2014 Vuelta a Espana, stage 18: A Estrada-Monte Castrove en Meis (157 km)

[sir fly]

He has attacked twice. And today was no real mountain stage.

But anyway, if Froome's ride is mutant and abnormal, how would you describe Contador's Vuelta?

Sophisticated.

 

[Walkman]

Sophisticated.

Well played sir, well played.

 

[cineteq]

Smart racing by Froome, should have done that the other day too.
Congrats to Aru with the stage win.

If smart racing = having legs then I agree.

 

[staubsauger]

J-rod didn't pull, he attacked like crazy hard. And after such an effort, you need to recover unless you want to keep going until you blow up.

However, todays stage seems to indicate that there are some friction within the spanish camp.

Well Contador - although I never liked him at all - is a pure champion. No wonder for him this ongoing absurdity between Valverde and Purito is dumb as a post.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

If smart racing = having legs then I agree.

Meh, if he had used a bit of tactics the other day, he would be much closer to Contador now.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

One can only hope that Froome wins the whole thing. The three Spaniards are a joke and has been throughout.

Skybot bitterness is beautiful to watch.

 

[ILovecycling]

Lol at Valverde today , yep AC messed it up too,but I dont think its serious. He is a better climber than dawg, so no problemo

 

[Piz Buin]

Sad that the spanish trio rather makes each other lose...

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

I don't get all the Valverde hate on here. So he would rather finish 3rd on the stage than finish 2nd overall. What's wrong with that?

 

[Asturiano]

- Two Asturian in the top 7, that's great.
- Froome is going better and Contador is not in better form right now than him.
- Amazing Vuelta is becoming spectacular.

 

[sir fly]

Well played sir, well played.

The lead-out man deserves all the credit, I've just got the first over the line.

 

[cineteq]

Sad that the spanish trio rather makes each other lose...

Actually Purito has little thing to do with this mess, at least today.

 

[Mellow Velo]

This. Plus Aruuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! And people say he's overly hyped.

Well, he's certainly not under hyped on this forum, that's for sure.

A very enjoyable final climb that's for sure.
I think some folks are reading too much into Contador dropping a handful of seconds to Froome, today. It's not going to happen.
The real loser was Valverde. Not sure what his game plan was, but I figure it went straight out the window just as soon as Purito launched.
Then there was the bonus sprint team debacle.
Maybe he's already after hanging onto third.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Well, he's certainly not under hyped on this forum, that's for sure.

A very enjoyable final climb that's for sure.
I think some folks are reading too much into Contador dropping a handful of seconds to Froome, today. It's not going to happen.
The real loser was Valverde. Not sure what his game plan was, but I figure it went straight out the window just as soon as Purito launched.
Then there was the bonus sprint team debacle.
Maybe he's already after hanging onto third.

Valverde seemed to get the most of out today with the legs he had as far as I can see

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Valverde seemed to get the most of out today with the legs he had as far as I can see

Exactly. There was a comment earlier about riding smart, but Valverde rides pretty smart. He is usually outclassed on tests of pure fitness, but always manages to place well. Wheel sucking pays off for the rider, 7/10. Contador may prove to be an example of those other three, though.

 

[Arredondo]

Exactly. There was a comment earlier about riding smart, but Valverde rides pretty smart. He is usually outclassed on tests of pure fitness, but always manages to place well. Wheel sucking pays off for the rider, 7/10. Contador may prove to be an example of those other three, though.

Based on the fact that Valverde just won the sprint from Purito, shows me indeed he was on his limit. Too bad Purito was on his limit too.

 

[TANK91]

I don't get all the Valverde hate on here. So he would rather finish 3rd on the stage than finish 2nd overall. What's wrong with that?

Dude the Valverde hate as annoyed me too and im far from a fan fact is Valverde has the best win in this Vuelta he did not wheelsuck one bit. You defo worded that wrong though you think 3rd on a stage a d 3rd in race is better than 2nd lol?

 

[TANK91]

Also, I love how Aru is consistant with his victory salute

And what a season he's having. Stage win and 3rd overall in the Giro, two stages (and counting) and top 5 in the Vuelta. Chapeau!

Thing i love about it is he is winning them on merit not saying breakaway is bad but he as had no help from breaks in any GT. He as really arrived in the top5-7 GT riders maybe top 5 of climber's, they do get on but friendships dont last in cycling and Aru will want a fair crack next year. He would be fav if he did the Giro, Quintana will be at the TDF same with Froome so unless Contador does the Giro they should let Aru lead imo.

 

[Netserk]

Dude the Valverde hate as annoyed me too and im far from a fan fact is Valverde has the best win in this Vuelta he did not wheelsuck one bit. You defo worded that wrong though you think 3rd on a stage a d 3rd in race is better than 2nd lol?

Your sarcasm-meter is off. Way off.

 

[Walkman]

Well Contador - although I never liked him at all - is a pure champion. No wonder for him this ongoing absurdity between Valverde and Purito is dumb as a post.

I would argue against it. Hs is a much of a champion as Johann Mühlegg in my eyes.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I would argue against it. Hs is a much of a champion as Johann Mühlegg in my eyes.

You are an Evans & Schleck fan right?

 

[postmanhat]

And, BTW, I'd argue Froomie is in full mutant mode. Attacking hard day after day and keeping it together is not normal.

Apart from the days when he didn't attack, or lost time, Froome being better than Purito or Piti is no surprise, whatever way he does it

 

[Oldman]

Apart from the days when he didn't attack, or lost time, Froome being better than Purito or Piti is no surprise, whatever way he does it

Froome was given some latitude while the other guys played games. Contador is clearly toying with everyone if you watch the last 3km. He could've bridged anytime and they chopped Froome's lead instantly when they jumped. No big losers or winners here, just mind games.

 

[Ryongsyong]

I know Contador spent the third week of the Tour probably in bed but he should have watched more of it on TV to know that right now Valverde + third week does not equal high speed climbing. Relying on him to tow them back up to Froome was always going to be a risky thing to do, but in the end if he's going to learn a lesson that's probably the least damaging way to do it.

 

[jens_attacks]

i still find it ridiculous that some believe alberto couldn't have closed the gap lol

watch the final kms once again, at one point there are only 4-5 seconds gap, alberto could have closed it easily but choose to teach purito and bala a lesson. of course he does that only because he's confident in his power and knows that froome can't drop him for real. otherwise you don't mess with froomey trust me.