Giro Stage 9: Benevento – S.Giorgio del Sannio 215 kms

[sultanofhyd]

Well, I don't think Aru did anything terribly wrong. I mean, it's not like he forced Contador to do some work, they talked and apparently Contador agreed it made sense for them to work together.

Besides, Aru wasted energy sprinting, but Contador had to sprint too, so it's not like he spent more than others (except Landa, who is looking incredibly strong).

And because he agreed, you show him a little respect and not shaft him for one measly second.

 

[arvc40]

Re:

Contador is looking good. I think he's going to crush the ITT (assuming he's aero position isn't compromised by shoulder)

He will be very strong in ITT. Porte maybe waiting for it but so is Contador.

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

If it was so dumb and such a waste of energy for Aru to sprint, why did Contador give it everything chasing him ?

It wasn't dumb or a waste of anything to sprint. It was dumb to burn a bridge with Contador.

How about Contador in so much shoulder pain yesterday that he takes seconds on unsuspicious young Aru in an intermediate sprint?

i believe he happens to be up front. So might as well, it was right there. Aru is making such an effort at the end after asking Contador to work w/ him..

 

[The Hitch]

So programme for the next week is
Rest day
Boring sprint
Good hilly stage (Astana?)
Boring sprint
Fleche Wallone
Monster ITT
The mountains begin.

Not the most exciting ever, but should be a good weekend and a good 3rd.

 

[SeriousSam]

What a massive overreaction because Aru dared to sprint to the line. They aren't best pals in this race.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

Porte was kinda smart for not working. Still don't get why Contador was taking turns.

he is trying to put more time to Uran. Uran is better in ITT .. he won last year in ITT remember?

LOL.. aru only gains 1 second on Contador after that sprint?

People overestimate Uran's TT. He will not gain minutes on Contador. And with his current climbing form, he should not be a problem in the third week.

 

[sunnyIce]

I think we are making too much of it. You can see as they were nearing the finish, AC expected the lil twt to do something funny. He was off his saddle and was turning around to look/find Aru by which time the dude had just accelerated past him, and he had to take a second to get into stride and try and catch him. I think AC is under no illusion that FA will not try something just cause they worked together for a lil bit. It is a race to the finish after all.

 

[The_Cheech]

Re:

Contador is looking good. I think he's going to crush the ITT (assuming he's aero position isn't compromised by shoulder)

That's the thing, he says the shoulder hurts whenever he has the arm/torso separated at a 90º angle.

 

[Matt92]

Re: Re:

If it was so dumb and such a waste of energy for Aru to sprint, why did Contador give it everything chasing him ?

It wasn't dumb or a waste of anything to sprint. It was dumb to burn a bridge with Contador.

But they are opponents, they would race against each other anyway. Today, they cooperated because they had a common interest in doing so (distancing the other leaders, I guess), and they will do it again if they happen to be in the same situation.
It's not like he upset a potential ally (and I don't think Contador is that upset, actually).

 

[sultanofhyd]

Re:

What a massive overreaction because Aru dared to sprint to the line. They aren't best pals in this race.

They were friendly enough for Aru to ask Contador to work.

 

[arvc40]

Porte feeling a little pinch today

 

[SeriousSam]

Re: Re:

What a massive overreaction because Aru dared to sprint to the line. They aren't best pals in this race.

They were friendly enough for Aru to ask Contador to work.

Enemies can cooperate when it is mutually beneficial.

 

[The_Cheech]

Re: Re:

If it was so dumb and such a waste of energy for Aru to sprint, why did Contador give it everything chasing him ?

It wasn't dumb or a waste of anything to sprint. It was dumb to burn a bridge with Contador.

How about Contador in so much shoulder pain yesterday that he takes seconds on unsuspicious young Aru in an intermediate sprint?

He wasn't working with him though.

Today Aru approached him asking him to work together to see if they could distance Porte. That's the reason why Contador took turns pulling.

Two different things.

 

[red_flanders]

Re: Re:

If it was so dumb and such a waste of energy for Aru to sprint, why did Contador give it everything chasing him ?

It wasn't dumb or a waste of anything to sprint. It was dumb to burn a bridge with Contador.

