The Daily Race: Vuelta a España Stage 4

by Jen See on Aug 31, 2010 10:59 AM EDT in Vuelta a España

Vuelta a España Podium Cafe

Stage 4: Málaga — Valdepeñas de Jaén

What is it? Bumpy.
Got Climbs? Indeed it does. Three categorized climbs and an uphill finish.
Red Jersey Battle: It's on today. The final kilometer hits gradients in the 15% range.
Ideal Rider: Vincenzo Nibali. Young, aggressive, can climb, wants to win. Simple.
@Gavia: Plainly, they do not want us to be bored with this Vuelta. Climbs! More climbs!

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The stage departs Málaga and after a brief jaunt along the coast, turns inland at Torre del Mar. There the terrain turns bumpy as the Vuelta races against the grain of Spain's southern coastal ranges. The stage finishes in Valdepeñas de Jaén near the Sierra Sur. Three categorized climbs enliven the proceedings. The final climb of the day, the Alto de Valdepeñas de Jaén summits with just 8 kilometers left to race. For added fun, the final kilometer is uphill and reaches gradients of 15%. Muy exigente, as the locals say. None of these climbs are especially difficult, and the final climb, the Alto de Valdepeñas de Jaén is a category 2. Still, a bad day could lose a race favorite some precious time, especially on the steep ramps of the finish. Certainly, it's a nice spot for one of the bigs to grab an early advantage. Someone will attack.

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A Win for Anton!

Igor Anton celebrated victory today after attacking on the steep 23% gradients of the final climb. The Euskaldi-Euskaltel rider quickly opened up a solid gap over the lead group which included Joaquím Rodríguez, Vincenzo Nibali, and Philippe Gilbert. Rodríguez, in particular, has made a specialty of steep finishes like this one, but he could not answer Anton's well-timed attack, which netted the Basque his second ever stage victory. Vincenzo Nibali finished second followed by Rodríguez and Gilbert. Also of note, first time grand tour rider Tejay van Garderen finished fourth behind Gilbert. Gilbert continues to wear the Red Jersey of race leader with Anton and Nibali both close behind at 10 seconds down. Anton, meanwhile, takes over the lead in the Points. The Vuelta, so not a sprinters' party.

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Last 1000m description:

google translate:

Arrival last mile
100 m straight on slight rise, curve line 50 m. izda 2% uphill curve and line narrowing r. m.en 330 up 3% 10% 15% 26% 23% slight curve and straight r. 150 m 22% 10% 2% C r. straight 330 m. 3% 10% 15% 23% and 27%. Dcha slight curve and straight 150 m 18% 10% slight curve L and R and 210m straight. 5% 10% slight curve and straight izda r. 150 m.en 10% increase

by Grzdylu on Aug 30, 2010 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

To help google: izda = izquierda = left, dcha = derecha = right.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by tedvdw on Aug 30, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Final climb is similar to Montelupone, Muur de Huy or San Luca

Ideal rider: Rodriguez

by Grzdylu on Aug 30, 2010 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

I'm trying to figure out why this stage is going to end any differently than the last one...

…except that the peloton’s going to be way more blown up. This really feels like the Fleche Wallone in late August.

by Ed K on Aug 30, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Steep favors J-Rod over Gilbert

and it may be a day for the break

"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42

by Phil H. on Aug 30, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

You'll notice I came to the same conclusion...

…in the other thread.

by Ed K on Aug 30, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Adding, not sure about the break.

I think the heat kills that.

by Ed K on Aug 30, 2010 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Depends on size of break

granted seeing Omega knows it will soon lose the red jersey anyway they might as well defend it for the next few days.

"Until you shoot me off my bike I'll keep looking for a contract" - Jens!
Quitter's People United member # 42

by Phil H. on Aug 30, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

I like Rodríguez here too. For some reason, I didn’t see him on the startlist until I’d written like five of these daily things. He’s a better pick than Nibs, probably, especially after the legs he showed today. Although, shit, Gilbert was huge today. Girl crush! Girl crush!

by Jen See on Aug 30, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions