Vuelta - Stage 20, Sat Sep 14, Aviles - Alto de L´Angliru, **Unmasked Spoilers**

dastardly00

Stage 20: Aviles - Alto de L´Angliru 142.2km

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!!
It's Horner vs Nibbles It's L'Angliru, it's so damn tough that it could be Horner vs Nibbles vs Valverde vs Purito for overall victory.

There are four climbs altogether in this short stage, with each climb harder than the last. The first climb, the Cat. 3 Alto de la Cabruñana, starts after 40km and it's 5.2km long with an average gradient of 6.6%. Next up is the Cat. 2 Alto de Tenebredo, a whopping 10% gradient for 3.4km. With just 26.6km the peloton face the Cat. 1 climb Alto del Cordal. It's 5.3km in length and has an average gradient of 9.6%. Then, finally, the riders will face the fearsome Angliru. 12.2 km with an average of 10.2%, with a maximum of over 23%..........







GC after Stage 19:
1. Christopher Horner (RadioShack Leopard) 77:56:05
2. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) @3"
3. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) @1'06"
4. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) @1'57"
5. Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) @3'49"

Betting: J Rodriguez 9/4;C Horner 5/2;A Valverde 8/1; V Nibali 12/1.
(C Betancur 200/1 :eek: :pac:)

Here's a link to the Irish rider's diary thread.

Live TV coverage on Eurosport2 from 3pm.
Highlights on Eurosport2 at 7.20pm, Eurosport1 at 11.30pm, and on ITV4 at 7pm.

Live text-ticker will be here.

AnotherView

Betencur not a bad punt ?

Here's hoping it doesn't disappoint , i.e. Horner walks it

Nibali has been quoted as saying his wattage is 40 down on the Giro, ie 400 on final climbs and he can't climb at 500 as he suggest Horner is doing ??

Nico should be fine if he paces his efforts and doesn't go mental....

There is no doubt this is a brutal climb but that's cycling for you

Darkglasses

The whole Vuelta has tee'd up perfectly for an epic battle on a spectacular battleground. The Angliru is one of the toughest climbs in all professional cycling.

As early as the Cat 2 Alto de Tenebrado is where we will see the selection begin. It's only 3.4 km long, but with an avg gradient of 10.5% nobody can afford to come onto this climb in a bad position.

Next is the Cat 1 Alto de Cordal. 5.3km to the top, avg grade of 9.6%. Has ramps of over 12% towards the top. Movistar, Katusha, but most particularly Astana will look to really blow the race apart here. If Nibali has any hope of victory (assuming he hasn't been bluffing so far), I suspect this might be where Astana need to make it happen for him with a team effort that Horner and Radioshack cannot match. Much of the peloton will be lost here.

Then, the final climb.

"Angliru starts off relatively easy - the average gradient on the first 5 km is 7.6 %, enough to hurt but well within the realms of rideable for a professional. The sixth kilometre is easy, flattening for a while and even descending for a short way. From then on, it gets tough. Very tough. The average gradient for the last 6 km is 13.1 %, beginning to stretch the boundaries of what can be done - but, as if that wasn't harsh enough, there's the Cueña les Cabres 3 km from the top with a gradient of 23.8 %."

Although it seems most of us fancy Horner for the win, absolutely nothing is certain going into a stage like tomorrow. Any mishaps tomorrow could easily spell complete disaster for any rider.

May the best man win.

Super Freak

Is Betancur our worth a bet on this one? I think there was some discussion on this during the week.

Darkglasses

The GC going into tomorrow. Very close.

1. HORNER, Christopher
2. NIBALI, Vincenzo + 3''
3. VALVERDE, Alejandro + 1' 06''
4. RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin' + 1' 57''
5. ROCHE, Nicolas + 3' 49''

letape

This has been such a better race than the Tour - as has been the case for the last couple of years.

ThisRegard

Horner and RadioShack come out against the critics and doubters. http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/09/news/horner-radioshack-defend-against-the-americans-doubters_302766

retalivity

dastardly00 wrote: »

Betting: J Rodriguez 9/4;C Horner 5/2;A Valverde 8/1; V Nibali 12/1.
(C Betancur 200/1 :eek: :pac:)

/Logs into paddypower to see if i have any free bets i can use on betancur
Dammit!


Ive to go to a wedding tmoro, im in canada (-5 hrs) so it still gives me time in the morning to watch this, but between getting ready and herself shouting at me to "stop fcuking watching cycling!!!!" i dont think ill get to see much of this other than highlights

petethedrummer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a7l7IHXZwk

Brian?

letape wrote: »

This has been such a better race than the Tour - as has been the case for the last couple of years.

In my mind the Giro used to be the most exciting grand tour of the year, but in the last few years the Vuelta has definitely taken over.

The Tour, although the most prestigious, was rarely the most exciting. Too man ITT Km's

gordongekko

Cometh the hour cometh the betancur. With just a slender 38 second lead an Farrar certain of a win in Madrid, today is his only chance to cement his position.

Speaking to fans outside his hotel this morning betancur is quoted as saying

" My legs are feeling good and Farrar is breathing down my neck. But more importantly i owe today to my supporters on boards.ie. My going to attack at every opportunity today."

