SB Nation User Blog: crashdan

Screenshots From the Coronation

crashdan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:04:30 -0000

Vuelta Stage 21 Preview: Rivas-Vaciamadrid - Madrid

crashdan — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:10:47 -0000

Stage 21 :: Sunday September 20, 2009
110.2km :: Rivas-Vaciamadrid - Madrid

The closing stage of the 2009 Vuelta. A rolling parade to Madrid with the typical closing circuit on the streets of the city.

I haven't had a chance to really watch the race other than tuning in to Universal about 15 seconds before a couple of sprint finishes, consequently, I haven't had time to play around much in the live threads. But from all of us here at the Stage Preview, thanks for taking the time to read and comment and participate in this lovely thing called PodiumCafe.

It is a non-Gavia... an un-Gavia... as Gavialess as a thing can be...

The Vuelta a España comes to an end with the typical flat stage around the capital of Spain. Madrid will pay a tribute to the survivors of this adventure that started in the Netherlands three weeks ago. There will be no terrible fights, it’s party day for the GC contenders. The rider in golden jersey will be celebrating his victory and sharing it with the other jerseys: red for the best climber, green for the rider with most points and white for this strange thing called combinada. Everyone will be happy today, the hard work is over and tomorrow they will be flying home.

Madrid is the largest city in Spain and one of the major financial centres in Europe. It doesn’t have an ancient history like most cities in Spain, but it received a lot of immigrants from everywhere and now is very cosmopolitan and a meeting point of all the different cultures in Spain and Latin America. The theatres and museums in the day, and the concerts and night clubs at night make it one of the cities with most cultural attractions. The Prado Museum, where the riders will pass by, is possibly the best art gallery in the World. Speaking of cycling, Madrid is a relatively flat city (remember 2005 World Championships), but only 40 kilometers north bike fans can enjoy relatively difficult mountains to climb (Abantos, Navacerrada,…) In 1979, the Vuelta a España chose Madrid to be the finish point of the race, either with a time trial or the traditional circuit on La Castellana Avenue.

Courtesy of Juan's Stage 21 Preview at Steephill.tv

Frinking's corner is closing for now. Discounts abound on Vino and Whine :)

Last stage so they are going to sprint. Most of the sprinters will be gone by than so it's going to be a slow sprint after a crazy Vuelta!
Conclusion. Screw the TT'ers! Let's go climbing. It's all for them with 5 very heavy mountain stages. The RD from the Vuelta had already complains about the toughness of the Vuelta.

Vuelta Stage 20 Preview: Toledo ITT

crashdan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:44:00 -0000

Stage 20 :: Saturday September 19, 2009
27.8km :: Toledo ITT

Is it done and dusted? Probably, barring some catclysmic performance in the top rankings of the sort only capable by a mutant Mencov/Rasmussen hybrid.

But we can't stop here. This is bat country.

Give us the deets, not-Gavia...

Sitting on a hill and washed by the Tagus River, Toledo has been an important city in all the different periods of Spanish History. It was an important town in Roman times, and the Visigoths decided to make it the capital of the kingdom of Spain and Portugal. In the Middle Ages, Toledo was the best example of the coexistence of three cultures (Christian, Jewish and Muslim), all the buildings remaining from this age show this fusion. The city started to decline when Philip II moved the court north to a small village called Madrid. Today it is a top tourist destination and the third World Heritage site visited this year by the Vuelta (after Córdoba and Ávila). The most important rider born here is Federico Martín Bahamontes, el águila de Toledo, who won the first Tour de France for Spain 50 years ago, achieving the first international success in a country devastated by a civil war and suffering the toughest times of the dictatorship.

Today the course starts in a town called Santa María de Benquerencia, created in the 60s to serve as a residential district for Toledo. After 7 flat kilometers through the streets, the riders will take the freeway to Toledo (Vuelta organizers love freeways, I wonder why). At kilometer 13 we'll pass through Santa Bárbara to reach Tagus River and enjoy a beautiful sight of old Toledo. At kilometer 19 comes the only climb of the day, not categorized: only 2 kilometers at an average gradient of 5,7%. Not enough to call the stage a hilly time trial. After the climb there is a short descent and wide roads, few turns and a finish line close to downtown Toledo.

Courtesy of Not-Gavia Juan's Stage 20 Preview at Steephill.tv

Frinking's out, but I refer back to what he posted in his initial Vuelta summary...

