THE final day in the Pyrenees should be the least arduous of the three. But with the weather and the fatigue that will be setting in that may not be the case.
There are only two climbs for the riders to tackle before the finish, the 3rd category Puerto de la Foradada and the 2nd category Puerto de Cotefablo.
Neither should cause too many problems although they are both longer than usual for a lower category climbs. The Foradada is 5.9km long with an average gradient of 5.9% while the Cotefablo is 12.5km long with 4% average.
Once over these two, and 146.8km since they left the start town of Graus they will hit the final climb of the day up to ski station of Aramon Formigal.
That last climb is the Salent de Gallego, a first cat ascent which lasts for 15.8km and has an average gradient of 4%.
The reason for the low average is after 3km there is a 3km section which is almost flat before it descends for a further 500m.
It does kick up again, with a maximum gradient of 9.5% but it will take a serious attack to hurt most of the big names.
I get the feeling that this could be a day for the breakaway.
So it's pot luck time to try and see who will feature in the escape.
Euskatel will feature, possibly with Egoi Martinez. Others who no longer have GC ambitions will also try and infiltrate. Team Sky may look to Rigoberto Uran or possibly Vasil Kiryienka.
Michele Scarponi has looked quite frisky in recent days for Lampre but if not him they may look to Diego Ulissi. Caja Rural will have David Arroyo or Amets Txurruka.
NetApp-Endura may also be involved, possibly with Bartosz Huzarski.
For me though I would look to Belkin and Bauke Mollema in particular. He hasn't had the best of tours and currently finds himself almost an hour behind Vincenzo Nibali.
He is more than capable of going up hills quickly and this could be an ideal day for him.
But who knows with breaks!
Showing posts with label Lampre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lampre. Show all posts
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Vuelta a Espana 2013 : Stage 6 Preview
AFTER a very tough opening to this years Vuelta a Espana, the overall contenders can definitely have a quiet day today.
Stage six will follow the usual fare for an opening week grand tour stage.
It's 175km long and takes the riders along the western edge of Spain from Guijuelo to Caceres.
No categorised climbs either to tax the field so expect the usual structure of breakaway followed by chase and catch as the sprinters look to take the honours.
The finish is slightly uphill so if it does come down to a bunch sprint it will be one more suited for the stronger sprinter.
It is also a tight and twisty finish with a number of 90 degree corners and roundabouts to deal with.
The final 90 degree bend comes with about 600m to go so it will be important to be in a good position coming out of it. Again being in the first half dozen places or so will be vital.
Favourites are pretty much the same names as mentioned yesterday.
Omega-Pharma-Quickstep will look to Gianni Meersman while others will be Tyler Farrar, Anthony Roux, Nikias Arndt and Edvald Boassen-Hagen.
Today's winner though probably tops the list. Michael Matthews has looked the fastest in the peloton so far and all things being equal should take another win tomorrow.
However there is the possibility that a break may make it all the way. Astana just have to keep the break in check, it will be up to the sprinters teams to get organised and finish the job off.
OPQS have experience of leading a charging peloton and if they feel Gianni Meersman has a chance they will be able to bring things back together.
But if they think it is a forlorn task then responsibility will fall elsewhere and there doesn't seem to be many who will want to take up the mantle. Garmin-Sharp maybe but that will depend on the legs of Farrar.
Sky have the firepower but will they want to save some legs for the big mountain stages?
If it does come back together though and you want an outsider then look to Maximiliano Richeze of Lampre. The Argentinian took second place today and may be able to do enough to upset the favourites.
Stage six will follow the usual fare for an opening week grand tour stage.
It's 175km long and takes the riders along the western edge of Spain from Guijuelo to Caceres.
No categorised climbs either to tax the field so expect the usual structure of breakaway followed by chase and catch as the sprinters look to take the honours.
The finish is slightly uphill so if it does come down to a bunch sprint it will be one more suited for the stronger sprinter.
It is also a tight and twisty finish with a number of 90 degree corners and roundabouts to deal with.
The final 90 degree bend comes with about 600m to go so it will be important to be in a good position coming out of it. Again being in the first half dozen places or so will be vital.
Favourites are pretty much the same names as mentioned yesterday.
Omega-Pharma-Quickstep will look to Gianni Meersman while others will be Tyler Farrar, Anthony Roux, Nikias Arndt and Edvald Boassen-Hagen.
Today's winner though probably tops the list. Michael Matthews has looked the fastest in the peloton so far and all things being equal should take another win tomorrow.
However there is the possibility that a break may make it all the way. Astana just have to keep the break in check, it will be up to the sprinters teams to get organised and finish the job off.
OPQS have experience of leading a charging peloton and if they feel Gianni Meersman has a chance they will be able to bring things back together.
But if they think it is a forlorn task then responsibility will fall elsewhere and there doesn't seem to be many who will want to take up the mantle. Garmin-Sharp maybe but that will depend on the legs of Farrar.
Sky have the firepower but will they want to save some legs for the big mountain stages?
If it does come back together though and you want an outsider then look to Maximiliano Richeze of Lampre. The Argentinian took second place today and may be able to do enough to upset the favourites.
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