The Daily Race: Vuelta a España Stage 6

by Jen See on Sep 2, 2010 6:57 AM EDT in Vuelta a España

Vuelta a España Podium Cafe

Stage 6: Caravaca de la Cruz — Murcia

What is it? Mostly flat, with a climb at 18 kilometers to go. Breakaway likely.
Got Climbs? Just one: Category 2, Alto de la Cresta del Gallo
Red Jersey Battle: Probably not.
Ideal Rider: Philippe Gilbert. There's a 7 kilometer climb with 18 kilometers left to race. It's a finish made for an attacking rider. Why not a stage win before Worlds?
@Gavia: A tricky business, these Vuelta stages. I only pretend to know how to call them.

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We're still in southeastern Spain, and this stage runs from Caravaca de la Cruz to Murcia. It's mostly flat with occasional bumpy bits. Only one categorized climb decorates the profile, and it summits with 18 kilometers left to race. It's a perfect launch pad for a stage victory and we should see a breakaway winner in Murcia. The Alto de la Cresta del Gallo climbs for 7 kilometers and has an average gradient of just over 4%. The organizers did not feel inclined to tell us anything more about this climb, except that it appears in the Vuelta for the first time this year.

The final 10 kilometers run flat into Murcia. If a breakaway wants to succeed, they will have their work cut out for them. The climb offers opportunity, but it's by no means a sure thing. If the sprinters are motivated, they might be able to bring it all back together. It's a good chance for a sprinter like Farrar or Freire, who can make it over the final climb with his sprint speed still in his legs, and Garmin-Transitions might decide to throw down big for the chase here.

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It was a sprint! But not everyone made it to the party, thanks to the Cresta del Gallo. Cervélo TestTeam did the driving and delivered Thor Hushovd to a stage victory today. Daniele Bennati finished second, Gregory Bole of Lampre third. Philippe Gilbert continues as the race leader. Really, he looks quite smashing in Red.

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You sure about this bit?

The organizers did not feel inclined to tell us anything more about this climb, except that it appears in the Vuelta for the first time this year.

I thought it was the same climb as last year’s stage where Gerro won.

by tgsgirl on Sep 1, 2010 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

no idea

Really, I don’t know. I just looked at the page with the stage info. When I’m doing 20 of these things, I don’t have time to do serious digging. So, if it’s the same climb, feel free to give some info about it.

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah, I couldn't remember where I read it, but it was in the CN preview. Which doesn't make it true, of course :)

Both of these towns featured in last year’s race: Tyler Farrar won a sprint in Caravaca de la Cruz and Simon Gerrans beat three breakaway rivals in Murcia. Gerrans’ success is the more significant today, because this finish replicates last year’s route into Murcia with the late passage over the Cresta del Gallo.

The stage is straightforward up to the Gallo, but its steep ramps almost guarantee an unpredictable finish. It’s the shortest cat 2 climb in the race, but should still see off most of the sprinters. Last year, a group comprising Gerrans, Ryder Hesjedal, Alexandre Vinokourov and Jakob Fuglsang went and stayed clear.

The key to the Cresta del Gallo is not so much reaching the top of the climb in the lead position, but maintaining that place to the foot of its extremely poorly surfaced descent and beyond. Last year,

Albertina, stop reading.

Euskaltel’s Beñat Intxausti and Milram’s Linus Gerdemann both lost their chance of taking home a stage win when they punctured on the twisty drop down towards Murcia.

by tgsgirl on Sep 1, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

right on, thanks.

Like I said, I don’t really research these things ;)

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

That broke my heart.

Whenever I google-image Benat pictures of him standing mournfully by the side of the road come up and I still want to sob. He looked so strong :(

Gora Euskaltel! Sorte on azenarioak!

by Albertina on Sep 2, 2010 6:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Pretending to know how to call them

you got the last one right too.

"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton

by sminer on Sep 1, 2010 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

Ha! Dumb luck.

Hmm, I’m guessing Gilbert doesn’t get a second stage win here, since he’s the race leader guy. Maybe one of the Footons or Xacobeo kids who like to go out on the breaks so often can score one.

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Cresta del Gallo profile

source

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by tedvdw on Sep 1, 2010 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

Doh! Never mind

Totally useless. It’s the other side, and not even the same route.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by tedvdw on Sep 1, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Bah!

I hate it when that happens. LOL, I think I find the profile, then it’s the wrong freakin’ side of the climb. Bah!

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

awesome!

Thanks Ted :D

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

What I can figure out from GMaps terrain view

is that the real climb starts in the village of San José de la Montana at 70 m and crests at a crossroads 4.3 km away at 370 m. That means an average gradient of 7%.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by tedvdw on Sep 1, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions