2011 Vuelta a Espana Stage 5: Sierra Nevada - Valdepenas de Jaen, 186km (24/8)

[Angliru]

Because he actually beat him on this very climb last year. And with the stiff competition this year, these extra bonus seconds could come in handy at the end of three weeks

Didn't realize that or simply didn't remember. He's still bound to make up most time lost to Purito in the ITT. Plus I'm sure he realizes this isn't the same Rodriguez fresh off the Tour from 2010. Of course all of that doesn't come to mind at the moment when one is in the midst of aggressions in the mountains.
Still he only lost 11 seconds and is only I think the same behind Purito in the gc.

 

[Fergoose]

Btw Arvesen crashed with a kid in the feed zone, the kid got taken by ambulance to the hospital but reports say he's OK. Arvesen's bike frame got broken in two so it must have been a heavy crash.

Thanks for the update. One tough kid, which is more than can be said about the bike.

Crazy finish and fantastic camera shots of Moncoutie getting overhauled as the motorbikes go zipping past him.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Poels was also 2nd to Gilbert in the Tirreno in one of the stages.

Don't underestimate Poels as puncheur. He is inexperienced though and often makes mistakes and is often over enthousiastic. Gilbert said that Poels reminded him of himself when he was younger, making attacks at the wrong moments.

(not that Poels will ever be as good as Gilbert, but in that aspect they were similar at that age)

The guy wants to compare Jrod on the one hand in top shape peaking in the summer, to Gilbert who is PEAKING AN ENTIRE YEAR (and goes all out every race and every stage). He doesn't even try to make sense. Ugh. And even then, please, no disrespect to Poels but Poels was even boxed in. If that weren't the case he wouldn't even have gained any time on Poels. This same guy wants to downplay JVDB's chances (not just in the Vuelta where he can't be in top shape obviously), injured or no, but JVDB manages to finish a mere 8 seconds behind Jrod, while recovering from a double rib fracture and a broken shoulderblade, not in top shape at all. Should i deduct that a fit VDB would have kicked Gilberts *** as well perhaps?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I think JvdB is looking good so far. I think he can podium btw

 

[Fetisoff]

Didn't realize that or simply didn't remember. He's still bound to make up most time lost to Purito in the ITT. Plus I'm sure he realizes this isn't the same Rodriguez fresh off the Tour from 2010. Of course all of that doesn't come to mind at the moment when one is in the midst of aggressions in the mountains.
Still he only lost 11 seconds and is only I think the same behind Purito in the gc.

Don't forget the 20 bonus seconds. That's 31 seconds. Couple more stages like this, plus a good showing bu Purito on Angry Lou, will totally negate that ITT.

Plus Menchov actually seems to be in form, and not that far back. An in form Menchov can easily out-climb and out-TT Nibbles, so it would make sense to try and put more time into him, even if it's "just" a few bonus seconds for the third

 

[El Pistolero]

I think JvdB is looking good so far. I think he can podium btw

Yeah, he can time trial better than Jrod and climb better than Wiggins. He's in between. Could go any way really.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah, he can time trial better than Jrod and climb better than Wiggins. He's in between. Could go any way really.

If he had a perfect preparation I'd say he could win the Vuelta. Said the same about some other top 10 TDF finishers. They can do that, but usually the Vuelta is the 2nd gc in a short time for them or they crashed out and prep. isn't perfect.

But so far it's looking good. Who knows...

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Yeah, he can time trial better than Jrod and climb better than Wiggins. He's in between. Could go any way really.

I see him winning it tbh... (Bold statement that could easily backfire)

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I see him winning it tbh... (Bold statement that could easily backfire)

It's easy to discount the others. I should know

Too early to say right now. Agree he does look good. But so does Mollema for instance

 

[Michielveedeebee]

It's easy to discount the others. I should know

Too early to say right now. Agree he does look good. But so does Mollema for instance

yeah but Jurgen > Mollema in GT's... TGBM is waaay to generous

 

[theyoungest]

yeah but Jurgen > Mollema in GT's... TGBM is waaay to generous

If Mollema can keep it together for three weeks, and not have one of his usual slight fevers which he always gets since having mono, I think he could surprise a few. But that is a very big if. From the Dutchies, I still have more faith in Kruijswijk. But I'm especially curious about Mollema's time trial.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

If Mollema can keep it together for three weeks, and not have one of his usual slight fevers which he always gets since having mono, I think he could surprise a few. But that is a very big if. From the Dutchies, I still have more faith in Kruijswijk.

