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

[McLovin]

Since when has Contadors strength been short climbs?

Isn't Verbier his most acclaimed thing?

 

[No_Balls]

Even though it was exciting Alberto did not look good.

Was that so shocking? After all he did served a six month ban and coming into this with one race could been so much worse. He didnt sit along but tried to attack/test his kick. The kick was there although not the endurance. This will come as long as the Vuelta progresses.

I am in no worry.

 

[hrotha]

It was a good finale, but I don't get all the enthusiasm. This is a celebration of YouTube cycling, and it's going to be the same for 3 weeks. It's a disgrace.

We got as much spectacle as we could get from this course, but don't go praising the Vuelta or things will get even worse in the future.

 

[roundabout]

Who is Gollum?

= Gollum

 

[sultanofhyd]

Where is Machado?

 

[Arnout]

2 of the 3 that I had hopes for were working for Froome. So not much they can do there. Only real disappointment was Quintana.

True, but Henao didn't do that much work (or was he pulling on the flat, I don't think so?), and he faded quickly.

 

[BillytheKid]

Was that so shocking? After all he did served a six month ban and coming into this with one race could been so much worse. He didnt sit along but tried to attack/test his kick. The kick was there although not the endurance. This will come as long as the Vuelta progresses.

I am in no worry.

Testing is the key word and some effort to make a selection. The +6 men are not out of it either. The last week will decide things. I always enjoy this climb though.

 

[Arnout]

It was a good finale, but I don't get all the enthusiasm. This is a celebration of YouTube cycling, and it's going to be the same for 3 weeks. It's a disgrace.

We got as much spectacle as we could get from this course, but don't go praising the Vuelta or things will get even worse in the future.

Because course organizers are looking specifically for your opinion, of course

I agree with you though, completely.

 

[Descender]

Have I missed something? I tuned in to see the final climb (7 kms to go, about 15 minutes)... good show, but I come here and read "awesome stage" "best stage of the year" "omg omg omg" etc...
what
the
hell
happened?
Or is it just for the climb (in that case I'll be more confused)

Let's be confused together, my friend.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Where is Machado?

91 177 MACHADO, Tiago RNT + 55''

 

[Justin Pain]

= Gollum

of course!

 

[Arnout]

How often does this guy has to say Clenbutador before he gets banned? Nick names are fine, but this is Clinic stuff.

Report him.

 

[the asian]

Disappointed in all the Colombians

Winner Anacoma was only 6 seconds back.

 

[The Hitch]

It was a good finale, but I don't get all the enthusiasm. This is a celebration of YouTube cycling, and it's going to be the same for 3 weeks. It's a disgrace.

We got as much spectacle as we could get from this course, but don't go praising the Vuelta or things will get even worse in the future.

Giro had 3 epic mountain stages that came to nothing. Im all for great stgaes that last for hours, but this year has been a pretty boring year, even many classics were meh, like look at CS last week, so this kind of excitement gets met with positive reviews.

Also i kind of do prefer to see some action every day rather than dream on it for 2 weeks while sprinters and breaks conquer all, then finally get a stage that might turn out well, or might just have Scarponi attack 2k form the end.

 

[BillytheKid]

Where is Machado?

They should have brought Horner.

This climb in the Basque this year.

 

[jilbiker]

Considering his ban , i think it's very good what he did , i mean he could have been in difficulty. But instead he was very offensive.

It was way to early in the 3 week race to make a meaningful attack. Folks are still relatively fresh and they would have stayed with him, would have been a waste of energy and time. But he wanted to make people work hard to stay with him without burning himself up. I think we have to wait till say a stage 7+ before any attack will have a true impact.

 

[LaFlorecita]

You forgot Gollum

Who the f is gollum

Well for a start he got banned for cheating, that's behind him now but still...his 2009 TDF was too good to be true, like LA's 1999 TDF, that makes people not like you...then the chaingate, etc...

Honestly I was not very impressed today, he seems to be racing like he did in the 2011 TDF, big attacks he can't sustain. He's going to lose a lot of time to Froome on the ITT.

Of course he isn't gonna lose a lot of time in the ITT. You must've missed the TTT.

Yes it was...

I think it was Jesus.

Edit: nvm it was Majka, Jesus not even finished yet.

 

[Lexman]

= Gollum

oh yes he will be a domestique for Pozzovivo and Betancur next year

 

[Arnout]

- Valverde, Rodriguez and Contador looking good. Especially because they're the kind of riders that can exploit the bonus seconds.
- Froome won't last long, he'll fade eventually. He has no train and TdF will prove to be too much.
- Rabo duo: Gesink and Mollema with a chance to podium
- Capecchi in great shape
- VDB and De Gednt out of contention
- Too bad for Talansky's TTT

Either Froome will be a lot better on longer, less explosive climbs, or he will fade massively. He was better than I expected today, but I still expect him to fade near the end, it would be the logical thing.

 

[Parrulo]

How often does this guy has to say Clenbutador before he gets banned? Nick names are fine, but this is Clinic stuff.

animal has already been warned via pm that he would get banned if he kept posting like that. i just forgot to deleted his posts after i sent the pm

 

[Arnout]

It was way to early in the 3 week race to make a meaningful attack. Folks are still relatively fresh and they would have stayed with him, would have been a waste of energy and time. But he wanted to make people work hard to stay with him without burning himself up. I think we have to wait till say a stage 7+ before any attack will have a true impact.

I agree a lot can happen, but he did put everything in his attacks, that much was clear. He can still improve. If he doesn't, he will have a hard time.

 

[iZnoGouD]

91 177 MACHADO, Tiago RNT + 55''
92 172 BAKELANTS, Jan RNT + 55''
93 171 MONFORT, Maxime RNT + 55''
94 175 GERDEMANN, Linus RNT + 55''
95 176 IRIZAR, Markel RNT + 55''

Can someone explain this?

 

[sultanofhyd]

91 177 MACHADO, Tiago RNT + 55''

I can't find him in the Vuelta site? And he would be way higher than 91st at 55".


91 192 DE KORT, Koen ARG + 5' 34''

Machado hasn't come in yet according to the Vuelta site.

 

[Kwibus]

what do you have against him? He gave Anton Zoncolan for christ sakes what more do you want.

I say that's bs. Contador will say it's bull**** as well.
Anton was better that day.

I'm a bit done with the Contador was just fooling around during the 2011 Giro. Ofcourse if he really tried he would've won with 30 minutes.....

 

[LaFlorecita]

Ok fair enough, I will answer. For me, his personality is too bland. I don't know, can't warm to him. I appreciate his results and his racing style, I do that, but as a rider, I don't really have many feelings about him, either positive or negative. Races are generally more exciting with him in it (that is, something happening, as landslides are not always exciting either), but I'm not liking him as a result of it. Just neutral I guess. Weirdly, this has been the case since he entered the scene for real in 2007, even though many ingredients are there for me to like him. Not to be.

Oh, I don't necessarily want EPO legalized (anymore?), I don't like doping but I don't mind it either in races. Contradictory, I know.

Okay at least you have your reasons.

Funnily the main reason I like him is his personality.