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Discovery Channel - TdF 2011
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| zambeaux |
Posted on 09-11-2010 20:54
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Under 23
Posts: 70
Joined: 22-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Valverde HAS to falter at some time, specially with the sucession of hard stages in the final week... Too late for the GC (maybe with a valverdada... but unfortunately there are no raincoats in PCM  ) but there may be a chance to collect some wins in the mountains (with permission from Carlos Castaño, the new Fernando Escartín  ) and so compensate the horrible luck you're having with Ciolek. |
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| Squire |
Posted on 10-11-2010 12:00
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1404
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@zambeaux: I like your comments With 69REC, Valverde should be weaker, yes. But as you say, it's probably too late for the GC.
If Castaño is the new Escartin, we shouldn't worry too much, cus he didn't really win anything  (except that amazing TdF stage of course). |
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| Squire |
Posted on 10-11-2010 19:55
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15.09.2010: Vuelta a España
Stage 16
Benasque - Jaca: 163.0km
Tactics meeting
We've had the last rest day, and now begins the real struggles of this Vuelta. Today is a quite gentle stage compared to what's coming in the next few days. Judging by results so far, this looks like a definite Valverde win. We'll send Egoi Martinez on the attack again to collect more KoM points. With all the mountain top finishes coming up, he needs a solid lead to be able to hold off the GC guys in the KoM competition.
On the second categorized climb of the day, Martinez cracked all of his breakaway companions.
At the top, he had a lead of 3'30 over the breakaway, and 6 minutes back to the pack. He had 56km left. Could he get a stage win?
10km before the line, with Martinez only 1 minute ahead, Valverde attacked. Pereiro latched on to his wheel immediately. We're getting quite used to this scenario by now...
But for once, Valverde couldn't get away. Quite a few of the favourites kept up with him as they caught Martinez 8km from the line.
With just 4km remaining, Castaño launched an attack! He was sensing that Valverde was beatable today.
Castaño stayed out in front for 2km before he was reeled back in again. Just as the three chasers (Valverde, Pereiro and Kreuziger) made the junction, Pereiro tried his luck!
Our leader powered away from Valverde! Pereiro was heading for the stage win!
He got it 8 seconds ahead of Valverde, Kreuziger and Castaño! Superb stuff from Pereiro! This win takes him past Castaño and up into 2nd overall. Promising signs before tomorrow's proper mountain top finish.
Today's winner
Results
1 Óscar Pereiro Discovery Channel 4h02'21
2 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 8
3 Roman Kreuziger Discovery Channel + 8
4 Carlos Castaño Xacobeo - Galicia + 8
5 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 41
6 Benjamín Noval Discovery Channel + 41
7 Peter Velits Discovery Channel + 54
8 Juanma Gárate Astana Cycling Team + 1'19
9 Xavi Tondo Andalucía Cajasur + 1'19
10 Kai Reus Rabobank + 1'19
GC
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 61h01'25
2 Óscar Pereiro Discovery Channel + 8'43
3 Carlos Castaño Xacobeo - Galicia + 9'10
4 Roman Kreuziger Discovery Channel + 9'38
5 Xavi Tondo Andalucía Cajasur + 10'33
6 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 10'37
7 José Angel Gómez Marchante Cervélo Test Team + 14'26
8 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto + 17'53
9 Ángel Vicioso Andalucía Cajasur + 18'10
10 Kai Reus Rabobank + 19'23 |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 19:17
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| janne_837 |
Posted on 10-11-2010 19:59
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 897
Joined: 04-10-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice victory! Maybe the first sign that Alejandro Valverde is getting weaker? I hope so  |
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| kirosha |
Posted on 10-11-2010 20:02
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Domestique
Posts: 612
Joined: 30-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Kai Reus doing pretty well. Surely not the best field presented here, in this Vuelta, but could I see his stats? |
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| Tuco the Ugly |
Posted on 10-11-2010 20:15
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Domestique
Posts: 720
Joined: 25-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Well the overall seems out of the question unless Pereiro can summon his inner-Landis...or Valverde crashes out...
But two Discovery riders on the podium seems very attainable. |
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| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 10-11-2010 20:28
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8389
Joined: 08-09-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Fantastic win! And if you don't mind posting Vicioso's stats too... |
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| zambeaux |
Posted on 10-11-2010 21:21
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Under 23
Posts: 70
Joined: 22-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Yay! at last! |
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| Squire |
Posted on 11-11-2010 00:29
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1404
Joined: 24-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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@kirosha & Freitas: I don't have my PCM here at the moment, but I remember that Vicioso have 74MO. I think Reus is somewhere around there too. Not truly impressive to be around 10th in GC, when Peter Velits is currently sitting in 11th after doing loads of teamwork.
