Stage 9, Sunday August 31 | Carboneras de Guadazaón - Aramón Valdelinares, 185km

[Walkman]

I remember Porte, Contador and Froome fighting for positions at the 2013 Dauphiné just so they could start behind their respective rival in the TT. I doubt they'd do that if it doesn't make a big difference.

Did they really say that?

Or did they just raced their bikes and tried to make up time on each other like they often do in the mountains?

 

[Walkman]

This could get interesting if Quintana tries an attack from far out.

No chance.

I predict a borefest up until the last 5 km. Then maybe some non real GC-riders make a move and then with 3km to go we get some actions and then it's over pretty quick.

Hoping I am wrong though!

 

[No_Balls]

Not completely sure about that, it's still a bit early to put in a real show, I don't think he'll be strong enough to drop them all .

I'm rather surprised with this. Surely, you have to see this coming? I dont think a rather fit AC would allow it to come down to a sprint and then perhaps lose some more seconds to (above all) Froome before the coming TT. He might not be able to drop them but i'll expect something, and then we see if the explosiveness is there.

He has to be careful not to put himself in the red for nothing and lose a few seconds in the final k. Better keep his strength like he did on Zubia for the bonifications.[/B]

Corrected

That would be the wisest course if he had any doubts with his leg of course. But with a rest day and TT just around the corner there are a little too much at stake for him to just sit idle. Not that he would go after the red jersey but he needs to attack Froome and that equals the overall.

 

[TommyPlus]

I remember Porte, Contador and Froome fighting for positions at the 2013 Dauphiné just so they could start behind their respective rival in the TT. I doubt they'd do that if it doesn't make a big difference.



I guess you know it better than the riders themselves.

Explain the huge advantage then...

 

[TommyPlus]

I remember Porte, Contador and Froome fighting for positions at the 2013 Dauphiné just so they could start behind their respective rival in the TT. I doubt they'd do that if it doesn't make a big difference.



I guess you know it better than the riders themselves.

Or post the link to Froome saying he is after every second possible so he can start after AC in the TT

 

[Tournesol]

Lame stage with a lame finish which will probably produce lame action and a lame breakaway winner

I seek out your posts for humour ("what else is Wiggins apart from a f"""ing boring rider" hee hee!),but this CAN be an interesting GC stage.Its a bit of a cliche but the riders can make this,only second real GC stage,we'll get a race today,genuinely hope expected Le Tour battle between Dawg/AC is re-enacted here.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Did they really say that?

Or did they just raced their bikes and tried to make up time on each other like they often do in the mountains?

Nah, it was pretty obvious. Froome and Porte finished directly behind two sprinters. PS, it wasn't a mountain stage

 

[Miburo]

Err, yes, it would be terrible if Froome got to start behind Contador.

If Froome has the potential to catch Contador then he has no chance to win the vuelta anyways.

If Contador can hold on today then he has a good chance to win this assuming he'll improve.

Regardless if Contador already trained for a long time or not, his form in the tour must have been insane knowing what he did thursday.

 

[No_Balls]

Of course it's better to start behind but Froome is going to drill it no matter what. Don't see how it would make such a dramatic difference.

Its kind of Time Trial for dummies that everyone wants to start behind their rivals and even more so last if possible. The mental effect, the possibility of racing against his time will raise the riders own efforts despite what the other up front is doing. Besides, he cant race against the other in the same manner and every slightly mistake will be punished. This is also the only really TT that matters in this edition (the other is probably too short).

It is not strange why many riders, not even considered TT-specialist, have done the best TT in their careers when starting last or among the last.

 

[Walkman]

Its kind of Time Trial for dummies that everyone wants to start behind their rivals and even more so last if possible. The mental effect, the possibility of racing against his time will raise the riders own efforts despite what the other up front is doing. Besides, he cant race against the other in the same manner and every slightly mistake will be punished. This is also the only really TT that matters in this edition (the other is probably too short).

It is not strange why many riders, not even considered TT-specialist, have done the best TT in their careers when starting last or among the last.

I know it's better but how much?

