Uran hates this short hills... maybe in long mountains colombians recover time, they will lose a lot in this shitty stages... they're specialy made for Rodriguez and Valverde
Remains to be seen who will be fresher over the three weeks too, which has played many a role in one contender overhauling another in the GC at the Vuelta over the years.
Notable time losses: Martin '59, Urán 1'04, Moreno 1'25, Arroyo and Niemiec 1'54, Zubeldia 2'14, Hesjedal 3'44.
Hesjedal completely out of the GC now, only one left is Martin who struggled today. Belkin seems the sure bet for the team classification, I expect Kelderman to get better and Gesink and Ten Dam to slip towards the end. Movistar desperately needs a strong 3. guy to set the face, too bad Antón got injured. Its the strongest overall team here, but they lack climbers.
kadtagenero wrote:
Uran hates this short hills... maybe in long mountains colombians recover time, they will lose a lot in this shitty stages... they're specialy made for Rodriguez and Valverde
Shitty stages? Stages like these are perhaps the most entertaining.
kadtagenero wrote:
Uran hates this short hills... maybe in long mountains colombians recover time, they will lose a lot in this shitty stages... they're specialy made for Rodriguez and Valverde
Shitty stages? Stages like these are perhaps the most entertaining.
Only the last 700m were entertaining... the rest was boring as hell. It's not like that on proper mountain stages
kadtagenero wrote:
Uran hates this short hills... maybe in long mountains colombians recover time, they will lose a lot in this shitty stages... they're specialy made for Rodriguez and Valverde
Who says? Uran especially likes Short climbs. Look at his result at Flech Wallone or other short hill races. But he is okay on long climbs like he proved at Giro.
Thing is he never goes good at 2nd GT. Last 2 years at Sky he was good at Giro and sucked at Vaulta. So same thing. Dont expect anything from him.
kadtagenero wrote:
Uran hates this short hills... maybe in long mountains colombians recover time, they will lose a lot in this shitty stages... they're specialy made for Rodriguez and Valverde
Shitty stages? Stages like these are perhaps the most entertaining.
Only the last 700m were entertaining... the rest was boring as hell. It's not like that on proper mountain stages
Well its not like they are attacking like crazy their either. I prefer 'real' mountain stages like you, but I like the separation race on climbs like this, seeing favourites (or outsiders, top-10 prospect) slipping through the pack. I think this was a good stage for the first mountain stage which basically caused the same gaps as the stage that Riblon won (first semi mountain stage with uphill finish)..
you're right, Uran did well in FW and Lombardia... but speaking to him last month in Bogotá, he says long mountain stages are better to him because of his "diesel" engine... I also told him about those 2 hilly races and he said "el que es bueno es bueno papá..." something like, if you're good, you're good... but you have to be in a really great shape... which him, Quintana, Arredondo or Betancur aren't right now, all of them aim to third week and will try to lose the least time the two first weeks...
Really surprised about Contador's performance... did he eat a magic bean from Dragon Ball? that recovery is like a miracle...
Edited by kadtagenero on 28-08-2014 18:08
Alakagom wrote:
What happened to Garmin? Haven't been following the stage, but after bit of hype from Garmin fans here on the forums - this is rather..well..shite
They must've crashed/caught in crosswinds halfway up the final climb. It wasn't their fault though.
kadtagenero wrote:
Really surprised about Contador's performance... did he eat a magic bean from Dragon Ball? that recovery is like a miracle...
Like you & Uran said: "el que es bueno es bueno papá..." If you're good, you're good.
Meaning,Contador has the base this year. Two or three weeks without training don't ruin all the hard training he did this year and winter. Most important factor is if the leg holds up, and it does.
Let's see how next days will be, how he'll recover. Bertie takes it day by day and right now, legs seem to be better than hoped. His mind at least is very strong and that may compensate for some. Edited by Shonak on 28-08-2014 18:28
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I'm no ammattipyoraily or anything but by some very rough calculations I make it about 6.7-6.8 W/kg for the lead trio which is rather impressive, even considering the fact that it's a short climb.
Malkael wrote:
Remains to be seen who will be fresher over the three weeks too, which has played many a role in one contender overhauling another in the GC at the Vuelta over the years.
Yes, I imagine there'll be quite some rapid changes in GC, from time to time, maybe even day to day. Hoping for many switching red jersey wearers, that'd be something else for a change. Should be a great race in the coming days & weeks.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Great ride by Aru should not go unmentioned, finishing at his own pace slightly behind Q. Didn't expect him to be quite there yet to be competitive for 2 GTs in a year but he's up there, he's performing, and so far he is definitely delivering. All the happier now since I picked him for my Velogames Team.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Saw the repeat telecast of stage again. Froome looks very strong. Way he got back Purito and Valverde after they flew away was impressive. And then again when Valverde launched at finale, Contador could not close in. At that point Froome filled in and closed gap all the way to line. Contador looked on edge and maybe a bit of grimace at line.
Froome and Contador had good run considering this is not their favoured terrain. They sort of helped each other get back those massive launches. Both will be aware of 2012 where Valverde and Purito got them at finish and time bonuses each time.
And Valverde too strong 
Haven't been following the stage, but after bit of hype from Garmin fans here on the forums - this is rather..well..shite
