Vuelta 2012, Stage 21: Cercedilla-Madrid (115,0 km)

[Dedelou]

Will be interesting to see whether Valverde can steal the points jersey from Purito. In that case it'd be the second year in a row in which Purito loses the Vuelta's points jersey on the last day.

If not, he'll have won the points jersey+podium in two GT's in the same year. I assume that's a rather rare feat!

Purito can be very proud of his performance. The way he rode both grand tours is something we don't see often. Each time he came close to win it because he dared to attack as well as defend his weaker side. Brilliant in the mountains, he also gave his all in the Time Trials . Great cyclist.

 

[trevim]

Maybe the peloton will allow him (Moncoutie) a lap of honor at the head of the field. They did it a few years ago for someone I can't recall

 

[brilleaben]

Purito can be very proud of his performance. The way he rode both grand tours is something we don't see often. Each time he came close to win it because he dared to attack as well as defend his weaker side. Brilliant in the mountains, he also gave his all in the Time Trials . Great cyclist.

At least the Giro he lost exactly because he didn't dare to attack, but solely rely on his 1 k sprint.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto's bike.

The whole team has red handlebar tape

 

[LaFlorecita]

Nicholas Roche ‏@nicholasroche
If any of you wonder why i wear a skin suite today,just had a look at my jersey out of wash bag, its black!

 

[Arnout]

If Igor Anton finishes today, he will score his first GT top 10 since 2007, when he finished 8th in the Vuelta. Incredible, what a waste of a talent

 

[iZnoGouD]

If Igor Anton finishes today, he will score his first GT top 10 since 2007, when he finished 8th in the Vuelta. Incredible, what a waste of a talent

still nothing compared to Andy Schleck

 

[Netserk]

still nothing compared to Andy Schleck

Andy have at least won a monument. Anton has only won nice stage wins

 

[Falken]

If Igor Anton finishes today, he will score his first GT top 10 since 2007, when he finished 8th in the Vuelta. Incredible, what a waste of a talent

Well, he was leading the Vuelta 2010 when he crashed.

"waste of talent" are harsh words. Do you know for a fact that he hasn't done everything in his power to do the most of his talent? Maybe this is the most we can expect from a (clean) Anton.

 

[Falken]

OT. Pic from Bola del Mundo yesterday:

 

[the asian]

If Igor Anton finishes today, he will score his first GT top 10 since 2007, when he finished 8th in the Vuelta. Incredible, what a waste of a talent

At least he has managed to stay on his bike. We should celebrate that.

 

[benzwire]

They are letting Moncoutie go ahead of the peloton since it's his last race. Niermann is with him, pulling a Horner (like he did with Hincapie)

 

[T-Nielsen]

They are letting Moncoutie go ahead of the peloton since it's his last race. Niermann is with him, pulling a Horner (like he did with Hincapie)

Niermann is also retiring after the Vuelta with 17 years on the road.

 

[The Hitch]

They are letting Moncoutie go ahead of the peloton since it's his last race. Niermann is with him, pulling a Horner (like he did with Hincapie)

For real? Good news.

 

[T-Nielsen]

I will miss Moncoutie.

 

[benzwire]

Niermann is also retiring after the Vuelta with 17 years on the road.

Did not know. They only let those guys out front for a very short time.

 

[boladelmundo]

At least he has managed to stay on his bike. We should celebrate that.

Yes indeed!
His crash in the neutral zone in TdF really made me think that he would never complete a GT again.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Did not know. They only let those guys out front for a very short time.

It's been a tradition at the Vuelta at least for the last few years to get to the Madrid circuit, then allow the retiring riders to go ahead to lead them onto the circuit. It's never a long escape as the actual racing begins on the circuit, but Bingen Fernández did it a few years ago and there have been others. It's just to give them the send-off of being the first into the circuit with the fans.

 

[boladelmundo]

It's never a long escape as the actual racing begins on the circuit, but Bingen Fernández did it a few years ago and there have been others. It's just to give them the send-off of being the first into the circuit with the fans.

OOT a little bit, so what's the story with Alberto Contador and Joaquim Rodriguez when they were still riding in one team together? I think they used to ride for Liberty Seguro together is this correct? Did they get a long well then?
I sense that Alberto and Joaquim respect each other as far as being professional competitors but they are not close friends. May be I am wrong though

 

[Danilot]

OOT a little bit, so what's the story with Alberto Contador and Joaquim Rodriguez when they were still riding in one team together? I think they used to ride for Liberty Seguro together is this correct? Did they get a long well then?

Nope, they never rode in the same trade team.

 

[El Pistolero]

You're confusing Jrod with Luis Leon Sanchez.

 

[boladelmundo]

Nope, they never rode in the same trade team.

I think they did, ONCE EROSKI in 2001-2003, before the team changed to Liberty Seguros

 

[zapata]

They really should reconsider this way of ending the vuelta. I'm ambivalent about the champs elysees-stage, but at least that offers some action. This is nothing.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Lethargic Argos leaving it very late. 20 seconds with 10 km to go.

 

[Miburo]

lol Contador was leading benatti for a second there