Tuesday, March 19, 2024

La Vuelta 2019 – Our Final Review

-

HomeRaceRace ReviewsLa Vuelta 2019 - Our Final Review

Our final look back at La Vuelta 2019.

Stage 17

A remarkable stage in this Vuelta; Deceuninck launch an ambush Geronimo would have been proud of, Roglic slips up but gets away with it, Quintana buys a ticket for the right train, it all starts to catch up with Pogacar and Gilbert scores his 77th professional victory at 50.628 kph.

Photo©Luis Angel Gomez

That speed got us to thinking about record speeds – not including individual and team time trials.

The fastest Tour stage is an easy one: ‘Super Mario’ Cipollini in 1999 with 50.4 kph over 194.5 kilometres.

The fastest Giro stage is harder to track down but we believe it to be 50.123 kph by Stefano Allocchio over a split stage of just 45 kilometres in in 1985 – he covered the distance in 53:52.

Remember that Giro stages used to start ‘piano’ … until Mario stopped for his comfort break and to take his leg warmers off.

We’re informed that Gilbert’s speed is only the third fastest Vuelta stage on record; with an average speed of 51.566 kph for a stage in 1963 – that’s one which is a wee bit before my time and I don’t have the details.

But I DO remember the fastest Vuelta stage, ever – Igor Gonzalez De Galdeano (ONCE & Spain) won a stage in the 2001 Vuelta from Lograno to Zaragoza at an astonishing 55.176 kph due to, ‘ferociously strong and cross winds.’

He covered the 179.2 kilometres in just 3:14:52.

But what Gilbert’s ride did do was to gain him the ‘Ruban Jaune’ which is awarded to the rider who records the fastest speed in history in a major race – where the time keeping is above reproach – over 200 kilometres.

Philippe Gilbert. Photo©Martin Williamson

The award was initiated by Tour de France founder Henri Desgranges in 1936 with the first holder being Gustave Danneels of Belgium, who won the 1936 Paris–Tours in 41.455 kph.

Perhaps the best remembered holder is the late, great Dutchman Peter Post who recorded 45.129 kph over the 265 kilometres of Paris-Roubaix in 1964.

That record stood for 11 years until 1975 when Freddy Maertens won Paris-Brussels over 285 kilometres at 46.110 kph.

Gilbert eclipses Italian fast man Matteo Trentin’s 49.641 kph set when he won Paris-Tours in 2015.

Little else to add save, ‘CHAPEAU !’ to Phil Gil, Deceuninck and young Brit, James Knox who also bought the correct train ticket and moves into the top 10.

* * *

Stage 18

No slip ups from the former ski jumper today, he even extended his lead over – no, not Quintana, after yesterday’s ladder he was on a snake today and slipped to third – it was the man in the rainbow jersey who now sits in second spot.

It was another of those pesky Colombians who took the honours, they just get younger looking all the time – 22 year-old Sergio Higuita was the man who saved EF’s Tour and gave the squad their 15th win of the year.

Sergio Andres Heguita Garcia. Photo©Martin Williamson

After three seasons with Colombian squad Postobon the man who looks like he should still be at school joined Spanish continental team Fundacion Euskadi at the start of this season.

His results were solid; top 12 in all three of the season opening Majorcan races, best young rider in the Tour of Valencia, top 10 in the Ruta del Sol, a stage win and second on GC in the Volta ao Alentejo in Portugal…

EF signed him at the start of May and he rode the Tour of California for them where he was second on GC, he followed that with fourth on GC in the Tour of Poland and has now won his first World Tour race – if his progression continues we could be looking at a Grand Tour rival for Bernal…

* * *

Stage 19

Big Frenchman, former Dwars door winner, Rémi Cavagna delivers Deceuninck’s fourth stage win of the race, their 61st UCI victory of the year and their 95th Grand Tour stage – I try to keep the superlatives to a minimum but it’s hard when you write about the Men in Blue.

Year in, year out, no matter which ‘Galactico’ retires or leaves for pastures new and a larger salary, the Deceuninck winning machine rolls ever onwards.

Rémi Cavagna. Photo©Martin Williamson

The man behind it, Patrick Lefevere was thinking about retiring a year or two ago but said that with the likes of Alaphilippe, Hodeg, Jakobsen – and now, Evenepoel coming through, he said he simply couldn’t; he was too involved with these young men and their futures to let that go.

‘Respect,’ Monsieur Lefevre – West Flandrian to the core that you are – and your magnificent team.

