2014 Vuelta a Espana, Stage 17: Ortigueira→Coruña (191 Km's)

[FoxxyBrown1111]

OK, I make my first prediction here:
1.) Someone from the break is going to win
2.) Between the contenders (1-10) there will be a time gap of max 2 mins.
AC will keep red, Valv to lose about a min to AC and JRod.
3.) I won´t predict a "spot on" prediction for Froome D)...
Either he gains a min on AC & Co., or he completely loses the Vuelta this day (losing about 2 mins).
4.) Chaves to once and for all saying goodbye to CG. Losing another 15 or more mins.
It was a nice try by Greenedge to go for the CG the first time ever. They just picked the wrong time and rider. Chaves just wasn´t used to a 3 week CG battle. Safe that for the future.

Since I called out some guys for their complete wrong predictions the last couple of mountain stages, I am fair game. Waiting for some flak when all my predictions go south.

Now that´s as good it can get, given it was a 6-in-1 prediction (thus 6 chances for epic fails), compared to some of the true wrong predictions that come up here now and then.

1.) Almost.
2.) Very good. 9th-CG came in at 1.51, the 10th-CG at 2.11...
AC kept red, Valv losing his minute to AC (ok, it was "only" 55 secs). JRod was wrong...
3.) Froome put on his show, gaining (close to) a minute on all, except AC. So I give 50% good.
4.) Chaves indeed said goodbye to CG for good. Even more "impressive" by losing 30 mins.

After it worked so well, I feel free to do another one: Degenkolb to win tomorrow.
OK, just kidding. That´s an obvious prediction everybody can do.

 

[Beech Mtn]

reading their messages,i think purito would most likely beat these two guys in a fight.

+1

The only people over the age of six years old who Purito should be backed against in a fight are Pozzivivo and Samuel Dumoulin. Dwarf wrestling.

Purito could take Frank and Andy Schleck. Easily. At the same time, 2-on-1. While smoking a cigar.

 

[kingjr]

reading their messages,i think purito would most likely beat these two guys in a fight.

He would stick a burning cigar into their eyes.

 

[LittleJo]

My only hope for tomorrow's stage is that Purito beats Kennaugh in the face...

https://twitter.com/Petekennaugh/status/509366079052070913

I don't know why these guys can't just actually, y'know, speak to each other, rather than having some sort of weird battle via press conference/twitter/newspaper columns. In fact, it's interesting that Kennaugh hasn't @'d Purito in that tweet - if you're going to call someone a pr**k, you may as well have the guts to send it directly to them.

Considering there doesn't appear to be any footage of the incident, it's effectively the word of Sky vs. Katusha. And by both accounts Purito apologised the morning after, so I'm not quite sure why Deignan felt the need to bring it up again.

 

[Helvellyn]

Now that´s as good it can get, given it was a 6-in-1 prediction (thus 6 chances for epic fails), compared to some of the true wrong predictions that come up here now and then.

1.) Almost.
2.) Very good. 9th-CG came in at 1.51, the 10th-CG at 2.11...
AC kept red, Valv losing his minute to AC (ok, it was "only" 55 secs). JRod was wrong...
3.) Froome put on his show, gaining (close to) a minute on all, except AC. So I give 50% good.
4.) Chaves indeed said goodbye to CG for good. Even more "impressive" by losing 30 mins.

After it worked so well, I feel free to do another one: Degenkolb to win tomorrow.
OK, just kidding. That´s an obvious prediction everybody can do.

I'm not buying the propaganda Here's my prediction for today along similar lines:

1) Sun will rise in the east.
2) Betancur will be dropped.
3) Stage will not be won by Contador.
4) Degenkolb will either do well, average or badly.
5) I will have a morning coffee.

 

[classicomano]

Only prediction: Betancur will contest the bunch sprint, and still finish last.

 

[jens_attacks]

by the way, i think valverde will attack on that cobbled climb and win this stage

 

[BeagRigh]

I suggest reading a bit more closely. That he hit Deignan is not "speculation". We have Deignan's direct account and confirmation from Katusha.

Purito says that he hit him, but did so by accident. Now we do have to speculate to evaluate whether Purito's explanation stands up, although I'd suggest that we don't have to speculate very far as the accidental punch on moving bicycles theory inherently lacks credibility. Further, Deignan has no reason to make up a story as embarrassing as "I got punched in the face by a midget", while Purito does have a reason to disclaim responsibility.

I just find it hard to believe Purito would deliberately punch someone. If he was that aggressive he'd not have been able to resist murdering Valverde by now...

 

[manafana]

we will a caja rural rider go full *** perhaps, but I can see a surprise with no FDJ interest now

 

[TommyPlus]

One from this motley cru for no other reason than I have wagered on them :-

Gilbert
Stuyven
Hansen
Pozzato
Kolobnev

 

[Sasquatch]

The only teams interested in chasing down the break will be OGE and Shimano. Both will back their riders today. Maybe Omega Pharma Quickstep will join in the fun with Boonen?

