Vuelta a España 2014 – Stage 15 Preview
By David Hunter
Stage 14 Recap
What a stage! A big break got away and it stayed away. On the gruelling 20% slopes of the final 2km, it looked like Oliver Zaugg, was going to take a famous win. However, Ryder Hesjedal had timed his move to perfection, and he took the lead with 150m to go. The slope was so steep, he couldn’t even raise his hands in celebration! Behind, Chris Froome was dropped when Valverde attacked. Then Contador attacked and Valverde blew. From nowhere, Chris Froome, reappeared and put Contador in trouble. Rodriguez managed to follow the Englishman, but Contador lost a handful of seconds. The Vuelta, isn’t over!
Stage 15 Oviedo – Lagos de Covadonga 152.2km
Another very difficult day.
The riders travel along the North coast of Spain, so wind alert! The wind is predicted to only be 5mph, so it should’t create any problems, but rain is forecasted.
A relatively boring day, until the especial climb!
Here’s the beast, 12.2km at an average of 7.2% and a maximum of 17.5%. With only a handful of kilometres under 10%, this is a great climb.
The profile of the stage is not good for the break. The flatlands will not allow them to gain a lot of time and they’ll need, at least, 5 minutes on this climb. It’s unlikely they’ll stay away.
This climb is well known to fans of the Vuelta and is used every couple of years. In 2012, Caja Rural took the day with Piedra, but all the action was happening behind. Contador tried to break Rodriguez, but he couldn’t. Valverde, Rodriguez and Contador arrived home together.
Yesterday saw the re-emergence of Chris Froome. Many, including myself, had written him off, but he returned with a bang! We have Contador, Rodriguez, Valverde, Froome and Aru to consider.
Valverde, despite putting in the first attack, couldn’t cope the steep gradients. In grand tours, this is usually when he starts to tail off a little.
Aru has been excellent, so far. I have been surprised to see him last the distance, but I expect to see him battling with the big stars today.
Rodriguez has been Mr Consistent. He hasn’t attacked, since he misjudged his sprint, back in the first week. He is only sitting in 4th place and really needs to start making his move, if he seriously wants to win the red jersey. He needs to attack today and take the fight to the others.
I have no idea what to make of Froome and Contador! Both had terrible run-ups to the race, yet appear to be in great form. They must have went into the red, yesterday, and normal riders would start to feel the effects of this, but these two aren’t your normal rider! What can be said, is their attacks here don’t carry their normal force. Rodriguez has been able to close attacks, from both riders, on a variety of days. This wouldn’t happen if both were fully fit.
Another rider to consider is Sami Sanchez. He comes from Oviedo, so has local knowledge and an added incentive to perform well. I mentioned him for yesterday’s stage, but he disappointed. He really wants to be with the favourites towards the end of the stage and is far enough down, on GC, to benefit from a little freedom. So far we’ve seen Aru and Navarro benefit from this and claim stages. Contador will be more than happy to see the bonus seconds taken by a rider further down on GC. He’ll have to cover the attacks of Rodriguez, Valverde and Froome but that’s it. If anyone else attacks, he’ll let the others chase them down.
Dan Martin had a bad day yesterday and now finds himself 4:37 behind Contador. When he has attacked, the others have marked him, but now he should be allowed more room. This could be his day!
If the break somehow makes it, I would expect to see Jerome Coppel there. He’s been climbing very well and Cofidis are full of confidence, since Navarro’s win.
Prediction time…
I’m going for the only rider that hasn’t cracked yet! Joaquim Rodriguez is my pick today. He needs to start making up time and today’s the day!
David Hunter
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