Those quotes may have been translated incorrectly.

manafana

Anyone who follows my blog will see i am on Horner at 11/4 and 5/2 for this its hard see past him really. I am going with benefit of the doubt on other matters.

"The final climb is brutal it has a flat spot its 4%. Its just unrelenting till finish when you hit a slight downhill. The first 6-7km are not easy but are manageable. Its the 5km that come after the slight flat spot that are killer, the road does not go below 10% till the final few hundred metres of the day, some parts are above 20%. The average gradient for the last 6 km is 13.1 %. You don’t follow wheels here its every man for himself from a good distance out."

Paddigol

What's the consensus - is it tougher than Mount Ventoux?

I've plumped for Nibbles. Heart ruling the head I'm afraid. Would love to see a heroic fight back from him. He had said earlier in the week that defending the red jersey everyday was very taxing. Maybe he can revitalise himself for a last push. I think he'll need good tactics and help from his team though to un-nerver Old Man Horndog.

Also - and apologies if it's been discussed elsewhere - but is there anywhere good to watch the Vuelta, preferably in town? Do Rothar Cafe have a screen? I know Cyclesuperstore have one, but I was hoping to sit down and have a drink/ coffee!

Also also - a big thanks to Dastardly and Darkglasses for all their great posting over the last couple of weeks. Made the Vuelta much more enjoyable (and educational!!) for plebs like me. Same for the other wise old heads on here who aren't too mean to share their insights - cheers guys and gals!

gordongekko

Paddigol wrote: »

Also also - a big thanks to Dastardly and Darkglasses for all their great posting over the last couple of weeks. Made the Vuelta much more enjoyable (and educational!!) for plebs like me. Same for the other wise old heads on here who aren't too mean to share their insights - cheers guys and gals!

+1 in this. I always enjoy watching cycling a try to look past the cloudy areas and your efforts don't go un noticed. Also the lad that writes the betting blog is a great read as well. Between the few bets the great stages the humour and education provided by ye its been a great vuelta in my opinion.

And if by some fluke betancur wins today im buying tonight.

at1withmyself

It's a shame Eurosport coverage comes on so late in the day, is there anywhere else to watch earlier. If my calculation is correct they'll have about 100km complete so hopefully we'll see the final two climbs of the day.

If this was the tour de france they'd cover the full stage so hopefully in future editions coverage might improve!

Dr. Bre

i read on cyclingnews nibali is praying for rain. any update on conditiions at the finish?

Dr. Bre

also its head to head btw horner and betancur in this poll!

TheBlaaMan

at1withmyself wrote: »

It's a shame Eurosport coverage comes on so late in the day, is there anywhere else to watch earlier. If my calculation is correct they'll have about 100km complete so hopefully we'll see the final two climbs of the day.

If this was the tour de france they'd cover the full stage so hopefully in future editions coverage might improve!

Agreed, but I think its not the broadcasters fault - they get their footage from the national broadcaster and can only bring it to air when they get it.....

at1withmyself

We're off, Astana at the front.....

manafana

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

Agreed, but I think its not the broadcasters fault - they get their footage from the national broadcaster and can only bring it to air when they get it.....

yeah spainish tv cut back this year pity for some other days but should see the two main climbs today which is what we really want.

On nibali the forecast i saw didnt forecast any rain but its mild.

at1withmyself

Uran attacks but gets caught already so no breaks been let go so far

at1withmyself

The break away:

Jose Joao Mendes (157),
David Arroyo (61),
Andriy Grivko (34),
Vasil Kiryienka (194),
Rinaldo Nocentini (19),
Jacob Fuglsang (33),
Juan Jose Oroz (97),
Serge Pauwels (165),
Jan Barta (152),
Bauke Mollema (41),
Juan Antonio Flecha (214),
Rafael Valls Ferri (218),
Nicolas Edet (84),
Antonio Piedra (67),
Maciej Paterski (76),
Carlos Alberto Betancur (13),
Dominik Nerz (56),
Francis De Greef (142),
Juan Manuel Garate (45),
Jerome Coppel (81),
Kenny Elissonde (103),
Johannes Frohlinger (23),
Ivan Santaromita (58),
Dmitry Kozontchuk (125),
Angel Vicioso (129),
Benat Intxausti (6),
Dario Cataldo (193),
Paolo Tiralongo (37),
Imanol Erviti (3),
Andre Cardoso (63),
Diego Ulissi (139)

have 1.35 over the peloton.

at1withmyself

The lead is growing - 3.38, surprised such a big group is working so well. Starting the first climb now.

TheBlaaMan

From live.cyclingnews.com

The 32 escapees are now tackling the lower slopes of the Alto de la Cabruñana, and their advantage has stretched out to 4:24 over the main peloton. Astana's decision to commit climbers of the calibre of Fuglsang and Tiralongo forward at this early stage suggests that Nibali might be tempted to make a move before the Angliru, although he downplayed that possibility last night, insisting that an attack on the descent of the Cordal was unlikely, particularly on dry roads.Chris Horner's RadioShack-Leopard team does not have anyone in the break and the onus will fall upon them to control affairs behind.

