Vuelta a Espana

[FelicityLemon]

www.lavuelta.es/en/overall-route

The velogame league number is 850904015 the entry deadline is 13:00 CEST on Tuesday 20th October.

Team in. "And another one's gone."

Not having much confidence that Froomey will be able to resurrect his tour-winning career. Have Carapaz as the one who will take over as leader.

Ackermann or Bennet..?

I've gone with the Carapaz/Ackerman combo. Which obviously means that Froome and Bennett will sweep all before them.

I've gone Carapaz / Ackermann too! Hope we have some other variation. I didn't have enough points left for Bennett, and Froome is a bit too unknown quantity.

Now to work out how to get enough hours in the day to watch the Giro (assuming not too much rest day rona calling it off) and the Vuelta as well. Two tellies at once?

I've gone Ackerman/Carapaz/Roglic!! With Poels in there too.

Puncheur's first week, so Wellens and LL Sanchez are called up and then it falls apart a bit after that!

A Vuelta in November. Blimey O'Reilly.

I made the mistake of letting DH build the team and as a result we are dead last. Bless him for having faith in Froomey, that was a nostalgia add that's for sure. We're doomed.

I feel you. I thought that Tom Dumoulin was going to be fresh having had a relatively quiet year ...

It's probably as well that I didn't get round to entering a team, given that I'm down to 4 in the Giro!

Just checking in to say hello as I'd not spotted this thread. My Vuelta team aren't off to a bad start though I am a bit worried about Roglic's performance yesterday. Early days yet. And I have Chaves and Carthy to fall back on - possibly the two most opposite personalities in the pro peleton. I have met them both and Esteban really is bubbly and all smiles whereas Hugh was very nice and polite to us but clearly does not enjoy being the centre of attention.
We should have been out in Spain watching this week so I'm abit grumpy. Though looking at yesterday's weather, it might not have been a lot of fun.

I miss seeing Chaves' cheeky smile! He seems such a sweetie.

Anyone think Dan Martin can stay on the podium? I'd love it as he's a local lad to me but i'd never really thought it.

Mad isn't it how Roglic had a moment with a rain jacket and it cost him so dearly. There's plenty of time left and all but luck is definitely a factor.

Rain jacket issues caused Kelderman problems in the Giro too. Obviously "doing up zip" training needed, but I suppose usually when the races are in the summer it's not a problem.

I can't even ride a bike, so the idea of riding one handed while simultaneously getting dressed is beyond me.

Its something that gets taught in British Cycling race training for Youth riders so I imagine all other countries do it too. My son learned to do it when he was about 12 or 13 though he's not always terribly slick! . The pros are all normally pretty good at it, but its not that unusual to see someone give up and chuck a jacket away. (I always wince at the cost, but a nice present for any fan who catches one!) It does seem to have been more of a problem in this last couple of races though, or maybe just more noticeable as its actually impacted on the results. I was wondering if there was something actually wrong with the Sunweb jackets the other day as they all seemed to be having trouble, in both races.

I was about to say the same as MrsAvocet : British Cycling does teach them this from an early stage Ds was certainly taught them this at Regional Schools of Racing in his early teens

Probably even more of an issue in Scotland

Yay! I have the stage winner today. EF are having a good season.
Just as well as I needed something to raise my mood after my ongoing battle with Wiggle over my bike problem descends further into the mire. It is probably just as well that I am communicating with them by email as if it was face to face I would probably be in custody by now. I swear, I will never buy so much as an inner tube off them again.

Zero rest day Rona also a good result for the Vuelta.

Yes indeed Endo that is good news, especially as the general situation seems to be worsening in Spain quite quickly. We should be there this week and I've got very mixed feelings. I would have loved to see the racing and it would have been nice to get away, but the weather and corona situation make me feel a bit relieved we couldn't go.
In other news I have reached a satisfactory resolution regarding my bike so feeling quite chirpy this morning.

Pah! So much for my comments about the weather. It looked gorgeous today, and I shoukd have been at the start were it not for quarantine on return.
Pleased with the result today thiugh.

It's an early winter escape to the sun. Except on television.....

19% incline! My quads are weeping in empathy....

That was a big mountain.

I was so excited to see Hugh Carthy win today. I've been a fan for ages and have met him (fairly briefly) a couple of times. I think he is brilliant. I love the fact that he didnt follow the standard BC Academy route and manages to really be true to himself and retain a bit of quirkiness in this day and age when sportspeople are so "packaged". Its great to see someone who is a bit different achieving so highly.

Bit late but that was great stage! Hope we get to Madrid.

No positive tests on the rest day. Never mind lockdown we should all go ride the Vuelta.

Another exciting time trial day! I used to think they were boring but not anymore! Do you think we've got our final standings now for GC?

I think it's still close enough, there could be more surprises yet.

There's still some significant climbing to come. I think Hugh could gain seconds on Carapaz and maybe move up a place. I do hope so, he's one of my favourites. Barring some disaster I think Roglicz will win though.....but then we all thought that in France, so who knows.