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

[T-Nielsen]

I think if Alberto feels good he'll go for it. He has never raced against Froome so he doesn't know if he can beat him comfortably.

Its his old tactics of closing the race down fast, leaving the rest more conserned about racing for second.

 

[Cimber]

Bertie stated that he is a bit concerned for this stage as he would have liked to have the first MTF later in the race due to the lack of racing miles.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

One thing's fer sure, this is going to be fun!

 

[ferryman]

I think if Alberto feels good he'll go for it. He has never raced against Froome so he doesn't know if he can beat him comfortably.

Oh yes he has (but I know what you mean) and oh yes he will

 

[Froome19]

Daniel Moreno, Contador, Rodriguez to battle it out for the win unless something dramatic happens.

Still not sure of Froome's ability on these types of finishes and likewise with Henao and Quintana who have demonstrated considerable promise on these finishes, but this is a step up..

Not sure about Anton, he is just too unpredictable and anyway he has never demonstrated anything to suggest he can compete with the above 3 when it comes to such accelerations.

Valverde seems like a lottery, he has been a quandary throughout the season; after looking so good on Willunga he disappointed when in his element on the Mendee and has not really featured much on such finishes since..

 

[Parrulo]

Daniel Moreno, Contador, Rodriguez to battle it out for the win unless something dramatic happens.

Still not sure of Froome's ability on these types of finishes and likewise with Henao and Quintana who have demonstrated considerable promise on these finishes, but this is a step up..

Not sure about Anton, he is just too unpredictable and anyway he has never demonstrated anything to suggest he can compete with the above 3 on such a MTF.

Valverde seems like a lottery, he has been a quandary throughout the season; after looking so good on Willunga he disappointed when in his element on the Mendee and has not really featured much on such finishes since..

anton when on form is one of the best climbers on any type of climb.

from pal to the zoncolan.

 

[Fidolix]

Bertie stated that he is a bit concerned for this stage as he would have liked to have the first MTF later in the race due to the lack of racing miles.

Good old Berto, nothing ever changes.

Nobody can follow Berto tommorow, this is what he has been waiting for the last 6 months, -lack of racing miles...lool not 10 horses can hold him back, the man have a score to settle, Sky train my azz, this is not a half prepared Evans or an ok Nibi, this is a mad racing horse, the best climber in the world, and he got a plan.

He´s ready, and tommorow he will make a demonstration.

 

[Froome19]

zoncolan any1?

10.1km @ 11.9% > 5.5km @ 7.8%


I would not say they are all that similar...

 

[Forunculo]

Daniel Moreno, Contador, Rodriguez to battle it out for the win unless something dramatic happens.

Still not sure of Froome's ability on these types of finishes and likewise with Henao and Quintana who have demonstrated considerable promise on these finishes, but this is a step up..

Not sure about Anton, he is just too unpredictable and anyway he has never demonstrated anything to suggest he can compete with the above 3 on such a MTF.

Valverde seems like a lottery, he has been a quandary throughout the season; after looking so good on Willunga he disappointed when in his element on the Mendee and has not really featured much on such finishes since..

He won Pena Cabarga, the most similar stage he has done since last year vuelta so don't worry

 

[Wigwan]

Daniel Moreno, Contador, Rodriguez to battle it out for the win unless something dramatic happens.

Still not sure of Froome's ability on these types of finishes and likewise with Henao and Quintana who have demonstrated considerable promise on these finishes, but this is a step up..

Not sure about Anton, he is just too unpredictable and anyway he has never demonstrated anything to suggest he can compete with the above 3 on such a MTF.

Valverde seems like a lottery, he has been a quandary throughout the season; after looking so good on Willunga he disappointed when in his element on the Mendee and has not really featured much on such finishes since..

Moreno better than Anton? When in shape, Anton is a top 5 climber in the world, if not top 3...

 

[Froome19]

He won Pena Cabarga, the most similar stage he has done since last year vuelta so don't worry

That stage was more about who had the most left in their legs more than anything else..

