Vuelta a España 2021 - Stage 7 Gandia - Balcón de Alicante (152 km)

Carthy attacked on the first climb, was caught, now out the back and a minute down.

The last sting of a dying wasp..

Carthy abandons.

DSM have 5 riders in the break, looks like with Bardet out of contention on the GC they are targeting the stage and mountains classification for him.

If that gap in the barrier wasn't there it could have been some shunt.

EDIT: I didn't realise there was such a drop off there, was bad every way

strange place for a break in the barrier

Carthy and Balburdie gone will damage a few Velo teams alright.

And don't you love the Vuelta route planners, paving a stupid steep and narrow goat path and then stick the finish line on a downhill bend with no fans. Beautiful

I did hear that-- plus also the fact that you would likely need crampons and ropes to get to some of these finish locations. Back to deserted motorways tomorrow I suspect

I have cycled quite a lot around Torrevieja and been to Mar Menor a good few times, if the wind is up it could certainly cause splits, it can also be hotter than hell if the wind is not blowing especially on the more inland stretches.

https://img.aso.fr/core_app/img-cycling-vue-jpg/8/10111/0:0,1600:2245-960-0-70/a5d10

Valverde and Hugh Carthy dnf’d today. Last time we’ll see Valverde in a GT I’d say, but you can never tell with him.

It is quite the run in fairness, as much as i should dislike the guy i kinda warmed to him after the Netflix doc.

Would be very surprised if he doesn't give it another year after how it ended this time round, he's still competitive.

Missed it yesterday so watching highlights now and gutted for Valverde, with Ineos not performing well so far then he had a good shot of a high GC position on his final tour.