What bridge ? They are opponents (thankfully)

Not going to explain it. It's not going to matter at all in the end.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Re: Re:

What a massive overreaction because Aru dared to sprint to the line. They aren't best pals in this race.

They were friendly enough for Aru to ask Contador to work.

Enemies can cooperate when it is mutually beneficial.

I doubt Contador is going to be in a cooperative mood the next time Aru asks him.

 

[rune1107]

Tinkoff-Saxo DS Lars Michaelsen says that if it was up to him they should lose the Maglia Rosa, but Alberto is thinking different.

 

[infeXio]

Re: Re:

If it was so dumb and such a waste of energy for Aru to sprint, why did Contador give it everything chasing him ?

It wasn't dumb or a waste of anything to sprint. It was dumb to burn a bridge with Contador.

How about Contador in so much shoulder pain yesterday that he takes seconds on unsuspicious young Aru in an intermediate sprint?

He wasn't working with him though.

Today Aru approached him asking him to work together to see if they could distance Porte. That's the reason why Contador took turns pulling.

Two different things.

Distance Porte? Distance Uran even more you mean.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Re: Re:

If it was so dumb and such a waste of energy for Aru to sprint, why did Contador give it everything chasing him ?

It wasn't dumb or a waste of anything to sprint. It was dumb to burn a bridge with Contador.

How about Contador in so much shoulder pain yesterday that he takes seconds on unsuspicious young Aru in an intermediate sprint?

He wasn't working with him though.

Today Aru approached him asking him to work together to see if they could distance Porte. That's the reason why Contador took turns pulling.

Two different things.

Landa asked Porte to work as well... to distance Contador? Astana, those devious bastards!

 

[Matt92]

Re: Re:

What a massive overreaction because Aru dared to sprint to the line. They aren't best pals in this race.

They were friendly enough for Aru to ask Contador to work.

Enemies can cooperate when it is mutually beneficial.

I doubt Contador is going to be in a cooperative mood the next time Aru asks him.

I don't think it's a matter of mood, but a matter of interest. Today they could have a common interest. If they find themselves in the same situation again, they will cooperate.

 

[hfer07]

Tiralongo = The man

Contador starting to look more accustomed in Rosa
Aru looks good, but lacks that bit to drop Alberto
Richie just riding along.....
Uran --- simply not

 

[ILovecycling]

heh Geschke is a cool guy

 

[SeriousSam]

Re: Re:

What a massive overreaction because Aru dared to sprint to the line. They aren't best pals in this race.

They were friendly enough for Aru to ask Contador to work.

Enemies can cooperate when it is mutually beneficial.

I doubt Contador is going to be in a cooperative mood the next time Aru asks him.

Contador's objective is to win the Giro. I don't believe he's going to be irrationally upset and refuse something that is in his interest if there is such a situation in the future. Like, say, Aru, Contador and Landa gapping Porte.

Game theory, not friendliness, determines the actions of those that really want to win.

 

[Arredondo]

Uran such a strange rider. Bad in the first crucial stages, really good on Campitello and today just *** again. He even had difficulties follow the big group.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re:

What a massive overreaction because Aru dared to sprint to the line. They aren't best pals in this race.

Yeah never even crossed my mind that Aru should "pay respect" by not sprinting, when I watched it. Good for Aru that he grabbed 1 second but it's not gonna help him in the time trial. I don't think porte will get any more than 30 seconds on Alberto, but Aru on the other hand could lose minutes. Also, Landa find another team!

 

[The_Cheech]

Re: Re:

What a massive overreaction because Aru dared to sprint to the line. They aren't best pals in this race.

They were friendly enough for Aru to ask Contador to work.

Enemies can cooperate when it is mutually beneficial.

I doubt Contador is going to be in a cooperative mood the next time Aru asks him.

Not only that, he is going to work to see to it that Fabio pays for the audacity.

You can ask another team's domestique to do some work but when you ask another team's leader, you better stick to your word. It's a commonly-know unwritten law in the world of professional cycling.

To me it seems as though Fabio is unable to read the race and how important it is to make friends just in case you need help in the 3rd week.

He just made such a f-ed up move.