La Vuelta a Espana 22/8 - 13/9 2015 (here be spoilers)

[Crackle]

Last chance for Purito, apparently he was consulted on some of the stage designs, or another left field rider.

 

[User169]

The opening TTT stage has a section along a sand covered bikke path. What could possibly go wrong?!

 

[rich p]

The opening TTT stage has a section along a sand covered bikke path. What could possibly go wrong?!

Tilting at (sand) castles?
Possibly even more than tilting...

 

[rich p]

I've just seen the pictures on Twitter of the sandy path - fecking crazy. I've cycled slowly on sand and it's not pleasant - I can only imagine what it would be like at full throttle in a line of 5 to 9 riders.
Nutz.

 

[rich p]

A tweet from Robbie Hatch...

Robert Hatch ‏@robhatchtv 10m10 minutes ago

Reading @JAEzquerro & @Vanlooyalfas, sounds like @lavuelta WON’T change TTT route. Suggestion times may not count & real #vuelta starts St.2

Bit of a nonsense if it's true.

 

[User169]

I've just seen the pictures on Twitter of the sandy path - fecking crazy. I've cycled slowly on sand and it's not pleasant - I can only imagine what it would be like at full throttle in a line of 5 to 9 riders.
Nutz.

If it's really as deep as those photos, there's going to be chaos (at best).

 

[User169]

A tweet from Robbie Hatch...

Robert Hatch ‏@robhatchtv 10m10 minutes ago

Reading @JAEzquerro & @Vanlooyalfas, sounds like @lavuelta WON’T change TTT route. Suggestion times may not count & real #vuelta starts St.2

Bit of a nonsense if it's true.

They should walk it then.

 

[ColinJ]

Who could possibly have thought that was a good idea!

Bollards in the road during sprints, time trials on sandy paths ... How about something a bit different, an intermediate sprint down the middle of a rifle range? The threat of getting shot should encourage the riders to take the sprint more seriously!

 

[raindog]

Apparently, times will be neutralised
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vue...imes-to-be-neutralised-after-safety-concerns/
what a farce

 

[HF2300]

Who could possibly have thought that was a good idea! !

I suspect probably the Marbella tourist board, and money talked.

 

[HF2300]

Apparently, times will be neutralised
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vue...imes-to-be-neutralised-after-safety-concerns/
what a farce

Only for GC; times will still count for the team prize, according to the article. Makes even less sense.

 

[roadrash]

perhaps they could do the team time trial riding these...

 

[mjr]

Looks like it might be a good line-up this year. It's a shame we won't be able to watch it because the TV feed and coverage is always so pants... ho hum

Why not? It's live on Eurosport and highlights are on itv4. Go buy http://www.diy.com/clearance/ross-sd-interior-portable-satellite-kit/178305_BQ.prd for £20, point the dish at Astra at 19°E (guides online to help) and enjoy German Eurosport.

Hmmm, yes, it does say that the commentators are Boulting and Millar. We live in hope.

That's a reason to watch the highlights, though.

I suspect probably the Marbella tourist board, and money talked.

No board member cycles, then? Shame.

Anyway, you don't have to go to Marbella to have a cycle route on sand. Here's NCR1 across Holkham Meals (from Keep Pushing Those Pedals):

And https://goo.gl/maps/aNwRd is the entertaining point where NCR33 vanishes off up a sand track onto the beach at Brean, Somerset, eventually regaining land at the Pier Street gate in Burnham-on-Sea.

 

[rich p]

That's a reason to watch the highlights, though.

Ah, I missed that it was just highlights.
I'm a Eurosport man anyway but I'd have been tempted by live Boulting and Millar.

 

[Hont]

I'm a Eurosport man anyway but I'd have been tempted by live Boulting and Millar.

Plus the ITV Player is free if you're not at home.