Vuelta 2012, Stage 14: Palas de Rei > Puerto de Ancares (149,2 kms)

[Libertine Seguros]

I'm still laughing my *** off at Froome's attack.

Froome's attack had me scared for a second - but once it ramped up again it was clear it was folly. He was probably trying to intimidate Purito and Valverde with a show of strength, or underestimated the last ramps at a km to go.

Purito again with his pathetic wheelsucking until the last km, then sprinting.

He's the race leader. That's his right should it be his wish.

 

[Publicus]

Just a great ride by Purito. Bravo. And I like Froome's fight.

 

[spalco]

Don't worry guys, he will definitively drop him soon enough. Today we saw that the kick is still there, only thing missing is the stamina to go to the end.

But that's exactly what seperated him from the others in the past.

 

[luckyboy]

I guess we have very different definitions of "epic".

Don't know how you can argue with that climb

 

[LaFlorecita]

Don't worry guys, he will definitively drop him soon enough. Today we saw that the kick is still there, only thing missing is the stamina to go to the end.

Yeah, but there's like... 6 stages left...

 

[DominicDecoco]

One would say that Froome should have kept his feet on the gound when he caught Valverde and Rod.

 

[JimPanzen]

Purito collected more than a minute of time bonuses...this Vuelta seems to be taylor made for his combination of climbing ability and explosive sprint.

 

[Panda Claws]

Froome's attack had me scared for a second - but once it ramped up again it was clear it was folly. He was probably trying to intimidate Purito and Valverde with a show of strength, or underestimated the last ramps at a km to go.


Yeah, for a second I was like... damn

 

[The Hitch]

Majka top 15. Now i believe in him.

Rodriguez another 88 points for cq. If he comes 2nd or 1st in this vuelta he will become number 1

 

[GroupDK]

damn...something like 4 second place to contador in this vuelta..

 

[sultanofhyd]

Yeah, but there's like... 6 stages left...

He needs one good stage.

 

[Descender]

Why? He's obviously losing form, but he had to give it a go. It was gutsy.

I loved it, but it was reckless. It only resulted in his blowing up and losing more time than he would have lost had he not spent that energy.

 

[airstream]

smart ride by purito. you guys say about a 95% Alberto, but now i'm not sure that even Alberto at 100% is gonna beat a 110% Purito who we are observing. fabulous stage! chapeau to all the riders that gave us this spectacle

 

[Parrot23]

But that's exactly what seperated him from the others in the past.

The ability to make it stick seems not quite the same as before. Marginal difference, but it's there, I think.

 

[RVPRVP]

Gesink +1.56 14th... wow..

I thought this was going to suit him like i said he's been annonymous all Vuelta

 

[webvan]

Froome 2 second ago almost died, now he attacks

Remember Toussuire ? Cant sustain though...What happened to Uran, can't see him in the TOP15 ?!

 

[LaFlorecita]

He needs one good stage.

I can't see it happening and I think the majority would agree with me.

 

[jencredible]

Burden is on Contador to attack and Purito bridged it. Why would he attack Contador when he's the better finisher and is in red? It's called tactics. Purito's in better form, Pistol's just not there. Purito on this form can't be easily dropped even on the long climbs. He's the one to beat, particular with time bonuses.

 

[richwagmn]

Froome is obviously tired from the TDF. I was happy to see him fight at the end.

Contador may not have it for this Vuelta. He doesn't look as comfortable as Purito. Nice fight at the end though. Maybe Purito will have a bad day.

 

[ggusta]

Contador seems to ride with a heart more than with a head. Or form. I still think he'll win this Vuelta, but my god Purito is in good form! Congratulations to him. I liked that Froome tried, even though it wasn't going to work really.
Very good stage.

I agree. Body seems well prepared, still has a lot to learn. (Sadly said with straight face this time. )

 

[Descender]

Don't know how you can argue with that climb

Where have I argued with that climb?

If anything, I've been known to argue for that climb.

 

[ggusta]

I can't see it happening and I think the majority would agree with me.

Is lithium over the counter in the netherlands?

 

[Jelantik]

WOW.. Purito!!! Vuelta win seems to be more and more a reality for him. Great ride by Alberto. Oooooohhhhhh..... so closeee …... yet it's still few seconds tad to far…… *I was on the edge of my seat!!!* Still, amazing attack he did, unfortunately he didn't seem to have a necessary form to sustain it. I'm now rooting for Valverde as well. The podium dog fight with Froome should be another entertainment besides Purito and Alberto

 

[Publicus]

But that's exactly what seperated him from the others in the past.

Yeah he reminds me of 2007 Alberto. He could put in digs, but he couldn't sustain them. Definitely a lack of race stamina. We'll see if he keeps improving, there's still time to win but if he does win it won't be by more than a minute at most. More likely it will be seconds...

 

[Lanark]

Rodriguez is playing to his strenghts, but his advantage is so small that he only needs one difficult moment and Contador can pass him. If Contador is serious about winning this race he should attack sooner when possible, Rodriguez biggest weakness are long efforts, you should break him before the final kilometer. But I'm not sure Contador is good enough for that now.

What a shame to see Gesink like this. The last two years he has shown a slight improvement in time trials, with the cost of becoming an above average climber.