Vuelta A Espana 2016 the MN Peloton contemplates another glass of Rioja to go with the tapas

[FelicityLemon]

Despite the Olympics still in full swing it is time to turn our attention to the Vuelta.

www.lavuelta.com/la-vuelta/2016/us/parcours-general.html

The stages

1 Team time trial Saturday, August 20th Ourense, Laias Health Resort / P. N. Castrelo de Miño 27.8 km

2 Flat Sunday, August 21st Ourense Thermal Capital / Baiona 160.8 km

3 Hilly Monday, August 22nd Marín / Dumbría. Ezaro Viewpoint 176.4 km

4 Hilly Tuesday, August 23rd Betanzos / San Andrés de Teixido 163.5 km

5 Flat Wednesday, August 24th Viveiro / Lugo 171.3 km

6 Hilly Thursday, August 25th Monforte de Lemos / Luintra. Ribeira Sacra 163.2 km

7 Hilly Friday, August 26th Maceda / Puebla de Sanabria 158.5 km

8 Flat Saturday, August 27th Villalpando / La Camperona. Valle de Sabero 181.5 km

9 Hilly Sunday, August 28th Cistierna / Oviedo. Alto del Naranco 164.5 km

10 Mountain Monday, August 29th Lugones / Lagos de Covadonga 188.7 km

• Rest day Tuesday, August 30th Oviedo / Oviedo

11 Flat Wednesday, August 31st Colunga. Jurassic Museum / Peña Cabarga 168.6 km

12 Hilly Thursday, September 1st Los Corrales de Buelna / Bilbao 193.2 km

13 Hilly Friday, September 2nd Bilbao / Urdax-Dantxarinea 213.4 km

14 Mountain Saturday, September 3rd Urdax-Dantxarinea / Aubisque - Gourette 196 km

15 Mountain Sunday, September 4th Sabiñánigo / Sallent de Gállego. Aramón Formigal 118.5 km

16 Flat Monday, September 5th Alcañiz / Peñíscola 156.4 km

• Rest day Tuesday, September 6th Castellón / Castellón

17 Mountain Wednesday, September 7th Castellón / Llucena. Camins del Penyagolosa 177.5 km

18 Flat Thursday, September 8th Requena / Gandía 200.6 km

19 Individual time trial Friday, September 9th Xàbia / Calp 37 km

20 Mountain Saturday, September 10th Benidorm / Alto de Aitana. Air Force Squadron 193.2 km

21 Flat Sunday, September 11th Las Rozas / Madrid 104.8 km

Apparently it is going to be a tough one: Too brutal for sprinters: Teams prepare their climbers for mountainous Vuelta a España
Read more at www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/#iLVQdFMS6pFLb4wQ.99

I know, so harsh, I don't suppose a team car would be practical over that course though! Wish there was a bit more of an idea where everyone is apart from the first 4.

Really, really wanted Sagan to do well, was looking forward to watching him on such different terrain, his first lap was brilliant.

Yesssssss!!!! Does the happy dance while drinking a brand name recovery drink.

Well quite. He is over 40 and I haven't mouthed the "mid-life crisis in the form of a weekend warrior" words yet, but as soon as he is missing in action they will be delivered. And he thinks what I do (biking in heavy traffic and around the Peaks) is nuts.

Hang on! Didn't I choose Stybar as a my Etixx sprinter? Did I get that massively wrong?

Styby can sprint but Meersman is their designated sprinter. However in terms of points I would have said Stybar is the better bet given that Gianni is 30 and this is his first ever Grand Tour stage win. That said no one has brought any top tier sprinters because they are all saving themselves for Doha.

I picked Stybar too because I didn't have enough points for Meersman.

ah I seeeeee. Thanks Felicity. I must have searched around for a bargain after choosing the big ticket items. Guess Stybar was one cut above the Caja Rural domestiques.

Again Sorry to any Caja Rural domestiques reading this!

Next time I go to Spain I will make an effort to use a Caja Rural cash machine by way of an apology.

Just checking in, won't be able to see much of the first week as off to stay with my parents tomorrow. They have no internet and don't watch a lot of telly. So will have to leave my team to it.

Endo you can download the official Vuelta tracker from the App store as long as you have some mobile coverage you can check on the progress.

No internet and not much tv. On one level that sounds so goooood.

We'll 'look after' your team for you.

Did I mention no mobile coverage either? Yay. My husband is staying at home as he has to work so I will phone him on the landline and he can update me.
We'll be on the beach and in the pub so I won't miss it.

Beach. Pub. A true Olympian!

Oh no, Barguil has abandoned. He was in my team.

I think the velo site is broke.

Are you saying that because all the points have gone to Saffa? It's working for me.

Possibly.

Working fine for me too. Did all your points fall off? Do we need a team car with spares?

Very funny.

Barguil has abandoned you say? Now who is laughing at Caja Rural .

Hope he's ok though.

I don't think I'll be needing my red jersey this time

Sorry Pan.

It's ok, early days yet

I'll happily help sabotage Valverde.

I think it would be a popular choice! Quick, if I get a ferry ticket to Bilbao I could sort it out this week.

This feckin' lantern is going to get heavy as the miles roll by, innit?