The last TT. There are some nasty climbs in the stage. One climbs from 560m to 640m. Qua length it's the same as the first with 27.8km The last chance to make time up or lose time. Again it's perfect suitable for Samsan. Tony will be at home by now.

Vuelta Stage 19 Preview: Ávila - La Granja de San Ildefonso

crashdan — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:11:29 -0000

Stage 19 :: Friday September 18, 2009
179.8km :: Ávila - La Granja de San Ildefonso

One more stage before the denoument of this tour, and it's a nice one. Several rated climbs including two trips up the Puerto de Nevacerrada. Now maybe it's just because I'm listening to The Rite of Spring in the background, but this has a feel of a highnoon showdown to it. I'm not saying someone looked at Samu and decided to make the last stage with climbs tailor made for him, because they didn't; it doesn't actually descend all the way to the finish line. Just most of the way.

When Caisse d'Espargne reached the new world, Valverde burned their bikes, as a result, his men were well motivated. It is also my understanding that Robert Gesink would have liked to have seen Montana.

Gavia's concentrating on finding the next Northwest Swell... so she's turned things over to "man on the scene, Juan" who, as far as I know, may or may not actually be a PdC member.

The last mountain stage in this year’s Vuelta a España starts where we left off. Ávila says goodbye to the race and the bunch heads east to get closer to Madrid. After almost 180 kilometers of really tough racing we will hit the finish line in the small town of San Ildefonso. The course includes three major climbs, and interestingly two of them are the same mountain climbed twice. It is truly the very last opportunity for the riders who are not good at flat time trials, so we expect to see the climbers struggling to drop their rivals in the steepest sections. The only difference between today and a mountain-top finish are a few kilometers of fast descent at the end of the stage.

Everything that could be said about the start town of Ávila has been said in last stage’s preview, so let’s skip to the end in…La Granja Fabrica de cristales? A glass factory? What’s that?... Let me explain: La Granja is the historical name for San Ildefonso, a town near Segovia created in the Middle Ages when a king decided it was the perfect place to stay on vacation. When the French Bourbons became the ruling dynasty in Spain (1700) they built a French style palace to be used as the summer residence for the Royal Family. This palace, and its beautiful gardens, is now an important tourist attraction in the region of Segovia. La Real Fábrica de Cristales (Royal Glass Factory) was a factory created personally by the King of Spain in the 18th century to provide Madrid with high quality glass. The winner today will surely be able to decorate his house with a fine crystal trophy.

Courtesy of ~~Gavia's~~ Juan's Stage 19 Preview at Steephill.tv

Frinky carries twenty-three great wounds, all got in battle. Seventy-five men has he killed with his own hands in battle. He scatters, he burns his enemies' tents. He takes away their flocks and herds. The Turks pay him a golden treasure, yet he is poor! Because he is a river to his people! Also, Bubble Boy fans might want to skip this next bit...

Nice to see the breakaway has his chance one's more this Vuelta. Strange acting of Euskaltel, VacansOleil and Astana but the fart of yesterday, I'm sorry that wasn't gentle, was Tom Danielson. How can you quit when you are in the top 10 of a freaking GC and have absolutely no chance on the World Champion. I'm sorry for this bashing but c'mon.. I would kick his ass when I had supported him this Vuelta.

Thank God there are real mans in cycling.... Gesink made it to the finish with a 1 sec lose! Chapeau Meneer Gesink. With that injury Danielson would have cried and screamed for his mommy, who is going to sell his teddy if he's not going to win the WC, or so I heard.

So nice day was it.. Tomorrow's day are the real mountains. The real and last mountains which only can lead to one option. The GC man are going to drive like madness to get the boni's and descending like daredevils, roadrunners and brainiacs to get them and frighten Valverde to dead, pure metaphorical. If Gesink can retain his position tomorrow it would be a miracle. There is going to be a, wrong, orange flash tomorrow. Samuel Sanchez.. And you've read it here first.. It's going to be a triple. Stage 19, 20 and the Amarillo, who's GOLD!

Greetings Monsieur Frinking.

It was my pleasure.

Vuelta Stage 18 Preview: Talavera de la Reina - Ávila

crashdan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:36:31 -0000

Stage 18 :: Thursday September 17, 2009
165.0km :: Talavera de la Reina - Ávila

A saucy win for Roux! Nice to see FdJ at the sharp end of the race. Hopefully, we can now put the majority of Frinky's Zz's to bed and get some more interesting racing going. We have some categorized climbs tomorrow and the return of the dreaded Vuelta loop race course.