He is surely good at these types of finishes but as with many aspects of Froome's racing ability I dont think we know just yet how good..

 

[Froome19]

Moreno better than Anton? When in shape, Anton is a top 5 climber in the world, if not top 3...

This MTF will most likely be decided by the sheer acceleration by the riders and Moreno is certainly one of the best at the world when it comes to that, maybe I overate him but he never fails to deliver even when being overshadowed by Purito

 

[gilbertador]

As always it depends on the pace on the climb, if any of Movistar, Sky, Saxo or Katusha set an infernal pace then I could see a group from 1 - 3 win and some favorites lose 40 - 50 seconds. However a conservative race could easily see a group of 10 - 20 riders even make it to the finish.

If Contador Froome or JRod feel good it may well be game on!

 

[Wigwan]

This MTF will most likely be decided by the sheer acceleration by the riders and Moreno is certainly one of the best at the world when it comes to that, maybe I overate him but he never fails to deliver even when being overshadowed by Purito

The only way that Moreno can win it is if it none of the favorite attack and it ends in a sprint of ~10 riders.

If it were an uphill finish like we've seen in Burgos, I would agree with you, but Arrate is steeper and longer.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Not sure about Anton, he is just too unpredictable and anyway he has never demonstrated anything to suggest he can compete with the above 3 when it comes to such accelerations.

Except when he won a week 3 MTF in the 2006 race.

Except when he was the only guy that could stick when Contador and Valverde traded attacks on Pla de Beret in 2008.

Except when he won the Subida a Urkiola.

Except when he was in the top 4 of La Flèche Wallonne with Evans, Contador and Rodríguez and may have been the strongest on the day - the Mur is tough and timing is everything.

Except when he managed to destroy the field on Pal. Pal!

Except when he forced a selection of 3 (himself Mosquera and Contador) on Alto del Morredero, then after Soler rode across to them traded attacks until finally getting away.

Except when he won on Monte freaking Zoncolan.

An in-form Igor Antón could not just match those guys but beat them. Maybe not Contador, but definitely J-Rod (who was at the Vuelta 2010, was he not?) and most definitely Moreno.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I think Contador will grab this and go....
he's excited to be back and this is just the low hanging fruit...

 

[manafana]

anton hasnt shown that much this season yet thou has he.

moreno for me looks his cup of tea this stage.

 

[The Hitch]

Not sure about Anton, he is just too unpredictable and anyway he has never demonstrated anything to suggest he can compete with the above 3 when it comes to such accelerations.

..

10.1km @ 11.9% > 5.5km @ 7.8%


I would not say they are all that similar...

This MTF will most likely be decided by the sheer acceleration by the riders and Moreno is certainly one of the best at the world when it comes to that, maybe I overate him but he never fails to deliver even when being overshadowed by Purito

If you google Fleche Wallone 2010 edition (thats the race Rodriguez won this year before the giro, between the race Gasparotto won and the one Iglynskyi won) you might find a youtube video of the final climb, which is very short so demands the kind of acceleration you have spent this thread claiming Anton does not have.

Igor anton not only went head to head with Contador, a few hundred metres before the finish, The Great One was fighting like crazy just to keep on Anton's wheel and both got a little gap to the rest of the peloton.

Unfortunately Anton and Contador had gone too hard to early and ended up dropping back just before the finish, to finish a lousy,

4th

behind...

World Champion and future TDF winner Cadel Evans, and the 2 favorites for tomorrows stage, yes Contador and Rodriguez

IN front of Andy Schleck. In front of Philipe Gilbert.

And this is no small race its an Ardennes classic so everyone is going full on and all the top riders want to win.

I dont see how anyone could say Dani Moreno has demonstrated more on such finishes than what Anton did at Fleche Wallone that day.

unless they only started watching cycling last year.

 

[The Hitch]

btw, anyone know if nicky still does his blog with the irish independent during the Vuelta. Im sure he did in 2010 and also Giro 07.

