Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, 18-24 March 2013 [spoilers]

[deptfordmarmoset]

Interesting to see SKY prepared to send Danny Pate up the road - another variation to their riding style.
Are they trying to develop less predictable tactics or is this due to the strengths of the personnel they have here ?

Mathew Hayman also went up the road on his own in Flanders yesterday, though as there was nobody driving the peloton on it was a slightly different case.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Drama! Quite a surprise that, someone must have been pushing it.

Cappecchi went down with him too. Light injuries to V

 

[thom]

Mathew Hayman also went up the road on his own in Flanders yesterday, though as there was nobody driving the peloton on it was a slightly different case.

Well, I wasn't really alluding to one day races. They only tend to be amenable to trains and bullying if you have a reliable sprinter and the route isn't too bumpy. Their "classics" strategy seems to be normal - try to get as many powerful riders mixing it in the finale as possible.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

The pictures were not clear but it looked like he followed Wiggins with his mouth closed. Anyone with a bigger TV confirm? Was suss enough for me without it.

He's Colombian - they are used to cycling steep climbs at altitude.

 

[smutchin]

Gesink and VDB on the attack now. Sky Train holding steady. 12km to go...

 

[smutchin]

oooh should I start getting excited, go Roche go and Dan Martin, go Ireland go

its most probably a bit too far to go

Roche has dropped back but Dan Martin appears to be still going strong.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

oooh should I start getting excited, go Roche go and Dan Martin, go Ireland go

its most probably a bit too far to go

Maybe one day Martin will have a building named after him

 

[smutchin]

Not any more he hasn't!

Sky are down to just Uran and Wiggins. Katusha have numbers.

 

[smutchin]

VDB has dropped Gesink...

This is a great move. He's closing the gap to Dan Martin quickly. Already nearly caught Herrada.

 

[smutchin]

Katusha have taken up the chase! This is great stuff.

 

[smutchin]

Well, you'll be pleased to know that VDB appears to be faltering - Gesink is reeling him back in. Dan Martin is still away!

 

[smutchin]

Quintana goes off the front!

 

[tigger]

Great win for Martin. Rodriguez then Quintana. I counted Wiggins about 16 seconds off Rodriquez.

 

[jifdave]

i thought he was at least 25 off rodriguez

 

[smutchin]

Great day for Birmingham.