All I know is, this Valverde character comes out of thin air in the middle of a [goshdarn] alley while his buddies are flying around on wires cutting everybody to shreds, and he just stands there waiting for me to drive my truck straight through him?! With light coming out of his mouth!

~~Gavia~~ Local boy Juan knows about the black blood of the earth...

Tired of flat and hot stages in La Mancha, the Vuelta heads north to the mountainous area of southern Castilla- León. Here we find the highest peaks in the center of Spain, forming a mountain range called Sistema Central, which always hosts the last mountain stages before the finish in Madrid. The first of two stages in the Sistema Central begins in Talavera de la Reina and after 165 kilometers of difficult riding it finishes in Ávila. There’s certainly some climbing terrain for a brave rider to attack early, but most GC contenders will wait for the harder gradients of tomorrow. The biggest climb today, the first category Puerto de Mijares is more than 100 kilometers from the finish line, so the climbers will think twice (or not think at all) before attacking here.

Talavera de la Reina is a big town and has been the economic center of the region of Toledo since the times of the Roman Empire. It hosted the 2008 Spanish Championships, where Alejando Valverde got the yellow and red jersey, as well as some stages in the Vuelta. In fact, two years ago, there was a very similar stage, beginning in Talavera and climbing Mijares but with 20 kilometers of flat section before the finish in Ávila.

The city of Ávila is one of the most beautiful old towns in Spain and was declared a World Heritage site in 1985. It boasts the famous Walls of Ávila, built in the Middle Ages to protect the city from the Muslims of Al-Andalus. Now it is the perfect place for riding a bike, and the organizers have frequently placed a circuit around the town before the finish line. The cobblestones and steep sections were the ingredients to create exciting stage endings in previous editions of the Vuelta a España. Did I mention the past? Sure: Ávila has proudly hosted the race 22 times before, seeing great riders such as Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon and Tony Rominger win here. A good example of what Ávila can offer us is the stage from 1999, with an incredible attack by Frank Vandenbroucke (the great VDB, early in his career). The most recent time Ávila hosted a stage was in 2007. Luis Pérez of Andalucia won that day, after a solo ride in the final loop around the town.

Courtesy of ~~Gavia's~~ Juan's Stage 18 Preview at Steephill.tv

Frinking has a six demon bag, but only Frinking knows what's inside of it...

Ok less zzzzz than I thought. With 2 Dutch in the breakaway, GP Wallonie, and Prinsjesdag it was quite exciting! To bad Maaskant attack was 200meters to early but Bravo for Roux. Very impresive! Also 2 chrashec in GC land. Gesink and Mosquera are injured. Gow is that going to be tomorrow?

Next stage is stage 18. Strange stages. Perfect suitable for breakaways. Mountains are not to hard and the finish is too far from the tops to give it a go as GC. Or is Samsan attacking the GC victims? You'll never know

That's right... you'll never know!

Vuelta Stage 17 Preview: Ciudad Real - Talavera de la Reina

crashdan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:04:34 -0000

Stage 17 :: Wednesday September 16, 2009
193.6km :: Ciudad Real - Talavera de la Reina

I'm stuck under a time crunch to do a cell phone invoice cost analysis. All things considered, dead flat transition stages across Spain are more fun than that. No time for screen shots or witty banter... let's just get straight to those who know about these things, shall we?

Hey Gavia... are you aware that the Bird is the Word?

It’s another day for the sprinters on this stage running between Cuidad Real and Talavera de la Reina. There is nary a climb in sight, and indeed, the profile has no categorized climbs on offer. The course heads directly north and finishes just west of Madrid. The riders can almost see the finale of this Vuelta, and there are only four stages left to race.

The Vuelta races through the center of Spain over flat plains. Cuidad Real sits 200 kilometers south of Madrid in the Campo de Calatrava, a flat expanse formed by ancient volcanic activity. Thermal springs dot the area. During the Middle Ages, four kilometers of walls surrounded the city, which has no natural defenses. Only a few sections of the walls remain. Cuidad Real, which served as a provincial capital of La Mancha beginning in the 17th century, is a sister city with College Station, Texas.

Talavera de la Reina lies almost directly north of Cuidad Real. The river Tajo divides the city, which the Celts founded. The first mention of the Talavera de la Reina comes from the Roman writer Livy, who described a battle between the Celtic tribe and the Romans for control of the city. The city shows its mixed history with remnants of Celtic, Roman, and Muslim, and early Christian buildings all surviving. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Talavera de la Reina became famous for its pottery and tile-work, which was exported to wealthy nobility throughout Europe. Though the city itself stands in the flatlands, the Sierra de Mejorada mountain range lies just to the north. And yes, it does rain in the plain in Spain. Talavera de la Reina has wet, rainy winters.