I'd say that depends on the athlete. Some riders who aren't that mentally strong surly benefit more that riders who are mentally stronger. Also, it's not like it's reassuring to be the last man out and keep hearing that you are losing ground as Schleck did in 2011. I am pretty sure he was mentally broken once he heard that Cadel had caught up those 57 seconds and still had a long way to ride.

 

[No_Balls]

Yes, the athlete plays certainly a role here. AS is an extreme example from the norm because he cant time trial even with a gun to his head (and when you cant learn a remotely good position the advantage is soon lost). His notorious weak mind didn't do him any favours either in a duel with Cadel.

That is why it would be such a disadvantage for Froome to have such a strong minded rider as AC behind. They both know it and that is partly why Froome has been sprinting the whole week. He can and probably will win it regardless but not as much the deficit as if the roles were reversed.

 

[LaFlorecita]

If Froome has the potential to catch Contador then he has no chance to win the vuelta anyways.

If Contador can hold on today then he has a good chance to win this assuming he'll improve.

Regardless if Contador already trained for a long time or not, his form in the tour must have been insane knowing what he did thursday.

It's not about catching him, of course.

 

[Dr. Juice]

It's not about catching him, of course.

The psychological effect should not be underestimated. With Alberto starting after Froome, he can bomb that climb up like there is no tomorrow and Froome then hears "Alberto is faster than you". Which ALWAYS has an effect, especially in riders who are not that strong mentally.
Catching him no way. But I think 20-30 seconds difference can result out of that.

 

[TommyPlus]

Hoping for a good display from Aru today, had a few sheckles on him

 

[Walkman]

The psychological effect should not be underestimated. With Alberto starting after Froome, he can bomb that climb up like there is no tomorrow and Froome then hears "Alberto is faster than you". Which ALWAYS has an effect, especially in riders who are not that strong mentally.
Catching him no way. But I think 20-30 seconds difference can result out of that.

Or he bombs the climb and hears: "You are 20 seconds slower than Froome". Mental breakdown is coming for you!

 

[Dr. Juice]

Or he bombs the climb and hears: "You are 20 seconds slower than Froome". Mental breakdown is coming for you!

With Alberto, never. Mind of steel.
However, Froome is not as strong mentally, starting behind Alberto can help him

 

[LaFlorecita]

Or he bombs the climb and hears: "You are 20 seconds slower than Froome". Mental breakdown is coming for you!

Always better than bombing the climb, then Froome bombs the climb and he hears: Froome is 40s faster

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Lots of people trying to get into the break.

Km 11
Un grupo de unas 25 unidades logra unos metros de ventaja. Se rueda rápido

Km 13
Son 27 corredores los que marchan en la fuga.

 

[Arredondo]

More then 40 guys in the attack.

No doubt some dangerous men are in there.

 

[jens_attacks]

40 riders breakaway now
we could have some fun today

 

[fungusbear]

Don't understand all the fuss about Contador getting destroyed if Froome starts after him. Froome is gonna beat him in the TT anyway. Anyway, not expecting that much, I think someone from the break will win it. Hoping that there will be lots of action but not to bigger time gaps (I like having lots of potential winners still in it).

 

[roundabout]

More then 40 guys in the attack.

No doubt some dangerous men are in there.

Doesn't seem so.

 

[Arredondo]

Doesn't seem so.

Yes indeed.

Dario CATALDO
Winner ANACONA
Julian David ARREDONDO MORENO
Fabio FELLINE
Bob JUNGELS
Alexey LUTSENKO
Damiano CUNEGO
Paul MARTENS
Ryder HESJEDAL
Johan VAN SUMMEREN
Pirmin LANG
Eduard VORGANOV
Adam HANSEN
Javier MORENO
Daniel TEKLEHAIMANOT
Jay Robert THOMSON
Tom BOONEN
Carlos VERONA
Rinaldo NOCENTINI

19 of the 27 leaders. 8 unidentified

 

[Netserk]

Zubeldia to be up there, but never identified

 

[theyoungest]

Zubeldia to be up there, but never identified

Random Garmin rider to be up there, and immediately identified by Cyclingnews as the major favourite to win the stage.