Vuelta a Espana 2012: 18 August - 09 September

[Tumbleweed]

 

You watching it live? I'm following online posts. Someone said Froome doesn't look "comfortable"...?

[Jakkals.]

yes live. Euro sport, Conti at his high cadence. just looks much more comfortable than froome dog. froome low cadence and rocking his upper body. clearly he is battling agianst his bike.

[Kranswurm]

Current

 

 

 

 

Finish, 39.4km

 

1.Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana) 52:36

2.Alberto Contdador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) +0:17

3.Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +1:08

4.Benat Intxausti (Movistar) +1:09

5.Richie Porte (Sky) +1:15

6.Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge) +1:17

7.Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) +1:24

8.Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar) +1:34

9.Tony Martin (OPQS) +1:39

10.Robert Gesink (Rabobank) +1:42

 

 

Second time check, 23.5km

 

1.Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana) 35:42

2.Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) +0:02

3.Chris Froome (Sky) +0:18

4.Benat Intxausti (Movistar) +0:27

5.Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +0:37

8. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) +0:56

 

 

First time check, 13.5km

 

1.Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) 16:22

2.Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana) +0:02

3.Chris Froome (Sky) +0:04

4.Robert Gesink (Rabobank) +0:08

5.Lars Boom (Rabobank) +0:09

6.Tony Martin (OPQS) +0:10

16. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +0:31

29. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) +0:39

http://s0.2mdn.net/viewad/817-grey.gif

[Tumbleweed]

Kissy-Cough did alright...

[Kranswurm]

1.Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana) 52:36

2.Alberto Contdador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) +0:17

3.Christopher Froome (Sky) +0:39

4.Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +1:08

5.Benat Intxausti (Movistar) +1:09

6.Richie Porte (Sky) +1:15

7.Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge) +1:17

8.Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) +1:24

9.Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar) +1:34

10.Tony Martin (OPQS) +1:39

[Jakkals.]

23" after finish. Conti leading Froome by 16" in GC

[Tumbleweed]

C'mon Froome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jakkals.]

1.Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana) 52:36

2.Alberto Contdador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) +0:17

3.Christopher Froome (Sky) +0:39

4.Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +1:08

5.Benat Intxausti (Movistar) +1:09

6.Richie Porte (Sky) +1:15

7.Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge) +1:17

8.Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) +1:24

9.Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar) +1:34

10.Tony Martin (OPQS) +1:39

 

Movistar developed some TT'ers

[Jakkals.]

Rodriguez and Conti same time in GC

[Jakkals.]

Rodriguez leads GC by 1" over Conti.

[Kranswurm]

Finish, 39.4km

 

1.Fredrik Kessiakoff (Astana) 52:36

2.Alberto Contdador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) +0:17

3.Christopher Froome (Sky) +0:39

4.Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +1:08

5.Benat Intxausti (Movistar) +1:09

6.Richie Porte (Sky) +1:15

7.Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) ü1:17

8.Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge) +1:17

9.Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) +1:24

 

In GC Rodriguez leads by one second, Froome at 16 seconds and Valverde at 59.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Kranswurm

[Evan Andreou]

Froomedog has had a collosal season, had to catch up at some point

[Jakkals.]

do yourself a favour and go look at the profiles of stages on Saturday,Sunday and Monday.

 

It boils down to what can be done in the mountains.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Well, what a turnaround.! Rodriguez rode the time of his life to keep the jersey for another day.

 

I really thought Chris would take it today, albeit by a small margin from 'Berto,..... but never discount 'Berto, he is extremely strong in the TT.

 

I have to say, watching at the visuals Chris looked tired out, heading a team has a draining mental aspect to it as well which is new for him, but I really hope he is able to recover over the next few days, mentally as well as physically, or I think he will be exhausted in the mountains, by contrast Rodriguez and 'Berto are looking really strong, Rodriguez in particular, and the mountains wont scare him at all.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

So its another 3rd cat climb to the stage finish tomorrow which should suit Rodriguez and Valverde, but I am pretty sure 'Berto will attack for the Jersey, Friday is a day for Degenkolb to take his 5th win and Sat. we have this monster.....Oh my ....! - 10 kms straight up to the rare altitude and the finish line.

 

http://www.lavuelta.com/12/imgrecorrido/14_perfil.png

Edited August 29, 2012 by GrumpyOldGuy

['Dale]

Froome Dog's long season was always gonna be a huge challenge.

Hopefully, today's TT wasn't a sign that he has few matches left until the end of Week 3.

 

'Berto, well, what more can be said?

He knows how to race.

 

I am hoping Purito can hold on and get that elusive GT victory!