Battle at La Vuelta

I was a little disparaging about the Vuelta last time I mentioned it, but it has slowly turned in to the best Grand tour of the season.  Nibali was in control of the Giro, and Froome left no doubt about the outcome of Le Tour, but American Chris Horner is not interested in a similar storyline for La Vuelta.

After losing the lead and falling behind favorite Vincenzo Nibali way back on Stage 11 (September 4th) by 46 seconds, and then losing 4 more seconds a couple days later, Chris Horner has slowly but surely gotten himself back in this thing.  Showing impressive climbing form and well-times attacks, he has toirtoise-and-hared himself in to the Red leader's jersey before the final stage.  22 seconds on 16, 25 more on stage 18, and 6 more seconds on stage 19.  Horner is now up 3 seconds on Nibali, with the next closest competitor being Valverde at 1'06".  The presence of Valverde and Joaquin Rodriguez in the top 5, both top 10 finishers at TdF, is very impressive in itself.

But the story now is today's real final stage (the stage tomorrow won't make a difference).  And it's the perfect setting for the showdown.  Check out the profile for the final climb.

Not only ouch, but ouch

The La Vuelta website, though I'm sure a little biased, calls Alto de l'Angrilu perhaps the toughest climb on the entire racing calender.  With gradients up to 23.5%, and an average of 10.2%, there's no joking around.  There's also no wasting time, because the course is under way, and I need time to go find a feed from some sketchy Italian website  to watch it play out myself.  Darn you, Universal Sports!  Chris Horner is now in the driver's seat, and just has to sit on Nibali's wheel (and make sure one of the others doesn't run off unchecked).  Go Chris!

Parting Thoughts: Ylvis, the Norwegian Lonely Island... go check em out on the youtubes.