Volta a Catalunya - **SPOILER**

[rich p]

No mention of it in the cyclingnews headlines but a very competitive field in it.
Wiggo, Schleck, Leipheimer, Basso, Valverde, van Garderen, Sanchez and the rest!

Wiggins hinted that he'd be doing this for another rider after the P-N, Porte, Froome maybe?

I've given up hoping that Nico will have a good one so my dark horse will be Dan Martin.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I guess it's because it's one of these races that almost everyone in it, apart from the local riders, is using as a training stepping stone to the GTs. It's certainly a test for the climbers though... there isn't a flat stage in the race right from day 1, and stage 3 is a monster.

Looking at the squads, I am surprised that Sky haven't got Henao riding this one - this is exactly the kind of race I would have thought they would let him loose on for a stage or two, or at least be working him as a climbing domestique.

 

[thom]

Froome doesn't seem to be in the confirmed team listings. I suspect SKY will be working for Richie Porte as pay back for impressive riding in P-N and as down payment for future efforts. Wiggins I think is down to do the Tour of Romandie and the Dauphine before the TdF and I think he'll only really be trying for the Dauphine. Something about not burning too many matches, keeping his powder dry, leaving the fireworks under wraps and not burning the candle at both ends...

Looking at the profile, this one is bumpy yes but there's only one mountainous day per se. The rest of the time they're below 1200m. I can see David Moncoutie getting in a break or two to get some results.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Breakaway succeeds on the first day... and another GreenEdge win, this time for Albasini.

 

[smutchin]

I suspect SKY will be working for Richie Porte as pay back for impressive riding in P-N and as down payment for future efforts. Wiggins I think is down to do the Tour of Romandie and the Dauphine before the TdF and I think he'll only really be trying for the Dauphine. Something about not burning too many matches, keeping his powder dry, leaving the fireworks under wraps and not burning the candle at both ends...

I saw Wiggo interviewed after Paris-Nice and he said quite unambiguously that he'll be riding for the team in this one. Richie Porte could be a good bet to do well.

I suspect Froome has bigger fish to fry this season. Has he or anyone at Sky said what his plans/objectives are?

d.

 

[rich p]

Albasini takes it again. Another win for Greenedge!!

 

[smutchin]

Nicely done. GreenEdge having a pretty decent season so far.

Good to see Wiggo working his long black socks off for Uran too.

d.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I've got to say, I hadn't really paid much attention to Albasini as a potential force for this season.

 

[Albert]

GreenEdge - the new HTC?

 

[andrew_s]

Today's breakaway has ~ 10 minutes with about 10km to go after the route was shortened, and half the peloton has abandoned (snow)

Brajkovic (Astana), Tschopp (BMC), Sorensen (Saxo Bank), Vandevelde (Garmin), Ignatenko y Kritskiy (Katusha), Golas (Omega) y Kruijswijk (Rabobank) Bardet y Cherel (AG2R), Rohregger (RadioShack) y Carrara (Vacansoleil)

Edit:
Result
1. Janez Brajkovic (Astana)
2. Michal Golas (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
3. Mickael Cherel (AG2R)

Rumour would have it that the whole of team Sky abandoned, and that the stage is going to be nullified.

 

[Herzog]

Today's breakaway has ~ 10 minutes with about 10km to go after the route was shortened, and half the peloton has abandoned (snow)

Brajkovic (Astana), Tschopp (BMC), Sorensen (Saxo Bank), Vandevelde (Garmin), Ignatenko y Kritskiy (Katusha), Golas (Omega) y Kruijswijk (Rabobank) Bardet y Cherel (AG2R), Rohregger (RadioShack) y Carrara (Vacansoleil)

Edit:
Result
1. Janez Brajkovic (Astana)
2. Michal Golas (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
3. Mickael Cherel (AG2R)

Rumour would have it that the whole of team Sky abandoned, and that the stage is going to be nullified.

Just sat down to watch on Eurosport... so now I have a free afternon. It'll be interesting to see what they do about finishing times and the GC.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Rumour would have it that the whole of team Sky abandoned, and that the stage is going to be nullified.

Lightweights...

Seriously though, although they have already announced that the stage won't count to GC, they haven't specificied whether people who abandoned will still be allowed to start tomorrow.

 

[rich p]

Blimey, I just saw the pictures from the finish that they didn't get to! Smothered in snow and high winds. Not even Andy Hampsten would have got up there.

The commentators were wondering if the buses, TV crews etc would be able to get off the mountain for tomorrows stage.

 

[thom]

OPQS bus...

Sad to see Julian Dean with a bad leg break in what could be his last season.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Well, those who abandoned yesterday are all out, but even having only two teammates didn't stop Rigoberto Uran from taking the stage for Sky, with what seems to have been some pretty canny riding which married effort and opportunism. I like Uran - and I like the Colombian climbing tradition in general - so I'm pleased.