A mostly flat TT that will go a long, long way towards deciding the GC of the 2015 Vuelta. This route is largely flat and will suit the rouleurs and TT specialists. They head South at first and then do a large anti-clockwise loop. After a flat 5km, there is a slight upward gradient for the next 5km or so. Other than a climb at roughly 32km, this is the only upwards section on the course. There is then a short descent and then the next 20km are very flat, and relatively straightforward. This will allow the powerful riders to make time over the climbers. The riders come back through Burgos, before heading out to the West and right round in a clockwise loop and come back through Burgos again from the North East. The climb is at 32km, and is roughly 1km at 10%. This will help the climbers, but being such a short climb it won't allow them to pull back much time over the rouleurs.
Following this climb they go under the 5km kite and then there is a sharp descent. During this descent there are 2 very sharp turns where the riders will have to keep their wits about them. The last few kms have plenty of corners and pinch points and it will be more difficult on this section to maintain a high speed compared to the earlier sections. Overall though, despite the technical nature of the latter part, and the late climb and descent, this suits the TT specialists rather than the GC riders. In the context of the GC, this is all about how much time Dumoulin can put in to his rivals. The GC is Rodriguez Aru +0.01 Majka +1.35 Dumoulin +1.51 Tom Dumoulin has done absolutely magnificently to restrict his losses over the last three stages and to be under two minutes away from the red jersey gives him an absolutely marvellous opportunity to win this Vuelta. But can he make up enough time to put him in the leader's jersey? The Tour de Suisse had a very similar time trial to this test, being 38.4km. Dumoulin won that stage, and put 1m 26 into Majka. Climbers like Thibault Pinot and Sergio Henao were 1.50 and 2.00 back respectively. That test had long flat sections but had 3 or 4 shortish, steep climbs. If anything, this track probably suits Dumoulin more, with longer flat sections and only the one serious climb. Based on that, he could easily put more than 2 minutes into Aru and Rodriguez, possibly slightly less against Majka. Dumoulin will be tired after the amazing feats he has achieved during this Grand Tour but so will his rivals. I will put my neck on the block and say that Tom Dumoulin will win this time trial, and be in red. It will be interesting to see the margins though. I think he can take a lead of about 20 seconds or so over his rivals. Majka should also be able to make time on Aru and Purito. Whether he can make enough to get into second place in the classification is highly doubtful. I would also expect Aru to make some time over Purito here, who I think is the weakest of the 4 on a TT bike. I'd love to see Purito win this Vuelta, he looks in brilliant form as well, but I fear he may be in 3rd or even 4th place after this time trial. The great thing is that this Vuelta is not over and almost whatever happens here, there should be 3 or 4 riders still in contention for the outright win and going into several intruiging stages it is all to play for and Saturday's stage should be absolutely brilliant.
Agree with your likely time gaps MC, but I personally think Kiryienka should win the stage tomorrow.
There was only 7 seconds between Dumoulin and Kiryienka at the worlds last year, and the Sky rider should be much the fresher of the two here so I would fancy him to reverse those placings.There is no doubt Dumoulin has been awesome here and will be super motivated tomorrow but how much is really left in his legs? Kiriyienka has been strong all year in TT's and would be close to Dumoulin if this was in the first week, but with the Dutch man having such a hard second week, surely Kiryienka should be able to get the better of him here?? Was hoping I might get bigger but 2/1 seems fair enough. It should also be said that Sky are determined to to win the team comp so every second here will be valuable for them, with that in mind will also be adding a small ew on Thomas hopefully about 150/1.
Agree with your likely time gaps MC, but I personally think Kiryienka should win the stage tomorrow.There was only 7 seconds between Dumoulin and Kiryienka at the worlds last year, and the Sky rider should be much the fresher of the two here so I wou
Have to agree, Domoulin has been incredible, I was waiting for his legs to give out but how much more has he got left? I decided not to bet on this stage.
Have to agree, Domoulin has been incredible, I was waiting for his legs to give out but how much more has he got left? I decided not to bet on this stage.
I've not bet on this stage either. I'd quite like to have a couple of small each way bets on Terpstra and Van Den Broeck but the each way terms are pathetic. Most books are 1/3 1,2 and its almost definite that Kiriyenka and Dumoulin will fill the first two places and LL Sanchez is the only other real contender for the win. I think Dumoulin will probably win and I actually think 8/11 is ok but I've got Dumoulin nicely covered in the outright and I don't see the need to get more exposed. The key thing here is not the stage win it's the GC picture and if Dumoulin comes second to Kiriyenka but puts 2 minutes into Aru and Rodriguez I think he'd be delighted with that.
I've not bet on this stage either. I'd quite like to have a couple of small each way bets on Terpstra and Van Den Broeck but the each way terms are pathetic. Most books are 1/3 1,2 and its almost definite that Kiriyenka and Dumoulin will fill the fir
^still cant believe Froome (60/1) didn't win that stage. #nightmares
I think Oliveira, LL Sanchez and Van Den Broek will do good rides. The rest day should help Dumoulin but I agree that others will be fresher increasing their chances of an upset. I've had a small bet on the field v Dumoulin.
^still cant believe Froome (60/1) didn't win that stage. #nightmaresI think Oliveira, LL Sanchez and Van Den Broek will do good rides. The rest day should help Dumoulin but I agree that others will be fresher increasing their chances of an upset. I
The woman on the start ramp is the least convincing Spaniard ever. She looks a bit like the woman the works in the Bureau de Change in the Thomas Cook near ours.
The woman on the start ramp is the least convincing Spaniard ever. She looks a bit like the woman the works in the Bureau de Change in the Thomas Cook near ours.
The climbers needed to attack 5k out on Monday , but were not willing to come out of their comfort zone and take a risk , instead they rode together until the last K.
Today they are getting their comeuppance for their timidness.
The climbers needed to attack 5k out on Monday , but were not willing to come out of their comfort zone and take a risk , instead they rode together until the last K.Today they are getting their comeuppance for their timidness.
Only saw bits and pieces, but it looks like whilst it was a strong ride by Dumoulin, it wasn't the WC ride many were anticipating. Certainly what the Panzerwagon would have pulled-out, so top quality ride.
Quintana -- wow -- close! Might do well to remember that for the Tour, next year, if they decide to go ITT heavy.
Only saw bits and pieces, but it looks like whilst it was a strong ride by Dumoulin, it wasn't the WC ride many were anticipating. Certainly what the Panzerwagon would have pulled-out, so top quality ride. Quintana -- wow -- close! Might do well to r