Vuelta a España Stage 6 – Aug 28th, Benalmádena - La Zubia **Unmasked Spoilers**

Darkglasses

Enough preamble, time for the whopper selection of climbing talent in the peloton to show their wares

The opening cat 2 climb is 12.3 km long and has an average gradient of 5.7 %. It’s a very steady ascent with just a few steep sections on the last part of the climb. It is followed by an undulating 40km, including the moderate Cat 3 climb of 5.8 km at 5.8%.

Following this section there is a long but gentle downhill of about 50km, including the two intermediate sprints. This guarantees a blistering pace onto the final climb. There are relatively few corners or switch-backs, and the gradients remains stable at just below 10%. It is most steep at the bottom, with a fair kick up at the end as well.

Final climb



Weather




There are nearly too many riders to choose from for the winner. As mentioned, the field is absolutely stacked. Joaquim Rodriguez goes into tomorrow as favourite, but there are many other top-class climbers as well as a huge selection of good quality outsiders. Valverde is in good shape, and tomorrow should give us an idea of the relative form of Froome, Quintana, and most importantly Alberto Contador. Dan Martin is also favoured by the bookmakers, given his tremendous ability on short steep climbs and the form he's shown already in this race. Also bound to be up there are Julien Arredondo, Thibaut Pinot, Andrew Talansky, Rigoberto Uran, Fabio Aru, Cadel Evans, Warren Barguil, Samuel Sanchez and Carlos Betancur, among many others.

Oddschecker: Rodriguez 2/1, Valverde 6/1, Martin 6/1, Quintana 7/1, Froome 7/1, Moreno 12/1, Contador 25/1

MPFG

Valverde

Not very sure about Pinot or Betencur or Talansky


But Dan Martin, J-Rod & Valverde are my favourites in that order
Froome, Quintana & Contador will not be far behind...with Kelderman,Uran & Aru

daramike

Kelderman

If Aru is in form 50/1 looks huge for him. He is going to be a star. I'd rather Martin over Purito at the prices. Arredondo could try something as he will be no great threat on GC, 66/1 looks good.

Pudsy33

Very excited about this stage. Really hoping Dan can win, but Purito seems to be the runaway favourite. It'll be fun to see the GC guys trying to take lumps out of each other

death1234567

Barguil

Talansky might not be a bad bet because if he gets in the break he'll be let go because he's lost time on GC already. I think it depends on how far Contador plans to race this year. If he's only going to do another week saxo will keep it tight today and try to set him up for the stage if he plans to go all the way to the end then maybe the break will be let go.

death1234567

Barguil

Darkglasses wrote: »

The only way betancur will be up there is if he's sitting in the team car.

pelevin

Valverde

death1234567 wrote: »

Talansky might not be a bad bet because if he gets in the break he'll be let go because he's lost time on GC already. I think it depends on how far Contador plans to race this year. If he's only going to do another week saxo will keep it tight today and try to set him up for the stage if he plans to go all the way to the end then maybe the break will be let go.

Don't think Saxo & Contador would have been interested in splitting the peloton yday if they were set on only going so far in the race. I'd say they'll take it as it comes in terms of how Contador is performing & feeling.

De Bhál

Why are Quintana's odds so long for todays stage?

Pudsy33

De Bhál wrote: »

Why are Quintana's odds so long for todays stage?

It's not a particularly hard day, he'd have shorter odds on the tougher stages.

Darkglasses

Moreno

De Bhál wrote: »

Why are Quintana's odds so long for todays stage?

The climb is fairly short, if it was any shorter it would be more clearly in the territory of Dan Martin and J-Rod. Also the fact that there's about 30 other viable contenders, if they play their cards right.

D3PO

Valverde

De Bhál wrote: »

Why are Quintana's odds so long for todays stage?

too short a climb for him suits the punchy riders better. Add to that hes come out and pretty much said this stage isnt one to go on the attack on from a GC perspective for him plus the stacked number of riders this suits and voila you get his odds.

This really is one setup for a J Rod, Martin, Valverde sort of rider.

mruser2014

Yates

daramike wrote: »

If Aru is in form 50/1 looks huge for him. He is going to be a star. I'd rather Martin over Purito at the prices. Arredondo could try something as he will be no great threat on GC, 66/1 looks good.

Aru had form the Giro. Where has he shown great form since?

mruser2014

Yates

Darkglasses wrote: »

The climb is fairly short, if it was any shorter it would be more clearly in the territory of Dan Martin and J-Rod. Also the fact that there's about 30 other viable contenders, if they play their cards right.

Its prefect for Dan.

I don't think Purito has the form. He seems to be struggling and is not in the same shape as previous years. He doesn't look as lean.

D3PO

Valverde

mruser2014 wrote: »

Aru had form the Giro. Where has he shown great form since?

He did say "If" and given he hasnt raced in such a long time who knows what kind of form he has. Pretty fair assessment of his chances based tbf.

mruser2014

Yates

Contador at 25/1 is a great E/W bet. He looks in good shape despite his fracture. Rumours are he wasnt off the bike for as long as he said.

D3PO

Valverde

mruser2014 wrote: »

Contador at 25/1 is a great E/W bet. He looks in good shape despite his fracture. Rumours are he wasnt off the bike for as long as he said.

