Vuelta a Espana 2012: 18 August - 09 September

[Kranswurm]

Loving this Vuelta! The battles are epic!

I got back from Jhb at 4pm yesterday so went home and watched.

Awesome.That is exciting.Feel sorry for Froomie but he tries his best.Those 3 guns up front tho are just power

[X-Man]

When Contador attacks at 9km/h you know it's damn steep!

 

The Vuelta is essentially over IMO. Purito is a machine. He's had an answer for every attack that Contador has thrown at him... and there has been a lot! 28 seconds isn't much, but I don't see Contador dropping him. His last and only chance is on Saturday.

 

Purito is the deserved winner, no doubt, but Contador needs a medal or something for the way he spiced up the racing. He's clearly not as strong as he was in the "early days" but his tenacity and fighting spirit are second to none. This has probably been the best Grand Tour I have ever watched.

 

I feel sorry for Froome though. He just never really stood a chance after all the work he did in the Tour. If he had fresh legs this Vuelta would've been freakin' amazing! He only has one option really, and that option doesn't involve Team Sky.

 

100% agree.

 

Guess its all over for Contador now. He'll have to settle for 2nd place.

Well done Contador, you still a fighting Champion!!

 

Wiggo... You better watch out you wheelsucker!!

[X-Man]

Hey Wiggo... I also hope you took notes on HOW TO RACE !!!

 

Your TT's aint good enough!

Edited September 4, 2012 by X-Man

[Chro Mo]

The Giro and the Vuelta look set (actually have) to eclipse(d) the Tour on excitement and pure racing.

 

The Tour will always be "bigger", but until it equals this in pure cycling terms, I know what I will be watching more intently.

 

Plus, if i have to hear from Paul Sherwen about someone "assassinating" someone else again, I will surely go mad!

[zuludog]

although Contador is my man , Rodriguez has "champion" written all over him. respect.

[Chro Mo]

I wonder how Wiggins would have handled a stage like yesterday's?

 

Hypothetically speaking, does anyone think he would have been able to match Rodriguez and Contador?

Edited September 4, 2012 by Chro Mo

[Cav']

I wonder how Wiggins would have handled a stage like yesterday's?

 

Hypothetically speaking, does anyone think he would have been able to match Rodriguez and Contador?

Noddefok

[Chro Mo]

I think the same.

 

If Froome rides the Giro (he could win it), skips the Tour (let's face it, Wiggo probably won't want him, though he will most certainly need him if the route is going tio be as mountainous as people say), then he could, conceivably, win the Vuelta on fresh(er) legs...

 

Just a thought, because he is capable of it if he isn't as overcooked as he is currently.

 

if he rides the tour as support again, he will not win it or the Vuelta, and he won't be allowed to ride the Giro.... Quite a pickle for Mr Froome.

[X-Man]

I wonder how Wiggins would have handled a stage like yesterday's?

 

Hypothetically speaking, does anyone think he would have been able to match Rodriguez and Contador?

 

Nope, definately not!!!

[SwissVan]

I think the same.

 

If Froome rides the Giro (he could win it), skips the Tour (let's face it, Wiggo probably won't want him, though he will most certainly need him if the route is going tio be as mountainous as people say), then he could, conceivably, win the Vuelta on fresh(er) legs...

 

Just a thought, because he is capable of it if he isn't as overcooked as he is currently.

 

if he rides the tour as support again, he will not win it or the Vuelta, and he won't be allowed to ride the Giro.... Quite a pickle for Mr Froome.

 

Yep, life she is not easy at the top

 

To make matters worse for CF.... a potential "weakspot" has been exposed and he will have to adapt to be able to keep up with Contador type attacks, easier said than done.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Yep, life she is not easy at the top

 

To make matters worse for CF.... a potential "weakspot" has been exposed and he will have to adapt to be able to keep up with Contador type attacks, easier said than done.

 

Hmm, true, I also think its one thing to ride as a domestique, and quite another to ride as a team leader with all the relevant responsibilities that come with it and, like anything, its got to be learned over time. Some, like Hincappie for example, never quite enjoy it and they are happy to ride as part of the team, others like LA for example thrived on it, each to their own I guess, but you never know until you try, so in that respect I think he has a lot of courage.

['Dale]

 

Noddefok

 

Agree...

 

Remember Vuelta 2012.

[Wyatt Earp]

Hmm, true, I also think its one thing to ride as a domestique, and quite another to ride as a team leader with all the relevant responsibilities that come with it and, like anything, its got to be learned over time. Some, like Hincappie for example, never quite enjoy it and they are happy to ride as part of the team, others like LA for example thrived on it, each to their own I guess, but you never know until you try, so in that respect I think he has a lot of courage.

 

If he didn't have such a mammoth season behind him he would have stepped up to the plate in a leadership role with no effort.

As I said, if he is this strong when he is tired, imagine what he would do on fresh legs.

[ThaStig]

I wonder how Wiggins would have handled a stage like yesterday's?

 

Hypothetically speaking, does anyone think he would have been able to match Rodriguez and Contador?

yep the British press would think so after all he "is the next best thing in cycling"

[GrumpyOldGuy]

If he didn't have such a mammoth season behind him he would have stepped up to the plate in a leadership role with no effort.

As I said, if he is this strong when he is tired, imagine what he would do on fresh legs.

 

Sure, although I dont know him, I get the feeling he would as well.

 

..but dont discount the stress it takes to actually be "The Boss" so to speak, as you would undoubtedly know, and its something you have to learn, few people can just go from been an employee to been in management without some training, and I think its much the same in sport,..... but I hear you, and when established names like Contador say they see you as a threat, one would be a fool not to take note of the talent.

['Dale]

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