[Palomides]

I have two predictions:

1: Andy Schleck wins ahead of Menchov and his brother Frank

2: No-one gives a shit 'cos it's not the Tour

[BB]

Hopefully there will be at least some TV coverage on Eurosport.

[Dolly]

I think there usually is.
The trouble with the Eurosport coverage is that the commentary is truly awful

[BB]

Completely agree. Will somebody please tell Sean Kelly that there's no such word as 'classement' in English!

[Percy B]

Completely agree. Will somebody please tell Sean Kelly that there's no such word as 'classement' in English!

But he's not speaking english, is he? He's mumbling some shite, but surely that isn't the Queen's.....
And as for that other cock on eurosport, don't get me started.....

And whilst we're talking Vuelta, I'm off to Asturias on Monday - anybody riden out there. I might be close enough to go and check out the Angliru, (but then again, even I might not be stupid enough to want to do that one...)

[mr__j5]

I'm in the other camp. I like Phil Ligget is bad and Paul Sherwin is completely terrible. Eurosport commentary all the way for me.

[Dolly]

I'm off to Asturias on Monday - anybody riden out there

Been on the border between there and Cantabria.
I had what I consider the best ride of my life into the Picos there
Is that too far East for you ? or shall I try and dig out the details ?

[Percy B]

If you can be arsed I'd be grateful Dolly! Anything to avoid the Angliru - gradients of 23.5% after 10 kms of steep horror sound a bit too spicy for me at the moment...

[Dolly]

Just had a look on google maps and none of the names look familiar  - will have to have a look at the paper maps I used tonight and will let you know later.

[Dolly]

OK managed to find it Percy
Details here http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/es/pechon/310128041097864085 I've only mapped it roughly, but it gives you enough detail to see the route.
The only proper tough bit is the last couple of miles up to the Collada de Hoz. (last done in the 2007 Vuelta I think)
The descent from there to the N 621 is the best I've ever done. Better than anything in the Alps or the Pyrenees (not that I've done that much)  - even better than the Snake 
It just goes on for ever and is always interesting and gobsmackingly spectacular.
Good cafe on the descent from the first place you come to on the left (quite a way down).
You also go through La Hermida which doesn't get any sun between end of October and end of March.
The N 621 is one of those roads that you ride down thinking "That's the best limestone crag I've ever seen" only to round the next corner to find one even better.
Hope you get chance to do it - its ace

[Percy B]

Nice work Dolly. We'll be based in Llanes to start with so that course is definately on the cards. Any more routes you can be arsed to share are welcome, and I'll report back in a few weeks.

[Palomides]

Go on Percy, do the Angliru, go on go on go on go on.

It's an iconic climb, you might never end up near there again, and it won't be that hard... the 23.5% ramp is probably only a little bit around a corner or something.

What could possibly go wrong? OK, apart from your knees/head/thighs exploding, or flipping over backwards, or being overtaken by small black-clad old women carrying enormous loads on their backs and walking?

[chappers]

do it! mental.

[Snoops]

I have two predictions:

1: Andy Schleck wins ahead of Menchov and his brother Frank

2: No-one gives a shit 'cos it's not the Tour

Not any more, too much boozing!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/7986940/Vuelta-a-Espana-2010-Andy-Schleck-and-Stuart-OGrady-thrown-out-by-Saxo-Bank.html

[Palomides]

See prediction 2...