Vuelta 2012, Stage 20: La Faisanera Golf-Bola del Mundo (170,7 km)

[DominicDecoco]

Euskaltel have a man in the break, why are they working? I mean I know it's for Anton, but then why put the man in the break?

If Anton attacks, it's a pretty good card to have a teammate in front.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Last time they did something like that it failed pretty badly with Anton and Astarloza (or Martinez?) on the Mirador del Ezaro.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Why is euskaltel working anyway

 

[Descender]

Euskaltel... you just feel like cuddling them.

 

[DominicDecoco]

Last time they did something like that it failed pretty badly with Anton and Astarloza (or Martinez?) on the Mirador del Ezaro.

If you don't try, you don't win.

Not saying it makes that much sense of them to work but they are setting a decent pace. What's not to like ?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Euskaltel... you just feel like cuddling them.

Aw.. yes

 

[wirral]

They have been paid to work by one of the teams of the Spanish GC contenders.

 

[RedheadDane]

The most mountainous Vuelta in years... and the KoM is won by a guy who isn't a real climber...
(I know he still has to finish the race...)

 

[wirral]

Did that graphic that popped up on the screen give Rodriguez 46 KOM points? He should be on 36 points.

 

[Forunculo]

The most mountainous Vuelta in years... and the KoM is won by a guy who isn't a real climber...
(I know he still has to finish the race...)

He needs 5 points more I think

 

[Miburo]

The bunch seems to be slowing down.

Peloton is going to take them back thanks to euskatel.

 

[meat puppet]

tony martin has abandoned, although steep climbs are not any harder.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

He needs 5 points more I think

Mathematically yes, but he's safe. He has 27 points in hand over Rodríguez, there are 30 still available, so he needs 4 for Cotos. However, the chances of Rodríguez taking the maximum on Cotos AND Bola del Mundo are pretty slim.

 

[Jelantik]

The bunch seems to be slowing down.

Peloton is going to take them back thanks to euskatel.

Bad weather? Hm, Alberto must be smilling…

 

[LaFlorecita]

tony martin has abandoned, although steep climbs are not any harder.

Poor Tony... His season is a mess

 

[Nearly]

Did that graphic that popped up on the screen give Rodriguez 46 KOM points? He should be on 36 points.

That could not have been right! Clarke started on 38 and was 2 ahead. Purito has not picked up any KoM points today.

 

[hrotha]

Bad weather? Hm, Alberto must be smilling…

Contador wanted bad weather when he needed something special to win. Now that he has a comfortable lead, he'd probably prefer good weather and as easy a stage as possible.

 

[Miburo]

Why is Menchov riding in the break, doesn't make sense

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Why is Menchov riding in the break, doesn't make sense

A jump for Rodriguez!

 

[LaFlorecita]

A jump for Rodriguez!

Is Purito gonna close a 7 minute gap

 

[Miburo]

A jump for Rodriguez!

yeah but he doesn't need to ride, they can't risk that someone of the group stays away. Purito will lose boni sec then.

And he needs to save his strenght for when purito comes.

So once again it doesn't make sense.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Is Purito gonna close a 7 minute gap

I heard he hired a swimming coach yesterday so it's possible

 

[LaFlorecita]

I heard he hired a swimming coach yesterday so it's possible

Ah now it makes sense.

 

[cineteq]

I heard he hired a swimming coach yesterday so it's possible

Wasn't it Rabo who just hired a new swimming coach?

 

[UpTheRoad]

Why is Menchov riding in the break, doesn't make sense

A jump for Rodriguez!

I read Miburo's question as, "Why is Menchov in the front and working and not just sitting in waiting for the time when JRod comes up?"

The only thing I can think of is that the gap was coming down too early due to Euskaltel and he wanted to to ensure that the fireworks start according to plan and not earlier.

Don't think that is a good reason, but it's all I got.