Vuelta 2012, Stage 15: La Robla > Lagos de Covadonga (186,5 kms)

[hrotha]

This. He doesn't do it to drop people.

Well there's always a first time for everything, right?

He should call his pal Andy and ask him how he went about it on the Tourmalet.

 

[Jason_Mercier]

hasn't Riis figured out that to beat Purito they need strong steedy pace for a prolonged time, while this continue stop and go is ideal for him?

+1........

 

[Publicus]

Contador just said he didn't feel as good today, and that's why Saxo didn't push the pace earlier. He's happy the fans got a good show today.

Well this is why I don't commentate I hope he feels better tomorrow.

 

[Red Rick]

This. He doesn't do it to drop people.

Paris Nice road stage 5 anyone?

 

[luckyboy]

Oh congrats Piedra + Caja Rural too, already done more than Andalucia has in countless editions.. (even if I said only yesterday how I hadn't noticed them much)

Good job

 

[rzombie1988]

How is he gonna get the stage win without dropping Purito? Or is Purito gonna gift him the win?

He doesn't have to drop Purito to get a stage win. If there is no one else in front, he just has to finish before J-Rod. If Valverde can tag along, they can go 1-2 and Contador would be in the lead while only being a second ahead. Again, this is why Contador needs to team up with Valverde. It's going to benefit them both in the battle against J-Rod.

 

[trevim]

Contador just said he didn't feel as good today, and that's why Saxo didn't push the pace earlier. He's happy the fans got a good show today.

Didn't feel as good...? And attacked multiple times, how sick is this guy?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well there's always a first time for everything, right?

He should call his pal Andy and ask him how he went about it on the Tourmalet.

I don't think he is able to do it. You can't just change something you've been doing for years.

 

[rzombie1988]

No matter which way he does it, I think we can all agree that Alberto needs a stage win plus a J-Rod 3rd place or worse finish right now.

 

[peacefultribe]

I don't really understand the negativity when Contador attacks and can't do anything with it. Or better yet, when he seemingly attacks in the wrong place. Everybody complains about the Tour being boring...........

 

[roundabout]

Who cares? It was still pretty entertaining. You can find faults in pretty much any modern day racing, it comes to a point where you just gotta find the fun where it is.

Err I mean, by all means keep complaining.

Fun? I had dinner and when I came back it was still a large main group with Gesink on the front at 6km to go (for them).

Also

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=1007960&postcount=21

That said, I forgot about Mercado, but the rest let him ride.

But knock yourself out ******* off to 20 second attacks.

 

[hrotha]

I don't think he is able to do it. You can't just change something you've been doing for years.

Why? Does his system automatically shut down when he senses a legitimate contender on his wheel? No? Then he can do it.

 

[Big Doopie]

(I wonder how many times I've written that the last few days.)

..............

 

[DominicDecoco]

I don't really understand the negativity when Contador attacks and can't do anything with it. Or better yet, when he seemingly attacks in the wrong place. Everybody complains about the Tour being boring...........

How does attacking in the wrong places (is he even?..) have anything to do with a race being boring?

 

[The Hitch]

I'm loving the crowds.

Great crowds indeed.

 

[Peccio89]

Alberto never just rides a tempo.



But he can't

(I wonder how many times I've written that the last few days.)

Something like last year telegraph is not that far from a tempo ride however. That should be how to do it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

No matter which way he does it, I think we can all agree that Alberto needs a stage win plus a J-Rod 3rd place or worse finish right now.

No, he needs at least a 18 second gap if he wins the stage.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Hey look, it's gesink accelerating...

 

[Jelantik]

The thing is he IS able to drop Purito, it's just that he is getting back. That's why Saxo tried that weird tactic today sending everyone up, they hoped to sustain the gap once Contador attacked but it didn't work.

I think you might be right. Alberto did drop purito, but purito still gets back to him (reminding me the battle between andy and alberto 2010 TDF). Maybe this could be a warm-up for tomorrow's stage, by did it through out the climb to wear purito down? Keep testing purito's mantle for tomorrow's stage perhaps.

If tomorrow purito is still standing like today, wuf.. i think vuelta win will be more more a sure thing..

 

[Red Rick]

After this Vuelta Contador is gonna say he's had a lot of fun no matter what

 

[rzombie1988]

No, he needs at least a 18 second gap if he wins the stage.

No he doesn't, as he'll get a 20 second bonus.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Why? Does his system automatically shut down when he senses a legitimate contender on his wheel? No? Then he can do it.

Well we'll see I guess My money is on "No, he can't do it"

 

[The Hitch]

Glad I know you're not daft enough to believe in a causal link there.

Froome has been the walking dead for a few days now; his race is trying to stay in the top 10, not the podium.

i was joking that Valverde is so desperate for revenge for stgae 4

 

[LaFlorecita]

No he doesn't, as he'll get a 20 second bonus.

12-8-4 second bonuses.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Everybody remember Pal in 2010? That's how to do it. Mosquera has all the contenders in his wheel, but he doesn't care, he just rides them all away.

Then he blows up and Antón comes past him to take the win, but let's ignore that bit.