Euskaltel doing SBS's work?

[Opalius]

Seen in the light of what happened today, didn't Euskaltel fail big time?

One of the few ways that anyone can threaten Contador seems to be if they isolate him as early as possible. I don't think SBS would have lasted for as long if Euskaltel hadn't helped them.

Today was piece of cake for Contador because he didn't really need to react to a lot of attacks. I think this stage would have looked differently if Euskaltel had remained neutral.

Same for tomorrow, this will be Contador's Giro if other teams continue like this.

 

[roundabout]

They must have thought Contador would gift the stage to Anton or something.

I'm torn between confident and naive.

 

[nvpacchi]

I saw their work as punishment for not making the break. With 15 teams represented in a mountain stage, and your team is not included (especially on a stage that suits your strengths) I'm sure Cavallo was very disappointed.

There's no chance they do the same tomorrow, cause they either get in the break or their young riders will be too tired after today's effort.

 

[Anonymous]

it certainly was a puzzling move from euskaltel

 

[Cobblestoned]

I saw their work as punishment for not making the break. With 15 teams represented in a mountain stage, and your team is not included (especially on a stage that suits your strengths) I'm sure Cavallo was very disappointed.

There's no chance they do the same tomorrow, cause they either get in the break or their young riders will be too tired after today's effort.

+1 and mentioned it earlier in racethread.
Euskaltel DS are quiet famous for this.

Was really hard not to get one man in that breakaway. You failed - so you have to pull now.

 

[will10]

They must have thought Contador would gift the stage to Anton or something.

I'm torn between confident and naive.

Naive or Nieve

sorry

 

[Libertine Seguros]

They must have thought Contador would gift the stage to Anton or something.

I'm torn between confident and naive.

If Antón felt he had the legs, he probably would have been right. Antón looked pretty good today, unfortunately unlike the Alto del Morredero last year he didn't have a bunch of riders of class all able to pressure Contador, and Contador was the best guy on the day. If Antón had been able to follow like Rujano he'd have been given the stage too. But he wasn't able.

 

[Ryaguas]

One of the few ways that anyone can threaten Contador seems to be if they isolate him as early as possible. I don't think SBS would have lasted for as long if Euskaltel hadn't helped them..

As always, I'd say, Ppl underrating Contador's team...
A lot of ppl was saying the same last year in Le Tour and what happened? Astana the best team in Le Tour...
I dont think that w/o Euskaltel riding in the front SBS would have failed... The team is strong and controlled the race very well... Jesus was with Alberto until the attacks from the big guns started...
OFC in this Giro the best team is Astana by Miles! Masciarelli is with an Amazing form...

Also Igor was feeling good today but Alberto and Rujano are in other lvl... with Alberto being way too strong...

 

[Dutchsmurf]

It is simple really. If you want to win, you have to take a risk at times. Euskaltel had missed the break. Their only way to still have a shot at winning the stage was bringing the break back. There wasn't anyone dangerous in it, so Saxo would have been more than happy to finish some minutes behind it. Without the break they would have done a similar amount of work, so no way Contador would get isolated. You need actually dangerous riders in the break for that.
If Anton had managed to follow Contador, he would have had a good shot at winning the stage. Too bad for Euskaltel he couldn't. If you use the "I'm never going to beat Contador so why try" argument, you might as quit the Giro. Euskaltel and Anton tried, that is more than can be said about most others.

 

[roundabout]

Belated payback today it seems.

 

[theswordsman]

Don't forget the advertising aspect and free TV time. Some times guys get in breaks just to get the team and sponsors on the air for a while. Think of how many people are watching the Giro each day. It doesn't hurt to be up front where the moto cam n see you.

 

[jsem94]

I sometimes wonder what's in it for their sponsors. They're basque sponsors.. do they REALLY make a profit out of marketing to the masses all over europe?

 

[Arnout]

I sometimes wonder what's in it for their sponsors. They're basque sponsors.. do they REALLY make a profit out of marketing to the masses all over europe?

They're semi-government run. Its good publicity for them as well, as we all know they also get other publicity.

 

[greenedge]

They did not work the last 2 stages they won the last 2 stages.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I sometimes wonder what's in it for their sponsors. They're basque sponsors.. do they REALLY make a profit out of marketing to the masses all over europe?

National pride comes into it - other Basque companies are all in on it, eg Orbea (who sponsor the feeder team and provide the bikes and helmets) and Naturgas Energia (who sponsor the elite amateur team), plus Kirolgi (who co-sponsor the women's team). The Fundación Euskadi has a strong remit for regional pride and success.

Plus, the sponsoring and covering of cycling increases ETB's exposure. They care primarily about the Spanish races, then the French ones after that, for obvious reasons. Regional governments and areas regularly sponsor and support teams - Spain has had Xacobeo-Galicía, Andalucía-Caja Granada, KTM-Murcía, Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne, Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme, Fuerteventura-Canarias, Catalunya-Ángel Mir, Burgos Monumental-2016 Castilla y León and Extremadura-Spiuk.

That's a lot of provinces and regional governments sponsoring teams there. Euskaltel's just the most successful.