2014 Vuelta a Espana, Stage 6: Benalmádena → La Zubia

[Rollthedice]

If people still had doubts about Contador's intentions after last stage echelon initiative then today it's very clear that he targets the CG. "Hunting for stages later" my ***.

Froome not quite alien but still favorite number one for me.

Valverde truly exceptional, chapeu. Podium is doable.

Quintana is not there yet but still second favorite for me, let's see the TT.

Aru could be fifth.

 

[hfer07]

just look at the GC after today's stage:

1 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 22:48:08
2 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:15
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:18
4 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:22
5 Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio (Col) Orica Greenedge 0:00:41
6 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha 0:00:45
7 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:00:55
8 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:00:58
9 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Shimano 0:01:02
10 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:01:

damn

 

[damian13ster]

Its possible. He is 2nd in GC only thanks to his team's performance in TTT. Would be behind Contador, Froome, and couple others if not for that.

Dont know if you ntoiced but he is also 2nd among his team.

Of course, you cant say he has no chance to win now, but saying he is a favorite after he was dropped on a climb and when there is 50km of fairly flat TT coming up?
You cant be serious with that statement

 

[Netserk]

He's not overrated, he's just a cyclist who most people thinks he will win.

Why these negative attitude?

If he is rated to win the stage (more than 5 times as much as Valverde) and loses being far weaker than Valverde, then surely he is overrated, no?

Or would you say that he was fairly rated? Or underrated?

 

[ILovecycling]

What happened to Arredondo?

not going for GC.

Havent you heard? If your name is Quintana you can lose time but the automatic botresponse will be "he was a big winner today". He simply has no pressure and any demands whatsoever. Fanboys have done a massive job to build his reputation. Well done.

And yet we was to believe in the prelude that he would blow the field today (him or Dawg).

Nairo wont win this and dont complain now and then be disappointed when it actual happens.

Dont be fooled when he will be flying in 2nd,3rd week in real mountatin stages lol. I guess first a bit! suitable stage for him is 9 if they will go hard from penultimate climb.

 

[JRanton]

This is going to be a fun race...

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

I should recall you his performance in the TdF ITT to put into perspective what being Spanish ITT champion means

It means he TT's better in Spain...

 

[ILovecycling]

just look at the GC after today's stage:

1 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 22:48:08
2 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:15
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:18
4 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:22
5 Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio (Col) Orica Greenedge 0:00:41
6 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha 0:00:45
7 Robert Gesink(Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:00:55
8 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:00:58
9 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Shimano 0:01:02
10 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:01:

damn

stunning

 

[damian13ster]

not going for GC.

Dont be fooled when he will be flying in 2nd,3rd week in real mountatin stages lol. I guess first a bit! suitable stage for him is 9 if they will go hard from penultimate climb.

If there were 2 leaders in Movistar at beginning of a race, and Valverde showed enough class to be super-dom for Quintana being just a couple of seconds back in GC himself.......

 

[ILovecycling]

This is going to be a fun race...

yep,best since 2006 I guess ...vuelta

 

[yespatterns]

Everyone relax, today was a litmus test of sorts. It will be a great race for sure!

 

[Coat-O]

just look at the GC after today's stage:

1 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 22:48:08
2 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:15
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:18
4 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:22
5 Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio (Col) Orica Greenedge 0:00:41
6 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha 0:00:45
7 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:00:55
8 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:00:58
9 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Shimano 0:01:02
10 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:01:

damn

No "B" for Gesink?

 

[Roude Leiw]

Its possible. He is 2nd in GC only thanks to his team's performance in TTT. Would be behind Contador, Froome, and couple others if not for that.

Dont know if you ntoiced but he is also 2nd among his team.

Of course, you cant say he has no chance to win now, but saying he is a favorite after he was dropped on a climb and when there is 50km of fairly flat TT coming up?
You cant be serious with that statement

And another one thinking that quintana does not know how to TT.... Lets put things into perspective, he disappointed today (relatively), but is still 2nd of the GC. Now lets softpedal the next few days and make a next point after the 10 th stage.

