2010 Vuelta a Espana: Burgos - Peña Cabarga, 178 km

The last climb looks like the one for Rodriguez. Anton and Nibali shouldn't be far behind him (if behind at all).
A rider from breakaway could take this stage. There are some points for mountain classification in second part of the stage and last climb isn't that long, so a skillful climber could fancy his chances. .

 

2 out of 3 not a bad effort at all. Shame Anton crashed out, will definately make for an interesting stage today, with just 4 seconds seperating the top 2. Who's the better time trialer between the two??? I'm guessing Nibali, he may need to gain some time in the itt stage befor the massive second last stage

 

I'm glad someone started a thread about this years Vuelta.

Really enjoyed yesterdays stage : terrible bad luck for Anto and Martinez in that crash in the final 6kms.
Anton looked to be torn to shreds and when I saw Martinez not moving initially, I feared the worst.
Thankfully both were ok despite their leaving the race.

Really interesting stage yesterday : felt sorry for the Milram rider who stayed out all day and got caught with 1.7kms to go.

Nibali and Rodriguez really did turn it on at the last climb which looked like a killer.

 

Nibali is better time trialer. But I'm not sure Nibali's in his best climbing form. On both climbs so far he struggled. Well, he didn't struggle like majority of riders, but he wasn't in comfort zone at all. Yesterday he almost blew. Misjudged his strength and it almost cost him jersey.
Let's wait and see how he'll do today and tomorrow. So far the climbs were either mild in gradient or short, today and tomorrow are long and steep with some flat and even downhill sections. I think change of rhythm will hurt Nibali.
If Schleck has any podium ambitions, these two stages are opportunity for him.
That beast (Bola del Mundo) on penultimate day will be spectacular, but I'm not sure it will have decisive role.