Well cyclingnews has heard my cries and they are now livetweeting Catalunya. So...
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya: Stage 4
Just to recap, Purito won yesterday's stage. Tejay was there or thereabouts, as was Froomey. This is all we care to know.
Some rude mountains today:
Meta Vallter 2000 (Especial) -- What?? Is that even real? It sounds like a chili-infused tequila.
Rocabruna -- that could be like a weathered lava rock formation.
and Oix-- Just sounds like the sound you make as you're trying to go up it.
Got a baby break about 2'30 out front at the moment. No one of particular note, just the usual suspects (OPQS and Belkin).
Ughhhhhhh. No wonder this death flu is going round the peloton.
Taylor's on the mend though, chatting with Fab on Twitter.
It's apparently 4 degrees at the finish.
Oh yeah and elsewhere Swifty won again. These young chaps on the left will no doubt be delighted!
Froome will be looking for a stage win today, as well as the race lead. This statement could be applied to any race, at any time of the year. Though of course he will be missing Richie.
The weather is so awful it has broken television. What is already quite sporadic coverage therefore likely to be even more sporadic.
Someone called Sander Armee (WHAT?!) has attacked from the peloton.
The break starts the penultimate climb (underground discotheque ROCABRUNA) with 2'45 on the peloton.
That lead has dropped dramatically to 40 seconds as they hit the top of the climb. Apparently Clenbuterol Bertie lead the chase.
Break's back up to just over a minute. Tinkoff still leading pursuit through a low, dense fog.
De Gendt is going it alone from the breakaway group. Kilometre-wise: totally doable (30k left); terrain-wise: he's dead (false flats and the Meta Vallter 2000 (Especial) still to come!).
Though of course this is an OPQS-er, so anything is possible.
All the usual suspects are at the front of the peloton, waiting to make a move.
De Gendt has a minute on the peloton as they head towards the ski station, where naturally, snow is forecast.
Other teams moving to the front. Sky are keeping it cool and keeping their powder (Froomey) dry.
A Lampre has gone off the front of the peloton. In these low visibility conditions, Lampre have a very Safety First kit.
Bit of regrouping here: Lampre Man has collected Plaza from the original break group and they are now with De Gendt at the head of the race. 1'15 in hand.
And onto the final climb.
Sounds pretty eerie out there. Visibility is very limited due to the fog, and it's only gonna get crazier from here.
WEE PIERRE!!
He attacks and gets 10 second on the peloton with no reaction. Perhaps they can't see him.
Couple more people with him now. The peloton isn't far off.
The De Gendt Three are out front with 30 seconds, Wee Pierre and Co hanging in the middle, and the peloton just behind.
And we're all back together at 8k.
Well. 'Back together'... the group has been decimated by this climb and people are all over the mountain.
Nothing happening.
Apparently the 'perfect place to launch an attack' has come and gone with no one making any moves.
3k to go. Is everyone literally frozen?
Froome Attack!!
But neutralised.
Bertie's having a go now.
This is the greatest update on a bike race ever.
Quintana and Rodriguez catch Contador but Froome has been dropped. He's alone. DO YOU WANT ME TO CRY?
OH MY GOD YOU DO WANT ME TO CRY (from joy now)...
CUZ TEJAY WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Taylor will be RIGHT ON THAT.
Umm, like right as I say that.
We are in total mind meld as usual.
Bros. Such bros.
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