Purito Performance

[Angliru]

30 years. Note that my opinion is somewhat qualified. If he takes the next two stages and the del Mundo, there is no question this rivals anyone's climbing performance in a Grand Tour.

You have over a century of TdF's, almost a century of Giro's and a long history of Vuelta's....you must be kidding!

 

[Angliru]

While I wouldn't agree that Purito's performance in this vuelta is one of the greatest to date, I would agree that his performance so far has been very impressive. And his performance so far has been the greatest performance he has ever had in a grand tour.

This. He's having the performance of his life and I'm really enjoying watching the big 4 battle it out.

 

[willbick]

i am not a Purito expert but i wonder if his previous performances in the mountains in grand tours have been tempered by the knowledge that he couldnt win the GC because of long flattish ITTs.

 

[movingtarget]

This. He's having the performance of his life and I'm really enjoying watching the big 4 battle it out.

It seems the latest Tour winners are managing to find their best form at exactly the right time. Contador in Giro 11, Evans Tour 11, Cobo Vuelta 11 Hejesdal Giro 12 and Wiggins Tour 12 and now maybe Rodriguez Vuelta 12. All were in sensational form at the right time. It's also healthy for the sport to see so many different winners. I don't think Rodriguez is over the line yet but he has been great to watch so far.

 

[rzombie1988]

J-Rod's surely has done his best work ever so far. He's improved alot in the TT and if he can improve even more, he's going to be a stronger threat. He's done great work in he mountains so far too and has basically beaten Alberto at his own game. We will see if it holds up though. JRod always has a bad day and I have to think it will come in this tour.

I do agree though that alot like Cadel in the TdF 2011, he's been able to work with the advantages given to him with his opponents not being at their best and being able to use the finishes/time bonuses to his advantage. He's really lucked out too with no second TT.

 

[rrj1170]

No, I'm not kidding. Name anyone who has won 6 summit finishes in a single GT since 1950. If there is someone I'd like to know who it is.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

30 years. Note that my opinion is somewhat qualified. If he takes the next two stages and the del Mundo, there is no question this rivals anyone's climbing performance in a Grand Tour.

he doesn't come close to anything pantani ever did

 

[LaFlorecita]

You started watching cycling later than froome 19

Haha

 

[LaFlorecita]

No, I'm not kidding. Name anyone who has won 6 summit finishes in a single GT since 1950. If there is someone I'd like to know who it is.

It's not about what you win but how you win it.

 

[Praetor]

I'd like to see Contador attack a bit further from the finish line.

See what happens if Rodriguez is 15-20 seconds down with still 6 kilometers to go. I'm pretty sure he won't be able to close that gap, because he's a Klingon, clinging on and then sprinting is all he does, at best we get an extended sprint.

Had he ever tried seriously attacking, he might have won the Giro, but he just won't do that. He'd rather give it to De Gendt than actually start pulling to save his own jersey. He's just lucky he can cover his passive riding style with his explosive finishes, thereby giving the illusion he's an attractive racer.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I'd like to see Contador attack a bit further from the finish line.

See what happens if Rodriguez is 15-20 seconds down with still 6 kilometers to go. I'm pretty sure he won't be able to close that gap, because he's a Klingon, clinging on and then sprinting is all he does, at best we get an extended sprint.

Of course, that is what Alberto should do and what he would do if he could. But he can't.

 

[taiwan]

Purito's riding style

He plays to his strengths and it appears to be working as he's maybe the most bankable rider in the peloton. He's the GC leader, and it's a strategic game - can't afford to ride like Jens Voigt.

 

[iZnoGouD]

i think if you change the word climbing with uphill sprinting you might be right.

how the **** can he hang in there? he doesn't crack on one of the next stages it's because he is juiced

 

[Eshnar]

how the **** can he hang in there? he doesn't crack on one of the next stages it's because he is juiced

He didn't crack in the Giro.

 

[Peccio89]

He didn't crack in the Giro.

In the giro however they started GC relevant action always with less than 5 km from the finish of the climb( excluding De Gendt), with the exeption of the Giau stage where Basso first attacked at the bottom of the climb, and in fact in that situation Purito suffered a bit in the last kilometer of the climb.
Obviously if Alberto wait till the last kilometers Rodriguez won't crack. He has to try right from the bottom of a major climb, and today might be the perfect day, because it's not super steep at the beginning.

As for what regard froome statement about his opponents someone should tell him that at the end of 150 km almost flat stages is easier to get high power data.

