After winning a snow-hit Giro, Vincenzo Nibali was at it again on stage 14 of the Vuelta. And by ‘it’ I mean ‘cycling along not really being too bothered by the weather’.
It wasn’t a day of attacks. It was a day of sadly and mournfully ticking off riders as they ebbed off the back until there remained just a duo – Nibali and Chris Horner.
Nicolas Roche was the big loser on the day, shedding three minutes odd to Nibali and dropping to sixth overall. Joaquim Rodriguez lost 20 seconds or so, while Alejandro Valverde and Domenico Pozzovivo lost closer to a minute. Horner is now the only rider within a minute of the race leader in the overall standings.
Bassowatch
I’m never sure of the veracity of that saying about the rain in Spain, but the rain in Andorra would appear to fall mainly on Ivan Basso. He abandoned the race with hypothermia. It would appear that I was right all along about not watching him. Can’t believe he drew me in.
Stage winner
Daniele Ratto, who got in the break after 3km and then rode the last 45km on his own. His performance fully warranted the somewhat camp victory celebration as he crossed the line.
Stage 15
225km, plus another 20km in the neutralised zone. Around 80km of the route is in categorised climbs as well. Here’s the profile. The finish at Peyresourde is where Chris Froome did that weird thing in the 2012 Tour where he rode ahead of Bradley Wiggins and kept beckoning him to follow.
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