2012 Vuelta a España: Tarazona – Jaca, 175 km

[Angliru]

Alberto says he suffered a cramp. I don't believe him though.

I do. Lack of race miles and intensity and suddenly you're riding at race pace in the mountains. It's a viable reason. He's never been one to come up with fictitious reasons for his performances. Some days he's got it and some days he doesn't. I just hope that he gets his race legs under him and comes back strong. I just don't think I could take any more Sky success and anything that leads their "dominating" the sport. That would be sickening.

Edit: I guess the potential for cramping was always a possibility when you come back straight into trying to compete at the highest level from such a long time away from racing.

 

[airstream]

I just don't think I could take any more Sky success and anything that leads their "dominating" the sport. That would be sickening.

In other words, you are agree to accept only your rider's domination?

 

[3wheeler]

Well thats the "Contador" Fear factor up the Spout.. Froomy will be quietly Confident now.. Froomy is better suited to the long Climbs , Today was a Test.. All looking Good..

 

[Miburo]

Hopefully Contador gets his good legs back saterday.

I really can't live with this dominance of sky. And the only guy who can do something about it is him.

 

[theyoungest]

I do. Lack of race miles and intensity and suddenly you're riding at race pace in the mountains. It's a viable reason. He's never been one to come up with fictitious reasons for his performances. Some days he's got it and some days he doesn't. I just hope that he gets his race legs under him and comes back strong. I just don't think I could take any more Sky success and anything that leads their "dominating" the sport. That would be sickening.

Edit: I guess the potential for cramping was always a possibility when you come back straight into trying to compete at the highest level from such a long time away from racing.

Cramping can be the result of dehydration.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Cramping can be the result of dehydration.

Which is far less excusable frankly, given his experience.

 

[H2OUUP2]

Hopefully Contador gets his good legs back saterday.

I really can't live with this dominance of sky. And the only guy who can do something about it is him.

He will have his legs. Remember, the NEXT Saturday is when he will really need them. Froome, Bertie fans need to calm down after today. This thing is just getting warmed up.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Goga Ruiz-Sandoval ‏@BiciGogaESPN
Alberto Contador declara a la cadena SER que tuvo calambres producto de la deshidratación

- LaFLo

 

[Forunculo]

After this year, every training camp will have a swimming coach. Cancellara and Martin on ITT and Contador (surely Andy too) on climbs

 

[jyhjyh]

I think we just have to accept that Froome will be the new Armstrong. Both of them didn't show any results what so ever in GTs before their late breakthrough, they both broke through in the Vuelta, they both almost never got tired during their career, they both obsess with tiny details what some call marginal gains here, they're both terrific time trial specialists despite having a very bad position on a time trial bike, they're Anglophone, etc

One big difference: Froome seems to be a nice guy

 

[burning]

One big difference: Froome seems to be a nice guy

And he didnt win any one day race before his rise

 

[JibberJim]

(on the subject of Henao)

He was brilliant today.

He really does look good, looked good in the Giro and possibly even better here although obviously he has a more defined role here. A couple of off days in the Giro but at his age I don't think it's too unexpected, he's going to be really good.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

And he didnt win any one day race before his rise

Yes. Say what you like about everyone's favourite Texan, his late rise to stage race prominence came after a distinguished career as a top level one day racer. Froome's late rise to prominence comes after a career as a mediocre domestique with no results of any note to his name. Apart from the Anatomic Jock Race.

 

[Angliru]

In other words, you are agree to accept only your rider's domination?

How you get that out of my posting is representative of your own personal issues. I'd be content with anyone from any other team. I'd be content with Froome if he were on another team. It was pretty clear to me that my post indcated that Sky's hopes of dominating the sport are what prompted my statement. What's your problem?

 

[Angliru]

Cramping can be the result of dehydration.

That too.

 

[jyhjyh]

Contador explains

From Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank site:
http://teamsaxobanktinkoffbank.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=3753&lang=uk

Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank captain explains:

“I'm happy because I saved the day quite well. Due to the heat and the high temperatures, I suffered some cramps on the last climb and I told myself, hey, Alberto, go as far you can. I think I managed quite well. For me it's not the best climb but normally I would have been in front without any problems even to fight for the stage but I'm happy because the loss has however been minimal”, said Alberto Contador and concluded:

“I like the action of this race because it is important for everyone that the favorites attack. It's good for the race and I'm looking forward to my opportunity later on in the Vuelta.”

 

[alberto.legstrong]

From Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank site:
http://teamsaxobanktinkoffbank.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=3753&lang=uk

Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank captain explains:

“I'm happy because I saved the day quite well. Due to the heat and the high temperatures, I suffered some cramps on the last climb and I told myself, hey, Alberto, go as far you can. I think I managed quite well. For me it's not the best climb but normally I would have been in front without any problems even to fight for the stage but I'm happy because the loss has however been minimal”, said Alberto Contador and concluded:

“I like the action of this race because it is important for everyone that the favorites attack. It's good for the race and I'm looking forward to my opportunity later on in the Vuelta.”

Yes, but according to our resident know it alls, this is the first professional athlete to ever cramp during a race. He's got a lot to learn.

 

[DominicDecoco]

How does this climb not suit Alberto? ... It was just fine for a character like Alberto.

 

[Descender]

Missed the finish.

Is there a video somewhere?

 

[DominicDecoco]

Missed the finish.

Is there a video somewhere?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=839zsOCia9w

 

[airstream]

How you get that out of my posting is representative of your own personal issues. I'd be content with anyone from any other team. I'd be content with Froome if he were on another team. It was pretty clear to me that my post indcated that Sky's hopes of dominating the sport are what prompted my statement. What's your problem?

No problem. I was just asking on the part I didn't get. Thank you.

 

[Afrank]

Missed the finish.

Is there a video somewhere?

http://www.steephill.tv/vuelta-a-espana/
Only have video of the last 2 km, but will have more links to videos eventually.

 

[Miburo]

From Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank site:
http://teamsaxobanktinkoffbank.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=3753&lang=uk

Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank captain explains:

“I'm happy because I saved the day quite well. Due to the heat and the high temperatures, I suffered some cramps on the last climb and I told myself, hey, Alberto, go as far you can. I think I managed quite well. For me it's not the best climb but normally I would have been in front without any problems even to fight for the stage but I'm happy because the loss has however been minimal”, said Alberto Contador and concluded:

“I like the action of this race because it is important for everyone that the favorites attack. It's good for the race and I'm looking forward to my opportunity later on in the Vuelta.”

Alright let's put the fanboy-mode up on and believe what he says.

But based on what i've seen there's no reason to not believe him. We'll see saterday what He will do. Yes "h" in caps lol

 

[No_Balls]

How does this climb not suit Alberto? ... It was just fine for a character like Alberto.

Because it is a shorter uphill-finish fitting for a sprint in the end. But note that he also says that he "normally should be there".

 

[Poursuivant]

I do. Lack of race miles and intensity and suddenly you're riding at race pace in the mountains. It's a viable reason. He's never been one to come up with fictitious reasons for his performances. Some days he's got it and some days he doesn't. I just hope that he gets his race legs under him and comes back strong. I just don't think I could take any more Sky success and anything that leads their "dominating" the sport. That would be sickening.

Edit: I guess the potential for cramping was always a possibility when you come back straight into trying to compete at the highest level from such a long time away from racing.

Spanish cows disagree with you...