Vuelta 2012, Stage 16: Gijón > Cuitu Nigru (183,5 kms)

[Kwibus]

Yeah that exactly.

Best part is that Contador has an iron will. He will keep on trying anyways. If he doesn't succeed well that's too bad, but he will die trying. That's for sure.

What Rodriguez is doing right now is mind blowing. Something he has never ever been capable of doing before. This Giro he allready showed he was able to ride with the best on the longer climbs. Now he's holding of Alberto who maybe isn't at his best yet, but certainly isn't riding like a whimp

 

[Kwibus]

Rodriguez was as much on his limit as Contador was.

Rodriguez almost sinked through his arms during Contador's last violent acceleration. But of course Contador had no real accelerations left after that either.

Ofcourse he was on his limit, but he was there. Always directly riding next to Alberto once he caught up. Like he was trying to show Alberto asap that he wasn't going to get rid of him.

 

[Panda Claws]

Ofcourse he was on his limit, but he was there. Always directly riding next to Alberto once he caught up. Like he was trying to show Alberto asap that he wasn't going to get rid of him.

Yeah, it seemed as if he was really trying to intimidate Contador.

I do agree with you by the way, Rodriguez is a little bit stronger at the moment.

 

[webvan]

Looks like the queen stage to me, should be fun! Must be tough for Riis and Bertie, 22" is nothing so it's hard to take massive risks with an early attack...there's goin to be a carnage on Bola!

 

[Red Rick]

Good thing there is no stage to Pico Veleta. Contador would have the time to launch so many attacks he finally drops Rodriguez, only to find he's still only halfway up the mountain and see the rest of the top ten fly by

 

[Asturiano]

The last 100 km of the stage with photos
http://39x28.blogia.com/2012/090101-gijon-cuitu-negru-asi-es-la-etapa.php

 

[willbick]

contador is not gonna drop purito in a million years. It is quite clear to me that Purito has a ton in hand, he has never looked in the slightest difficulty at any stage in this Vuelta. When Contador was attacking today Purito was just cruising back up to him, doing some of it still sat in the saddle!! There is simply no concievable tactic that will make Contador gain time on Purito. And I am not some Purito fanboy saddo, I am just saying what is clear to see

 

[SafeBet]

The last 100 km of the stage with photos
http://39x28.blogia.com/2012/090101-gijon-cuitu-negru-asi-es-la-etapa.php

Nice job mate. Very useful

 

[vcampbell]

Ofcourse he was on his limit, but he was there. Always directly riding next to Alberto once he caught up. Like he was trying to show Alberto asap that he wasn't going to get rid of him.

But as we all know, Contador will never stop attacking. And just imagine that Purito will be once over his limit, and will not be able to follow, and imagine that Moreno will not be there because Majka's previous performance. As many wrote, 22 seconds is nothing, and Contador need cone Purito to crack, and all could be over. Cuitu Negru and Bole del Mundo are neither an easy climbs, so there is a real chance. Purito is strong, but the two hardest stage is still left.

 

[El Pistolero]

I don't think Contador will ever get intimidated by Purito.

He well keep trying until the last mountain.

 

[jilbiker]

I don't think Contador will ever get intimidated by Purito.

He well keep trying until the last mountain.

Yes, that was a cheap move by Purito. I saw the way he would ride to the side of AC and it was all mind games, basically it was clear evidence that he was short on physical gas thats why resort to mind games. AC replied by continuing to attack, that did not help matters for Purito, this is why I said he appeared mentally tired when i saw him after the race.

 

[Telmisartan new]

I don't think Contador will ever get intimidated by Purito.

He well keep trying until the last mountain.

Yeah,this race ain't over by a long chalk,Purito looks super-strong and is clearly in the form of his life but Bertie will keep trying,i am astounded to see Purito is heavy odds on with the bookmakers,still much racing ahead,one good day from AC and Purito is in big trouble.

 

[No_Balls]

contador is not gonna drop purito in a million years. It is quite clear to me that Purito has a ton in hand, he has never looked in the slightest difficulty at any stage in this Vuelta. When Contador was attacking today Purito was just cruising back up to him, doing some of it still sat in the saddle!! There is simply no concievable tactic that will make Contador gain time on Purito. And I am not some Purito fanboy saddo, I am just saying what is clear to see

What is clear is that what we see is a Purito as at least i havent seen before. He still sprints like Cavendish (outbursts that doesnt seem to have any major effects btw) going uphill and reeling in attacks in a way Indurain used to do. How do you beat a guy like that? If this is supposed to continue the only way to beat Purito should be rewatching the tapes from 1991-1995 and discover the only option left is an 100 km to go-attack and pray for the best.

