Vuelta a Espana 2012: 18 August - 09 September

[T-Bob]

team calls him "Mr Perfection" because, a bit like Lance,

 

What? Both been banned for doping and implicated in Operation P?

 

M money is on Conto' for the GC. I don't think Froome came out of the Tour stronger as some riders do.

 

It's been mentioned that he's also struggling in role as a leader, it's a big step up from being the domestique that everyone (esp his Mrs) thought should have won... and against Alberto who is out to prove everything.

[Kranswurm]

Yeah well Cameron Meyer is in the break again..26km to go 3.15 to the peloton

[Lucky Luke.]

What? Both been banned for doping and implicated in Operation P?

 

M money is on Conto' for the GC. I don't think Froome came out of the Tour stronger as some riders do.

 

It's been mentioned that he's also struggling in role as a leader, it's a big step up from being the domestique that everyone (esp his Mrs) thought should have won... and against Alberto who is out to prove everything.

 

To have finished the tour in 2nd place, and to have done that in a supporting role is in itself pretty incredible. I think it is next to impossible to win another grand tour only a few weeks later. I'll be amazed if Froome pulls it off against Contador and the rest of the contenders. Good luck to him though.

['Dale]

 

For us mere mortals thats a climb that is roughly equivalent to kloofnek which is by no means easy in 39 x 23..

 

Nice comparison.

 

@dracs

Yeah, Purito gets it.

[kosmonooit]

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/2012/08/purito-attacks1-632x421.jpg

 

Rodríguez puts the hammer down at the top of the Mirador de Ézaro, increasing his overall lead largely by way of a 10-second bonus. Photo: Graham Watson

 

 

That coast line was stunning, and what a beautiful day.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Jeepers, how was that acceleration of Rodriguez on a 30% gradient ........quite something to behold!.

 

I had to chuckle at Mat Keenan, when he said its so steep in places there's a flight of steps next to it to walk up ........... just gives you some idea of the gradient.

 

'Berto is looking more and more ominous, this short sharp type of climb is not his best fighting area yet he is still able to go with the master of these climbs, Rodriguez,.... even Valverde found it hard going today.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

What? Both been banned for doping and implicated in Operation P?

 

M money is on Conto' for the GC. I don't think Froome came out of the Tour stronger as some riders do.

 

It's been mentioned that he's also struggling in role as a leader, it's a big step up from being the domestique that everyone (esp his Mrs) thought should have won... and against Alberto who is out to prove everything.

 

Yeah, 'Berto is riding into race shape quickly and he has an axe to grind, ....one things for sure though, either way he will be entertaining.

 

Agree on the "Leader" role, its new ground for Chris and it certainly places an extra level of stress on your day, managing that stress, I think, is something you need to learn, like anything else in life.

Edited August 30, 2012 by GrumpyOldGuy

[GrumpyOldGuy]

For us mere mortals thats a climb that is roughly equivalent to kloofnek which is by no means easy in 39 x 23..

 

Hee, Hee, according to the commentator today, Rodriguez and 'Berto used a 29 sprocket at the back today.

[kosmonooit]

Berto was turning some cadence up that climb! Chris did well to hang in there, and looking forward to see how things pan out on those long climbs this weekend.

 

Final 3 kilometers (Spanish, 11:02)

[Tumbleweed]

Hee, Hee, according to the commentator today, Rodriguez and 'Berto used a 29 sprocket at the back today.

the Inner Ring @inrng

Gearing for the final climb: Froome38x32, Contador 36x28. Purito 39x28 and Valverde 39x29 via @pierbergonzi #vuelta2012

Edited August 31, 2012 by Tumbleweed

[Tumbleweed]

Berto was turning some cadence up that climb! Chris did well to hang in there, and looking forward to see how things pan out on those long climbs this weekend.

 

Final 3 kilometers (Spanish, 11:02)

 

Shot for the link. Rodriquez has a very strong kick!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

the Inner Ring @inrng

Gearing for the final climb: Froome38x32, Contador 36x28. Purito 39x28 and Valverde 39x29 via @pierbergonzi #vuelta2012

 

- Yeah, I think I would struggle to walk up it - unless I used the steps alongside of course.!

['Dale]

 

 

- Yeah, I think I would struggle to walk up it - unless I used the steps alongside of course.!

 

 

Keenan commentated that the climb yesterday is the steepest he've seen.

[dracs]

Not for the first time ever Jonathan Vaughters makes a very good observation....

 

Jonathan Vaughters‏@Vaughters

Observation: short/steep climbs make bigger time gaps than long climbs. Anaerobic systems are more genetic. Aerobic more trainable.

[Wyatt Earp]

Watched it last night and watched that clip Kos posted.

 

If that climb was 700 meters longer ,Contador would have been on the ropes.

Froome looked to me like he tried to ride within some reserves.

 

My wife and I actually commented that Conti (some peoples cycling god) is at Vuelta with fresh legs, Froome on the other hand has had a mammoth season behind him, and if he can hold candle to these guys the way he is , imagine what he would have done to them on fresh legs.

[Jakkals.]

the Inner Ring @inrng

Gearing for the final climb: Froome38x32, Contador 36x28. Purito 39x28 and Valverde 39x29 via @pierbergonzi #vuelta2012

 

no wonder froome was going nowhere, he was just spinning and spiking his heart rate, is that 38 he rode part of the o.symmetric chainring? surely stating 38 is not true.