La Vuelta 2023: Stage 15:- Pamplona - Lekunberri, 158.5km ***Spoilers***
blazing_saddles
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Stage 15:- Pamplona - Lekunberri, 158.5km
September 10
Start Time: 12-20BST.
The 15th stage of La Vuelta is a hilly race with a downhill finale. The final stage of the second week of the Vuelta a España 2023 should be a day favourable to the breakaway. The route, over the hilly terrain of the greater Basque Country, has three category three climbs, including the double ascent of Zuarrarrate. The final climb taking place just eight kilometres from the finish line, ideal territory for a breakaway to get clear of what will be a tired peloton, longing for the respite of tomorrow’s rest day. Stage 15 features 2,345 metres of elevation gain over 156.5 kilometres.
The race starts in Pamplona, Navarra’s main city. Three Vuelta’s ago we also saw a Pamplona-Lekunberri stage. It was the Vuelta that was plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic. So both Pamplona and Lekunberri now get a second chance, although the route is totally different. The route now includes dozens of small uphills and three KOM-worthy climbs.
The Climbs.
The average gradient of the 7.3 kilometres Puerto de Zuarrarrate climb sits at 4.8%.
Final Kms.
After a double ascent of the Puerto de Zuarrarrate the last 9 kilometres are on descent.
What to Expect.
The route is far from flat, but the climbs are doable. In short, the terrain for hilly specialists.
It is definitely too hard for sprinters, yet not hard enough for a GC battle. So, the breakaway is most likely to succeed.
Pamplona
24 La Vuelta departures
203,081 inhabitants.
Pamplona is the capital of Navarre province in northern Spain. It’s best known for the Running of the Bulls (Feast of San Fermín) in July. During this legendary multiday festival, bulls are led through the city streets by daredevil runners. A major stop along the Camino de Santiago, a medieval-era pilgrimage route, Pamplona is also home to Gothic-style churches including fortresslike San Nicolás. In 2012, La Vuelta began with one of the most spectacular Grand Departures in recent history: the inaugural team time trial ended in the Pamplona Bullring.
Chistorra
Chistorra is a fast-cured sausage made from pork, either from the belly or the jowl. Minced pork is sometimes combined with minced beef, and the sausage is traditionally flavored with garlic, salt, and paprika, which gives the sausage its characteristical red color.
This versatile sausage can be fried, grilled, or baked, and it is often used for tapas or as an accompaniment to other dishes.
Truchas a la Navarra
Truchas a la Navarra is a traditional Spanish fish dish originating from Navarre. The dish is made with a combination of trout, jamón serrano, flour, lemon, parsley, olive oil, and salt. The trout is seasoned with salt, dredged in flour, and fried in olive oil until golden and just cooked through.
It is then stuffed with sautéed jamón serrano pieces and lemon juice is squeezed over the fish.
Lekunberri
one La Vuelta finish
1,624 inhabitants
Lekunberri is a municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. It is situated in the northwestern portion of the province, some 30 km from the provincial capital, Pamplona. This small, traditional municipality is home to such wonderful treasures as the Mendukilo Cave. Located in the Aralar Mountain Range, near the Sanctuary of Saint Michael, this magical enclave allows visitors to enter its age-old mountains and discover some of its secrets – rooms with impressive geological formations and ancient lakes that can be enjoyed thanks to its subtle lighting and adaptation.
Rioja Oriental
Originally called Rioja Baja, this is the warmest and the easternmost part of Rioja. It is also the largest and the most productive of all sub-zones. In the past, the region was often unfairly overshadowed by Alta and Alavesa appellations, due to its low elevation and warm climate.
Garnacha is the most planted variety, but in the 1980s, there was a tendency to replace it with the more popular Tempranillo. Traditionally, the wines coming from this region had a higher alcohol content, flavors of juicy fruit, and less acidity than Alta and Alavesa wines.
September 10
Start Time: 12-20BST.
The 15th stage of La Vuelta is a hilly race with a downhill finale. The final stage of the second week of the Vuelta a España 2023 should be a day favourable to the breakaway. The route, over the hilly terrain of the greater Basque Country, has three category three climbs, including the double ascent of Zuarrarrate. The final climb taking place just eight kilometres from the finish line, ideal territory for a breakaway to get clear of what will be a tired peloton, longing for the respite of tomorrow’s rest day. Stage 15 features 2,345 metres of elevation gain over 156.5 kilometres.
