[Dr Winston]

Favourite race of the year.

No idea who to pick, such a strong field I could have picked two or three teams. Just have to see how it pans out and react accordingly. 

Topic

[stevemarks]

went unchanged today, wanted

went unchanged today, wanted to bring in Vlasov but had to take out Carapaz G Martin or Roglic and in the end didn’t think it was worth it. Have Vlasov as favourite to win today and a few will have hime so swings and roundabouts.

[Sniffer]

Not many had Soler. Well done
Not many had Soler. Well done.

[stevemarks]

Last minute change, already

Last minute change, already done my transfers, but thought this is not for Wellens, should be Soler or Gauda, really wanted both but could only do it by taking out Roglic or Carapaz, not on your nelly! Plumped for Soler and won the stage. Nice feeling and helped to offset the misery of another lockdown. Also I’m up to 3rd overall haven’t flown this high so late in a GT for a few years. Going to get a nose bleed at these altitudes.

[Anonymous]

stevemarks wrote:

pleased I got yesterday right bought in 5 sprinters, almost left them all in but in the end only kept Bennett. went Arunbaru and Cort bought back Wellens and Roglic.

Similar for me – Aranburu and Martin back in, kept Bennett just in case he makes it up there.  Mind you Ackermann was climbing well the other day so they might have a rematch.

It wouldn’t be the Vuelta if there weren’t hilarious 20% climbs that aren’t on the profile though!

[11waterloo]

So many different scenarios

So many different scenarios possible, not helped by any clear information about uphill run to the finish. Looks to be 1.5 km at just under 6% but the Vuelta seem to have liberal interpretations of the unclassified climbs! Watched a video of finish from 2008 Vuelta and it looked quite tough but the stage had apparently been raced really hard so all the sprinters had been dropped and………. I really need to get a life! 

[stevemarks]

pleased I got yesterday right

pleased I got yesterday right bought in 5 sprinters, almost left them all in but in the end only kept Bennett. went Arunbaru and Cort bought back Wellens and Roglic.

 

[Sniffer]

Difficult stage to read today

Difficult stage to read today.  Kind of spreading my bets.

[Dr Winston]

What a damned good stage that

What a damned good stage that stage 8 turned into. Half way through I thought the peleton had all but decided to go on a club run until the end…well done Movistar.

[Anonymous]

Just occurred to me that

Just occurred to me that after a harum-scarum couple of months… this is it, the Vuelta is the end of the season. 

I suspect that much more weather like the last couple of days will result in quite a few riders deciding that their season is over and getting on the first bus home, so it might be a case of last man standing.

And let’s not forget it could end any day anyway – certainly think that truncations and re-routing of stages will continue to happen.

[11waterloo]

In my heart I enjoy the hills

In my heart I enjoy the hills but my head would say bombing down the coast road with a raging tailwind is better! 

[Dr Winston]

I don’t bother with hills at

I don’t bother with hills at all. I used to live at the other side of Preston which was always a bit easier to access the hills, I really don’t like riding through Preston though. Riding solo in relentless wind on the flat lands can be quite the challenge…no respite whatsoever. I also like to ride retro so I’m on pretty damned heavy restored bikes, which adds to the pain. 

[11waterloo]

I ride out as far as Hesketh

I ride out as far as Hesketh Bank occasionally but the wind is always in my face coming home – true for most rides starting in Southport! If I get the chance, Parbold Hill and its surrounding area is my favourite local cycling spot. 

[Dr Winston]

Something really endearing

Something really endearing about him. We’ve done well for riders in the NW. I ride, when I can, between Preston and Southport…wide open and endless wind….I love it. I’ve seen Bradley Wiggins riding around a couple of times. 

[11waterloo]

Not the prettiest of

Not the prettiest of ‘sprinters’ but emerged from the murk in good shape! Being in Southport we still count him as one of our own-ish.

[Dr Winston]

* Carapaz, Carthy, Martin.

* Carapaz, Carthy, Martin.

[Author]

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