Vuelta, stage 4: Betanzos-San Andrés de Teixido

neris

Beautiful, colourful 163.5km stage with a departure in Betanzos and a new high-altitude arrival, this time in the impressive and unprecedented Mirador Vixia de Herbeira, in San Andrés de Teixido, where the highest cliffs in Europe can be admired (620m). This 11.2km mountain pass, with an average inclination of 4.8%, is not excessively tough but it could potentially be dangerous to those who get distracted.

Oh look, an uphill finish. Not much to expect I guess now that Alberto's shape ain't very good. He was the main hope for action on that 10% km. On the positive side, the finish is a beautiful place, near one of the highest cliffs in Europe. A pretty cool day in the saddle in Galicia, with temperatures around 24°C and with a 3 bft wind blowing from the sea.

"borrowed" from http://forum.cyclingnews.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31291

MPFGLB

Oh...I did one as well as didn't see this...if someone wants to delete mine

Brian?

Watching Contador struggle yesterday left me a little deflated. I was full sure he'd be in flying form this week.

It looks like Quintana v Froome for now. It was good to see the Sky riders blown away at the start of yesterday's final climb. More of that please.

Dcully

Brian? wrote: »

Watching Contador struggle yesterday left me a little deflated. I was full sure he'd be in flying form this week.

It looks like Quintana v Froome for now. It was good to see the Sky riders blown away at the start of yesterday's final climb. More of that please.

He could recover and hit form but most likely to be too far behind by then.

I fancy Chavez to be in the mix for GC too.

MPFGLB

Brian? wrote: »

Watching Contador struggle yesterday left me a little deflated. I was full sure he'd be in flying form this week.

It looks like Quintana v Froome for now. It was good to see the Sky riders blown away at the start of yesterday's final climb. More of that please.

I think Contador will get better as time goes on...its a long long race ..other will tire

SkY best rider for a climb like yesterday is Nico or Henao

neris

one of the Movistar riders lost 3 teeth yesterday... Ouch

MPFGLB

neris wrote: »

one of the Movistar riders lost 3 teeth yesterday... Ouch

Astan rider MA Lopez aka Superman lost 3 teeth yesterday in a crash

neris

Tinkoff trying to so something for Bertie about 11km left

neris

if atapuma gets red carlton wont know what to do with himself

godtabh

all the main lads come in together. Has Atapuma got red by much?

neris

29 seconds over valverde, 33 over froome and 34 over both quintana and chaves

neris

1. Darwin ATAPUMA HURTADO, BMC RACING TEAM, in 13:23:10
2. Alejandro VALVERDE BELMONTE, MOVISTAR TEAM, at :29
3. Christopher FROOME, TEAM SKY, at :33
4. Jhoan Esteban CHAVES RUBIO, ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE, at :39
5. Nairo Alexander QUINTANA ROJAS, MOVISTAR TEAM, at :39
6. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, BMC RACING TEAM, at 1:08
7. Ruben FERNANDEZ, MOVISTAR TEAM, at 1:11
8. Leopold KONIG, TEAM SKY, at 1:13
9. Peter KENNAUGH, TEAM SKY, at 1:15
10. Gianluca BRAMBILLA, ETIXX – QUICK STEP, at 1:23

Eamonnator

neris wrote: »

one of the Movistar riders lost 3 teeth yesterday... Ouch

Thats nothing, VanGarderen lost 7 minutes.

gordongekko

http://www.teamcajarural-segurosrga.com/confirmada-luxacion-de-cadera-para-lluis-mas-tras-su-caida-post-etapa

Cyclist crashed on the way down the mountain after the race

Luxman

Did anyone else see a c**k and b*lls painted onto the road or was it just me? About 8 or 9 km from the end. Helicopter view got it perfectly.

MPFGLB

Luxman wrote: »

Did anyone else see a c**k and b*lls painted onto the road or was it just me? About 8 or 9 km from the end. Helicopter view got it perfectly.

I think it was just you ...obviously your mind is caught somewhere

coco0981

Eamonnator wrote: »

Thats nothing, VanGarderen lost 7 minutes.

He lost another 10 minutes today, keeping up his form from the tour. Something seriously wrong with his performance level this year

Eamonnator

coco1981 wrote: »

He lost another 10 minutes today, keeping up his form from the tour. Something seriously wrong with his performance level this year

I just don't understand it.
For a man, who showed such promise, he has been very disappointing.
He has certainly flattered to deceive.

Luxman

3m 56 seconds in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B97IGl7NIR8

godtabh

Luxman wrote: »

3m 56 seconds in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B97IGl7NIR8

Its gone now. What happen at 3m 56 seconds?

Luxman

If you click on the highlights video on the feed, its Spanish, but if you go to 7km to go you will see it (painted on the road).