At the end of the day this will be a fight between the wills. A revolverduel in the morning call it what you like. Something is missing in Contadors outbursts that i cant figure out. Something that make you always know Purito is gonna catch up. He might have grown on me (hope he doesnt on Contador, not that i think so).

I have never doubted Contador and i still belive the path to Madrid is open. But damn. Purito is frighteningly strong.

 

[Telmisartan new]

What is clear is that what we see is a Purito as at least i havent seen before. He still sprints like Cavendish (outbursts that doesnt seem to have any major effects btw) going uphill and reeling in attacks in a way Indurain used to do. How do you beat a guy like that? If this is supposed to continue the only way to beat Purito should be rewatching the tapes from 1991-1995 and discover the only option left is an 100 km to go-attack and pray for the best.

At the end of the day this will be a fight between the wills. A revolverduel in the morning call it what you like. Something is missing in Contadors outbursts that i cant figure out. Something that make you always know Purito is gonna catch up. He might have grown on me (hope he doesnt on Contador, not that i think so).

I have never doubted Contador and i still belive the path to Madrid is open. But damn. Purito is frightenly strong.

That's pretty much it.Rodriguez is looking frighteningly strong,his only weakness may be tactical naivety against a guy that has been over the course and distance,i would expect Contador to cook something up,its whether Rodriguez truly believes,we are indeed getting down to the mind games as others have already said.

 

[No_Balls]

Yes, that was a cheap move by Purito. I saw the way he would ride to the side of AC and it was all mind games, basically it was clear evidence that he was short on physical gas thats why resort to mind games. AC replied by continuing to attack, that did not help matters for Purito, this is why I said he appeared mentally tired when i saw him after the race.

I hope you are right because what i saw was a man in red who were really, and i mean really, fast to react and put some of ACs attacks down to naivety. When you are that fast in your head it doesnt strike to me as a tired man.

That's pretty much it.Rodriguez is looking frighteningly strong,his only weakness may be tactical naivety against a guy that has been over the course and distance,i would expect Contador to cook something up,its whether Rodriguez truly believes,we are indeed getting down to the mind games as others have already said.

I get slight comfort if Purito gets involved in this mindgame and starts to chase every bold move he might get himself worned down. Earlier he has been playing safe and piece by piece reeling in AC but if he drop his cool, perhaps...

 

[manafana]

Purito has been top class even better shape than giro, has worked hard on tt skills and endurance to do well hes had a strong season too.

I dont see too much happening before last climb, then some may go early but it wont break up till last 3km so time gaps shouldnt be huge.

 

[willbick]

this vuelta was over the day of the TT

 

[ggusta]

AC will do something relatively early that no one has predicted.

 

[seaby71]

I think the majority of us would agree the contador only needs one day when he feels great. i believe he can easily gain 30 seconds on jrod when this happens. Jrod looked great in the giro early on then started to loose contact towards the final stages. One thing for sure there is still good racing ahead where things can easily turn around!

 

[willbick]

AC will do something relatively early that no one has predicted.

erm...do a wheelie?....climb off and walk?.....I give up

 

[willbick]

I think the majority of us would agree the contador only needs one day when he feels great. i believe he can easily gain 30 seconds on jrod when this happens. Jrod looked great in the giro early on then started to loose contact towards the final stages. One thing for sure there is still good racing ahead where things can easily turn around!

You're forgetting he's not allowed to do blood doping anymore

 

[seaby71]

You're forgetting he's not allowed to do blood doping anymore

What, no more juicy steaks for dinner. Alberto will be disappointed, he loves a tender bit of meat

 

[Parrulo]

willbick this goes for you and every1 else.

i am have been too forgiving over the last few weeks and seems like people are forgetting about the dictatorial regime implanted on the road racing section in july.


so from this point on:

first doping reference = 1 day ban

second doping reference= 1 week ban

third one= 1 month.

have it your way fellas

 

[veganrob]

Alberto is not racing for 2nd. He only knows one way and that is to win. He would rather go for it all than settle. And he will go all in. If he totally blows and finishes 20th he can be proud and satisfied. AC is a warrior. There are very few like him.

 

[Publicus]

I hope I'm wrong but Purito seemed very comfortable. And there are only 2 mountain stages left. Time is running out.

that's not what I got from the article you posted from velonation. To quote:

I suffered and fortunately, I was on a good day.

“Responding to his attacks made me suffer but I was able to resist,” he added. “At the end, he got some advantage but I knew that it was less difficult by then and I still had the ability to accelerate and make it across. Tomorrow’s finale at Cuitu Negru is very hard but I wouldn’t say it’s the queen stage of the Vuelta: that’ll be at Bola del Mundo.”

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...e-chance-of-Vuelta-victory.aspx#ixzz25Mn1mlSK