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

[BigMac]

People doing with Froome what they did with Quintana after stage 6. There's no logic behind rulling out Froome just yet.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Winner saved the day for me. Too bad he missed Red. Maybe Cunego should have played along on the early part of the last climb, but ok hes leaving the team so working on own chances perhaps.

Minimal race action from the favorites. 2-3 km on a stage before the rest day. Pretty dull.

Froome will not be a factor in this race imo.

Two Spaniards will be on the podium. Quintana only man who can challenge I think.

 

[trevim]

All the talk of Quintana wheelsucking... what exactly did you want him to do? Attack the red jersey? That would have improved team harmony wouldn't it?

Completely agreed, Quintana played the co-leader role perfectly. Even if he had attacked, he's a leader, why would he need permission to make a move?!

 

[kingjr]

Yes I agree Quintana and Contador are big favourites now.

Contador is the big favourite. I do not see Contador getting dropped by anyone in the mountains right now. He will gain all the time he needs in the ITT tomorrow.

 

[No_Balls]

Yes I agree Quintana and Contador are big favourites now.

If he improves. I am by no means impressed of what i see in this Vuelta. Either its too hot and/or even when the weather is good he gets dragged into the red.

It is enough with excuses now.

 

[BigMac]

Winner saved the day for me. Too bad he missed Red. Maybe Cunego should have played along on the early part of the last climb, but ok hes leaving the team so working on own chances perhaps.

[...]

Cunego doesn't work for anyone. In his own mind, he still thinks he's #1 inside the team. And yes, Anacona's victory is what was best today.

 

[trevim]

No you're right. But hey, apart from Contador, nobody attacked

I'm still a fan of Purito though, just don't mess with Velasco

 

[Rollthedice]

Froome's days as a GT contender are numbered. Another lesson would be never trust what Contador says. Quintana is learning from master Valverde the art of wheelsucking for success. Bring on the TT.

 

[Praying Mantis]

Oh, and can someone tell that dude Froome TO LOOK UP THE FREAKIN ROAD?! It seems like he's gotten worse at keeping his head up, he looks down more than he looks up, ridiculous!

That would be most unwise. It's the source of his extraordinary power. Ever since the "incident". We don't speak of the "incident".

 

[IronCQ]

So a good but not perfect fit Contador with a 1k attack destroys the field except Nairo and Purito. I dont believe in miracles so this looks like a not top form field to me, hope the third week will be better because at the moment it seems 1 km efforts is all these riders can do now. Please leave the 'Nibali would have been destroyed at Le Tour' outside, or someone could say the shark wouldwin this with one leg...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Anyway rather than form I'd also like to point out Froome is a lot worse in rain and Quintana/Rodriguez are better..
I'd like to see how the form is when it gets hot again

 

[ILovecycling]

Froome down already suggests to me he hasn't got it. Its unlikely he'll suddenly show great form later.
Vuelta is between Quintana and Contador.

I think its too early,we should wait for camperona and lagos,he might be affected by the crash.

How about this one?

again 3 colombians in top10,impressive..
feel sorry for chavito there.ryo was right,this weather is worse for him,too fragile.

 

[SeriousSam]

I dont believe in miracles

hm.......

 

[ILovecycling]

Its hard to not say this without seeming racist or something, but please say I'm not the only person that has noticed that many of the Colombian riders look like elves?

educate yourself lol

 

[trevim]

So a good but not perfect fit Contador with a 1k attack destroys the field except Nairo and Purito. I dont believe in miracles so this looks like a not top form field to me, hope the third week will be better because at the moment it seems 1 km efforts is all these riders can do now. Please leave the 'Nibali would have been destroyed at Le Tour' outside, or someone could say the shark wouldwin this with one leg...

If Nibali was that good he should have tried the Tour-Vuelta. He sucked so much in the early season that he could have won this easily now that he was in shape....

 

[ILovecycling]

People doing with Froome what they did with Quintana after stage 6. There's no logic behind rulling out Froome just yet.

yeah,Im wondering,these same people who know cycling really well do these kind of ridiculous conclusions

 

[Angliru]

Anyone think it is wierd how same with Dauphinee the crash affects Froome more the 2nd day. Not making excuses Contador was great please put this argument to rest Contador would have destroyed Nibali in the TDF. Rest day will be good for Froome, then we will see in the ITT if he has the form.

Sure sounds like an excuse to me . You could quite easily attribute it to the weather having an adverse effect on his performance. Froome said he was unaffected by the low speed crash. Maybe the opportunistic taking of seconds here and there was an indication of him knowing he would need every second since he admittedly isn't carrying the same form as his peak in 2013.

 

[Rollthedice]

If Nibali was that good he should have tried the Tour-Vuelta. He sucked so much in the early season that he could have won this easily now that he was in shape....

He prepares for next year's Giro-Tour double.

 

[hfer07]

Quintana better let go of the jersey on Tuesday-perhaps Contador of Froome will take it anyways, so the burden is off his back while allowing him to get stronger for the next MTF stages.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

feel sorry for chavito there.ryo was right,this weather is worse for him,too fragile.

That weather shouldn't be an excuse for anyone - it was 17 deg C

 

[Cance > TheRest]

People doing with Froome what they did with Quintana after stage 6. There's no logic behind rulling out Froome just yet.

I don't think anybody ruled out Quintana after stage 6. Some, including myself, just pointed out that he was a bit disappointing. Froome was disappointing aswell today. I think the ITT will prove a better indicator of where he is. If he fails to gain significant time there, I would rule him out a bit.

 

[Richeypen]

Froome can hardly be fatigued. He should get better as the race goes on.

Time will tell if today was a bad day or if his form just isnt there. Seems odd that he would be going for the bonus seconds up till now if he wasnt confident he could perform in the mountains.

 

[icefire]

If Nibali was that good he should have tried the Tour-Vuelta. He sucked so much in the early season that he could have won this easily now that he was in shape....

Can't see a TdF winner showing up at the Vuelta unless he's a Spaniard.

 

[hfer07]

If Nibali was that good he should have tried the Tour-Vuelta. He sucked so much in the early season that he could have won this easily now that he was in shape....

oh common

stop it!!!

please don't bring that poop argument again-THE TOUR IS DONE-THIS IS LA VUELTA!!!

 

[Race Radio]

Some interesting action today but 2 TT's and 6 mountain stages left. So much could happen