Courtesy of Gavia's Stage 17 Preview at Steephill.tv

It's nap time in Frinking's Corner. Everyone grab a blankie, cookie and pint of milk.

The biggest ZZZZZZ we had yesterday. This stage is ZZZZZZ, + or - some of the Z's.

Agaian an adventure... to stay awake..

Discuss.

Vuelta Stage 16 Preview: Córdoba - Puertollano

crashdan — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:37:36 -0000

Stage 16 :: Tuesday September 15, 2009
170.3km :: Córdoba - Puertollano

A flat stage is in store for you. A couple of Cat.3 climbs on this one, some ridge running and plateau uh... planing?!? Anyway, it's totally a sprinters/breakaway stage. I'm not as up on the current placements of sprint competition contestants, so I don't know if those teams would allow a breakaway to succeed, but after the weekend, this would be a good time for it. Expect it to be pretty piano, I'm guessing

Are you aware that in the Arab city of Córdoba were two miles of public lighting in the streets when London was a village? I know it, because someone said it in a movie once, so it must be true. The only thing more authoritative than things said in movies is things written on Wikipedia!

Holy Gavia, you've been down too long in the midnight sea... oh what's becoming of me...

The Vuelta a España leaves Andalucia at last with this stage and enters Castilla-La Mancha. The stage departs from Córdoba and passes along the eastern edge of the Sierra Morena mountain range which rises up behind the city. The course tracks north, then turns east to finish in Puertollano. The profile includes two categorized climbs, but neither is especially difficult. After the hard days in the mountains, the general classification riders will enjoy this relatively tranquil day. The day should end in a bunch sprint on the streets of Puertollano.

Puertollano lies directly south of Madrid. The Vuelta travels toward its finale now, though the race loops north before arriving Spain’s capital city on the final day. The name, Puertollano, comes from a mash-up of Puerto meaning mountain pass, and llano meaning flat. A tad oxymoronic, this city name. Archeological digs in the area have uncovered tools and art that date from the Bronze Age. In 1348, the Plague came to Puertollano and only 13 families survived. According to tradition, they prayed to the Virgin Mary for protection, and the annual fiesta del Santo Voto commemorates their survival. Long a mining town, Puertollano is now a center for alternative energy, especially solar technology.

Puertollano has hosted the Vuelta on three occasions since 2005. Alessandro Petacchi, Leonardo Duque, and Daniele Bennati have all won in Puertollano. Perhaps that previous victory will bring Bennati the luck he needs to take home his first stage victory of this year’s race.

Courtesy of Gavia's Stage 16 Preview at Steephill.tv

Frinking's Corner is on haitus and today we bring you Frinkenstein's Box of Gloat :)

BBBBOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM! Like a panter, like the killer, like Cance, as easy as Conta.. in one word Briljant! The road is paved with talent in The Netherlands. Glad the rest of the world sees it now..

The stage itself was boooooooommmmiing booorrring and gues what? Just check in for the last hour tomorrow. Nothing to see. Probably again a breakway. As Armstrong stated. SSDD.

There are few sprinters left so if there are more than 5 in the breakway they are going to hold. Less it's for the sprinters. My call.. Turpin!

Vuelta Stage 15 Preview: Jaén - Córdoba

crashdan — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:20:40 -0000

Stage 15 :: Monday September 14, 2009
167.7km :: Jaén - Córdoba

~~Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet~~. No use repeating myself, eh?

Jaén to Córdoba. Everytime I read Córdoba, I can only hear Alec Guiness pronounce while wearing a big fake nose. This upcoming bit is a rolling stage, with only the Alto de San Jerónimo to provide any real test of the rider's legs. Of course, they ride it twice as the finish is a 64km circuit through Córdoba (interm. sprint) and then climbing up to Geronimo and circling back down again, twice.

I suppose it's sort of a classics-y type ride and I think there's a classics-y type rider at the front of this thing now isn't there. More's the piti...

I dreamt a dream, what can it mean, for this is from the Preview Queen...

A cheeky general classification rider could attack on the Alto de San Jerónimo which summits just 9 kilometers from the finish, but he will likely only gain a few seconds off the move. Not an obvious day for the general classification riders, but they can’t phone it in either.

