2015 Giro d'Italia Stage 18: Melide > Verbania 170km

[IamIronMan]

“The plan was to go up the climb at my own rhythm,” Contador said. “I knew Hesjedal was just behind me and I knew he would be a good ally but I had check that he was clear of the Aru group before waiting for him. When we got to the summit, I could see that he was still close to me so I thought it would be best to ride with him. It was an intelligent decision.” - Contador

So, can we put to rest the "Ryder is stronger than Contador" talk now? Contador was probably riding slower than his best pace, in order to see how Ryder was doing, and slowed down to make a small group. Clearly AC is much smarter than the armchair cyclists in here thinking Ryder was just stronger than Contador. Why would Contador go full gas up to the summit then have to go all the way to the line by himself? Ryder would have caught him anyway, so why not save a little bit on the climb by going just a bit slower to wait for him to catch up!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Just reading Taxus' posts.... Who the hell is Crispis???? Kruijswijk?

In spanish forums Kruijswijk is Crispis, as you call Bertie to Contador...

For as is very difficult to writte than name....

At least Berto is a shorter version of Alberto, Crispis isn't even close to Kruijswijk how did you guys come up with Crispis?! Serious question.

 

[Squirbos_19]

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

 

[Taxus4a]

Just reading Taxus' posts.... Who the hell is Crispis???? Kruijswijk?

In spanish forums Kruijswijk is Crispis, as you call Bertie to Contador...

For as is very difficult to writte than name....

At least Berto is a shorter version of Alberto, Crispis isn't even close to Kruijswijk how did you guys come up with Crispis?! Serious question.

And the poland guy of Ettixx is Kiwi...

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

I take that into consideration, he just wanted to do his typical excuse becouse Hesjedal was close, and must be an explanation to that non sense issue, becouse Bertie climb better than hesjedal, no way...

Maybe he wanst trolling as usual, maybe he had a problem with the cahian, but i take that into consideration, he gain time with that, just stoped 2 seconds to pedaling and he had an lon and hard push...so, he get time, so More to ay Hesjedal climb better today.

 

[Electress]

Re: Re:

Wow, what a group of Contador fanboys here. Although what he did today might have been justified it's far from classy.

No one said it's classy.

But, it is much better that he dished it out on the road instead of engaging in a war of words.

Bingo. Definitely would have been classier not to take advantage, but it still makes me smile.

My only worry is that real sportsmanship, not the drivel which Armstrong spawned, takes a hit. Hopefully the takeaway by teams is to revert back to the norm of not attacking the leader finds its historical place.

This.

 

[staubsauger]

Just reading Taxus' posts.... Who the hell is Crispis???? Kruijswijk?

In spanish forums Kruijswijk is Crispis, as you call Bertie to Contador...

For as is very difficult to writte than name....

At least Berto is a shorter version of Alberto, Crispis isn't even close to Kruijswijk how did you guys come up with Crispis?! Serious question.

And the poland guy of Ettixx is Kiwi...

In Germany some always called Franco Pellizotti , Pellizottel because of his curly hair!

(Zottel means shag in German)

 

[Ataraxus]

Re: Re:

What is this about Landa putting 40 seconds into Contador in the first 3km of the climb. For real? That's when Contador was seemingly going strong.

People still believe that the GPS really shows the actual gaps.

Well the gap story pretty much goes like this:

With 45 km to go (and 1.2 km into the climb) Contador had 1:26 on Landa
with 40 km to go (1 km after Landa had bridged Aru and Kangert) their gap was 58 seconds. A closer observation to the footage when Landa joins Aru and Kangert shows a gap of 57-58 seconds as well.
With 36.5 km to go (at the top of the climb) thegap was 1:08

All in all Landa has made up 28 seconds in 4km and lost 10 seconds to Contador once he joined his teammates.

 

[Kwibus]

So much happening this giro and I get to see way too few!

Well back at home again so atleast I can record the race if I cant watch it live.

 

[Electress]

Re: Re:

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

I take that into consideration, he just wanted to do his typical excuse becouse Hesjedal was close, and must be an explanation to that non sense issue, becouse Bertie climb better than hesjedal, no way...

Maybe he wanst trolling as usual, maybe he had a problem with the cahian, but i take that into consideration, he gain time with that, just stoped 2 seconds to pedaling and he had an lon and hard push...so, he get time, so More to ay Hesjedal climb better today.

Seriously, you think Contador decided it would be a top idea to slow down to a near stop so he could pretend his chain came off, get a push, just as an excuse for Hesjedal to catch him? You cannot believe the stuff you are writing, surely?

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Hesjedal stronger than Contador today. Landa would have dropped him too had it not been for his crash.

Let's say Hesjedal was climbing better than Contador today. So what? You want one guy to be a better climber than every other rider every day? What part of the GC concept do you not understand?

Weakest GT winner in some time.

Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that I look at the GC every day and the gap to 2nd just keeps getting larger. If that's weak, I want what he's having.

