2014 La Vuelta Ciclista a España

['Dale]

Cadel Evans (BMC) has also been dropped. So has Peter Sagan (Cannondale).

['Dale]

It seems that Peter Sagan (Cannondale) has retired and put an end to his Vuelta.

['Dale]

The work of the OPQS team has cut the lead of the breakaways by a minute. The gap to Sanchez is down to 5:40.

['Dale]

Sanchez and Arroyo are about to be caught by the 12 chasers as they near the summit of the climb.

['Dale]

The peloton has crossed the summit of the climb, 5:00 behind the breakaway of 14 riders.

['Dale]

The riders in the break -now down to 13- are not working smoothly together and so the gap is falling rapidly. The break is falling apart because some riders don't want to work.

['Dale]

 

The OPQS team is still leading the peloton in pursuit of the break.

 

['Dale]

The roads are flat now as they head towards the foot of the final climb, with Boonen now on the front behind after dropping back from the break.

['Dale]

The race is passing the stunning Riano reservoir but the mountains are looming.

['Dale]

The gap is back to 5:40 but the break is not working well together.

[pe3nguin]

13km left...gap to peloton is holding steady at 6min

 

...i feel something special coming

[pe3nguin]

Looked up the final 8km climb, looks something like:

 

First 4km: 4% gradient

Next 2km: 7%

Final 2km: 19% (you read that right)

 

Legs and lungs boys. Legs.And. Lungs.

[pe3nguin]

Anyone know if they are riding up L'Angliru this year?

['Dale]

Ryder Hesjedal is in the move and has so far ridden a clever stage. Can he win and take a big stage victory?

['Dale]

This is the quiet moment before the storm. The riders in the break are awaiting the start of the climb, while the peloton and GC riders are awaiting any attacks from their rivals.

['Dale]

!!!!

 

Here we go. The riders turn off the road and are about to begin the climb.