If an OGE rider goes in the break, then Degenkolb may as well join them. Especially as they want to keep the green jersey.

 

[Pharazon]

knees dns ...

 

[TourOfSardinia]

also Uran dns

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uran-withdraws-from-the-vuelta-a-espana-ahead-of-stage-17

 

[Jagartrott]

This means that Monfort moves up another place.
At this rate, he should win the Vuelta in about 3 months time. Watch out, Alberto!

 

[T-Nielsen]

I hope this does not finish in a sprint. Because if the winner has not been taking turns for the last 100km we have no choice but labeling him a wheelsucker.

 

[Sasquatch]

So Knees, Zubeldia, Uran and Kangert all non starters.

 

[May0maniac]

So Knees, Zubeldia, Uran and Kangert all non starters.

What was going on with Kangert, was he sick?

 

[trevim]

Basically, Rodriguez says a couple of interesting things:
- Valverde is a wheelsucker, didn't like to be outsprinted on Farrapona.
- He doesn't think this is good team building for the Worlds.
- He prefers Valverde to Contador: he prefers Valverde's style. Also has a better relationship with Valverde.
- Also didn't like Contador not saying he was riding to win the Vuelta.
- He appreciates Froome's style of going for the win.

Maybe it's just me but Purito comes across very bitter in this interview. It's all because he probably lost his last chance of winning a GT?

Also I think there's something between Purito and Contador and perhaps Valverde; I mean last year Contador was OK riding domestique for them even if his shape was bad and this year he has already ruled himself out....

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=74981

 

[search]

What was going on with Kangert, was he sick?

yep, he was on antibiotics before the first rest day already, had a couple of better days afterwards but it looks like he did not manage to fully recover

 

[icefire]

Basically, Rodriguez says a couple of interesting things:
- Valverde is a wheelsucker, didn't like to be outsprinted on Farrapona.
- He doesn't think this is good team building for the Worlds.
- He prefers Valverde to Contador: he prefers Valverde's style. Also has a better relationship with Valverde.
- Also didn't like Contador not saying he was riding to win the Vuelta.
- He appreciates Froome's style of going for the win.

Maybe it's just me but Purito comes across very bitter in this interview. It's all because he probably lost his last chance of winning a GT?

Also I think there's something between Purito and Contador and perhaps Valverde; I mean last year Contador was OK riding domestique for them even if his shape was bad and this year he has already ruled himself out....

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=74981

So the guy who took the Vuelta 2012 win from him is most hated that the guy who spoiled his chance at the Worlds 2013.

His first sentence is hilarious: the Vuelta will be too long for them (Contador, Froome, Valverde) because they haven't trained specifically for it

 

[hrotha]

Weirdest thing. He admires Froome's style and ambition, but he won't ever race like him.

 

[Miburo]

Purito is a hypocrite. He outsprinted contador in every stage 2 years ago and now he doesn't like it that piti does it to him?

And he didn't like that contador didn't say he was gonna FTW? If he knew contador then he should realise he only races to win.

Just retire.

 

[Flamin]

Basically, Rodriguez says a couple of interesting things:
- Valverde is a wheelsucker, didn't like to be outsprinted on Farrapona.
- He doesn't think this is good team building for the Worlds.
- He prefers Valverde to Contador: he prefers Valverde's style. Also has a better relationship with Valverde.
- Also didn't like Contador not saying he was riding to win the Vuelta.
- He appreciates Froome's style of going for the win.

Maybe it's just me but Purito comes across very bitter in this interview. It's all because he probably lost his last chance of winning a GT?

Also I think there's something between Purito and Contador and perhaps Valverde; I mean last year Contador was OK riding domestique for them even if his shape was bad and this year he has already ruled himself out....

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=74981

You're reading way too much into this. He looks honest and straight-forward to me. He didn't like Valverde's riding and they talked about it after the stage. No big deal. Same with 'he doesn't think it's a good team building for the Worlds'. Where did you read that? 'What' isn't good team building?

 

[Flamin]

Purito is a hypocrite. He outsprinted contador in every stage 2 years ago and now he doesn't like it that piti does it to him?

And he didn't like that contador didn't say he was gonna FTW? If he knew contador then he should realise he only races to win.

Just retire.

Oh god, please stop. You obviously don't have a clue

 

[Jagartrott]

Purito is a hypocrite. He outsprinted contador in every stage 2 years ago and now he doesn't like it that piti does it to him?

And he didn't like that contador didn't say he was gonna FTW? If he knew contador then he should realise he only races to win.

Just retire.

Just take more time to think before you type.