2016 Vuelta a España, stage 3: Marín > Mirador de Ézaro

[del1962]

Far too early to write Contador of for this Vuelta.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Alberto is finished, thanks for the memories but enough is enough, not right to see a great rider like him being humiliated like that.

He's used, right? So to the bin he goes...

Not cool.

He's just a fake fan, only ever posts negative things about Alberto to wind up the real fans. I prefer to ignore him.

 

[SeriousSam]

Re:

Far too early to write Contador of for this Vuelta.

I agree with this. If he is remotely close to Froome and Quintana in physiological terms still, he should have a huge advantage in the 3rd week.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Far too early to write Contador of for this Vuelta.

He must hope Quintana and Froome lose their form because it seems unlikely he'll improve much during the race, he almost never does. He will bleed more time on the other uphill finishes this week anyway, so it's hard to see him win. Curious to read his comments after the stage.

 

[Pantani_lives]

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It's Froome vs. Movistar now (and maybe Chaves). Movistar has the strongest team, which makes this a more interesting race than the Tour.

Contador fans were so overconfident declaring him top favorite...

Not just his fans considered him to be the top favorite. Clearly, he's not as good as many had thought. No need to kick his fans.

It wasn't intended to kick his fans, but some previews gave the impression he couldn't lose this race. It would have been better for the race if he had been at his best.

 

[TMP402]

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Kwiatkowski 89th, 6 minutes down. Kennaugh and Koenig were 15th and 16th, a minute down. Sky's Plan B and rotation hierarchy established.

Gives Kwaitkowski rope to go for breaks.

Or they're actually confident enough in Froome's form to play it like the Tour and keep Kwia in reserve for the more important stages. I kind of doubt it though.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

So, now Quintana responds, where were you in the freaking Tour. I hate this

Eh? Quintana only finished 6th in the stage today, currently standing 5th overall.

He finished 3rd in the Tour.

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

Kwiatkowski 89th, 6 minutes down. Kennaugh and Koenig were 15th and 16th, a minute down. Sky's Plan B and rotation hierarchy established.

Gives Kwaitkowski rope to go for breaks.

Or they're actually confident enough in Froome's form to play it like the Tour and keep Kwia in reserve for the more important stages. I kind of doubt it though.

Green Jersey is a good plan b.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Kwiatkowski 89th, 6 minutes down. Kennaugh and Koenig were 15th and 16th, a minute down. Sky's Plan B and rotation hierarchy established.

Gives Kwaitkowski rope to go for breaks.

Or they're actually confident enough in Froome's form to play it like the Tour and keep Kwia in reserve for the more important stages. I kind of doubt it though.

It would have been criminal not to go with Konig as plan B anyway. The guy has always finished top 10 in his first GT of the season. If Froome cracks big time or crashes, I think he could be a dark horse for the podium.

 

[luckyboy]

This was Valverde's 72nd raceday of 2016.

He has 34 top 10 results (including GC), 61 top 30 finishes (including GC).

 

[LaFlorecita]

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I doubt that. Don't even think Alberto will do the Tour next year.

Perhaps this race will change his mind, but his spring campaign gave him the idea he can still compete with the best. He said the Tour will be his goal until his retirement.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

How much is Dani Moreno regretting leaving Katusha right now?

 

[ontheroad]

Vaverdes performances this year have been absolutely remarkable for a 36 year old considering the amount of racing in his legs. He appears to be getting better with age.

 

[ice&fire]

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How much is Dani Moreno regretting leaving Katusha right now?

Dani didn't leave Katusha; Katusha left Dani without contract.

 

[BigMac]

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I doubt that. Don't even think Alberto will do the Tour next year.

Perhaps this race will change his mind, but his spring campaign gave him the idea he can still compete with the best. He said the Tour will be his goal until his retirement.

I understand him. Besides, dropping out of the Tour the way he did, he must have felt like he had much to give. It always leaves uncertainty.

 

[yaco]

Re:

Quintana lost 6 seconds to Valverde Froome and Chaves.... what was Valverde doing?!

Problem was Valverde was forced to wait for Quintano who didn't have the legs - Then Chavez wouldn't attack Movie Star -Valverde sent Fernandez up the road to make sure Froome didn't get bonus seconds for second - Valverde made the right decision.

 

[Isaak-Gabriel]

Re:

I still cannot believe that riders don't just sit on Froome's wheel on these climbs.

Froome isn't messiah, his rivals must doing their own race, one day he could have an off day and not practice bluff. But like always his tactic works because he's the best srm rider and because he's bloody confident in himself.

 

[BigMac]

Anyway, with all the GC talk only two people remembered to congratulate Geniez.

Congrats Geniez!

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

Who the hell is Ruben Fernandez? lmao

Outshining Quintana and Valverde. Red jersey.

The guy who won Tour de l'Avenir 2013, and beat Yates brothers, Alaphilippe and Formolo in the process...

 

[Mr.White]

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Movistar are pathetic.

Why exactly?

 

[Pantani_lives]

Re: Re:

Who the hell is Ruben Fernandez? lmao

Outshining Quintana and Valverde. Red jersey.

The guy who won Tour de l'Avenir 2013, and beat Yates brothers, Alaphilippe and Formolo in the process...

It's weird there has never been a top cyclist named Fernandez, given that it's such a common name in Spain. I can't think of anyone better than Bingen.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Re: Re:

How much is Dani Moreno regretting leaving Katusha right now?

Dani didn't leave Katusha; Katusha left Dani without contract.

Ah, I thought it was his decision.

So... how much are Katusha regretting not keeping Dani Moreno right now?

 

[ice&fire]

Re: Re:

Who the hell is Ruben Fernandez? lmao

Outshining Quintana and Valverde. Red jersey.

The guy who won Tour de l'Avenir 2013, and beat Yates brothers, Alaphilippe and Formolo in the process...

It's weird there has never been a top cyclist named Fernandez, given that it's such a common name in Spain. I can't think of anyone better than Bingen.

You must be too young to have heard of Alberto Fernandez Blanco.

 

[klintE]

Serry with fair-play prize; what for exactly?

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

I still cannot believe that riders don't just sit on Froome's wheel on these climbs.

Froome isn't messiah, his rivals must doing their own race, one day he could have an off day and not practice bluff. But like always his tactic works because he's the best srm rider and because he's bloody confident in himself.

It's a climb where drafting doesn't matters very little. You know for sure he's pacing well, so if you're looking at his back wheel, you're also pacing well.