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

[deValtos]

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

Well from wiki "Panache (French pronunciation: ​[panaʃ]) is a word of French origin that carries the connotation of flamboyant manner and reckless courage."

He ranks high up for reckless courage in the pro ranks and he's got the confidence and the exuberance you'd expect from a flamboyant manner. I don't think it's much of a strech ? Flamboyment just means he has a confident style, it doesn't necessarily have to be aesthetically pleasing

 

[deValtos]

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

Nope, he's done really well for himself and he rides smart (always has done.) But obviously how you ride affects how much people warm to you, I'm just commenting that imo his new style is slightly less likeable than before. Of course it's not important but this is a forum Just expressing my opinion. Everyone gets some comments once in a while (or if you're Gerrans ... almost every race.)

 

[Bushman]

Ugly wheelsucking win by Contador. I am not impressed

Whoa the whole wheelsuck thing has really gone too far. Contador had NO reason at all to use up energy riding at the front, Froome had. Should Contador refrain from attacking even though he clearly had more in his legs than Froome just because Froome had been doing the work? No offense, but that sounds like a losers mentality.

 

[Cimber]

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.

He hasnt been at 100% this Vuelta and it has been obviously that he hasnt been anke to do sustained attacks which is why he has been most succesful the stages where he attacked late. The stages where he attacked earlier he paid a little later on. On 100% he can do sustained attacks

 

[Cimber]

How else were they supposed to ride it? Froome made several attacks and Contador was strong enough to respond and then take the win. Simple as that really. Froome was only 13 seconds ahead of Valverde coming into the stage so of course he's going to ride on the front in the final km's to seal second place and with no prospect at that stage of beating Contador.

Like Contador, Froome should not worry about secondary placings. Had he been cool he would have let JRod and Valverde go and let the red jersey do the work

 

[Publicus]

Nope, he's done really well for himself and he rides smart (always has done.) But obviously how you ride affects how much people warm to you, I'm just commenting that imo his new style is slightly less likeable than before. Of course it's not important but this is a forum Just expressing my opinion. Everyone gets some comments once in a while (or if you're Gerrans ... almost every race.)

Basically you're knocking Contador for riding a tactically smart race and being stronger than Froome (held his wheel all the way and drop him with a single counter).

 

[arvc40]

Like Contador, Froome should not worry about secondary placings. Had he been cool he would have let JRod and Valverde go and let the red jersey do the work

Lol. Easier said than done.

 

[arvc40]

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

Froome can't beat Contador riding in any fashion. Towing and attacking is his trump card and it does not work anymore. 2013 Contador is gone.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Haven't read all of this thread, but seems like a lot of glass half empty mindset doing the rounds at the moment. Man, two great riders have their hearts broken during the biggest race of the season, yet come back and put on a dramatic display of a titanic tussle in a slightly smaller race and at 'fractionally' lesser versions of their best selves, and fans still aren't happy!

Kudos to Alberto and Chris for succeeding in a season of adversary.

Hey, even that Spaniard we all hate might just deserve a small degree of respect now, after making the podium.

I said might

 

[Cimber]

Lol. Easier said than done.

Its really not that hard not to work (-;

 

[arvc40]

Its really not that hard not to work (-;

Great. Both do track stands and let someone else win. Thank god they don't all just not work. I'm sure Froome did the best tactic and what was best for him and the sponsors.

 

[Poursuivant]

Froome can't beat Contador riding in any fashion. Towing and attacking is his trump card and it does not work anymore. 2013 Contador is gone.

But he beat him in the first two stages of the Dauphine, didn't he?

 

[The_Juan]

Not for nothing but... Froome attacked Alberto at least 3 times with 6K to go. That goes against cycling protocol if the the stage is to be gifted.

On another note, what a friggin nasty climb! Mother of Jesus!

 

[arvc40]

But he beat him in the first two stages of the Dauphine, didn't he?

Does not work anymore. Will not beat him in GT, GC

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Great. Both do track stands and let someone else win. Thank god they don't all just not work. I'm sure Froome did the best tactic and what was best for him and the sponsors.

Trying to ride someone of similar strength of your wheel usually isn't a smart thing to do.

About this ludicrous debate: Contador is supposed to help Froome attack him? of course! And he didn't oversprint him at the line, he put in a huge attack. mind you: he had to wait for that untill he was close enough to the finish to not risk blowing up.
There is no rule to assist or be nice to your enemy... what nonsense.

 

[rantanplan]

By the way...what's your opinion about Ancares Pan do Zarco?

 

[Netserk]

By the way...what's your opinion about Ancares Pan do Zarco?

It's too much. Next time they shouldn't do the goat track.

 

[icefire]

It's too much. Next time they shouldn't do the goat track.

It's no harder than Larrau. Pray they don't close the loop and do it twice