Too bad that guy is already 2:30 behind.

 

[theyoungest]

Too bad that guy is already 2:30 behind.

Of course, but this could give him the freedom to go on the attack at some point.

 

[cineteq]

I want to know what would happen if Poels wasn't blocked Did anyone see it?? He wanted to accelerate but then had to hold back.. ****

Well, you're in luck, he answered the question for you:
"I've thought of going for the stage win but I was right behind 'Purito' when he attacked and I couldn't do anything."

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9...ult-Vuelta-a-Espana-finish.aspx#ixzz1VyXLqNB3

 

[Midnightfright]

I see him winning it tbh... (Bold statement that could easily backfire)

I would still favour Menchov and particularly Nibali over him but really wouldn't be surprised if he did. Ive been very impressed with how good he and Wiggans have looked so far still early days but I thought they would struggle to find form.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

yeah but Jurgen > Mollema in GT's... TGBM is waaay to generous

That's not hard. How old is JVDB and how many GT has he ridden in his career?

That's like saying Leipheimers GT record > JvdB

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Well, you're in luck, he answered the question for you:
"I've thought of going for the stage win but I was right behind 'Purito' when he attacked and I couldn't do anything."

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9...ult-Vuelta-a-Espana-finish.aspx#ixzz1VyXLqNB3

Fair enough. Purito is in a class of his own (well not counting Gilbert in top shape)

 

[kurtinsc]

That's not hard. How old is JVDB and how many GT has he ridden in his career?

That's like saying Leipheimers GT record > JvdB

Well... this is JVDB's 6th GT start (including this year's Tour). It's TGBM's 3rd.

JVDB's finishes:
74th
7th
15th
5th
DNF
current.

TGBM's finishes:
12th
70th
current


I don't think it's unfair to say JVDB was slightly ahead of TGBM at the same point in their GT career. Not a ton... just slightly. He did get a later start though.

 

[theyoungest]

Well... this is JVDB's 6th GT start (including this year's Tour). It's TGBM's 3rd.

JVDB's finishes:
74th
7th
15th
5th
DNF
current.

TGBM's finishes:
12th
70th
current


I don't think it's unfair to say JVDB was slightly ahead of TGBM at the same point in their GT career. Not a ton... just slightly. He did get a later start though.

VDB2 had been a pro for much longer before riding his first GT. And he wasn't out for an entire season with mono. I.e. this comparison makes no sense (not necessarily your fault )

 

[Spine Concept]

Well, you're in luck, he answered the question for you:
"I've thought of going for the stage win but I was right behind 'Purito' when he attacked and I couldn't do anything."

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/9...ult-Vuelta-a-Espana-finish.aspx#ixzz1VyXLqNB3

Fair enough. Purito is in a class of his own (well not counting Gilbert in top shape)

I do not know where velonation got that interview but I trust wielerflits.nl more than the former. Here is the real story.

Apparently he had a flat 3km before the climb. By the time Carrara paced him to the front of the peloton the climb had already begun. He spent all of that energy before the climb started and he says he might have won had he not been so unfortunate. Who knows, he was really strong though, especially considering the events right before the climb. I'm not saying I would have given him the nod over Jrod but it would have definitely been closer than it ended up being.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Wow...a flat at 3km in that descent?? In that case Poels must have been amazingly strong

 

[roundabout]

I think it was a flat at 3 km before the cat 2 climb

 

[Fetisoff]

Wow...a flat at 3km in that descent?? In that case Poels must have been amazingly strong

I got a flat tire two kilometers prior to the last second category climb. This was with around 20 kilometers to go

 

[theyoungest]

I do not know where velonation got that interview but I trust wielerflits.nl more than the former. Here is the real story.

Apparently he had a flat 3km before the climb. By the time Carrara paced him to the front of the peloton the climb had already begun. He spent all of that energy before the climb started and he says he might have won had he not been so unfortunate. Who knows, he was really strong though, especially considering the events right before the climb. I'm not saying I would have given him the nod over Jrod but it would have definitely been closer than it ended up being.

Wielerflits isn't a news source, they copy paste stuff, in this case from the Telegraaf. Where it says that he had a flat before the Alto de Valdepenas, and that's the penultimate climb.

So Dekker_T, curb the hype a bit

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I got a flat tire two kilometers prior to the last second category climb. This was with around 20 kilometers to go

Ah ok... that differs a bit.