I suppose I best contribute my tu’pence worth on the other big talking point of the day – Movistar ‘riding’ with red jersey Roglic on the deck.

Vuelta 2019
Photo©Sarah Meyssonnier

There’s nothing in the rules says you must wait if a rival crashes; in the Classics that protocol is not even on the table.

Albeit seems to have entered the unwritten list of ‘gentlemen’s agreements’ in stage racing – like not attacking if the leader stops for the call of nature.

But an aspect to consider is that Roglič keeps getting caught out, the red jersey should not be back in the depths of the peloton, he should be up front with his team – like Valverde was.

Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Indurain – and yes, Lance, not to mention Froome would never be seen anywhere but at the front of the peloton.

It’s easier back there in the bunch in the vacuum created by all the bodies in front punching through the air for you – but much, much more dangerous.

The Slovenian is without doubt the strongest man in the race but as a ‘Primoz come lately’ to the peloton he simply doesn’t have the race craft of the world champion who’s been in the pro peloton for nearly 20 years.

We’ll be looking for better positioning tomorrow, Primož!

And to end on a serious note, so sad to see Tony Martin crash out after the way he’s ridden for his team in this race – commiserations sir.

SIX categorised climbs tomorrow…

* * *

La Vuelta 2019 – Stage 20

Did I really say on my FaceBook page that Pogacar must be; ‘dog tired?

Yup, wrong again…

Hungry like the wolf,’ more like.

His third stage win, a leap over Quintana on to the podium and the white jersey torn from Lopez’s back – not a bad day at the office.

There’s a ‘but’ coming…

Vuelta 2019
Photo©Sarah Meyssonnier

It seemed to me strange that Quintana and Lopez offered up so little resistance to the 20 year-old from Komenda, a village of just some 896 souls at last count.

Peter Pavel Glavar gets a mention on Wikipedia as one of Komenda’s famous sons – he was a priest, bee keeper and writer – Tadej doesn’t get a mention but I’m sure that’s set to change soon.

As for the lack of resistance from Quintana and Lopez, perhaps I’m underestimating how tired they are?

Today’s stage was unrelenting, no ‘walls’ just one tough climb after another not to mention stressful descents right off the prime lines and a lot of wind – it all adds up.

Vuelta 2019
Primož Roglič. Photo©Martin Williamson

What of the overall winner?

Another Slovenian, Primož Roglič from the coal mining town of Trbovlje – just don’t ask me how to pronounce that – doesn’t give much away.

As he crossed the line there was no punching of the air or even a smile, just the usual pushing of the right button on his computer.

One would have to talk to his team mates to get to know more about this quiet man.

And on the subject of his team; what a difference from the Giro where he was isolated so many times – they rode themselves into the ground for him.

Lennard Hofstede was a case in point yesterday, riding kilometre after kilometre on point.

Vuelta 2019
Photo©Sarah Meyssonnier

Whilst Deceuninck again proved there’s more to them than just winning a lot of races, with former world champion and double stage winner Philippe Gilbert chaperoning the (one of several in the team) injured James Knox through the stage.

Unfortunately, despite the team’s best efforts Knox slid out of the top 10 and will finish 11th overall.

Pogacar provided a great last mountain stage for us.

Madrid: over to you Mr. Bennett…

* * *

La Vuelta 2019 – Stage 21

I should have known better when I alluded to a Sam Bennett as a formality in Madrid.

Tim, Remi, Stybie, Max and Fabio had other ideas and it was 2019 Vuelta stage win number five for ‘The Men in Blue’ – and 62 for the season.

Remarkable.

Photo©Sarah Meyssonnier

As well as the stage successes their young ‘Brit,’ James Knox just missed out on the top 10 – but 11th in the first Grand Tour you finish isn’t so bad.

James Knox. Photo@Ed Hood

And Roglič even smiled at the end.

But Pogacar did surprise, we didn’t expect him to be quite so good in his first Grand Tour.

That painting of himself which Valverde keeps in the loft must look ancient now – he just keeps on riding, keeps on winning.

A great race with hardly a dull moment.

Roll on the 2020 Vuelta…

Photo©Sarah Meyssonnier
Ed Hood
Ed Hood
Ed's been involved in cycling for over 50 years. In that time he's been a successful time triallist, a team manager and a sponsor of several teams and clubs. He's also a respected and successful coach and during the winter months was often working in the cabins at the Six Days for some of the world's top riders. Ed remains a massive fan of the sport and couples his extensive contacts with an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the minutiae and the history of our sport. In February 2023 however, our dear friend and beloved colleague Ed suffered a devastating stroke and faces an uncertain future; Ed has lost his ability to speak, to read, and has lost movement on the right side of his body. He's working with speech and physical therapists on rehabilitation, but all strokes are different and each patient responds differently, so unfortunately recovery is one day at a time. Ed ran his own business installing windows, and will probably not be able to work again. Please consider joining us to make a contribution to Ed's GoFundMe page to help stabilise and secure his future.

