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

[DominicDecoco]

Purito is stronger than Alberto. You don't sprint away on every single stage if you are empty - even if you are a stronger sprinter in general.

 

[Froome19]

Yeah, and with the racing that is left it is not looking like AC is going to overtake Purito, unless Purito has misfortune. Not much of a gap separates them but it is looking like it is enough for Purito.

What a top 3 on GC so far though, with JRod, AC, and Valverde. All class.

Especially if those bonus seconds are swallowed up by breaks, like the past two days to a degree. STB may find themselves in a situation where they have to work all day and up the final climb hard to keep the breaks with top climbers like Cataldo and TGD in check.

If anything Contador will break Purito close to the top of BDM and 28 seconds maybe a stretch..

 

[ManInFull]

This is not good reasoning. AC tried to drop Purito before 500meter mark on many occasions and didn't make it, while Purito didn't even try such stuff because he has different strategy that is enabled by bonus seconds and his better sprinting.

At the moment only thing you can infer is:

Purito >= AC

And Since Purito is actually leading the race, I would change your equation to:

Purito > AC

 

[hfer07]

IMO this super steep climbs gig is getting old pretty fast. They should be something special, but the Vuelta is overdoing them.

More of the same at the Bola.

give me those steep climbs gigs any given day than the typical MTF where trains are currently ruining all the action.

 

[LaFlorecita]

And Since Purito is actually leading the race, I would change your equation to:

Purito > AC

Whatever. I'm not going to argue anymore.

 

[Carols]

What a Crazy Climb.....Cataldo Chapeau, talk about suffering your way to a WIN! Bravo!

That mountain is just Crazy

Wow...what a mano a mano battle; Riveting stuff!!!!

Purito continues to look Super Strong....AC gaining some Stamina; but he put himself into the Hurt Locker big time. At one point he had Purito on the ropes; problem is he put himself there also.

I still think this will go all the way to the finish line; Alberto will Never give up. He's tried everything to get rid of Purito, but Purito has proved stronger each time. Meanwhile IMO Alberto is getting stronger every day, it may not be enough but we will be in store for another Show because he will not lay down arms.

If Purito stands on the top step he has earned it big time!

Alberto has put on a world class performance for someone with so little racing in his legs in 13 months; pure talent, determination and guts that one. A Warrior of the old school!

 

[Froome19]

And Since Purito is actually leading the race, I would change your equation to:

Purito > AC

There is not correlation between leading the race and your level.

Or was Michel Albasini the best rider in Catalunya, Jimmy Engoulvent the best in Dunkirk?

 

[burning]

Purito is stronger than Contador, he simply countered every mode that Contador made and got those bonus seconds at every point, he's riding really well

 

[hrotha]

give me those steep climbs gigs any given day than the typical MTF where trains are currently ruining all the action.

Use the super steep mountains as intermediate climbs and put the finish line after a descent or on top of an easier climb. Everyone's happy.

 

[ManInFull]

There is not correlation between leading the race and your level.

Or was Michel Albasini the best rider in Catalunya, Jimmy Engoulvent the best in Dunkirk?

Please take your comparisons between a grand tour and a lesser race elsewhere. In this specific example, Vuelta 2012, the strongest riders are the top 3 riders and the strongest rider for this particular Vuelta is Purito.

 

[masking_agent]

after watching today's battle between Purito and Contador I think its over for Contador. A very valiant effort, but I don't think anything will change after next saturday's final mtn stage.

can't wait for next year's vuelta !

 

[Anonymous]

And Since Purito is actually leading the race, I would change your equation to:

Purito > AC

The whole argument was including only dropping before the 500m mark. I just said that Purito didn't have the incentive.

Overall, yes, Purito > AC.

If Purito wins he will more than deserve the victory. He had the upper hand in most of the situations and did absolutely astonishing TT!

 

[LaFlorecita]

after watching today's battle between Purito and Contador I think its over for Contador. A very valiant effort, but I don't think anything will change after next saturday's final mtn stage.

can't wait for next year's vuelta !

Today he was even worse than yesterday. Yesterday he at least got a gap.

 

[Froome19]

Please take your comparisons between a grand tour and a lesser race elsewhere. In this specific example, Vuelta 2012, the strongest riders are the top 3 riders and the strongest rider for this particular Vuelta is Purito.

Thomas Voeckler then in last years Tour?
The fact is that, that is not a proof as like Voeckler gained time due to breakaway, so too Purito has gained time due to his speciality at uphill finishes.

