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

[bangnz]

I feel like a kid on Christmas eve right now
Cant wait..

 

[Publicus]

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.

I think you could be on to something. It seems he prefers to counter-attack after 1 or 2 blows have been thrown. Or it is when he is most effective. I suspect all eyes will be on him and Saxo tomorrow, waiting for the gauntlet to be dropped . . . unless Saxo gets a man in the break (which I know, will never happen, but it would be a good tactic).

 

[auscyclefan94]

maybe somebody doesn't know arrate altough i doubt it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PURApYfUDkU&feature=player_detailpage#t=568s

papy horner dancing up the pedals



check the time gaps from 2009 when alberto attacked. this time he will be way stronger,i think the gaps will be bigger

1 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 4.16.29 (40.35 km/h)
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto 0.09
3 Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
4 Antonio Colom Mas (Spa) Team Katusha
5 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C. 0.28
6 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 0.33
7 Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.36
8 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas 0.55
9 Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) Fuji-Servetto
10 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
11 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française Des Jeux
12 David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis
13 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Team Saxo Bank
14 Joaquín Rodríguez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
15 Vladimir Efimkin (Rus) AG2R La Mondiale 1.12
16 Chris Horner (USA) Astana
17 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
18 Andrea Noe (Ita) Liquigas
19 Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Silence-Lotto
20 Egoi Martínez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi

In many cases you have some of his opposition not being on top form and others who were still young in the aforementioned race. To say it will definitely be bigger time gaps is flippant.

Igor Anton ftw.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Froome19 sometimes post out of his behind.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Moreno is better than Anton and Fuji has not done anything on climbs like this. Okay got it. Maybe if you only follow cycling seriously since last years la vuelta you should do more research.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

I don't really see this as a very Purito-like finish...he'd much rather something that tops out at more than an 11% gradient, I'm sure. Katusha would be better served looking after Moreno on this finish, as he's more the "grinder" of the two. (see: Sierra Nevada at last year's Vuelta)

 

[Publicus]

In many cases you have some of his opposition not being on top form and others who were still young in the aforementioned race. To say it will definitely be bigger time gaps is flippant.

Igor Anton ftw.

Contador wasn't on top form either. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Ferminal]

It will be a very exciting stage if Moreno wins

Well, maybe Javier...

 

[auscyclefan94]

Contador wasn't on top form either. Just something to keep in mind.

I never debated that but jens-attacks was implying that only Alberto was not on top form which is simply false.

 

[Publicus]

I never debated that but jens-attacks was implying that only Alberto was not on top form which is simply false.

That's not what it says. It just says AC will be stronger (in his opinion). Nothing about anyone else being on top form.

 

[wirral]

The standings on Cycling News are not right. They have not taken into account the time bonuses gained at the 2 sprint points yesterday.

Correct standings can be found on the official website.

 

[Koba80]

I will steak a lot of money on AC here, looking forward to it!

 

[Fidolix]

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.

I guess it´s what he have to say if he feels like sh..
What I noticed in the TTT was he had problems closing a gap, it didn´t go as smooth as you could expect, but don´t have to mean anything of course.
But I would think we get some answers today.

 

[Fidolix]

The standings on Cycling News are not right. They have not taken into account the time bonuses gained at the 2 sprint points yesterday.

Correct standings can be found on the official website.

Really?

http://www.lavuelta.com/12/en/resultados/index.html?e=1

When I look at this it´s still 14 sec in the overall standings`??
weird

 

[Ferminal]

Really?

http://www.lavuelta.com/12/en/resultados/index.html?e=1

When I look at this it´s still 14 sec in the overall standings`??
weird

They are the stage 1 standings

Should be e=2 (i.e. stage 2) at the end of the URL.

I didn't watch the TTT, but was Froome maybe struggling at the end because he had just put in a huge effort?

 

[spalco]

What's the significance of the green line in the stage map?

 

[T-Nielsen]

What's the significance of the green line in the stage map?

Teambusses direction ? Maybe ?

Now that you pointed it out it is driving med nuts... well not really but I am curious.

 

[Ferminal]

Yeh, it's the route for non-race support vehicles AFAIK.

 

[spalco]

Yeh, it's the route for non-race support vehicles AFAIK.

I was thinking so too, but why they put that in there? It just looks confusing and doesn't give the fans any information they need.

I'm hoping Froome can hold Contador's wheel or maybe even do something more, but really, any answer other than Contador by 30 seconds is probably wishful thinking. We'll see.

 

[Fidolix]

They are the stage 1 standings

Should be e=2 (i.e. stage 2) at the end of the URL.

I didn't watch the TTT, but was Froome maybe struggling at the end because he had just put in a huge effort?

lool yes you right I had bookmarked it on stage 1. Thanks.

I wasen´t the only one in here who noticed he looked to be struggling a bit, but could have any numbers of reasons.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I will steak a lot of money on AC here, looking forward to it!

Was that your subconsciousness that spelled the word "stake" "steak"?

 

[sultanofhyd]

Was that your subconsciousness that spelled the word "stake" "steak"?

I would think he was overtly conscious spelling that word.

 

[spalco]

That joke is certainly "well done", but still tasty.

 

[webvan]

Thanks for the profiles, couldn't find them on the CN site...

A slightly easier PDBF it seems, should be fun but no definite conclusions to be drawn...Taramae anyone ? ;-)

 

[Forunculo]

I was thinking so too, but why they put that in there? It just looks confusing and doesn't give the fans any information they need.

I'm hoping Froome can hold Contador's wheel or maybe even do something more, but really, any answer other than Contador by 30 seconds is probably wishful thinking. We'll see.

The pictures are from the data book Vuelta gives to the teams