The race starts in Pamplona, Navarra’s main city. Three Vuelta’s ago we also saw a Pamplona-Lekunberri stage. It was the Vuelta that was plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic. So both Pamplona and Lekunberri now get a second chance, although the route is totally different. The route now includes dozens of small uphills and three KOM-worthy climbs.
The Climbs.
The average gradient of the 7.3 kilometres Puerto de Zuarrarrate climb sits at 4.8%.
Final Kms.
After a double ascent of the Puerto de Zuarrarrate the last 9 kilometres are on descent.
What to Expect.
The route is far from flat, but the climbs are doable. In short, the terrain for hilly specialists.
It is definitely too hard for sprinters, yet not hard enough for a GC battle. So, the breakaway is most likely to succeed.
Pamplona
24 La Vuelta departures
203,081 inhabitants.
Pamplona is the capital of Navarre province in northern Spain. It’s best known for the Running of the Bulls (Feast of San Fermín) in July. During this legendary multiday festival, bulls are led through the city streets by daredevil runners. A major stop along the Camino de Santiago, a medieval-era pilgrimage route, Pamplona is also home to Gothic-style churches including fortresslike San Nicolás. In 2012, La Vuelta began with one of the most spectacular Grand Departures in recent history: the inaugural team time trial ended in the Pamplona Bullring.
Chistorra
Chistorra is a fast-cured sausage made from pork, either from the belly or the jowl. Minced pork is sometimes combined with minced beef, and the sausage is traditionally flavored with garlic, salt, and paprika, which gives the sausage its characteristical red color.
This versatile sausage can be fried, grilled, or baked, and it is often used for tapas or as an accompaniment to other dishes.
Truchas a la Navarra
Truchas a la Navarra is a traditional Spanish fish dish originating from Navarre. The dish is made with a combination of trout, jamón serrano, flour, lemon, parsley, olive oil, and salt. The trout is seasoned with salt, dredged in flour, and fried in olive oil until golden and just cooked through.
It is then stuffed with sautéed jamón serrano pieces and lemon juice is squeezed over the fish.
Lekunberri
one La Vuelta finish
1,624 inhabitants
Lekunberri is a municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. It is situated in the northwestern portion of the province, some 30 km from the provincial capital, Pamplona. This small, traditional municipality is home to such wonderful treasures as the Mendukilo Cave. Located in the Aralar Mountain Range, near the Sanctuary of Saint Michael, this magical enclave allows visitors to enter its age-old mountains and discover some of its secrets – rooms with impressive geological formations and ancient lakes that can be enjoyed thanks to its subtle lighting and adaptation.
Rioja Oriental
Originally called Rioja Baja, this is the warmest and the easternmost part of Rioja. It is also the largest and the most productive of all sub-zones. In the past, the region was often unfairly overshadowed by Alta and Alavesa appellations, due to its low elevation and warm climate.
Garnacha is the most planted variety, but in the 1980s, there was a tendency to replace it with the more popular Tempranillo. Traditionally, the wines coming from this region had a higher alcohol content, flavors of juicy fruit, and less acidity than Alta and Alavesa wines.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments
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The race has just got underway and Evenepoel is at it again."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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Still no break, but the terrain is getting lumpy.
My guess is that it will go and everything will settle down, just when live coverage arrives.
It is the Vuelta after all."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Uncannily accurate.blazing_saddles said:Still no break, but the terrain is getting lumpy.
My guess is that it will go and everything will settle down, just when live coverage arrives.
It is the Vuelta after all.0 -
This is a bit insane tbh"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Alpecin surely mistaken in their belief that Groves can stay with the pack on the last climb.0
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Geraint Thomas has crashed again.
Looks to be hurting"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Rui Costa doing a rui Costa"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Kamna stacks it"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Costa: what a work shy pillock"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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Wins though.blazing_saddles said:Costa: what a work shy pillock
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Thoroughly undeserved win."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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an absolute arse“You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment!”
Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut0 -
Lol .... wheel sucking works"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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I like it 👌0
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I stopped watching with 6km to go out of fear of a Rui Costa wheel sicking winWarning No formatter is installed for the format0
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If Kamna hadn’t gone gardening, Costa would have been wheel sucking for second."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.1
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Yebbut. What's your objective today? To win. A win is... a win. Sorted.
Unlike me and my PTP picking. Is why I never put down a money bet.0 -
They guy made a career out of it ....can't say it doesn't work ."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Eh?wallace_and_gromit said:
Something tells me that Nietzsche didn't come up with that pearl of wisdom.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Rui Costa just doing his very best Alejandro Valverde impression.PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 20231
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Rui Costa simply says "Meh.".The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
OK. I'll explain for you. It shouldn't be necessary, but I'm in a helpful mood.blazing_saddles said:
Eh?wallace_and_gromit said:
Something tells me that Nietzsche didn't come up with that pearl of wisdom.