@Tuco: Never say never to any of those scenarios, even though some are unlikely. Two guys on the podium would be awesome though. |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 11-11-2010 06:38
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World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Finally Valverde is beatable. |
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| baia |
Posted on 11-11-2010 17:08
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5398
Joined: 04-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Well done,nice attack from Pereiro.
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| Squire |
Posted on 12-11-2010 17:43
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1404
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16.09.2010: Vuelta a España
Stage 17
Vielha - Andorra: 175.0km
Tactics meeting
Stage 17 takes the Vuelta up into the Pyrenees to the Principality of Andorra. The final climb is long and exhausting, if not particularly steep. From what we saw yesterday, the stage win is very much up for grabs, and we certainly fancy our chances with either Pereiro or Kreuziger today.
Egoi Martinez is always on the move, and today was no different. He needs a lot of KoM points to make up for the GC guys' collection on the mountain top finishes. On the second mountain, Martinez was alone in the lead, 9 minutes ahead of the bunch.
On the lower slopes of the final climb, with Martinez still 2 minutes ahead, Lövkvist and Tondo stretched their legs. This early-attack tactic had worked for Tondo on the first mountain top finish of this Vuelta.
Just like a flashback from the Pajares climb on stage 11, Tondo caught Martinez. The only difference was that now Lövkvist was with him.
Tondo and Lövkvist stayed out in front for a long time, but they never got very far from the Caisse and Discovery wolves leading the group behind them. With 10km remaining, their lead was just 1 minute.
Surprisingly, Valverde's Caisse d'Epargne team disappeared with 7km left to go. Pereiro decided this was his moment, and attacked!
4km from the finish, Pereiro was just 10 seconds behind the two leaders, and almost a minute in front of Valverde!
Sanchez had recovered to pace Valverde, but his rivals had noticed that the red jersey was under pressure. Castaño also tried to get away.
Up front, Pereiro reached Lövkvist, but Tondo rode away on his own! The Andalucia rider seems strong on these mountain top finishes.
After having limited Valverde's losses, Sanchez cracked with 1.5km remaining. Valverde had to do the job himself. Pereiro was 1 minute in front, while Castaño led Valverde by 30 seconds.
Despite a strong finish, Pereiro couldn't reach Tondo, who won his second Vuelta stage! Lövkvist followed close behind.
Valverde found something special during the last km to bridge the 30 seconds to Castaño. He therefore limited his losses significantly, but Pereiro has chipped away a minutes from Valverde's overall lead. 16 seconds yesterday, a minute today, what if this trend continues? Maybe, just maybe...
Kreuziger had an off-day today, coming in with a seven-man group 1'34 behind Tondo. We can now forget two Discovery riders on the podium, but who cares when Pereiro is doing so well? Tomorrow's mountain top finish will be very interesting!
Today's winner
Results
1 Xavi Tondo Andalucía Cajasur 4h52'32
2 Óscar Pereiro Discovery Channel + 8
3 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 26
4 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 53
5 Carlos Castaño Xacobeo - Galicia + 53
6 José Angel Gómez Marchante Cervélo Test Team + 1'34
7 Óscar Pujol Cervélo Test Team + 1'34
8 Roman Kreuziger Discovery Channel + 1'34
9 Gustavo César Veloso Xacobeo - Galicia + 1'34
10 Juanma Gárate Astana Cycling Team + 1'34
GC
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 65h54'50
2 Óscar Pereiro Discovery Channel + 7'46
3 Carlos Castaño Xacobeo - Galicia + 9'10
4 Xavi Tondo Andalucía Cajasur + 9'20
5 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 10'02
6 Roman Kreuziger Discovery Channel + 10'19
7 José Angel Gómez Marchante Cervélo Test Team + 15'07
8 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto + 19'13
9 Ángel Vicioso Andalucía Cajasur + 19'30
10 Luis León Sánchez Caisse d'Epargne + 20'36 |
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| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 12-11-2010 17:46
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8389
Joined: 08-09-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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It is good to see Valverde lose time.
Too bad you're still far far away behind him. :/ |
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| baia |
Posted on 12-11-2010 18:14
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5398
Joined: 04-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice race from Pereiro,just as FreitasPCM said,it´s good to see Valverde loosing time,..but for me it´s even more great to see Pereiro doing so well..congrats.
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| lluuiiggii |
Posted on 12-11-2010 18:53
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8542
Joined: 30-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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probably another signal that valverde is weaker,maybe a chance to set him a trap?? riding a fast tempo on the climbs and who knows what can happen =)
although its too late for gc =[ |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 12-11-2010 19:05
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World Champion
Posts: 10121
Joined: 01-05-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Are there any mountain stages left?
