Cycling Betting & Discussion.

[Tonji]

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I'm away the weekend, but but...

A mega banzai for tomorrow. Luis Angel Maté 250/1.

Not my work, a tip from a jorno out in Spain. One of the few riders in the peloton to know the final climb well, he regularly trains on Peñas Blancas. He'd need to be in the break, but the stage looks like one where a break could succeed.

It's been often the case in the race, that the finals of the stages have been snatched by riders outside of the favourites & GC contenders. If that's the case tomorrow, plenty of decent riders with decent odds.

Take your pick from Koning, Mollema, Arroyo, Cataldo, & my friend Txurruka, who I'm hoping will start his KOM campaign.

Enjoy your weekend.

[Tonji]

A weekend away turns into four days...

Unlikely to have much time the rest of the week, business catch up.

But today sees the ITT.

Martin v Cancellara v The Rest.

Apparently old man Horner rode away on the final climb the other day, hmmmm...not sure what to make of this? Rumours aplenty.

[Tonji]

Excellent news:

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has reached an agreement to take over the Euskaltel Euskadi team. Rumours his friend Contador may join.

[Tonji]

Cancellara, Martin, Pozzovivo.

Favourites keep getting beat in this Vuelta, & Pozzovivio, what the heck!

Sprint stage tomorrow. Most have been scrappy affairs with no stand out sprint teams & some young sprinters still learning. Matthews stands out as the fastest, but he does not necessarily convert that speed into wins.

[Tonji]

Cancellara, Martin, Pozzovivo.

Favourites keep getting beat in this Vuelta, & Pozzovivio, what the heck!

Sprint stage tomorrow. Most have been scrappy affairs with no stand out sprint teams & some young sprinters still learning. Matthews stands out as the fastest, but he does not necessarily convert that speed into wins.

A steeper last km than the road book suggested caught out the big sprinters. EBH & winner Gilbert were the strongest & quickest to react. Gilbert now looks close to 100%.

[Tonji]

http://vimeo.com/72820136

Stage 9 of the Tour & Garmin's Dan Martin win. An interesting short film on how tactically it was planned.

[Tonji]

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A stage where breakaway riders stand a better than average chance of succeeding. With the big mountains ahead the GC guys will prefer a stress free day.

The finish is ideal for Gilbert, & after todays win his BMC team will be up to controlling the race to get him in position. Still too short imo @ 3/1.

The Alto del Rat Penat climb will sort out the riders for the final, probably a day to monitor in running betting.

I've taken a small interest in Gerrans @ 50/1 with BetVic. He had a crash earlier in the race, but if he's recovered well he should be 2nd or 3rd favourite. He normally targets one stage, this is probably it. If not OGE will be backing Matthews.

A couple of the big name riders that have dropped out of the GC, & are looking for stage wins, may get involved in the break. Kreuziger & Mollema are ones to watch.

Really not sure of his form, but Iglinsky for Astana may be given the green light for a stage win, the profile suits his style if he's in shape.

[Tonji]

that's Iglinsky after crashing into a wall yesterday, perhaps not for today 

[Tonji]

Team Sky signs Ireland's Philip Deignan for 2014. He's riding Tour of Britain for current team UnitedHealthcare, one to watch for the KOM jersey.

[vegaslover]

Hope he gets a better choice of rides then Tiernan-Locke who's gone from being a race contender to a domestique.

[Tonji]

Hope he gets a better choice of rides then Tiernan-Locke who's gone from being a race contender to a domestique.

JTL has had a nightmare in his first year with Sky. I read the training regime has not worked for him personally, & has resulted in poor recovery & ill health. He's hoping for a late season return to form & a good showing in the Tour of Beijing.

[Tonji]

Big battle for a break to get away. Took until 75km, but now 19 riders away. Includes Mollema, Santaromita, Meersman, Nocentini, Intxausti, Scarponi, Vanendert, Txurruka among them. Strong group with 2 minutes. Looks like Katusha missed out. 50/50 in break succeeding, It'll depend on how fast the peloton attacks the Alto del Rat Penat, & possible counter attacks from there.

[Tonji]

Good news on the KOM bet, Txurruka opened his account on the cat 1 climb with a 2nd behind Scarponi.

[Tonji]

If break can hold off the main group, Nocentini should be favourite, strong & quick on uphill finishes.

[vegaslover]

Good news on the KOM bet, Txurruka opened his account on the cat 1 climb with a 2nd behind Scarponi.

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