Volta a Catalunya 2013 - Stage 4: Llanars → Port Ainé (217 kms)

[Carols]

Just finished watching the stage! Due to rumors there wouldn't be any TV this AM I departed for the day but the DVR was set up and pleasantly I found a recording.

Great win by Martin, took it from far out and just kept going, Chapeau!!! Nice attacks by many others and Purito makes up lots of ground late leaving Wiggins behind. Wish they had showed that attack, wonder if Wiggins tried to respond or just kept tempo. Wiggins obviously not safe on multi-climb stages without a train.

Martin isn't safe with boni seconds back in play but I wish him well! Dam*ed nice attack and ride!

 

[Parrot23]

Now, multiply that (exponentially) by 3 weeks and what do you get? Hint: see Froome's final time in 2012 Vuelta.

Did Wiggins have a train in the 2009 Tour? Don't think so, but I get your point.

 

[cineteq]

Did Wiggins have a train in the 2009 Tour? Don't think so, but I get your point.

Was he 'known' back then?

 

[Parrot23]

Was he 'known' back then?

Oh, no, a complete unknown--until the first climb...and ahead of Nibali. Not bad for an IP rider from a small pond of mediocre club riders. Just a small detail.

That said, Nibali's TT'ing is looking much better and it should keep him in the game just a slight bit longer this time.

Masterful race by him at Tirreno. Props to him.

 

[greenedge]

Did Wiggins have a train in the 2009 Tour? Don't think so, but I get your point.

He had CVV, who finished 4th the year before.

 

[webvan]

And who didn't exactly bury himself for him even on the monster Col de Romme stage...well he was still considered the leader in Limoges on the rest day.

 

[theyoungest]

Interesting to see how Wiggins matches up against very strong climbers without the strongest Sky train to back him up. Looks like he didn't do great but didn't do particularly badly either. Lost 26s to Jrod in a very difficult stage which isn't amazing but nor is it that bad given that Jrod is probably a bit more race sharp and given that 26s is almost meaningless compared to what Jrod would lose to Wiggins in a long time trial.

26 seconds is an eternity, in modern stage racing. Not a very strong performance by Wiggo yesterday.

 

[webvan]

You have to wonder at some of the stuff posted here...it looks like some people think a racer can be the best climber and best ITTer. Short term memory problems? We know how a certain someone achieved that not that long ago, no? The few other times when it happened and it was legit was for exceptionally gifted riders in their very best year, say Hinault/1981, Lemond/1986, and if you're pushing it, Contador/2009...the next one could be Froome 201x ? Wiggins is a/not exceptionally gifted and it's probably not his best year.

 

[cineteq]

Oh, no, a complete unknown--until the first climb...and ahead of Nibali. Not bad for an IP rider from a small pond of mediocre club riders. Just a small detail.

That said, Nibali's TT'ing is looking much better and it should keep him in the game just a slight bit longer this time.

Masterful race by him at Tirreno. Props to him.

You clearly know and understand cycling.

 

[barmaher]

It is very hard to put the Sky train under pressure. Given that Sky burned their matches early yesterday, losing 26 seconds is very good for Wiggo in the context of the Giro.

He should have over 3 minutes to play with over Nibali from the time trials.

 

[movingtarget]

I think Wiggins is on track for the Giro even if he dropped more time than expected.

 

[cineteq]

It is very hard to put the Sky train under pressure. Given that Sky burned their matches early yesterday, losing 26 seconds is very good for Wiggo in the context of the Giro.

He should have over 3 minutes to play with over Nibali from the time trials.

Sir Wiggo is going to be chasing more often than not, by himself. So he needs an 8-minute buffer, at least.

 

[jens_attacks]

so that's why purito was surprised so much that they couldn't get back martin. dan martin probably had one of his best days in a race
he didn't lose anything on the others on the climb to port aine

 

[barmaher]

Sir Wiggo is going to be chasing more often than not, by himself. So he needs an 8-minute buffer, at least.

I don't believe that. Although I want to believe that.

He was better than Nibali at the Tour. I would be surprised if Sky are down to their last match at 7km to go in many Tour races.