Too bad Valverde was so strong the first week, because if Pereiro would have been like a minute behind him in the GC there would still be a chance.
I'm hoping for a stage win from Pereiro. |
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| Squire |
Posted on 12-11-2010 20:14
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1404
Joined: 24-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Thanks for the comments!
@Pellizotti: There are two mountain top finishes and one hilly stage before the final TT in Madrid, so there's still a lot of action left. 7'46 behind in the GC does seem too much, though. |
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| Squire |
Posted on 13-11-2010 01:35
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1404
Joined: 24-07-2009
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17.09.2010: Vuelta a España
Stage 18
Andorra - Cerler: 178.0km
Tactics meeting
With Valverde showing signs of weakness, we have decided to try something today. We'll send Kreuziger on the attack and see who reacts. It's the second consecutive summit finish. Judging by yesterday, Tondo looks like the man to beat. If Kreuziger doesn't make it, we can always trust in Pereiro for a good ride.
There were obviously others who had the same plans as us today. On the second mountain, Thomas Lövkvist (5th in GC) had gained himself an advantage of 5 minutes over the peloton.
Despite some tough Caisse d'Epargne pace-setting, Kreuziger tried his luck 8km from the penultimate mountain top. Lövkvist's lead was shortened to 2'40, and if Kreuziger could brigde the gap, the two riders would make up a formidable duo.
The extremely strong LL Sanchez cranked up the speed, and Kreuziger didn't get far down the descent on the other side of the penultimate mountain. Valverde should be very pleased that he has such a strong team.
By the foot of the last climb, Sanchez had even swept up early aggressor Lövkvist. Kreuziger's attempt had probably destroyed the Swede's chances today, as our Czech climber had triggered the strong Caisse chase.
One good thing had come of Kreuziger's attack though: Valverde's team couldn't set the tempo on the climb. KoM leader Egoi Martinez forced the pace for Pereiro.
When Martinez swung off, Pereiro accelrated! He had 9km left which he could use to build a gap over everybody else. It was a bit early, but if you don't gamble, you never win!
Valverde's team was blown completely out of the water, so the red jersey had to do the dirty work himself. Tondo and Castaño were following closely.
Valverde's desperate chase soon cracked everybody else but Tondo. Oscar Pereiro was still 30 sec ahead though, and 4km away from a great stage win!
Pereiro was still going well with 2km remaining, and kept the gap around 30 seconds.
Valverde showed his human side yet again. Tondo rode away from him in the final kms. But the Andalucia Cajasur climber could do nothing about...
...Oscar Pereiro! A magnificent mountain stage win for our leader! Tondo came in 23 seconds behind, but never looked like catching our strong Spaniard.
Valverde blew up during the last meters, and finished 45 seconds behind Pereiro. With bonifications, this means another minute gained on Valverde.
Kreuziger was suffering a bit from his early attack and finished 11th, in a group with teammate Peter Velits. Lövkvist was even further back though, so Kreuziger moves up into 5th overall. Tomorrow is an undulating stage before stage 20 sees the third MTF in four days.
Today's winner
Results
1 Óscar Pereiro Discovery Channel 4h50'23
2 Xavi Tondo Andalucía Cajasur + 23
3 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne + 45
4 José Angel Gómez Marchante Cervélo Test Team + 1'00
5 Carlos Castaño Xacobeo - Galicia + 1'00
6 David López Euskaltel - Euskadi + 1'39
7 Ángel Vicioso Andalucía Cajasur + 1'53
8 Kai Reus Rabobank + 1'53
9 Gustavo César Veloso Xacobeo - Galicia + 1'53
10 Kevin Seeldraeyers Quick-Step + 1'53
GC
1 Alejandro Valverde Caisse d'Epargne 70h45'50
2 Óscar Pereiro Discovery Channel + 6'49
3 Xavi Tondo Andalucía Cajasur + 8'54
4 Carlos Castaño Xacobeo - Galicia + 9'33
5 Roman Kreuziger Discovery Channel + 12'23
6 Thomas Lövkvist Team Columbia - High Road + 12'23
7 José Angel Gómez Marchante Cervélo Test Team + 15'30
8 Ángel Vicioso Andalucía Cajasur + 20'46
9 Iker Camaño Fuji - Servetto + 21'40
10 Kai Reus Rabobank + 21'59 |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 13-11-2010 01:40
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
Joined: 20-05-2009
PCM$: 530.00
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Great ride. The strategy worked, but maybe Caisse will prep for that next Mountain stage and let the break succeed. Kreuziger in the break?
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| zambeaux |
Posted on 13-11-2010 08:51
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Under 23
Posts: 70
Joined: 22-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Great strategy. How is the final mountain stage? |
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