Stage 20: Santa Estebo de Ribas do Sil-Puerto de Ancares (185.7 km)

[JRanton]

I also don't see why there's any fuss about what Contador did. There's still a stage left tomorrow. A crash/mechanical and you'd be very pleased to have those extra seconds in hand. Not to mention the fact that Froome clearly wasn't looking for a gift as he tried to drop Contador with 800m to go.

 

[Netbalp]

Nah, nothing wrong with Froome. He rode great on the days he had too. He just got beat by the best GT rider on earth. His legs should have been mes ahead.

are you blind fanatic of Contador?

 

[jens_attacks]

it was a great showdown. unfortunately it's true guys we need absolute monster walls in order to see some action from more than 3 kms to the finish. mortirolo,zoncolan,angliru,punta veleno,anacares-pan do zarco...these are the days
the selection is easier to made on 10% + stuff

i have to say i didn't agree with alberto's move today. he should have attacked him with 5-6 km to go not in the last km. plus it hurts my heart because when he does that, i remember about mosquera at fuentes de invierno he could have let him win imo.
that move without a doubt angered michelle a lot and she will make sure froomey will ride twice as fast next year

overall, great climb and action though

 

[LaFlorecita]

it was a great showdown. unfortunately it's true guys we need absolute monster walls in order to see some action from more than 3 kms to the finish. mortirolo,zoncolan,angliru,punta veleno,anacares-pan do zarco...these are the days
the selection is easier to made on 10% + stuff

i have to say i didn't agree with alberto's move today. he should have attacked him with 5-6 km to go not in the last km. plus it hurts my heart because when he does that, i remember about mosquera at fuentes de invierno he could have let him win imo.
that move without a doubt angered michelle a lot and she will make sure froomey will ride twice as fast next year

overall, great climb and action though

If Contador crashes in tomorrow's TT, or loses his chain, and loses a minute to Froome, we'll be happy he took these extra 20s.

 

[jens_attacks]

he could have put one minute into him. he should have done that rather than attack in the last km.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Gifting seconds to your biggest rival ahead of a time trial, when he is by most accounts your better at that discipline and you're only just over a minute ahead is absolutely stupid.

I'm shocked anyone with an iota of cycling knowledge would suggest Contador adopt such a ridiculous tactic.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

he could have put one minute into him. he should have done that rather than attack in the last km.

Maybe but I'm not sure if he was that strong today. He seemed a lot stronger relative to Froome the last time he won.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Maybe but I'm not sure if he was that strong today. He seemed a lot stronger relative to Froome the last time he won.

Yep, he seemed to be hurting a lot. No way he could have attacked from 5 km out.

 

[Arredondo]

Gifting seconds to your biggest rival ahead of a time trial, when he is by most accounts your better at that discipline and you're only just over a minute ahead is absolutely stupid.

I'm shocked anyone with an iota of cycling knowledge would suggest Contador adopt such a ridiculous tactic.

Absolutely true.

But you don't really believe hat concern, don't you? I mean, more then 1 minute on 9.7 km

 

[JRanton]

Absolutely true.

But you don't really believe hat concern, don't you? I mean, more then 1 minute on 9.7 km

Crash/mechanical? Why take a chance?

 

[JRanton]

Yep, he seemed to be hurting a lot. No way he could have attacked from 5 km out.

And even if he had felt really good why risk potentially blowing up later on by attacking early? Makes no sense at all with a gap of just over a minute to play with. I think you could possibly criticise Contador a little today if he'd had a 3-4 minute margin to play with but that wasn't the case.

 

[arvc40]

are you blind fanatic of Contador?

Whatever you think is fine. You win. I only see Contador in Red. 8 GT. Enjoy

 

[trevim]

I think my heart rate was higher than Froome's/Contador's on the final climb

 

[deValtos]

You certainly can't criticize Contador's tactics today, the way he rode was the safest way to ensure he wins the Vuelta and thats what he and the team are here for.

However he is loosing his "panache". I just can't picture in my head the likes of Pantani/Armstrong/Froome/Basso wheelsucking an entire climb to attack in the last few hundred metres. I don't know if it's a confidence thing but I'm not so keen on this new Contador. Wins him races though.

 

[Netserk]

You certainly can't criticize Contador's tactics today, the way he rode was the safest way to ensure he wins the Vuelta and thats what he and the team are here for.

However he is loosing his "panache". I just can't picture in my head the likes of Pantani/Armstrong/Froome/Basso wheelsucking an entire climb to attack in the last few hundred metres. I don't know if it's a confidence thing but I'm not so keen on this new Contador. Wins him races though.

It's because of the injury. He attacked from far out in Tirreno (and Dauphiné) and I guess he would've done the same in the Tour if he had to.

 

[trevim]

Also hats off to Jesus Hernandez: he often gets called out for being in the races just because he's friends with Contador but the truth is that he was TST best mountain domestique in the Vuelta being very close to Alberto in the two hardest mountain stages, Somiedo and Ancares.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Also hats off to Jesus Hernandez: he often gets called out for being in the races just because he's friends with Contador but the truth is that he was TST best mountain domestique in the Vuelta being very close to Alberto in the two hardest mountain stages, Somiedo and Ancares.

Yeah, he was very impressive.

 

[hrotha]

When did Basso become an example of panache?

 

[deValtos]

It's because of the injury. He attacked from far out in Tirreno (and Dauphiné) and I guess he would've done the same in the Tour if he had to.

Yea it's possible the injury had some part to play (wouldn't give it too much credence considering how he won the vuelta) but I think it's more of a confidence issue with Froome, hopefully this year will have changed that. I'd rather not see something like Dauphine stage 2 happen again next year where only of the two guys is willing to try something.

 

[deValtos]

When did Basso become an example of panache?

Mmmm bad word perhaps

I just meant he's not bothered about getting on the front and putting the hammer down. Yea panache is probably not best how to describe him but with Basso I always felt if he had something in the legs he gave it his 100% and wouldn't wait for others to dictate the race.

 

[Ryaguas]

You certainly can't criticize Contador's tactics today, the way he rode was the safest way to ensure he wins the Vuelta and thats what he and the team are here for.

However he is loosing his "panache". I just can't picture in my head the likes of Pantani/Armstrong/Froome/Basso wheelsucking an entire climb to attack in the last few hundred metres. I don't know if it's a confidence thing but I'm not so keen on this new Contador. Wins him races though.

How is it possible to put Froome next to that 3 guys? and especially putting him as an example of Panache... PANACHE!!!!

 

[LaFlorecita]

You certainly can't criticize Contador's tactics today, the way he rode was the safest way to ensure he wins the Vuelta and thats what he and the team are here for.

However he is loosing his "panache". I just can't picture in my head the likes of Pantani/Armstrong/Froome/Basso wheelsucking an entire climb to attack in the last few hundred metres. I don't know if it's a confidence thing but I'm not so keen on this new Contador. Wins him races though.

Yes he's lost some confidence and this new strategy is working well for him, it's not as cool but very efficient.

 

[Ryaguas]

Caruso and Warren making the top 10... good for them!

 

[Flamin]

You can't blame Contador if Froome is completely fine with towing him to the line without asking for a pull once.

 

[Energy Starr]

You certainly can't criticize Contador's tactics today, the way he rode was the safest way to ensure he wins the Vuelta and thats what he and the team are here for.

However he is loosing his "panache". I just can't picture in my head the likes of Pantani/Armstrong/Froome/Basso wheelsucking an entire climb to attack in the last few hundred metres. I don't know if it's a confidence thing but I'm not so keen on this new Contador. Wins him races though.

Guy wins his 6th GT and you're knocking him.