 

[Walkman]

Its called being delusional.......
He can still win it of course if Contador, Froome and Valverde crack on stage 16 or 20 but a favorite? No way

piti will crack eventually, mark my words.

 

[ILovecycling]

If there were 2 leaders in Movistar at beginning of a race, and Valverde showed enough class to be super-dom for Quintana being just a couple of seconds back in GC himself.......

not rreally good situation for Quintana,but I guess Unzue knows what he is doing.we will see again in 9th stage

I was already impressed he followed Froome and Contador after Purito acceleration,he has half of the punch than those 4 guys infront of him

 

[hfer07]

One can't judge Quintana on the sole evidence of today's performance... have to wait until stage 9 or so to make a judgement. He's still second in the GC and has excellent recovery so it's still very possible that he can win.

no worries for me- I know my man Nairito's riding style, in which he acquires rhythm as the race progresses, and considering the crucial stages are in the last week when he gets stronger, i'd say he'll be fine. Although he has to limit his loses on Contador & Froome, which are the ones looking to reach honors with him on the podium.

 

[Arredondo]

If he is rated to win the stage (more than 5 times as much as Valverde) and loses being far weaker than Valverde, then surely he is overrated, no?

Or would you say that he was fairly rated? Or underrated?

I would say someone is stronger.

I hate the word overrated, i think it doesn't show the amount of respect to cyclists who do everything they can to reach their goal.

I did expect this however. Given the rough year he's had, it would be stupid to think he will drop everyone here. I'm glad if he's able to finish top-5.

I will wait till Camperona. I think that's the stage for Purito where he should win, if he's good enough.

 

[ILovecycling]

piti will crack eventually, mark my words.

and you dont have to be a cycling expert for it

 

[TANK91]

not rreally good situation for Quintana,but I guess Unzue knows what he is doing.we will see again in 9th stage

I was already impressed he followed Froome and Contador after Purito acceleration,he has half of the punch than those 4 guys infront of him

Lol Froome spat him out the back.

 

[Piti4Podiums]

Wow look at all these quick conclusions

Quintana lost a dozen of seconds today and is already gone down the river for half of the ppl here

Let's see what the next days bring, anyways huge ride from Valverde

 

[ILovecycling]

no worries for me- I know my man Nairito's riding style, in which he acquires rhythm as the race progresses, and considering the crucial stages are in the last week when he gets stronger, i'd say he'll be fine. Although he has to limit his loses on Contador & Froome, which are the ones looking to reach honors with him on the podium.

yep,this,but Contador and Froome gonna be strong as ****.This can be epic climbing stuff,like I said.

 

[Netserk]

I would say someone is stronger.

I hate the word overrated, i think it doesn't show the amount of respect to cyclists who do everything they can to reach their goal.

I did expect this however. Given the rough year he's had, it would be stupid to think he will drop everyone here. I'm glad if he's able to finish top-5.

I will wait till Camperona. I think that's the stage for Purito where he should win, if he's good enough.

So you agree that those who had him as favorite for the stage overrated his chances?

 

[damian13ster]

And another one thinking that quintana does not know how to TT.... Lets put things into perspective, he disappointed today (relatively), but is still 2nd of the GC. Now lets softpedal the next few days and make a next point after the 10 th stage.

No. I am not one of people who believe he is not going to lose time to Froome and Contador

And yes, second in GC because of TTT, not because of how he rides.
Not saying he wont be good in final week. He is just not the first favorite at the moment. Not after being dropped (and he was dropped, no way to sugarcoat it)

 

[burning]

You do realise that Valverde is the Movistar ITT champion, right?

.................

 

[Arredondo]

So you agree that those who had him as favorite for the stage overrated his chances?

Yes. People chose him based on name and past results. Not on current form.

But: MASSILY OVERRATED, is way too harsh.

Edit: and with past results, i don't mean he's not able to win anymore in the coming years. I think he's still able to win and drop all the others on his climbs. But not at this point of the Vuelta.