 

[Afrank]

Lots of potential winner here. Contador will probably try to gain more time, if he went for a intermediate sprint today he will definitely go for the win on this type of finish. All the other potential winner (Anton, Froome, Purito, Moreno, etc.) will need to watch him carefully and ensure he doesn't easily ride away for the win. Looking forward to seeing how Anton will do, should give us a indication of if his race will be like 2011 or 2010.

 

[Ferminal]

Except when he won a week 3 MTF in the 2006 race.

Except when he was the only guy that could stick when Contador and Valverde traded attacks on Pla de Beret in 2008.

Except when he won the Subida a Urkiola.

Except when he was in the top 4 of La Flèche Wallonne with Evans, Contador and Rodríguez and may have been the strongest on the day - the Mur is tough and timing is everything.

Except when he managed to destroy the field on Pal. Pal!

Except when he forced a selection of 3 (himself Mosquera and Contador) on Alto del Morredero, then after Soler rode across to them traded attacks until finally getting away.

Except when he won on Monte freaking Zoncolan.

An in-form Igor Antón could not just match those guys but beat them. Maybe not Contador, but definitely J-Rod (who was at the Vuelta 2010, was he not?) and most definitely Moreno.

Why thank you. Faith is restored for now.

 

[Escarabajo]

This is a sprint of five or six. There are several good climbers. I'd say more than in the Tour. This could be the first Contador show. Froome could be a little behind form from the Tour. If Henao had the leadership I'd put him second but I am afraid he is going to set pace for Froome.

 

[Dedelou]

Lots of potential winner here. Contador will probably try to gain more time, if he went for a intermediate sprint today he will definitely go for the win on this type of finish. All the other potential winner (Anton, Froome, Purito, Moreno, etc.) will need to watch him carefully and ensure he doesn't easily ride away for the win. Looking forward to seeing how Anton will do, should give us a indication of if his race will be like 2011 or 2010.

Contador has stated he would prefer such a stage later on, indicating to others that it is in their interest to test him. His response will tell them and us what they should expect later when he is "better disposed ) I think Froome has to show something too. (I am not saying he should go for the win for him too can benefit from saving his best for later) Tomorrow might show us many things but I can imagine the guys letting others win and take the red jersey for a short while.

 

[Fidolix]

Contador has stated he would prefer such a stage later on, indicating to others that it is in their interest to test him. His response will tell them and us what they should expect later when he is "better disposed ) I think Froome has to show something too. (I am not saying he should go for the win for him too can benefit from saving his best for later) Tomorrow might show us many things but I can imagine the guys letting others win and take the red jersey for a short while.

It´s reasonable to assume, and you might be right, but we heard the same during the Giro 2011, Riis would have preferred to have waited to take the pink, but Berti couldn´t restrain himself and went for it, I can´t imagine you can keep him in a leach this time either, when he see this mountain he will floor it, like a gazelle with a lion on it´s as s, only question is, who can stay with him, my guess is Rod and Igor, maybe Froomey since it´s a short climb. (Froom didn´t look to good in the TTT, but it could also be the heat effect or just a bad day)

Another thing I´m excited about is the team competition, don´t think Saxo will will have it as a priority, but due to Majka, Jesus and Navarro and the route, I would think it would be a fairly good guess they would win this one to.

 

[JRanton]

It´s reasonable to assume, and you might be right, but we heard the same during the Giro 2011, Riis would have preferred to have waited to take the pink, but Berti couldn´t restrain himself and went for it, I can´t imagine you can keep him in a leach this time either, when he see this mountain he will floor it, like a gazelle with a lion on it´s as s, only question is, who can stay with him, my guess is Rod and Igor, maybe Froomey since it´s a short climb. (Froom didn´t look to good in the TTT, but it could also be the heat effect or just a bad day)

Another thing I´m excited about is the team competition, don´t think Saxo will will have it as a priority, but due to Majka, Jesus and Navarro and the route, I would think it would be a fairly good guess they would win this one to.

Froome said he felt really good in the TTT and it's worth remembering that he NEVER looks comfortable on the bike no matter how he's feeling. I think he'll be good on Arrate. Very good.