2012 Vuelta a España: Stage 3: Faustino V → Eibar (Arrate) (155,3km)

[Hugo Koblet]

Valverde it is.

 

[taiwan]

Says ganador Rodriguez on the clock at the finish.

 

[Swede1]

awesome stage. So valverde should now be considered one of the favorites. He was really strong. AC couldnt quite get away although it will be easier for him on longer climbs. Froome seemed like he was struggling but came back every time. This is going to be a great race.

 

[l.Harm]

Deff Valverde who won.

 

[Arnout]

Valverde with hair

 

[whittashau]

What a huge difference Contador makes to race. I'm not his biggest fan but he makes racing far more exciting.

 

[slim charles]

Well, I know this is lame thing to say but I'll say it anyway - this is already more fun than tour.

And, though I like Contador, I'm happy he didn't drop these 3, and there will be at least some competition.
Shame Igor Anton isn't among them, tho

 

[cineteq]

awesome stage. So valverde should now be considered one of the favorites. He was really strong. AC couldnt quite get away although it will be easier for him on longer climbs. Froome seemed like he was struggling but came back every time. This is going to be a great race.

Great stage!!! Who were the posters that said Valverde didn't come here to win?

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Not steep enough for AC it looked like

 

[Pippo_San]

Finally (maybe ) the dull racing style of 2012 GTs is over....YOU MADE HIM ANGRY, NOW YOU'LL FEEL HIS WRATH!!!

welcome back Contador

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

1. Valverde
2. Rodriguez s.t.
3. Froome s.t.
4. Contador s.t.

5. Moreno +6s
6. Mollema +6s
7. Capecchi +6s
8. Intxausti +6s
9. Talansky +6s
10. Gesink +6s
11. Roche +6s
12. Anton +6s
13. Anacona +6s
14. Uran +6s
15. Marczynsky +27
16. Ten Dam +47
Henao +47

 

[Bumeington]

Good ride by Winner Anaconda

 

[CobbleStoner]

welcome back Bert, he just crushed them mentally for the next 3 weeks, his to lose

 

[Arnout]

Not steep enough for AC it looked like

It is steep enough for sure, maybe not long enough, but he seriously parked after an attack. Something he did in the past too.

 

[taiwan]

Cobo @50" btw.

 

[SiAp1984]

Same time for the first 4 riders? Froome and AC were clearly behind a second or two :-D

 

[Altitude]

I can't wait to see Froome crack like an over-clamped carbon seatpost. Ain't no way he'll climb with Contador over 3 weeks.

 

[BillytheKid]

Purito gave that away in the last 20 m.

These two have collaborated on this climb before....

 

[richwagmn]

Not steep enough for AC it looked like

Yes, but AC showed Froome that this isn't going to be a team sky parade. If Froome fans are confident, remember, this was nothing for Contador. Wait until the steep climbs show up. Climbing in the saddle is not going to work for Froome.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Yay! Winner Anacona in with the Rabo bunch, Anton, Capecchi, Intxausti and Talansky.

 

[the asian]

Great stage!!! Who were the posters that said Valverde didn't come here to win?

It was Movistar's song .. How far back did Cobo end up?

 

[No_Balls]

Harmon counts six attacks. Must been have more then in the entire tour.

 

[hrotha]

Great stage!!! Who were the posters that said Valverde didn't come here to win?

I said he wasn't good enough for the GC. Obviously he did much, much better than I expected, but I don't see him as a real contender yet.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Fantastic stage. Great racing from the top 4. Really surprised Valverde stayed up there. Bertie, Froome and JRod all looked good. Not sure why Bertie let Froome take 4seconds bonus though.

Should be a brilliant 3 weeks!

 

[Bushman]

Valverde looking strong. Maybe he changed his focus to the vuelta agter crashing in the tour?