Stage 12:Almería - Velefique, 174km

[taiwan]

Been seeing some of the Tour of Missouri, which is flat enough that the first 4 stages were bunch sprints, and they almost had to resort to tossing a coin to decide the leader... Anyway, Pellizzotti the dolphin is there. Would have liked to see him in this Vuelta. In the Giro he was great.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I think Cadel was playing smart, if he went with Gesink he would have been in gold, but SIL would not have been able to cover the attacks over the next 2 days. It won't be the same for tomorrow or the next day i expect. He didn't lose out on the leader today so that's good.

Agreed. It would of been bad to follow Gesink as if evans went with it would of been the gold jersey and then the other gc favourites would gang up on him. Was it me or was valverde a little shaky?

yes tomorrow will be interesting, and sunday. WIll gesink be able to hold this form the next 2 days.. big call.

His team obviously thinks he can but can gesink's body after tonights mountain stage be able to keep up with the favourites on la Pandera. I'm not sure but he is looking good at the moment. If he does then he's a big chance but i think the tt and the mountain stage in to Avila(not sure if right stage) may crack him as his young body may need time to mature. He's going great.

 

[Cobber]

Just finished watching the stage. Pretty good stage, but not a lot of action. Everyone waiting for tomorrow I guess!

Well.. quite a few tough stages so far and the top 3 on GC separated by only 18 seconds. Lets hope the TdF organisers take note of this. If you want to have a close GC at the end of the tour, you do not need 3 weeks of boring flat stages before it!

I am still hoping Evans wins the whole thing, since he doesn't have much time left. I would also be happy with Gesink winning. Well, actually, I would be happy with anyone except Valverde!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

anyone know what happened to the channel surfing feed of the race? I ended up watching a rtve.es feed thru justin.tv . I'm in Australia.

yeh it wasn't working for me either (in melb) i watched the eurosport (english) feed.

Just finished watching the stage. Pretty good stage, but not a lot of action. Everyone waiting for tomorrow I guess!

Well.. quite a few tough stages so far and the top 3 on GC separated by only 18 seconds. Lets hope the TdF organisers take note of this. If you want to have a close GC at the end of the tour, you do not need 3 weeks of boring flat stages before it!

might help to have no contador either
But I agree, the Vuelta has been a much better race in terms of GT.

 

[Bala Verde]

If the GC contenders stay in close range the next 2 days, the stages to Avila (3 cat climb and what looks like an uphill sprint/classics finish) as well as the one to la Granja (1st cat followed by a rather long - but is it a difficult one - descent and another what looks like a classics uphill finish) could become very interesting.

Especially Valverde would be in a position to take back some time there with the bonus seconds. Obviously if they can control the unavoidable breakaways.

 

[craig1985]

Was Hesjedal still doing MTB at his time under Bruyneel/Srmstrong, or did they not rate him?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I wonder why conserve so much though? I mean, when the road goes up, if you do a lot of work, others have to work as well to chase you down, wearing them out as well.

This year, and the last few years, we're not really seeing days like we have in the past where big climbs tend to completely splinter riders all across the mountain. Multiiple reasons, but part of it is that everyone seems risk averse.

..you do not need 3 weeks of boring flat stages before it!

Yes, I fully agree with that. While today's stage was dull, and some of the other mountain stages were fairly conservative, having 4-5 flat days is plenty. The Tour seems to think they need 15 of them.

Might help to have no contador either.

At least he attacks. How about no Lance? Or are you saying AC will just ride away from everyone? Well, yes, there is that.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

At least he attacks. How about no Lance? Or are you saying AC will just ride away from everyone? Well, yes, there is that.

Haha the later. I was just referring to the everyone within a miute comment. Lets face it, Conta doesn't have that many riders close to him after a few mountain stages.

I agree with your comments about them conserving energy. Clearly Valc. is trying a different approch this vuelta, he is the most conseravtive i have ever seen him at a GT. Funny that most of the riders are allowing him to do this (bar gesink). It would be great to see Gesink whoop those guys the next 2 days now. Not just saying that cause I'm biased either, I've always felt attacking riders should be rewarded.

Basso and Evans have always been patient riders though, so it's not really new.

 

[Steel4Ever]

Was Hesjedal still doing MTB at his time under Bruyneel/Srmstrong, or did they not rate him?

Don't think so. He joined Postal in 2005 and rode the '05 Giro. Doesn't leave much time for racing fat-tire. '06 he went to Phonak. Amazing how he managed to stay clean for those two years!