 

[Jason_Mercier]

People say he has improved on the ITT... What they dont say is that the ITT of Pontevedra were for climbers. Put only 39 kms of ITT in all the Vuelta wasnt enough, unipublic also choose one for no specialists riders. Why? To benefits Purito and Valverde, who did a better stage than an itt world champion Tony Martin, Cameron Meyer or Andrew Talansky. Then put 5 similar stages with only one final climb. Arrate, Jaca, Valdezcaray, Gallina, Èzaro. To benefit JRod and Valverde probably? Then all mountain stages, the 8 finish at the top of the final ascent. One more time, why? People said in the TDF the route was designed for Wiggins (i disagree, was for a complete rider with a great amount of ITT kilometres like in 90's) and here in the Vuelta dont say nothing? Its like you put 3000 kilometres of ITT for see win Tony Martin a GT or all flat stages for see win Cavendish a GT. Here all "mountain" stages except three are uphill finish. Also theres no TT. Its shameful. Then people begin to talk about Purito and the history and i cant believe it. Sorry for my english.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

If Purito becomes at least second in this Vuelta, he'll have beaten Wiggins in the World Tour rankings

GO Purito!

Show Wiggins that you're the best rider of this season!

 

[Eshnar]

In the giro however they started GC relevant action always with less than 5 km from the finish of the climb.

And this Vuelta will be the very same.
It's impossible to attack before the final kms if all the peloton is fresh. Plus, Purito has Moreno at his side too. AC should crack him before dealing with Jrod. You can't do it in this Vuelta. What AC can, and will, do, is to attack desperately with like 10 kms to go and fail. He will definitely try but unless his form improves unnaturally in a few days I don't see him succeeding.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

I'd argue Rodriguez is at a similar level to this year's Giro. People are overrating the strength of this Vuelta because of who he is fighting against but none of those are in top form. Froome overcooked, Contador undercooked, Valverde questionable as to what exactly his level is now. Scan the rest of the top 10 and it gives a better idea of where we are

 

[Eshnar]

I'd argue Rodriguez is at a similar level to this year's Giro. People are overrating the strength of this Vuelta because of who he is fighting against but none of those are in top form. Froome overcooked, Contador undercooked, Valverde questionable as to what exactly his level is now. Scan the rest of the top 10 and it gives a better idea of where we are

This.
(10 char.)

 

[movingtarget]

I'd argue Rodriguez is at a similar level to this year's Giro. People are overrating the strength of this Vuelta because of who he is fighting against but none of those are in top form. Froome overcooked, Contador undercooked, Valverde questionable as to what exactly his level is now. Scan the rest of the top 10 and it gives a better idea of where we are

Pretty much right. Valverde and Froome have to be fatigued from the Tour and Contador will probably reach his peak form too late in the race. It's all in the timing. Which is also enabling Moreno to hang in as well. Rodriguez has had the most time to recuperate between Tours. All of these factors have made the race more interesting but I think the gaps will open up more next week.

 

[SafeBet]

he doesn't come close to anything pantani ever did

It's even silly to compare them.

I'd argue Rodriguez is at a similar level to this year's Giro. People are overrating the strength of this Vuelta because of who he is fighting against but none of those are in top form. Froome overcooked, Contador undercooked, Valverde questionable as to what exactly his level is now. Scan the rest of the top 10 and it gives a better idea of where we are

Ture that.
JRO is riding exactly the same way he did in the Giro. In fact, he would have won it if there were time bonuses.

 

[Angliru]

how the **** can he hang in there? he doesn't crack on one of the next stages it's because he is juiced

This may be a reach but I detect that you're holding some form of grudge because your guy hasn't shown improvement in results the same way that Rodriguez has and your only way to resolve this issue is by dragging down Purito's performance(s) and success with your clinic related accusations. As is always reminded to those that forget or choose to ignore the forum rules, there is a place for these types of discussions and this isn't it.

 

[movingtarget]

This may be a reach but I detect that you're holding some form of grudge because your guy hasn't shown improvement in results the same way that Rodriguez has and your only way to resolve this issue is by dragging down Purito's performance(s) and success with your clinic related accusations. As is always reminded to those that forget or choose to ignore the forum rules, there is a place for these types of discussions and this isn't it.

But mentioning Pantani outside the clinic is okay ? I have no problem with Rodriguez and what he has done in this race. I think we have to take all performances at face value unless tests show otherwise. Rodriguez has stepped it up this year and so far has a had a great season.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

But mentioning Pantani outside the clinic is okay ? I have no problem with Rodriguez and what he has done in this race. I think we have to take all performances at face value unless tests show otherwise. Rodriguez has stepped it up this year and so far has a had a great season.

Feel bad for Purito. He always seems to have a bad day somewhere along the line. That said Contador's tactics were spot on and Katusha's were, shall we say, lacking.