 

[RedFury]

...what do you guys think, will contador get stronger or weaker heading towards the last weekend?

I doubt it matters either way as long as Purito keeps his current form -- and, I might add, it's not just great form per-se, but awesome racing tactics/awareness. Masterful job controlling the race and playing to his strengths.

And this is coming from a Contador fan.

 

[El Pistolero]

Purito > Contador

For this Vuelta anyway. Of course that's mainly because the course favors him. Could you imagine what would happen if there where as many time trials as uphill walls?

 

[Anonymous]

Thomas Voeckler then in last years Tour?
The fact is that, that is not a proof as like Voeckler gained time due to breakaway, so too Purito has gained time due to his speciality at uphill finishes.

Look, arguing for Purito > AC, at least at this moment as things could change, is also based on prediction that AC, if things stay the same, or even change a bit to AC's favor, probably won't win over Purito due to remaining stages, great Purito's form suited to those stages and 28'' advantage.

Bringing Voeckler stuff is unnecessary because it's completely different from this situation. One thing is being let to get the lead, other is to fight tooth and nail to get it and retain it.

 

[iZnoGouD]

after watching today's battle between Purito and Contador I think its over for Contador. A very valiant effort, but I don't think anything will change after next saturday's final mtn stage.

can't wait for next year's vuelta !

i don't think it's over, he could still improve a bit, not highly likely but definitely possible

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Purito > Contador

For this Vuelta anyway. Of course that's mainly because the course favors him. Could you imagine what would happen if there where as many time trials as uphill walls?

Still makes me wonder how/why Rodriguez lost to Hesjedal in the Giro and now can match/beat Contador. Dafuq?

 

[ManInFull]

Thomas Voeckler then in last years Tour?
The fact is that, that is not a proof as like Voeckler gained time due to breakaway, so too Purito has gained time due to his speciality at uphill finishes.

IMHO, you're comparing time gained via a breakaway versus time gained because the rider has a stronger "sprint" in an uphill finish. It's not the same thing. Anyway, did TV finish in the top 3 last year? No he did not. Eventually, the course showed who the top 3 riders were.

And that's all I am saying--Purito is the strongest for this particular Vuelta. If there was another ITT coming up on Saturday, then the course would be more favorable to AC.

 

[Froome19]

Look, arguing for Purito > AC, at least at this moment as things could change, is also based on prediction that AC, if things stay the same, or even change a bit to AC's favor, probably won't win over Purito due to remaining stages, great Purito's form suited to those stages and 28'' advantage.

Bringing Voeckler stuff is unnecessary because it's completely different from this situation. One thing is being let to get the lead, other is to fight tooth and nail to get it and retain it.

And it is irrelevant whether Purito wins and by what margin.
What matters is that he won/is winning due to his uphill sprints, if not for those then he may not have won and we have no proof to say he is stronger.

Mere numbers and seconds dont show anything if their only reason is due to some ineffectual proof.

 

[Publicus]

IMHO, you're comparing time gained via a breakaway versus time gained because the rider has a stronger "sprint" in an uphill finish. It's not the same thing. Anyway, did TV finish in the top 3 last year? No he did not. Eventually, the course showed who the top 3 riders were.

And that's all I am saying--Purito is the strongest for this particular Vuelta. If there was another ITT coming up on Saturday, then the course would be more favorable to AC.

If there was a TT, I doubt we would see this much action. Contador would be content to follow and rely on his superior TT.

 

[Asturiano]

Crazy climb. Just insane.

Why?, I don't think so.

In fact, riders could come back to Pola de Lena. The place to start climbing "el Cordal" and "Angliru".



I hope you like it the Asturias stages.

 

[SafeBet]

Still makes me wonder how/why Rodriguez lost to Hesjedal in the Giro and now can match/beat Contador. Dafuq?

Plenty of reasons actually.
Berto is not at his best.
Purito is probably in better shape.
Parcours favors him a lot.
And most importantly: there were no time bonuses in the Giro. So Purito's weakness (not being able to attack from far and sustain his effort) was actually being exposed.

 

[Froome19]

And that's all I am saying--Purito is the strongest for this particular Vuelta. If there was another ITT coming up on Saturday, then the course would be more favorable to AC.

Fair enough, Purito was the strongest on this parcours hand down.
I was arguing for the high mountains (where I do in fact think he is probably the strongest) where there is no proof to determine whether he is stronger than Contador or not..