strongest riders are always generally going to ride the TDF and maximum one other GT. Last year seemed to be an exception though.

I'd have this year's tour above some of your inclusions e.g. 2014 Vuelta.

I'd take the 2014 Tour over the 2014 Vuelta.

So would I. I think I meant to type 2014 Giro which Quintana won at a canter and Pierre Rolland even managed 4th. Agreed though, the 2014 Tour win by Nibali was not exactly a strong field either.

DeadCalm

TheBigBean wrote:

DeadCalm wrote:

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Isn't there one GT of that ilk pretty much every year? For example:

2016 Giro
2015 Vuelta
2014 Vuelta
2013 Vuelta
2012 Giro
2011 Vuelta

Some of them had multiple winners but the competition was pretty weak. The strongest riders are always generally going to ride the TDF and maximum one other GT. Last year seemed to be an exception though.

I'd have this year's tour above some of your inclusions e.g. 2014 Vuelta.

As stated above, 2014 Vuelta should have been 2014 Giro. I do get your reasoning for wanting to add this year's TDF though. Froome and Dumoulin weakened by the Giro, Porte and Nibali crashing out and Bardet and Quintana completely off their game made it one of those races but, on the face of it, that looked like a strong field.

Vino'sGhost

lets face it, just finishing a GT is an achievement Pro or not

kingstongraham

Quintana, Uran, Aru, Rolland, Pozzovivo, Majka - that's some pretty good climbers there in the 2014 Giro.

Peraud came second in the 2014 Tour.

White jersey in the 2014 Tour though - Pinot, Bardet, Kwiatkowski, Dumoulin.

larkim

hanshotfirst wrote:

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Mate, what you on about? You've got Nibali there, Aru, Quintana, Valverde all GT winners. MS have sent the Yates twins who are their main GC contenders, BMC have sent Porte, likewise Pinot, Uran, Zakarin, Kruijswijk....

Yes, but after three stages, Nibali, A Yates (never really a challenge) and Porte are out of the picture for GC wins.

Aru, Quintana, Valverde are all winners but all feel like they're from the second tier of riders these days. Similarly Pinot etc are all riders you'd admire for getting on or near a podium, but don't have that champion "vibe" about them. But as others have posted, perhaps I've just been spoiled the last few years and developed too high an expectation of eveyr GC!

TheBigBean

So, Nibali and Porte out of the picture very early on...just like this year's tour.

hanshotfirst

larkim wrote:

hanshotfirst wrote:

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Mate, what you on about? You've got Nibali there, Aru, Quintana, Valverde all GT winners. MS have sent the Yates twins who are their main GC contenders, BMC have sent Porte, likewise Pinot, Uran, Zakarin, Kruijswijk....

Yes, but after three stages, Nibali, A Yates (never really a challenge) and Porte are out of the picture for GC wins.

Aru, Quintana, Valverde are all winners but all feel like they're from the second tier of riders these days. Similarly Pinot etc are all riders you'd admire for getting on or near a podium, but don't have that champion "vibe" about them. But as others have posted, perhaps I've just been spoiled the last few years and developed too high an expectation of eveyr GC!

Ok fair enough will concede on that one but they're still all there, it's a good lineup. The top tier really only is what... Froome and Dumoulin though? They can't ride em all.

Vino'sGhost

Shirley Basso wrote:

I think the point is that always one of the 3 GTs in any given year could be said that 'XYZ wasn't there'

Exchanging a 2014 example for a 2017 example doesn't really work.

Exactly, this year for example we could say that Nibali was taken out and given the ease with which he got back up to thomas he was in stellar form.

Vino'sGhost

hanshotfirst wrote:

larkim wrote:

hanshotfirst wrote:

larkim wrote:

This really has the makings of a GT that will go down in history as "XYZ won his only GT in a year when all the major teams and riders decided to give it a miss or were unfortunately incapacitated". Not all GTs are created equally. Probably very unfair on whoever wins.

Mate, what you on about? You've got Nibali there, Aru, Quintana, Valverde all GT winners. MS have sent the Yates twins who are their main GC contenders, BMC have sent Porte, likewise Pinot, Uran, Zakarin, Kruijswijk....

Yes, but after three stages, Nibali, A Yates (never really a challenge) and Porte are out of the picture for GC wins.

Aru, Quintana, Valverde are all winners but all feel like they're from the second tier of riders these days. Similarly Pinot etc are all riders you'd admire for getting on or near a podium, but don't have that champion "vibe" about them. But as others have posted, perhaps I've just been spoiled the last few years and developed too high an expectation of eveyr GC!

Ok fair enough will concede on that one but they're still all there, it's a good lineup. The top tier really only is what... Froome and Dumoulin though? They can't ride em all.

I’d say Dumoulin was the top tier, based on performance and relative team strength. Imagine him in team as strong as sky......

TheBigBean

63km to go. Break has 8 mins.

Nikita Stalnov - Astana Pro Team
Ben King - Dimension Data
Ben Gastauer - AG2R La Mondiale
Aritz Bagües -Euskadi Basque Country-Murias
Oscar Cabedo Carda - Burgos BH
Pierre Rolland - EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale
Lars Boom - LottoNL-Jumbo
Luis Angel Maté Mardones - Cofidis, Solutions Credits
Jelle Wallays- Lotto Soudal

Vino'sGhost

Is it worth tuning in Beaney or is it a snore fest?

inseine

Ben king the best placed rider overall at 4.33 or thereabouts. About time DD had a bit of luck. i think they could well stay away but not by enough for him to take the jersey.

DeadCalm

TheBigBean wrote:

63km to go. Break has 8 mins.

Nikita Stalnov - Astana Pro Team
Ben King - Dimension Data
Ben Gastauer - AG2R La Mondiale
Aritz Bagües -Euskadi Basque Country-Murias
Oscar Cabedo Carda - Burgos BH
Pierre Rolland - EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale
Lars Boom - LottoNL-Jumbo
Luis Angel Maté Mardones - Cofidis, Solutions Credits
Jelle Wallays- Lotto Soudal

Ben King virtual race leader.

TheBigBean

Vino'sGhost wrote:

Is it worth tuning in Beaney or is it a snore fest?

There's not a lot going on now. Kelly isn't confident that this will change. I can imagine a bit of racing up the final climb,

Vino'sGhost

TheBigBean wrote:

Vino'sGhost wrote:

Is it worth tuning in Beaney or is it a snore fest?

There's not a lot going on now. Kelly isn't confident that this will change. I can imagine a bit of racing up the final climb,

Thanks Productivity will be largely uninterrupted

specialgueststar

No coverage at all in France ?!

specialgueststar

Rolland looks in a good place

specialgueststar

Rolland doesn’t look to be in a good place

shirley_basso

Nibali dropped from peloton apparently.