After the three hard days in the mountains, this stage between Jaén and Córdoba offers something of a relief. It covers rolling terrain and heads west from Jaén, loops north of Cordóba, and finishes with a circuit around the city. Just under 30 kilometers in length, the circuit climbs the Alto de San Jerónimo twice before the finish. The final 8 kilometers descend to the finish in Córdoba. Tired from the hard mountain stages, the general classification teams will be inclined to let a breakaway go up the road. Though the sprinters could put in a big chase, the category 2 climb just before the finish will make it difficult for a sprinter to win here. It’s a day for the breakaways, then, though the general classification favorites will need to ride at the front on the final circuits in Córdoba.

Jaén stands not far from the Alto de Sierra de la Pandera, the finishing climb for the previous stage. The name of the city derives from the Arabic for "crossroads of caravans." Situated in the Santa Catalina mountains, Jaén is filled with narrow, steep streets and alleyways and the Castillo de Santa Catalina sits on high above the city. Olive groves surround the town and Jaén is a leading producer of olive oil. Córdoba lies to the west of Jaén and sits on the Guadalquivir river. During the 10th century, the city served as the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba and may have been the most populous city in Western Europe. Extensive buildings remain from the Roman and Islamic eras, and the city is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Both Jaén and Córdoba are frequent hosts of the Vuelta a España. Jaén has hosted the Spanish grand tour on 9 occasions, because of its proximity to the high mountains. Córdoba, meanwhile, has hosted 17 previous stages. The most recent visit to Córdoba came in 2008, and Tom Boonen celebrated the stage victory.

Courtesy of Gavia's Stage 15 Preview at Steephill.tv

Frinking is surprisingly laconic. Perhaps he misses the tulips. I think he should express himself through poetry...

No inspiration for the other stage.

Vuelta Stage 14 Preview: Granada - La Pandera

crashdan — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:19:52 -0000

Stage 14 :: Sunday September 13, 2009
157.0km :: Granada - La Pandera

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum rhoncus semper sem, vel hendrerit elit bibendum nec. Morbi eu sollicitudin est. Quisque blandit aliquam risus et lobortis. Fusce sodales, magna non blandit accumsan, metus odio ultricies est, a auctor diam odio non neque. Aenean condimentum volutpat justo ac vehicula. Curabitur in odio a odio aliquam laoreet a sit amet quam. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.

Quisque ut nulla ipsum. Donec tempus orci vel dolor semper non ornare purus fermentum. Sed sit amet ultricies dolor. Ut et ligula sem. Proin vehicula aliquam augue, vitae pharetra justo commodo quis. Integer mollis iaculis diam, non fermentum ligula cursus vel. Duis risus nisl, tincidunt a pellentesque vitae, pulvinar at ligula. Ut eget condimentum felis. Fusce ornare arcu non odio tincidunt non tincidunt lectus elementum.

Gaily bedight a gallant knight, in sunshine and in shadow, had journeyed long, singing a song, in search of Gavia's stage preview...

The final stage of the mountains triple begins in Granada and finishes on the Alto Sierra de la Pandera. The stage includes three categorized climbs, and the profile is slightly easier than those of the preceding two stages. Still, it will be a difficult day of racing, since the riders will carry the hard climbing of the previous days in their legs. As is typical of the Vuelta, this stage is short and punchy. The course covers just 157 kilometers.

Granada sits inland from the coast at the base of the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Fed by snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada, the Beiro, Genil and Darro rivers all come together in Granada. On a hill southeast of the city sits its iconic monument, the Alhambra or Red Fortress. Built by the Moors in the 14th century, the Alhambra sits on a spacious plateau and within its walls stand a series of palaces intricately decorated in the Islamic style. An extensive park within the walls includes a grove of British elms brought to Granada by the Duke of Wellington in the early nineteenth century. Present day Granada houses one of the three largest universities in Spain and is famed for its nightlife. The city has hosted the Vuelta on 23 previous occasions and its proximity to the high mountains makes it a natural stop for the Spanish grand tour. Literally translated, Granada means pomegranate. Perhaps one of the Garmin-Slipstream riders can win the stage in tribute to their new sponsor, Poms.

The Alto Sierra de la Pandera joined the Vuelta family relatively recently. At 1870 meters, the Pandera is the highest peak in the Sierra Sur de Jeán mountain range which rises to the northwest of the more prominent Sierra Nevada. Three riders have celebrated victory at the summit of the Alto Sierra de la Pandera. Roberto Heras, Alejandro Valverde, and Andrey Kashechkin are the past stage victors. Perhaps Valverde would like to make it two on the Pandera.

