Vuelta a Espana 2012: 18 August - 09 September

[Christie]

I don't think Nibali is in the same league as Wiggins regarding TTs - I think it will be similar to Schlecks vs. Evans totay, 2 to 3min on GC.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I don't think Nibali is in the same league as Wiggins regarding TTs - I think it will be similar to Schlecks vs. Evans totay, 2 to 3min on GC.

 

No sure, few are in the same league as Wiggins when it comes to the TT, but Nibali is one of the better so called climbers at the TT, and can hold his own. He certainly wont be last.

 

Rodriguez on the other hand lost 6 minutes over the same distance last year, so he could potentially lose the race right here.

 

I agree, Wiggins could likely get 2 minutes on Nibs but I don't think more. I hope not anyway.

[nickc]

No sure, few are in the same league as Wiggins when it comes to the TT, but Nibali is one of the better so called climbers at the TT, and can hold his own. He certainly wont be last.

 

Rodriguez on the other hand lost 6 minutes over the same distance last year, so he could potentially lose the race right here.

 

I agree, Wiggins could likely get 2 minutes on Nibs but I don't think more. I hope not anyway.

 

Hey Grumpy, from when will we have coverage?

['Dale]

Yikes, a 47 km time trial today.

 

That is loooong.

 

Gonna be interesting!

 

Many favour Wiggins to wear red this evening.

 

GO, NIBALI!!!!!

[FatBoyDrunk]

Cancellara sets the benchmark at 57:21 6 secs ahead of Phinney

[FatBoyDrunk]

Martin 42 secs quicker at the first check

[FatBoyDrunk]

Wiggins 1 sec up at the first split

[onetrackmind]

Wiggins 1 sec up at the first split

Froome stuffs Wiggins in the time trial, and pulls on the leader's jersey. How's them apples?

Edited August 29, 2011 by onetrackmind

[Christie]

Some unexpected results today!

1. Froome placing 2nd and leading the GC.

2. Martin beating Cancellara by 1.5 minutes - a HUGE margin.

3. Wiggins fading towards the end of the TT. Perhaps he does not have optimum fittness?

 

I wonder how Sky will play it from here - but they certainly have some nice options.

 

Nibali still very much in it with lots of climbing left. Climbers like Rodriguez & Scarponi will attack to make up time, he can just follow and wait for Sky to get dropped.

[nickc]

It is interesting to see we have a former Cape Epic winner in the top five in the overall classification.

Edited August 29, 2011 by nickc

[Christie]

It is interesting to see we have a former Cape Epic winner in the top five in the overall classification.

And he is riding a 29er for the Vuelta

[Thug]

Awesome result for Chris Froome leading the Vuelta!!

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Some unexpected results today!

1. Froome placing 2nd and leading the GC.

2. Martin beating Cancellara by 1.5 minutes - a HUGE margin.

3. Wiggins fading towards the end of the TT. Perhaps he does not have optimum fittness?

 

I wonder how Sky will play it from here - but they certainly have some nice options.

 

Nibali still very much in it with lots of climbing left. Climbers like Rodriguez & Scarponi will attack to make up time, he can just follow and wait for Sky to get dropped.

 

I think Nib's is looking VERY strong at the moment to defend his title.

 

To only lose 90 odd sec's to a TT specialist like Wiggins means he is on top form. Nibali is only 30 sec's back from Froome who I don't think is a contender for overall.

 

Rodriguez crashed out spectacularly today losing nearly 4 minutes to Wiggins and is now 3.30 down, very difficult to recover that sort of time to guys like Nibali and Wiggins.

 

Scarponi also looks as if he is out of contention now. T T's are not his strong point, he likes going uphill.

 

Mountain top finish on Wednesday,.....I think we can expect Scarponi to try for a stage win or two now and this will suit him, but it looks like the race for honours is going to be between Wiggins and Nibali, but of the two I think Liquigas is the stronger all round team which will benefit Nibali tremendously.

Edited August 30, 2011 by GrumpyOldGuy

[FatBoyDrunk]

Some unexpected results today!

1. Froome placing 2nd and leading the GC.

2. Martin beating Cancellara by 1.5 minutes - a HUGE margin.

3. Wiggins fading towards the end of the TT. Perhaps he does not have optimum fittness?

 

I wonder how Sky will play it from here - but they certainly have some nice options.

 

Nibali still very much in it with lots of climbing left. Climbers like Rodriguez & Scarponi will attack to make up time, he can just follow and wait for Sky to get dropped.

Oh you mean like how Sky got dropped on stage 9.

['Dale]

That is the longest individual TT I've seen.

 

I look forward to watching the highlights package.

 

Glad to hear Nibali is still in contention to defend his title.

 

 

And, Vroom-vroom, what a surprize?

Did he not ride the Coronation DC last year with one of the local teams?

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Oh you mean like how Sky got dropped on stage 9.

 

Hmm, I agree with Christie, looking at Team Sky I only really see Froome and maybe Zandio Echaide as helper's to Wiggins in the mountains, Froome is obviously in great form, but I don't know if he can ride on the front on these steep mountain passes everyday all day in support. I think Wiggins will be isolated quickly later in the race.

 

Liquigas has a few great support climbers like Agnoli, Maragoni, Capecchi and even Peter Sagan can hold his own for a while, so Nibali has a strong team.