Costa won.
You described it a "thoroughly undeserved win".
I asked you how one deserves a win if winning itself doesn't do the job.
So please just answer the question. It's really not very hard. e.g. would he have deserved it if he'd ridden the stage naked? Or pulling wheelies through the last 10k?
EDIT - I should add that I'm just curious to see how you'll respond. My view is that in pro sport, a win is a win and only the losers worry about the sub-text.
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Obviously you first have to win in order to qualify it to be deserved win.wallace_and_gromit said:
OK. I'll explain for you. It shouldn't be necessary, but I'm in a helpful mood.blazing_saddles said:
Eh?wallace_and_gromit said:
Something tells me that Nietzsche didn't come up with that pearl of wisdom.
Costa won.
You described it a "thoroughly undeserved win".
I asked you how one deserves a win if winning itself doesn't do the job.
So please just answer the question. It's really not very hard. e.g. would he have deserved it if he'd ridden the stage naked? Or pulling wheelies through the last 10k?
EDIT - I should add that I'm just curious to see how you'll respond. My view is that in pro sport, a win is a win and only the losers worry about the sub-text.
Doesn’t make every win deserved.
Or is the term: ‘He/they didn’t deserve to lose,’ redundant?
There’s currently a far bigger debate on this regarding last nights World Cup rugby.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Nice attempted deflection about rugby! Not relevant to this discussion...blazing_saddles said:
Obviously you first have to win in order to qualify it to be deserved win.wallace_and_gromit said:
OK. I'll explain for you. It shouldn't be necessary, but I'm in a helpful mood.blazing_saddles said:
Eh?wallace_and_gromit said:
Something tells me that Nietzsche didn't come up with that pearl of wisdom.
Costa won.
You described it a "thoroughly undeserved win".
I asked you how one deserves a win if winning itself doesn't do the job.
So please just answer the question. It's really not very hard. e.g. would he have deserved it if he'd ridden the stage naked? Or pulling wheelies through the last 10k?
EDIT - I should add that I'm just curious to see how you'll respond. My view is that in pro sport, a win is a win and only the losers worry about the sub-text.
Doesn’t make every win deserved.
Or is the term: ‘He/they didn’t deserve to lose,’ redundant?
There’s currently a far bigger debate on this regarding last nights World Cup rugby.
"Didn't deserve to lose" is the flip side of "underserved win", I guess, though more relevant to sports where there are refereeing decisions involved and where a draw is a common outcome. Bike racing is different as there is always a winner, and the impact of refereeing decisions is much less significant (other than re relegations in sprints etc.) All the same, I can see a few scenarios in which the outcome of a race is not that deserved by the key protagonists. e.g. rider taken out 50m from the finish when clearly poised for victory by mechanical, puncture, stray dog or thrown bottle by rival etc.
My challenge to you is to identify the factors applicable to Costa's win that make it undeserving, as you described it as such. I didn't see the finish - mowing the lawn between showers yesterday - but from what I've read, Costa appears to have simply crossed the line first, without benefitting from any obvious bad fortune being visited on his rivals.0 -
An unpopular win it seems. Underhand and ungentlemanly tactics? Maybe. But it's pro sport, a fecking hard one at that. Costa will take that win over winning a popularity contest in the peloton all day long.
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Kamna crashed in the last few kms when it looked like he would win. Not Costa's fault.wallace_and_gromit said:
...but from what I've read, Costa appears to have simply crossed the line first, without benefitting from any obvious bad fortune being visited on his rivals.
Other than that Costa did what he had to to win.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
I'm not sure "aggressive" is the right word, as it's mainly his collaboration that's found wanting. But yeah, I think he probably would have won more if he'd put his nose in the wind occasionally. He's got 14 wins in the decade since he became World champ, 5 of them WT, this was his first GT stage win since then. That doesn't really look that much for a rider of his quality. I'm pretty sure he's been in breaks that have disintegrated because of his presence. Four of those wins are from this year, so maybe the peloton have basically forgotten him now he's in Intermarche kitrick_chasey said:Here's a question, would costa have won more or less by riding more aggressively?
And yeah, it's the job of other riders to respond to his presence. But if they do that by sitting up, or attacking an otherwise functioning break leading to it failing, that's also part of the game.
Personally I like my favourite riders to win, and they tend to be the riders that animate the raceWarning No formatter is installed for the format0