Courtesy of Gavia's Stage 14 Preview at Steephill.tv

Clad yourselves in the robes of the Church of Frinkingology and let us read now from the book of Vuelta, verse Veertien...

And already the last moutanin and probably GC threat stage. Well not totally if they, Samsan, really want to attack they can. With Bobo in the Amarillo, here is hoping, it's going to be a hard mountain stage. Valverde has to attack to get rid of Evans, Gesink to get rid of everyone and the rest to come a little closer. So attacks everywhere? They better are, else we have to zap to the Giro 2009/9/8/6/5/4.

What's the stage like? We end with a shorter climb than yesterday, just??? 8.4km average 8% steepest part 13% but the first part of the climb has almost the same numbers. It's seperated because there is a plateau in the middle. It seems better suited for Alejandro V but you never know.. Up to you of there is a breakaway. My coin is of lately.

Ooh and we can bet? How many Spanish guys will there be tomorrow in the breakway?

Vuelta Stage 13 Preview: Berja - Sierra Nevada

crashdan — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:40:45 -0000

Stage 13 :: Saturday September 12, 2009
172.4km :: Berja - Sierra Nevada

Well, I guess Garmin finally discovered they could set a waypoint on "Stage Win", eh? One would have though a guy with sideburns like Vaughters would have figured that out a long time ago. Must have been all the burritos getting in the way of rational thought.

A rough route today, but if you thought there were a mountain or two on course for stage 12, well, tomorrow you'll get a full cycle, wash, rinse, repeat. Two Cat.3 climbs, two Cat.1 climbs and a summit finish up a Cuervo Especial (Spanish for "Horse Category") climb. ¿Puede usted oler lo que está cocinando la Roca!?

Cat.3 Alto de Berja :: 840m (495m elevation gain over 9.8km - avg 5.1%)
Cat.1 Puerto de La Ragua :: 2100m (1540m elevation gain over 24.6km - avg 6.3%)
Cat.3 Puerto de los Blancares :: 1300m (310m elevation gain over 8.7km - avg 3.6%)
Cat.1 Alto de Monachil :: 1505m (685m elevation gain over 8.6km - avg 8.0%)
Cat.Es Alto de Sierra Nevada :: 2380m (940m elevation gain over 16.9km - avg 5.6%)

Gav's got preview while I sit here and listen to The Ventures...

The Vuelta a España heads into the Sierra Nevada mountain range for this second of three consecutive mountain stages. The stage runs between Berja and the Alto de Sierra Nevada and races over five categorized climbs. The finish line arrives at the summit of the Alto de Sierra Nevada, which towers high above the inland city of Granada. The Sierra Nevada is 16.9 kilometers in length and includes ramps reaching gradients of 10%. It’s another mountain-top finish, then, and only the climbers will smile at the sight of this profile. The general classification riders will hope for good legs, as a bad day on this stage could end any hope of wearing Gold in Madrid.

* * *

The stage crosses the Sierra Nevada mountain range from south to north, then loops around to climb up the far western end of the mountain range, which rises just outside the city of Granada. The southern side of the Sierra Nevada slopes up more gently than the steeper, more rugged northern flank. The mountain range, which includes the highest peak in continental Spain, formed in the same geological era as the Alps which divide France, Switzerland, and Italy. Like the Alps, the Sierra Nevada formed as a consequence of the collision between the North African and European plates. Smash! The finishing climb to the summit of the Alto de Sierra Nevada has appeared in the Vuelta a España on ten previous occasions. Felipe Yánez was the first winner on the Sierra Nevada in 1979. The most recent visit came in 2004 when Santiago Pérez celebrated the stage victory.

Courtesy of Gavia's Stage 13 Preview at Steephill.tv

~~Frinking is busy with his Windmill Repair classes...~~ Frinky comes through at the last minute!

ZZZZZzzzzzzz.. GEEEEESSSSSIIINNKKKKK!!!!!!! That was the stage from yesterday for if you missed it.. Ah ok there was some Canadian rider riding through the picture messing with the Amarillo of Gesink.. Bloody whoever I want to blame, Rabo just had to gibe it a go in the descent.

This stage.. Wel I don't want to give high hopes after yesterday but it looks lie again a nice stage for some messing arround with the GC.

Stage is easier as yesterday but still hard as hell.. One first categorie to climb but at the end there is again a monstermountain. 16.9km long with an average gradient of 10%, The TdF was flat if you look at this. Prediction for tomorrow :D:D:D:D Well, you may guess..