2016 Vuelta a España, Stage 20: Benidorm → Alto de Aitana

[WillemS]

Re:

Seemed like a sarcastic applause to me...

I wouldn't assume so; Froome looked pretty cooked to me, hence the facial expression, and a slow-motion always distorts the look of a movement. I could be sarcastic, but I don't think it is. Froome tried, over and over, and he just wasn't strong enough.

 

[MatParker117]

Re:

The era of Contador is finally over.

It was over when Froome beat the tar out of him in the 100th tour.

 

[Ramon Koran]

Re:

The era of Contador is finally over.

Preety sure it ende in 2013

 

[Hayabusa]

Top 3 climbers in the Vuelta finish in that order. Nairo deserved winner and Froome showed his fighting spirit to the end. Chaves impressive, hopefully he can really kick on next year.

 

[Irondan]

Please keep comments respectful and impersonal.

 

[Arredondo]

Chavito really deserves his podium spot. Great attack!

 

[MikeTichondrius]

Might come off as a tad cynical of me but I interpreted Froome's clap as sarcasm because of Nairo trailing him all the way up then jumping him at the finish. As opposed to a recognition of merit. Anyways, we'll see what he has to say about it.

This stage was amazing. I think the Vuelta has finally converted me. Gutted for Darwin but the top 4 today were so, so impressive. Chavito once again shows his strength. I wonder if he'll be able to win one in the future. I can see myself rooting for him the same way I rooted for Evans a few years back.

Contador seems to be at the tail end of his career already in terms of results though. Still a monstrously enjoyable rider to watch. I haven't taken to liking Nairito as much but I'm convinced of his class. Froome did win me over this season though. After his Luchon, they way he rode this Vuelta was amazing.

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

Re: 2016 Vuelta a España, Stage 20: Benidorm → Alto de Aitan

Helluva display from Latour in his first GT. And a class act from Froome, both for racing to the end and for taking defeat like a champion.

 

[laurensde+]

Great ride from Chavito today, and well done to Froome and Nairo.

Pretty close in the end, but hey... cash me in!!!

 

[skidmark]

Re: Re:

The era of Contador is finally over.

It was over when Froome beat the tar out of him in the 100th tour.

He, uh, won two Grand Tours after that.

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

Quintana looks like he's on a sunday club ride..

Froome clearly hasn't modified his tactics when behind since Ancares and Farrapona in 2014.

Tbf, Froome tried quite a few times today. He tried at the start of the stage and over the top of Puerto de Tudons

Correct. Couldn't do anything more against this Quintana. Someone jokingly said that Nairo is better in his second GT so should try the Giro-Tour double....and maybe he seriously should??

Highly unlikely.

 

[bob.a.feet]

Re:

Contador drops a teammate and throw him out of TDF podium. Froome applauds biggest rival.

What?

 

[Tonton]

Re:

The era of Contador is finally over.

Yep. Sad that he won't be able to leave on top. Good job Chaves. Soon we'll give 1-10 (or Vino) ratings to what IMO was a great Vuelta. Incredible finish from Latour. Props to Bala. Great Vuelta.

 

[webvan]

Re: Re:

The era of Contador is finally over.

It was over when Froome beat the tar out of him in the 100th tour.

Nice bounce back in 2014 though...but yes it's over. No need to keep going unless he's made bad investments.

 

[ontheroad]

Froome playing to the cameras again.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

TTT cost Contador the podium... Bravo Chaves+OBE. Well played.. Quintana too strong.. LatourxAtapuma was GREAT!!

 

[damian13ster]

Re: Re:

Wow, Contador looks old all of a sudden, time to bow out gracefully...

Could very well be, but I wouldn't be surprised if he can show up in great form in a GT next year. If he doesn't crash....
Or maybe he's done. Maybe. I don't think he can reach the level of Froome/Quintana anymore.... Allthough I did think he could challenge this TdF. Guess we'll see next year

He is done. Spent last 3 seasons trying to come up with enough excuses to still give some blind fans a bit of hope that he can even come close to Quintana and Froome's level

Sigh. Thank you for enlightment damian. Just what I needed an fair and objective opinion....

Hey, I have been proven right many times already. Not my fault you refuse to acknowledge the facts. Peak for spring, perform well in stage races (win some, lose some to your rivals domestiques), fail miserably at a Tour. Then go for Giro against weak rivals so you have excuse for failing miserably at a Tour. Next season, peak for spring, fail miserably at a Tour, fail at a Vuelta. FFS, no podium, no jersey, no stage win, and had the best prep among the pre-race contenders. What more do you need?

 

[Billie]

All these stage winners proudly claiming they were in the grupetto last sunday like it was some sort of achievement

 

[Isaak-Gabriel]

I would liked to see an attack from Quintana 2km to go, not a 300m sprint like that. Very sad end, as a Quintana fan.

 

[webvan]

Re: Re:

Contador drops a teammate and throw him out of TDF podium. Froome applauds biggest rival.

What?

2009 TDF, Kloden on Colombiere? Well another teammate got third instead... Temporarily ;-)

 

[TomLPC]

Re: Re:

Contador drops a teammate and throw him out of TDF podium. Froome applauds biggest rival.

What?

To be fair usually it would be bad form to do that, but let's face it as much as I liked lance if anyone deserved a humbling was him

 

[klintE]

Simple truth

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

Seemed like a sarcastic applause to me...

But in any case, great effort from Froome. Quintana closed things down so easily though.

How did that look like sarcastic applause? What does sarcastic applause look like? I'm going to go with a respectful acknowledgement of the better rider over three weeks. That would be the right summation.

It did look like a sarcastic applause indeed, but I think he meant it well. I hope so as well.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Had the break been reeled back to within 1 min in stage 15, Quintana attacking Froome in this stage wold have made the GC more spectacular.

 

[TomLPC]

Re: Re:

Seemed like a sarcastic applause to me...

But in any case, great effort from Froome. Quintana closed things down so easily though.

How did that look like sarcastic applause? What does sarcastic applause look like? I'm going to go with a respectful acknowledgement of the better rider over three weeks. That would be the right summation.

It did look like a sarcastic applause indeed, but I think he meant it well. I hope so as well.

I don't think he would begrudge Quintana sprinting after trying to drop him for the last 5k