Vuelta 2012, Stage 8: Lleida - Andorra, Coll de la Gallina (174.7 kms)

[bangnz]

Froome by 2mins and 3 seconds

 

[The Hitch]

I don't know about that: he's almost never talks himself up but he usually sounds more confident. Anyway, maybe I'm reading too much into this but as a fan I will be very happy if he doesn't loose any time to contenders tomorrow.

Yeah, usually contador just says that the etappe will be "muy dura" and names a bunch of guys who will challenge.

But here he is not making certain predictions, he said the cramps may come back, because he has been out of racing for 6 months.

But its not like this is his first gt, his body has been through that, and whats more, he was on the bike most of those 6 months anyway, so it could go either way, he might could fall back and lose numerous seconds on every mtf and finish 3rd behind froome and rodriguez, or he might could be back to tomorrow, win or lose a handful of seconds, and be ready for take off come |ASturias.

 

[The Hitch]

Purito leaves in Andorra, and knows the climb very well. If anything, Froome might have a lot of trouble here because of the irregularities of the climb and the possibility of multiple attacks. I don't think the train is going to work very well here. I won't be surprised if Henao and Uran decide to have a day off tomorrow

http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/vuelta-ciclista-a-espana/pericopuertos-collada-gallina/1513247/

Definately a Purito stage imo. If there is any mountain J ROd is good at, its a 7k steep one near his home.

And thats before we consider that J Rod has been on the form of his life this year, and has had the best preperation of all of the current top 5.

Problem is, does he stick in for a likely stage win, or does he attack to try and gain time for gc. His giro actions suggest its the former.

 

[Publicus]

I think Vroome wins tomorrow's stage by 15"-30"

 

[hfer07]

Purito leaves in Andorra, and knows the climb very well. If anything, Froome might have a lot of trouble here because of the irregularities of the climb and the possibility of multiple attacks. I don't think the train is going to work very well here. I won't be surprised if Henao and Uran decide to have a day off tomorrow

http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/vuelta-ciclista-a-espana/pericopuertos-collada-gallina/1513247/

gotta love Perico amazingly he's in a good shape still-anyways-this mountain is what I call "soul breaker"- you may have the impression of "relief" during those flattish segments just to get into agony & punishment by those upcoming hairpins & slopes- damn- is going to be something this stage.

didn't want to forecast any winner, but Purito to me has the upper hand for this stage though...

 

[luckyboy]

Should be a fun stage if it is thundering Hope AC goes ok.

 

[greenedge]

That could seriously mean problems for Froome who has shown to be a rather weak descender and Contador has shown in the 2011 TdF he doesn't scare from a downhill attack.

p.s. Nice picture of that final climb!

That may happen but i think Froome would just get Uran, Porte and Henao to pull.


I expect Contador to attack in the last 2km and either win the stage or be passed and lose time.

Froome will only ride to crack Contador but all 4 contenders could take the stage. Anton and Gesink should be up there as well.

@The Hitch: I don't know whether JROD has had the best prep- we saw last year that Nibali/ Anton did not back up well from Giro- Vuelta ( the early signs are convincing however ).

Valverde has been going better than we all expected- maybe his prep could have been best ( since he largely stayed out of the mountain fight at the TDF ).

 

[The Hitch]

Giro this year was easier. And i also noticed purito being way back in his beloved burgos, yet coming straight into.form here. He seems.to.be doing it.right.

 

[airstream]

If you keep talking like this sooner or later we won't be able to call you a Contador fan.

Yeah, it's a real lol. The fans are demoralized earlier than real battles start. No good. Cheer up, guys!

With these opponents, 7k can be a bit too long for Purito, IMO.

 

[Miburo]

Purito will go for stage victory, no way he will try and attack. He's too scared from people like Contador and Froome.

Kinda sad though that he usually only follow and count on his sprint but I guess it's understandable.

 

[3wheeler]

Froome seems to be Full of Energy..Even On the Attack on the Moto Circuit yesterday . Seems to love his Racing. Form of his Life I would Say.. If hes on a Good day today Contador is in for a Hard time.

 

[robert_c]

The way Purito has been riding, I wouldn't bet against him.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

how 100% is the rain goign to be tomorrow?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Froome seems to be Full of Energy..Even On the Attack on the Moto Circuit yesterday . Seems to love his Racing. Form of his Life I would Say.. If hes on a Good day today Contador is in for a Hard time.

That wasn't an attack

 

[LaFlorecita]

If you keep talking like this sooner or later we won't be able to call you a Contador fan.

That doesn't matter cos I'm not a fan but a fangirl

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

That doesn't matter cos I'm not a fan but a fangirl

ugh, feminist talks :facepalm: I'm sure if I saw a photo of you I couldn't tell the difference.

 

[3wheeler]

That wasn't an attack

Giving ii some welly on front of the bunch with a Km to go then..

 

[Miburo]

I just want Contador to be in giro-form, then he was just unbeatable.

Sky deserves to face a Contador from that level. I wonder if Froome could ever rival him like that.

 

[Richeypen]

I just want Contador to be in giro-form, then he was just unbeatable.

Sky deserves to face a Contador from that level. I wonder if Froome could ever rival him like that.

Yeah, that would be fun to watch

 

[LaFlorecita]

ugh, feminist talks :facepalm:

No not at all, there's just a big difference. Apparently I'm not a fan when I'm worried about Alberto's health, so I guess that's a fangirl thing then.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Giving ii some welly on front of the bunch with a Km to go then..

He was leading out Ben Swift

 

[airstream]

I just want Contador to be in giro-form, then he was just unbeatable.

We can't know that for sure. That form doesn't guarantee superiority over Froome too. No matter how one is strong, a stronger rider always can come in sight.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yeah, that would be fun to watch

Yes

 

[Miburo]

We can't know that for sure. That form doesn't guarantee superiority over Froome too. No matter how one is strong, a stronger rider always can come in sight.

I don't think he could beat that Contador. Heck Contador from that giro didn't even got pushed to his limits so we don't even know how strong he really was.

If one guy can do it though it's probably froome, maybe AS if he actually takes it serious which will never happen so yeah froome lol

 

[Miburo]

Yeah, that would be fun to watch

Don't you wanna see Contador destroying Sky?

He's the only guy who can do it, way more fun than anything sky will bring us.