Itziger

FWIW, I think Roche should go conservative today. yesterday's effort was fine, didn't work and he only lost 20 secs or less on the lads ahead. But I wouldn't fancy him trying an attack with 4k left today and then blowing up. For him to have any chance of moving up a place, one of the top fellas has to have a real off day.

John.Icy

bah! I rather have Betancur ride away from the big boys on the Angliru and solo to win than being part of a ''you're so far down on GC we don't care'' breakaway..at least he's doing something I guess!!

alitoast

Betancur has been a long running joke on the Vuelta threads, but whats the story with the chap? handy enough at the Giro but not shown here at all?

Hoping Roche shows well today, think hes done very well and if it didn't rain last weekend could be Top 3?

TheBlaaMan

Very slow average speed today - only 33kmph. At this rate, the break will only be on the descent of the 2nd climb of the day, the Alto de Tenebredo by the time TV coverage beings in about 30 minutes, there is then a 30k drag to the foot of the penultimate climb, we should be able to catch any fireworks.

gordongekko

alitoast wrote: »

Betancur has been a long running joke on the Vuelta threads, but whats the story with the chap? handy enough at the Giro but not shown here at all?

Hoping Roche shows well today, think hes done very well and if it didn't rain last weekend could be Top 3?

a few people were tipping him for victory but we found out he did not even want to ride the vuelta. So ages ago it was figured out that if he was going to do anything it would be today.

at1withmyself

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

Very slow average speed today - only 33kmph.

I think that's about 10kmph slower then there going, less then 2 hours riding time and 72 km complete means there closer to 43...

at1withmyself

Group of 5 now off the front with 31 seconds:

David Arroyo (61),
Antonio Piedra (67),
Nicolas Edet (84),
Andriy Grivko (34)
Vasil Kiryienka (194)

The peloton is 6.04 back.....

Itziger

at1withmyself wrote: »

I think that's about 10kmph slower then there going, less then 2 hours riding time and 72 km complete means there closer to 43...

Yup, official site tracker says 43km/hr.

TheBlaaMan

at1withmyself wrote: »

I think that's about 10kmph slower then there going, less then 2 hours riding time and 72 km complete means there closer to 43...

2hrs down and 67km covered according to tourtracker.....?
http://gyazo.com/2f87a7abedabea01aa7199dcb7635595
though live.cyclingnews.com also suggests an average so far of 42kmph - it doesnt compute. Perhaps there was a larger than expected neutralized zone at the start? In any case

AnotherView

Bracing myself for Carlton Kirby...

.He is going be so over excited , not to mention his relish at how 'killing it going to be' as well as 'brutal' , 'awful'. dreadful, 'painful'. 'a nightmare', etc


Carlton " Its going to be hell Sean !!!!!!'
Sean 'Well ah em YES ....it will be eeeeeem hell alrigh"

retalivity

hurry up eurosport ta fcuk!

EDIT: betancur is not listed as being in the first or second group

Dr. Bre

hes where he has been all tour - grupetto

gordongekko

Dr. Bre wrote: »

hes where he has been all tour - grupetto

ah cock

retalivity

he was in the breakaway earlier....

at1withmyself

Eurosport reporting that J-Rod is using a 36-28 minimum gear today opposed to the 34-28 from most others....

Darkglasses

at1withmyself wrote: »

Eurosport reporting that J-Rod is using a 36-28 minimum gear today opposed to the 34-28 from most others....

Smacks of bravado to me.

gordongekko

Dr. Bre wrote: »

hes where he has been all tour - grupetto

just caught by main group

alitoast

gordongekko wrote: »

a few people were tipping him for victory but we found out he did not even want to ride the vuelta. So ages ago it was figured out that if he was going to do anything it would be today.

Awww, poor lad has just been caught by peloton......saving himself for tomorrow

Thud

Betancur just dropped back to peloton......saving it for later

Itziger

Thud wrote: »

Betancur just dropped back to peloton......saving it for later

Saving it for Sunday night. Some smashing looking girls in Madrid.

IM0

really hope euskaltel will win today, to pay back alonso for saving them they havent had much from the vuelta yet, and this is the last chance saloon for it

pelevin

Brilliant effort by Betancur to have possibly been in the break earlier. Gave it everything he had and looking very good for the Worlds now.

Anyone here ever cycled the Angliru? Toughest of all famous cycling mountains?

at1withmyself

IM0 wrote: »

really hope euskaltel will win today, to pay back alonso for saving them they havent had much from the vuelta yet, and this is the last chance saloon for it

There leading the team classification, isn't there a price for that??

Darkglasses

Horner covering all attempts to break from the peloton at the moment.

AnotherView

Saxo don't look too fresh today ...Zuag and Chris Anker Sorrenson out the back

Darkglasses

Peloton just cresting the Cat 1 climb, 18.5 km to go. Peloton very stripped down already. Roche has at least one helper left but they're falling fast.

Bukman13

Roche not looking too good, sitting much further down the pack than he usually does...