Tipping Stage 21: Vuelta a España: Rivas-Vaciamadrid - Madrid, 110.2km



steve

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Aug 12, 2001
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Vuelta a España Stage 21: Rivas-Vaciamadrid - Madrid, 110.2km

lavuelta.com said:
The final stage of the Vuelta, which takes place on Sunday 20th September, has been reduced to only 110 kilometres. Starting in Rivas Vaciamadrid, the rdiers will make their final efforts along Madrid’s Paseo de la Castellana en route to Plaza de La Cibeles, in the very centre of the capital: Madrid.

The general public, as during previous editions, will be able to witness six laps of this small urban circuit which offers an opportunity that the sprinters’ teams are sure to take. The sprinters don’t have many opportunities to shine in the in 2009 race, which has been designed to reward climbers and, above all, the bravest riders.

Previous editions: Rivas Vaciamadrid has hosted the start of the last stage on previous ocassions. This was the case in 2006 and also in 2007. Madrid, on the other hand, has hosted more stage finishes than any other city in the country. the final flag has been located in the capital on 65 occasions. In recent years, and with the exception of those editions in which a time-trial was held on the final day, victory has always gone to a sprinter: Breschel (2008), Bennati (2007), Zabel (2006) and Petacchi (2005).
 
Who I tipped from the get-go.

Igor Antón to take overall win on GC in Madrid.
 
That was a bad break (pardon the pun) for Anton... 65kph crashes rarely end well and alas Anton broke his elbow.

Tommorrow will see who really has the form to win this. The finish climb is said to be as hard as Alpe D'Huez with a few really steep bits. I wouldn't count guys like Shrek Sr or Sastre out just yet - they've both won on the Alpe and excel on hard HC climbs like this. There's a couple of stages coming up with some really gnarly HC climbs.
 

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