Sunday, June 17 - Tour de Suisse, Stage 9: Näfels[LinthArena] - Sörenberg, 215.8km

[Mellow Velo]

8.5%? Impressively disguised at pan flat.
In the end, today reminded me of "one of those" Tour stages.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Probably the most awesome win I've ever seen! Never felt so nervous before without Alberto.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Congrats Costa!

LOL. Where was the 1k climb at 8.5 % in the end? ****ing climbbybike.

It didn't end at the climb a few km later. They went over that bit, but it wasn't even a km long more like 600-700m.

 

[Kwibus]

it isn't over yet

dutchies for dinner..

You can have the dinner. Atleast people start acting normal again in this country.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

it isn't over yet

dutchies for dinner..

You better lose that one!

 

[Broth3r]

You can hear the Portuguese fans chanting Rui's name. Amazing.

 

[Dedelou]

I couldn't be happier for Costa. Good winner.

 

[roundabout]

predictable roundabout whine is predictable

very happy for costa

Yeah as predictable as Gesink's brainless riding. Just imagine if he had left Valverde to work. Maybe Kruijswijk would have had a chance to gain more than 2 seconds.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

obligatory RaboFail.

 

[Cowgirlup]

Which rider is Piti? Valverde?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Which rider is Piti? Valverde?

Yes..........

 

[webbie146]

You can have the dinner. Atleast people start acting normal again in this country.

I know right I'm from Holland too and kinda getting tired from all the football hype lately..

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Which rider is Piti? Valverde?

yes shaggy dog story

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

No problem if you have that team for dinner. They don't have anything to do at that championship anyway

 

[Pippo_San]

obligatory RaboFail.

rofl there's nothing as amusing as a new Rabofail

 

[Broth3r]

obligatory RaboFail.

No. MoviWin.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

why did Cunego race TdS_

 

[screaming fist]

I have to say: would have loved if Leipheimer took the race just to see a picture of him hanging onto the team car in The Inner Ring's "the moment the race was won" blog entry.

But seriously: Hats off to Rui Costa and his team who rode a clever race, maxmimizing on their possibilities and keeping in control. And also hats off to Fränk Schleck, the man who made the race exciting. I would have liked him to win, but at least none can't blame him for not trying this time.

 

[Bala Verde]

Great ride from Rui. In a way even better one from Piti. Didn't think he had it in him to swallow his pride like that, especially when the win was by no means assured.

You don't think after his comeback, that he dialed back his expectations? I always had a feeling that he sort of realizes he is 'the past' and I actually doubt he will ever get back to his old form (no pun intended). Somehow it seems as if he is just happy to ride at the highest level; perhaps even help the team and guide the youngsters.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I didn't expect Costa would win before the race, but after Verbier, it as always a possibility. He had to go really deep to hang on on the Glaubenberg, and Piti was awesome today. All in all, one great race for the kid from Povoa de Varzim. He had his disagreements with Abarcá back in the Caisse days, even left the team arguing over which races he got to do, cos he kept being sent to races like Sarthe and Dunkerque, races the team were doing to sate their French sponsor; he came back cap in hand after his unfortunate suspension, and he's pretty much forced them to give him the choice of the races he goes to now. He is a top quality bike rider and will be for years to come.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Nice win for Costa.

I'm not very happy about the finale though. What a way for the organisers to destroy a stage. Even a km and a half of real climbing at the end would have made this much better.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

You don't think after his comeback, that he dialed back his expectations? I always had a feeling that he sort of realizes he is 'the past' and I actually doubt he will ever get back to his old form (no pun intended). Somehow it seems as if he is just happy to ride at the highest level; perhaps even help the team and guide the youngsters.

I did think he'd dial back his expectations, but before yesterday's stage he was 4th overall, not far back from Gesink and Schleck, and a very real threat to win. And I thought Movistar would use him as a second (green) bullet in case Costa struggled, rather than gambling on Rui.

After yesterday, I'm not surprised that he did it, but at the same time, the last two days have shown us a new side to Alejandro Valverde. I'm pretty much Valverde defender #1 on these boards, but I felt the race parcours was better suited to him than Costa, and knowing how Unzué is so supportive of Valverde, I figured they'd play the 1-2 card rather than using Valverde as a super-dom.

 

[Havetts]

LaFleur must be extremely happy for Kangert today

 

[Captain Sensible]

Leipheimer attacking with explosiveness of a turtle.

LOL that is a great quote:

 

[LaFlorecita]

LaFleur must be extremely happy for Kangert today

Yeah indeed lol. I wonder is she Estonian?