Related Articles

Le Tour de France 2014 – Stage 16; Carcassonne – Bagnères-de-Luchon, 237 km

We've left Carcassonne and heading for Bagnères-de-Luchon. But first, our favourite picture of the Tour so far ? L'Équipe's shot of F des J manager Marc Madiot kissing Arnold Jeannesson after Stage 16 for all the good work he did for Pinot during his six-and-a-quarter hour 16 shift. Some folks poke fun at Madiot; we like his style - committed, passionate and outspoken. As a rider he was brilliant; a French Pro champion, two wins in Paris-Roubaix and top tens in Flanders - he's got the T-shirt, in our book.

Il Giro d’Italia 2014 – Stage 19; Bassano del Grappa – Cima Grappa (ITT), 26.8 km. Nairo Quintana Excels

Today, the race started at 123 metres above sea level and finished at 1,712 metres above sea level – that’s an elevation of 1,589 metres. The climbing part of the race went on for some 12.5 miles with Quintana’s average speed – but with four/five miles of flat road in there which the 'Bigs' were covering at around 27 mph – an average 16.5 miles per hour. Last finisher was Jeffry Johan Corredor (Colombia & Colombia) @ 18:00 minutes. Enough said, I think?

Le Tour de France 2017 – Stage 7: Troyes – Nuits-Saint-Georges, 213.5km. Kittel takes his third

Six millimetres; that’s less than quarter of an inch – the difference between reading headlines ‘Eddy avenges Cav’ rather than ‘Kittel takes his third’... But it’s been Kittel’s week; and when a sprinter’s head is right – as Kittel’s obviously is – even Lady Luck is carried along with them. The big German has more than justified whatever Patrick Lefevre is paying him at QuickStep; three stage wins in the Tour is something most sponsors would give their eye teeth for.

Il Giro d’Italia 2014 – Stage 5; Taranto – Viggiano, 200 km. Diego Ulissi Outsprints

It took six days but we got there in the end – the Giro has finally started; no gimmick locations, horrible transfers or rider protests. Simply hard racing in the beautiful Italian countryside and sunshine at the finish – that’s more like it. But before we look at Stage Five we have last words on the Stage Four debacle from our resident sage and prophet, Vik. He couldn’t be contacted after the stage, retreating to his cave high in the Pentland Hills to ponder the ‘semi-neutralisation’ of the Stage Four due to rain.

At Random

Dan Patten Blog – End of Season Report!

the end of the season has arrived on the Dan Patten Blog. All in all it's been a good year - I've learned a lot, showed my strength (although sometimes a little too much) and certainly had some success along the way.

Le Tour de France 2016 – Stage 8; Pau – Bagnères-de-Luchon. Froome Surprises Everyone!

As with last year when he was jousting with the pave specialists in the first week, Chris Froome again confounded his critics, descending like a man possessed, leaving the demon descenders glued to the macadam, taking all the risks - but more importantly taking the stage and maillot jaune. A terrific ride, no question, no caveats. But the dreams end for GVA, Bert and Pinot; no jaune for Yates but he consolidates blanc - whilst our friend Michael Mørkøv climbs into the team car.

Le Tour ’11, Stage 11 – a wet start, typical Pyrenean thunderstorm

It was a very warm evening yesterday, and we wandered back round to the hotel last night after our dinner in the middle of a typical Pyrenean thunderstorm - huge bolts of lightning searing across the sky and claps of thunder which lingered and reverberated for what seemed like 20 seconds. In the space of 5 minutes, the roads were flooded. We went to sleep in our "pod" room to the sound of pouring rain, and woke up to the same - only worse. It wasn't a nice day to be outside, let alone reporting on, or riding, a bike race.

Ian Whitehead – Talking Ukraine and it’s Riders

Englishman, ‘gone native Flandrian,’ Ian Whitehead has been involved with cycling for many years; he’s a stalwart of the Kingsnorth International Wheelers, a club with an English name but based in Belgium having Kiwi World Tour rider, Jack Bauer as perhaps it’s most famous son. Ian has close links with Ukraine and their riders, and knows the country well.