Vuelta a Espana

Not looking good for WvA. 

What a shame, out again.

Disasterous stage for me. Nothing has gone right in the last week.

I did ok but would have been so much better without WvA DNF. Even if he faded on last climb he would have had sprint points and the lead in the points and KoM competitions - a minimum 40 points and probably more. I think he still gets his 20 mountain points though. I had planned to leave him in till the end - 3 of last 5 stages were potential high scorers for him and he would have probably got decent mountain points in the others. Now I have to use an unplanned transfer as well..... 

Probably another break tomorrow now that Visma will not chase.

Vista confirmed that WvA was after today's stage and two jerseys. My feeling is today will be wild so I've gone with strong riders. 

It appeared to be a very easy stage today, a very weak break that was never allowed any time.

I was flying across Europe so missed it after the 2 hills.

I went for fast men who I thought might also challenge tomorrow.

Hopefully I managed to scrape a few points back but winning looks very difficult now.

I went the opposite really. I thought the break would be much stronger. I think that's my hopes of winning gone too. 

It looks like the leader of the competition missed yessterdays stage, so dropped right down. A shame they played the last few stages really well, it was a brave move to bring in Soler, Vine and Poole all together.

Campanaerts did well for you and he and Kung have a chance tomorrow too.

There you go Kung up the road for you with Schmidt & Vacek.

If they make it home you could take the lead.

All falling to bits on the climb! We both need Groves to drop back. Everyone else has kept him in! 

I doubt Groves will be there unless the lead group totally mess up.

I need Miguel to catch up, hardly anyone has him.

He's a really good rider. Put him in my Spanish team but haven't really used him in the standard game. I think him and Castrillo can look forward to some lucrative offers after this race! 

It could come down to the missing moutain point for Soler.

Today was pretty good for me.

Soler bizarrely got combative award today, presumably because he is Spanish. Was hoping Kung might be in with a shout for putting a rocket up the break! Campenaerts was second last too.... you know when it's not your day! 

He's back and could well win stage... you could get a hat full here! 

You officially have got a hat full. Points whichever way you turn! 

Unfortunately he got relegated and lost a few points.

I'm thinking I am fated not to win this too.

Let's be positive.... Lots of players still within a shout of winning. Just got to make those right decisions. 

We've got the same team! Great for season competition for me but terrible for Vuelta! 

The season competition is almost certainly yours.

I only expect one more competition - Autumn Classics.

We finally ended up with the same team I think. Although I was tempted to bring Gall in, I think he might have been resting for an attack in the last 2 mountain stages.

Hopefully the GC teams try to win a stage for once and Skjelmose finishes well.

I think we both spotted that at the same time! 

I just noticed Dr Watson has slowly been creeping up the leader board for the vuelta.

The better players tend to do well in the longer races. Strategy is more important and good/bad luck tends to even itself out over 3weeks.

Finally it looks as though GC go for a stage win !!

I do not think I have ever seen a competition like this before.

It is so tight between quite a few players and we have a different leader after every stage.

I didn't see 'No Man's Landa' coming.

Yes, it is GC heavy teams versus breakaway heavy teams. I just can't seem to close the gap at the top.