Howard Thomas said:
Epic? Just an inter team fix.
How so? A maximum of 2 teams. Tiralongo was a mercenary working for a friend who did him a favour last year. Nothing to do with any Astana/Saxo deal.
I don't think there was a Saxo/Movistar deal either. I think Saxo had the move planned, Movistar noted the number of Saxo guys going down the road and thought "we'd better get in on that, something's up". I'd certainly be surprised if Valverde had any conspiracy planned against Rodríguez since the two are friends. And once Contador was up the road, Valverde looks at it like this:
- I am now in 3rd.
- If I do nothing, I will stay in 3rd.
- If I work together with Purito, we catch AC, everyone comes to the finish together, I stay in 3rd.
- If I work together with Purito and we DON'T catch AC, I stay in 3rd.
- If I attack Purito and catch AC, I will be 1st, 2nd OR 3rd and get a stage win.
- If I attack Purito and don't catch AC, I will be 2nd, or 3rd at worst.
Valverde had everything to gain from riding like he did, and Contador gambled. Saxo had guys up the road so Contador could do that.
Plus, if it was a conspiracy, Intxausti and Quintana would have helped pacing the Contador group, because the plan would be contingent on Contador gaining enough time. Instead, they did not. Which they had every right to do, of course, as they should point out "our team leader is behind, why the hell should we help you beat him?"
Without climbs like Cuitu Negru, the legs aren't as tired, and a fairly basic stage turns out to be a basic stage. In another way, it's like Aprica after Mortirolo. Aprica on its own its a pretty nothing climb, averaging about 3%. But put it after the Mortirolo and it destroys people - because of nothing more than having to go uphill again after the pain and suffering of the Mortirolo.