Vuelta; Stage 14 (Sep 1): Palas de Rei-Puerto de Ancares;*contains unmasked spoilers*

dastardly00

Stage 14 (Sep 1): Palas de Rei - Puerto de Ancares
Distance: 152km
Highest point: 1,661m
Category: High mountains

"The Vuelta takes on a much tougher complexion in its final week. The decisive action begins with an extremely tough stage to the Puerto de Ancares, which appeared for the first time in the race last year. Back then, it featured in the middle of the stage won by Michael Albasini but even though it was some way from the finish, it was clearly tough. This year, four climbs precede the Ancares, each one more difficult than the last. Rated by some as the most beautiful pass in Spain, the Ancares averages 8 per cent and is extremely tough in its mid and final sections. There will be no holding back here."

Stage profile


Puerto de Ancares:


Live coverage on Eurosport2 from 3pm.
Highlights on Eurosport2 at 7.45pm and at midnight, and on ITV4 at 7pm.
Stage betting: Contador 6/4; Rodriguez 4/1; Valverde 8/1.

at1withmyself

Just coming over the Alto De O Lago with about 60 km to go. 2:35 to the break and Saxo pushing hard on the front so should get to the first of the 2 big climbs in less then 30 minutes where hopefully things will kick off!

furiousox

Just watching the pace setting there by Saxo and I'm wondering how Nico is going to fit into their structure?
Super domestique? No.2 to Contador?
I can't see him having the stamina to do a 4 or 5k stint at the front, setting the pace as we've just seen Saxo do there.

dastardly00

The peloton are starting the last climb now.
Team Saxo-Bank are starting to up the pressure to reduce the size of the main bunch.

full_irish

I see Gesink's in trouble... but where is Roche? I only just turned it on

corny

Is Roche in the second group?

EDIT: No front group and putting time into Gesink.

DDC1990

Gesink being dropped!

Hope Nico pushes on with the front lads.

retalivity

heres gesink's usual nightmare day...

dastardly00

Nico is in the Rodriguez/Contador group.

corny

retalivity wrote: »

heres gesink's usual nightmare day...

He didn't look like he was knocking it off either. Blown big time.

furiousox

I sit corrected, Nico in the lead group and riding well.
5.5k to go.

corny

Roche should keep it steady with Froome and Sky.

retalivity

froome must be wrecked.
2 teammates with him and cant go with contador, rodriguez, valverde

corny

Sky doing a great job for Froome. Contador doesn't look comfortable.

EDIT: Maybe not.

full_irish

****ing hell Contador!!

furiousox

Contador attacks, 50m gap.
1.5 to go

retalivity

the speed of contador going up that slope!!!

corny

Sky riding their own race again.

retalivity

holy **** rodriguez

corny

Jesus some of these lads won't be able to stand on Monday!

furiousox

Rodriguez on AC's wheel now

furiousox

Roche @1'16"

retalivity

roche 1'16, talansky, moreno, ten dam and mollema ahead of him

corny

One of the cleverest rides i've seen in a while. Rodriquez was cool as a cucumber.

dastardly00

WOW. RODRIQUEZ. WOW.

furiousox

Roche still 7th overall @5.51
Gesink 6th @ 5.07
Talansky 8th @ 6.13

dastardly00

Stage result:

1 Joaquim Rodriguez 4h 10' 28''
2 Alberto Contador + 5''
3 Alejandro Valverde + 13''
4 Daniel Moreno + 35''
5 Christopher Froome + 38''
6 Andrew Talansky + 44''
7 Igor Anton + 56''
8 Laurens Ten Dam + 1' 04''
9 Tomasz Marczynski + 1' 13''
10 Nicolas Roche + 1' 17''

Overall:

1 Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha Team
2 Alberto Contador (Esp) Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank 0:00:22
3 Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling 0:01:41
4 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:01:41
5 Daniel Moreno (Spa) Katusha Team 0:04:16
6 Robert Gesink 0:05:07
7 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale 0:05:51
8 Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin - Sharp 0:06:13
9 Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team 0:06:34
10 Igor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:07:16

funnights74

Wow rodriguez so strong, super cool when contador attacked and left him at the finish, these 2 guys are making this vuelta a joy to watch.
Froome and valverde had no legs today, esp froome he battled back and for no reason attacked? or played a very bad bluff.
An intriguing week ahead but rodriguez seems to have the strength to hold onto the lead.

snailsong

Epic racing today. Bertie must be totally demoralised with J-Rod raining on his parade yet again. Top 10 places tightening up too. Roche could be anywhere from 6th to 9th. He looked to work really hard today, will be interesting tomorrow to see if he can hold off Talansky and even Ten Dam.

MPFG

I loved Eurosport crying 'Bye Bye Bertie' as JRod pulled away at the end
Its a play on the words from the song/film 'Bye Bye Birdie' sung by Ann Margaret....

Nico is riding well but no one , not Froome, Wiggins , C Evans, A Shleck could compete with JRod in ths race ...he is unreal...A Contodor was truly baten at his on game


Its so unfortuante for Nico that he looks so much bigger than the rest on the bike going up those montains..He is naturally a big man with broad shoulders...The rest have very narrow upper bodies ( as does D Martn) ..It must cost him so much to keep up with tiny JRod, Bertie, Moreno, Valverde , Froome , Talinsky

He deserves so much admiration for his considerable efforts