The Daily Race: Vuelta a España Stage 12

by Jen See on Sep 8, 2010 2:30 PM EDT in Vuelta a España

Vuelta a España Podium Cafe

Stage 12: Andorra la Vella — Lleida

What is it? Climbing early, then a long descent to the finish. Breakaway likely.
Got Climbs? Just one. It's rather lengthy, but it comes early in the stage.
Red Jersey Battle: Probably not, though it's the sort of stage where inattentiveness could open a split in the field. Presumably the teams all learned that lesson at the Giro, didn't they?
Ideal Rider: Pick your favorite breakaway guy. He'll need good climbing legs and a fast finish.
@Gavia: Breakaway. Gav, I do not think that word means what you think it means.

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This is a mullet of a stage, or more accurately a reverse mullet, since all the party is at the front. From Andorra la Vella, the stage starts out hilly, then it's a long descending race to the finish. The coll de Bóixols is the main climb of the day and it summits at kilometer 54. A category 2, the Bóixols is 15.5 kilometers of climbing, and should send a breakaway on its way. The bigs don't have too much to fear here, though they would do well to pay attention and avoid any dangerous splits. If twenty riders go up the road, you might want to go along. Just trying to help. The finish is flat, so the winning rider will need a bit of speed to take the victory in Llieda. The break should go all the way on this one (Yes, I keep saying that. Maybe I'll even be right).

Post-Race Happy Hour

No, Gav, that word does not mean what you think it means.

Cavendish Wins! Igor Anton is still in the Red Jersey of the race lead.

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Sprinters

With few chances, some sprinters will be highly motivated to keep as close as possible to the lead up the Cat 2 I think in hopes of catching on and catching the break. IMO this stage is not nearly hard enough to keep teams from helping their sprinters.

by ursula on Sep 8, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Thor will enjoy the long descents, and if he gets up the mountain quick enough...

by flying dog on Sep 8, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

The sprinters' problem

Is finding a team who will organise a chase. I can’t see anyone with a pure sprinter who don’t still have some interest in the GC (unless FdJ are going to pull it all back for Huta, of course). If cervelo let Thor go up the road, he’s got a good chance, but I prefer some of the classics/puncheur guys from the smaller teams.

Milram’s top GC guy is in 49th, and they are all in the shop window. The stage could well suit a few of them and I like their chances. Maybe Sentjens? Throwing another name out, Nick Nuyens has certainly got the class to win the hard way, and I imagine Rabobank will be desparate for some good news.

by EdredonBrowny on Sep 9, 2010 4:37 AM EDT up reply actions

HTC have an interest in the GC, but they're always willing to throw everyone and everything overboard for another dull sprint win.

Or dull sprint loss, this Vuelta.

Roy Sentjes just got busted for EPO, so I doubt he’ll be doing anything :) Nuyens wasn’t selected for the Worlds (rightly so), and he’s the kind to sit in a corner and sulk rather than attack to prove his point.
(and Niki Terpstra’s future is secure, he’s going to QST)

by tgsgirl on Sep 9, 2010 4:44 AM EDT up reply actions

by tedvdw on Sep 9, 2010 6:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Really? I'd rank Cervélo, Vacansoleil, maybe even Skil above Milram.

Ag2r, FdJ, Lampre and Euskaltel too. Footon probably not, granted.

OK – looking at CQ Milram’s results this year as slightly better than I remember them. I think the problem may be that I don’t can’t recall a single memorable ride from them all year.

by tgsgirl on Sep 9, 2010 7:01 AM EDT up reply actions