 

[SeriousSam]

After a careful analysis of today's stage utilising tools including but not limited to a watch and advanced quantitative methods like arithmetic, I proudly present the official

Stage 18 Climbing Power Rankings.

1. Landa.
2. Ryder.
3. Contador.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's rankings.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

After a careful analysis of today's stage utilising tools including but not limited to a watch and advanced quantitative methods like arithmetic, I proudly present the official

Stage 18 Climbing Power Rankings.

1. Landa.
2. Ryder.
3. Contador.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's rankings.

It is not necessary so many stupid things to that conclusion, it is obvious just to see again the race with an objetive mode.

 

[Taxus4a]

Hesjedal stronger than Contador today. Landa would have dropped him too had it not been for his crash.

Let's say Hesjedal was climbing better than Contador today. So what? You want one guy to be a better climber than every other rider every day? What part of the GC concept do you not understand?

Contador had Hesjedal close to him and he didnt waut for him, Contador wanted to go alone to put time in his enemie, Landa.

Hesjedal climbed faster than contador, and later did more job, that is obvious, wich part you dont understand?

 

[PhiberAwptik]

Re:

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

I feel like a lot of people forget who is wearing the Pink Jersey with a commanding lead. But hey, lets keep trying to figure out who was the strongest in minute portions of a 3 week stage race.

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Hesjedal climbed faster than contador, and later did more job, that is obvious, wich part you dont understand?

It's OK that you missed the point entirely. This is expected from you by now.

 

[red_flanders]

Re: Re:

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

I feel like a lot of people forget who is wearing the Pink Jersey with a commanding lead. But hey, lets keep trying to figure out who was the strongest in minute portions of a 3 week stage race.

Attempting to diminish Contador is a snake-oil salve for the butthurt.

 

[ggusta]

Hesjedal climbed faster than contador, and later did more job, that is obvious, wich part you dont understand?

It's OK that you missed the point entirely. This is expected from you by now.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

I take that into consideration, he just wanted to do his typical excuse becouse Hesjedal was close, and must be an explanation to that non sense issue, becouse Bertie climb better than hesjedal, no way...

Maybe he wanst trolling as usual, maybe he had a problem with the cahian, but i take that into consideration, he gain time with that, just stoped 2 seconds to pedaling and he had an lon and hard push...so, he get time, so More to ay Hesjedal climb better today.

Seriously, you think Contador decided it would be a top idea to slow down to a near stop so he could pretend his chain came off, get a push, just as an excuse for Hesjedal to catch him? You cannot believe the stuff you are writing, surely?

From a man that go to TV with crutches after to train 4 riders and a lot of similar things I can expect that, but anyway i was joking, I think the chain drop, but it is sure he dont lose any time, maybe he gained time.


Ataraxus

Tha gaps.. maybe the GPS was bad but the first reference of Landa was at 1 :40 of Contador just at the begining of the climb. You say 2 km after the climb was 1:26,maybe is right...but anyway is 30 second in 4 km..and Contador has 4 km very good when he attack, his problem is after... but Landa was as his team pace and Contador find the best posisble help, Hesjedal, a man that go well in all the terrains and that when more long the attack, better...

 

[Electress]

Re: Re:

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

I feel like a lot of people forget who is wearing the Pink Jersey with a commanding lead. But hey, lets keep trying to figure out who was the strongest in minute portions of a 3 week stage race.

I know. All these riders supposedly so much stronger than him. He must be some kind of genius to keep taking more and more time out of them.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

I feel like a lot of people forget who is wearing the Pink Jersey with a commanding lead. But hey, lets keep trying to figure out who was the strongest in minute portions of a 3 week stage race.

I know. All these riders supposedly so much stronger than him. He must be some kind of genius to keep taking more and more time out of them.

He is quite a genious in some aspect, but respect hesjedal, he is just stronger now... he was unlicky at the begining.

 

[ggusta]

Re: Re:

I feel like a lot of people are forgetting to take into account the fact that Contador dropped his chain. Ryder didn't look like catching him at all before then.

I feel like a lot of people forget who is wearing the Pink Jersey with a commanding lead. But hey, lets keep trying to figure out who was the strongest in minute portions of a 3 week stage race.

I know. All these riders supposedly so much stronger than him. He must be some kind of genius to keep taking more and more time out of them.

He is quite a genious in some aspect, but respect hesjedal, he is just stronger now... he was unlicky at the begining.

 

[No_Balls]

Re: Re:

Climbers of the stage:

1) Contador
2) Ryder
3) Landa

 

[Tryphon]

Yeah,all these guys stronger than Contador,bludgeoning him on a daily basis,taking alternate turns beating him up,a weak GT winner like him and yet by some biblical miracle he is over 5 mins ahead of his nearest rival.

Remarkable.

 

[ggusta]

Re:

Yeah,all these guys stronger than Contador,bludgeoning him on a daily basis,taking alternate turns beating him up,a weak GT winner like him and yet by some biblical miracle he is over 5 mins ahead of his nearest rival.

Remarkable.

Well without his incredible team and all the good fortune he has had he'd probably be down by, hmmmm.... negative 15 minutes.