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

[Netserk]

He has been on the podium the last three (soon four) times he has raced the Vuelta, and if it weren't for bad luck he would've been on the podium in 2008 as well (didn't race it in 2007, got 2nd in 2006, didn't race it in 2005, got 4th in 2004 and 3rd in 2003).

So I don't get the "Valverde has no business being on the podium".

 

[Sasquatch]

He has been on the podium the last three (soon four) times he has raced the Vuelta, and if it weren't for bad luck he would've been on the podium in 2008 as well (didn't race it in 2007, got 2nd in 2006, didn't race it in 2005, got 4th in 2004 and 3rd in 2003).

So I don't get the "Valverde has no business being on the podium".

He was virtually dead at the end of the Tour de France.

 

[Ferminal]

Probably saving bags. Would rather win Worlds than 4th in the Tour (which was only ever where he was going to finish if you include Contador and Froome).

 

[Netserk]

He was virtually dead at the end of the Tour de France.

How is this year so much different to 2008?

 

[LaFlorecita]

yes this is very slow level. worst grand tour of the year. no colombian in the top 50...


lol

lol

 

[SeriousSam]

Yeah, if you want to undermine the depth of the Vuelta, you have to do better than note that Valverde is always top 5 in it. He's just incredible consistent. He's also almost always in the top 5 CQ wise going back a decade.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Not many sprinter falling of the back on this climb

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Apparently Cataldo went down just in front of Contador - who stayed up

 

[roundabout]

Best GT result outside of the peninsula is 4th.