La Vuelta 2026 ***Spoilers***

[No Ta Doctor]

I can see Skeljmose finishing on the podium

He's going to need a big uptick in form tbh, he's been consistently shelled out fairly early and says he's paying more for the Tour than he expected.

It's fun though, as every rider in with a shout has fairly easily identifiable flaws - descending, TTing, lack of punch, age, form, season burnout etc

 

[mididoctors]

Rolling out

 

[mididoctors]

Gall and mas at the back

 

[mididoctors]

They're off

 

[mididoctors]

Obvious jay vine is obvious

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Apparently Asbjørn Hellemose (Jayco) has had an infection and has put FOUR KG on since the start of the Vuelta through water retention. He's still carrying around 3kg of it today, might not make it to the end of the stage

 

[Dogtrousers]

Apparently Asbjørn Hellemose (Jayco) has had an infection and has put FOUR KG on since the start of the Vuelta through water retention. He's still carrying around 3kg of it today, might not make it to the end of the stage

What sort of infection does that?
I'll be on the lookout for Mr Blobby in Jayco kit

 

[No Ta Doctor]

What sort of infection does that?
I'll be on the lookout for Mr Blobby in Jayco kit

Well anything that causes a swelling would do that, though not necessarily to 4kg, that's a bit extreme

 

[Dogtrousers]

Well anything that causes a swelling would do that,

Ah, I see. (Looks at slightly swollen ankle... I wonder how many of my extra kilos I can blame on it)

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Ah, I see your point. But the distinctions become a bit blurred when you remember that Tony Martin didn't abandon mid stage, and nor did Rolf Sørensen. Pascal Simon abandoned mid-stage, but due to an injury suffered several days earlier.

The most famous instance of a leader crashing and being unable to get up must be Luis Ocaña, and I'm struggling to remember another.

Danish coms just told the story that apparently Sørensen wanted to start the stage the day after, but couldn't get the yellow jersey over the broken clavicle. Hi DS had to tell him it wasn't going to happen 😱 He'd been pushed to the line by riders from other teams to finish the day before (had crashed close to the finish). Lemond inherited the jersey, but didn't wear it

 

[mididoctors]

Sizable groups off the back ..

 

[mididoctors]

Peloton shrinking fast

 

[mididoctors]

Lars craps on the tarmac

 

[mididoctors]

Chase group full of GC teams

 

[mididoctors]

Headstart on the.next steep climb