La Vuelta 2024:-Stage 2: Sunday 18th August, Cascais – Ourém, 194km ***Spoilers***

blazing_saddles

Stage 2:- Cascais – Ourém, 194km

Sunday 18th August.

Start Time: 11-50BST.

The peloton follows the Portuguese Atlantic coast for the first road stage. The riders travel on undulating terrain from Cascais to Ourém in the 2nd stage of the Vuelta a España. The route covers 194 kilometres. Following the start in seaside town Cascais, to the west of Lisbon, the riders travel north. There are a lot of obstacles to overcome, but certainly no big climbs. The elevation gain adds up to almost 2,700 metres.

Profile.

Map.

Final Kilometres.

Alto da Batalha, which stretches for 7.1 kilometres at 3.3%. There are 19.1 kilometres remaining from the summit to Ourém. The old part of Ourém is perched on a hill, but the race finishes in the modern part, which is situated on the valley floor.

What to Expect.

There is hardly a flat section to be found in the 2nd stage, but at the same time, the uphills are not very demanding either. There’s a climb close to the end but expect a somewhat uniform bunch sprint.

Cascais.

Cascais makes its debut hosting a La Vuelta stage departure.

214,124 inhabitants.

Cascais was historically a fishing village. Cascais’ desirability as a holiday resort dates back to 1870, when King Luis made the citadel his official royal summer residence. The town’s popularity continues to thrive, having become a retreat for the Portuguese bourgeoisie, particularly during the summer months. Over time, the city has also become a popular tourist destination for all types of visitors, offering numerous cultural and gastronomic options, with a cuisine focusing mainly on seafood. Its beaches also make it particularly attractive to fans of water sports, such as surfing.

Cataplana

Sharing the same name as the frying pan in which they are prepared, cataplana refers to an extensive group of Portuguese dishes that can be prepared with various ingredients such as meat, seafood, rice, or pasta. Originally invented by fishermen, cataplana dishes are today found throughout Portugal. The most famous version of the dish is cataplana de marisco, prepared with a variety of seafood.

Bitoque

Bitoque is a traditional Portuguese dish which consists of a lean fried steak that is usually accompanied by fries, rice, and various salads. Most commonly it is enjoyed as the main course complemented with tomato or mustard sauce and topped with a crispy fried egg.

Ourém.

Ourém makes its debut hosting a La Vuelta finish-line.

44,538 inhabitants

High up on a hilltop stands the impressive Ourém Castle and its Medieval village, the locality’s oldest urban nucleus, with its characteristic cobblestone streets arranged in a circular pattern around the fortress. This place was settled as far back as prehistoric times. Further down, in the valley, is the locality’s main nucleus and the location of La Vuelta 24’s Stage 2 finish-line.

Acorda

The Portuguese açorda is a popular bread soup appearing in numerous varieties throughout the country. Most açorda soups have a smooth and thick consistency and employ a variety of pounded herbs, garlic, olive oil, and boiling water that is poured over diced bread and left to soften. Two of the most famous types include the seafood-based açorda de marisco and açorda Alentejana, a regional specialty in which whole slices of bread are served over the broth. Even though it originated as a poor man’s dish, today these comforting soups represent an integral part of Portuguese national cuisine.

Mad_Malx

Probably been posted already, but maybe useful for those of us who have lapsed subscription: Quest ( upper echelons of freeview) has a highlights show every evening.

Pross

Looks like there’s going to be a pretty stiff breeze with average speeds of 15mph gusting to over 30mph. It’s from the NNW so will be in their faces most of the day as they go parallel to the coast so could make for a tedious day with no-one wanting to form a break. However, where they turn east towards the latter stages it could come into play. Not sure how exposed that area is though.

Pross

The section after the sprint near Alcobaca looks promising

blazing_saddles

Luis Ángel Maté and Ibon Ruiz are today's jokers in the pack.

They have 2 minutes and 40" over the peloton who are fair flying along at an average of 34.5kph.

Siesta time!

Pross

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21091451#Comment_21091451

I’ve just awoken from mine which was mainly created by topping up Geraint’s retirement fund at a wedding yesterday. I think he should be safe from going the same way as Wiggins financially now!

Pross

It’s a genuine 2024 race now with a Visma rider (DVB) down and looking uncomfortable. Gingerly back on his spare bike.

blazing_saddles

Rick will be pleased to hear that there are lots of spectators lining the route, today.

rick_chasey

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21091460#Comment_21091460

good! Just travelling home from holiday so will miss it

blazing_saddles

Kirby makes a complete hash of calling the intermediate sprint. Had three attempts and still didn’t come up with Karen Groves!

Dylan van Baarle is really struggling after his slow speed tumble in the feed zone.

Pross

It will be disappointing if no-one tries to make use of this wind.

blazing_saddles

Van Baarle has abandoned, as his nightmare season continues...

blazing_saddles

Idiots on the climb cause several crashes and have split the peloton.

blazing_saddles

Half of Ineos involved in a crash

blazing_saddles

Groves from van Aert.

Pross

Nasty crash just after a 50mph descent with 2km left. Tarling hit the deep drainage channel on the edge and towards the concrete boundary wall. He’s sat up but looks to be struggling. About half a dozen others down too.

Groves takes the win, the climbs were nowhere near as tough as I thought from the profile.

blazing_saddles

Josh Tarling didn’t look good. Navarez in the gutter.

About a dozen riders went down.

kingstongraham

Tarling didn't look good holding his shoulder like he'd done his collarbone.

Pross

Wout second, he led it out but never really got the pace and Groves passed him quickly to easily hold on.

blazing_saddles

The following GC riders (I use the term loosely) either crashed or lost time. Which, is yet to be determined.

Tao GH, Jay Vine, Felix Gall, Max Poole, Eddie Dunbar and Ben O’Connor.

kingstongraham

Tarling crossed the line at least, 5 minutes down

andyp

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21091506#Comment_21091506

All given the same time as the winner I think.

kingstongraham

Only Ruiz and De Marchi lost any time today.

blazing_saddles

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21091524#Comment_21091524

I thought this would be the case, but it's a possible indicator as to who was involved in the crash.

O'Connor and Poole were quite a way behind. Vine over a minute, but as with the rest, maybe they were just held up.