Didnt look so brilliant on the draggy finish the other day. Yes he made the small split in the peleton but looked a bit short on power when it came to it.

Hes certainly in better nick than was expected thats for sure. Just dont personally think hes in good enough form. Thats the great thing about today it will give us a decent insight into who are contenders and who are pretenders.

I cant wait

paddy no 11

Valverde

Dan 6/1

"Its not gambling Marge, its an investment"

MPFG

Valverde

Aru didn't look too good the Tour of Poland but then again Nibali didn't look too good in the Dauphaine

I think Froome will be ahead of Quintana & Contador but doesn't have the turn of speed of Dan, J-Rod & VV

Talib Fiasco

Kelderman

This is made for Froome imo, but Imma give the shout to Aru. Can't see Quintana doing much on a stage like this and it is surely too early for Contador to be amongst the front three but I'd love if he was.

MPFG

Valverde

When I mention Marin, J-Rod & VV ...I forgot Cuddles who I think will go very well on this stage

So that my top 4
Martin
J-Rod
Valverde
Cadel Evans

Pudsy33

Has Purito been in good form since the tour? I just seem to remember him getting dropped left right and centre.

pelevin

Valverde

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Has Purito been in good form since the tour? I just seem to remember him getting dropped left right and centre.

Well he was in good nick in San Sebastian a week after the Tour - as of course was Valverde who won & was sprightly also a couple of days ago.

daramike

Kelderman

mruser2014 wrote: »

Aru had form the Giro. Where has he shown great form since?

Did you see the if at the start of my sentance. I never said he did

Darkglasses

Moreno

Live coverage has just started, Pim Ligtart is off in the break again with Luis Mas Bonet. 9'34 is the gap with 61km to go

Pudsy33

I presume they've no chance of sticking, right?

Darkglasses

Moreno

Pudsy33 wrote: »

I presume they've no chance of sticking, right?

I wouldn't think so anyway!

MPFG

Valverde

Garmin would want to let Katusha do soem work...or even Movistar

Darkglasses

Moreno

Oooof. First attack of the day comes from Carlton Kirby on Betancur.

Talib Fiasco

Kelderman

Finally a day off from work to watch a stage live and what a day to have work off! My god it looks ridiculously hot there. Froome might even get a tan :pac:

Darkglasses

Moreno

Katusha gone to the front now on the fast downhill segment, this should be where the gap really closes down.

REBELSAFC

Where has Sagan been the last few days? I know he has a long season behind him but he really has been conspicuous by his absence so far.

Darkglasses

Moreno

REBELSAFC wrote: »

Where has Sagan been the last few days? I know he has a long season behind him but he really has been conspicuous by his absence so far.

Kirby mentioned him a day or two ago, he said his DS says he's fine, but a little out of form. Hasn't ridden much at all since the TdF. Expecting him to emerge in the second week.

Dcully

Was Dan the man in a 3 man break with 11 mins on peleton at any stage? Today fm news said so on their 3pm sports bulletin as I was driving home,delighted I thought until I get home turn on the box and there's no sign of Dan in break.

Darkglasses

Moreno

Dcully wrote: »

Was Dan the man in a 3 man break with 11 mins on peleton at any stage? Today fm news said so on their 3pm sports bulletin as I was driving home,delighted I thought until I get home turn on the box and there's no sign of Dan in break.

Nope, they were very much mistaken there! Ligtart and Luis Mas Bonet were the only ones to make the breakaway proper.

REBELSAFC

Darkglasses wrote: »

Kirby mentioned him a day or two ago, he said his DS says he's fine, but a little out of form. Hasn't ridden much at all since the TdF. Expecting him to emerge in the second week.

Mmmm. I wonder if he is just cruising along waiting for his big fat cheque from Oleg

spock.

Garmin doing a lot of the chasing.Dan must be feeling good

Chartsengrafs

REBELSAFC wrote: »

Mmmm. I wonder if he is just cruising along waiting for his big fat cheque from Oleg

I would be very surprised if he wasn't paid by electronic transfer in this day and age. So no need to wait.

Darkglasses

Moreno

I suppose if Quintana and Froome want to have a go at today, they'll need to do it early as possible (i.e. now)

Darkglasses

Moreno

Pretty sure the graphic is wrong, should be a bit more than 3.7km left

paddy no 11

Valverde

Updates appreciated lads.

Talib Fiasco

Kelderman

Shocked at how many people picked Dan here. Dropped very easily

Darkglasses

Moreno

Dan Martin sliding off the back of the select group. Valverde and Quintana up front

pajor

Dan Martin

Martin falling out the back of the peleton.

Kelderman too.

neris

quintana looks cool as a cucumber. everyone struggling with jerseys open and hes pcing along like not a care in the world with closed up jersey

Darkglasses

Moreno

contador, quintana, valverde, aru, froome, rodriguez and chaves all there

retalivity

dans gone, 10-15 in a group led by valverde

neris

froome looks ready to go

Darkglasses

Moreno

Amazing

pats22b

quality finish

Darkglasses

Moreno

Incredible finish. Valverde, Froome Contador, rodriguez, Quintana, Aru

neris

bloody finns and their flags

great finish