2009 Vuelta a España Stage 11: Murcia - Caravaca de la Cruz, 200km

[steve]

Vuelta a España Stage 11: Murcia - Caravaca de la Cruz, 200km

The 2009 Vuelta arrives at its halfway point with an interesting stage. It is possible that Wednesday 9th September will see a bunch sprint in the Murcian town of Caravaca de La Cruz. Nevertheless, the organizers have added an element of surprise to the stage.

The riders will set off from the city of Murcia en route to climb the Collado Bermejo which, with its 17 kilometers and 5.3% average gradient, is the most important mountain pass in the whole of the Murcia Region. The riders will cross the finish line for the first time at kilometre 125 of the stage. They must then climb Alto de Campo de San Juan (2nd category), which is sure to further sap the strength of the purist sprinters. The stage is extremely well-balanced in every aspect, including its overall length: 200 kilometres.

Previous editions: Murcia has hosted the stage starts on 25 occassions. Caravaca de La Cruz has only hosted a stage finish on one ocassion: during the 2004, when victory went to David Zabriske and all eyes were on Alejandro Valverde, who almost dropped out of the race following a spectacular crash. The Murcian rider was saved on that ocassion by the solidarity shown by the “peleton”.

 

[Bro Deal]

Vuelta a España Stage 11: Murcia - Caravaca de la Cruz, 200km

Farrar finally wins one, proving that Garmin can win something other than a team time trial.

 

[Scotttri]

Farrar finally wins one, proving that Garmin can win something other than a team time trial.

Anyone want to start hedging some guesses as to who is gona win this race???

 

[Chavez]

Anyone want to start hedging some guesses as to who is gona win this race???

Evans really looks to be in the catbird seat - Caisse D'Epargne has to defend so he can just hang out on Valverde's wheel. Most of the other big hosses are out.

Though this Slaghoople guy has sure been going balls-out, might be the wild card.

 

[Drongo]

Evans still harbours some hope for the World's. One bad day and he'll lose his focus on this race.

Anyone in the top six is a chance.

 

[slovakguy]

should make for some interesting race strategy. ten straight days of racing to come with some big mountain rides right out of the gate. wondering what stage evans might make his bid for the lead. i'm figuring evans will lurk on valverde's wheel and strike on stage 20. thinking that the spanish will probably rally round valverde before they let evans win, but valverde won't have anyone to hide behind on this stage. but at 26 km, evans can't let valverde out of his sights in the mountains.