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

[luckyboy]

Much lol at the people proclaiming an obvious Froome victory; time to pop over to other forums and watch hypothesis proving resiliant to new evidence.

Everyone was proclaiming an obvious Contador victory though ?

 

[Miburo]

Woah Froome blew up at the end. Contador seemed to fade in the final 250, although Valverde & Rodriguez flew in the final part.

They were just sprinting, contador didn't had that anymore and his sprint sucks anyways.

 

[woodenswan]

droid malfunction at sky

 

[hfer07]

valverde is ruthless!!!!:d damn- he just stole the stage from conta!!!damn- great finish today!!!!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

1 Valverde
2 Rodriguez
3 Contador
4 Froome 15
5 Moreno 23
Intxausti 33
Anton 33
Anacona 39
Gesink 39
Niemiec 42
Talansky 44
Roche 1.202
Nocentini 1.02
Ten Dam 1.10

 

[Mellow Velo]

Out gunned Froome blown out of the water by the Spanish Armada!

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Again, not a great climb for Contador, though he did great on it. Relatively short with a steep pitch at the end, that has Purito/Valverde all over it.

 

[Arnout]

Nice finish. Good last km.

 

[hiero2]

What the hell just happened!?

Sky and Froome controlled the pace until it was down to AC and Froome. They backed off a bit, Valverde and a couple others came back together with them - Froome attacking. Stayed together, inside the last k AC attacked and made a break. Valverde attacked Froome and caught AC at the line for the win. AC took 3rd, Froome 4th at 14".

Florecita, you can open your eyes now!

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Froome dropped for the first time in his career at Sky.

Every dog has its day.

Nice that Valverde & JRod didn't pull froomeDog with them.

 

[Bala Verde]

Smart riding from Contador. With that surplace, he just forced Froome to do all the work. He called him out "if you want to be the big boy and you are confident enough to have your team ride for you as if you are in the leader's jersey, here, you do it"

I think that costed Froome time in the last 500m.

What an excellent timing from Valverde. He caught Contador just in time to take the stage.

Beautiful stage, and scenery.

 

[The Hitch]

good call!

Thank you.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Everyone was proclaiming an obvious Contador victory though ?

I've seen more than 1 poster insisting Froome won't show tiredness from the Tour and will win the Vuelta comfortably.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Marczynski is really consistent.

 

[TomekA]

Rodriguez
Froome +33
Contador +40
Valverde +50

 

[Alpehue]

Alberto is getting stronger day for day, like expected!

 

[glassmoon]

damn, AV stole it big time. and JR overtook AC in last sec
awesome finish!
Froome will lose more and more every next stage imho. those TdF hills days gonna hurt him more and more.

 

[cineteq]

Valverde confirming he's the smartest rider!

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

3 Rabos in the Top 10 GC.

 

[Moviefan1203]

We are going to be in for a hell of a battle for the new two weeks!

 

[Parrot23]

I'd wager Sky marginally gained some humillity there

Contador as predicted getting stronger every day

The Iberian program is kicking in.

But nah, that's only possible for Anglos, eh, by definition? Latter are just too offensive to some, it seems patently obvious, isn't it.

 

[Tyke1968]

Nice stage wanted Froome to take it but Valverde deserves that rolled back the years and snatched it.
Froome has the TT to come and Contador has the long mountain days.
This is beautifully poised loving the Vuelta!

 

[benzwire]

This is the best stage race of the year!

 

[the asian]

Winner Anacona impressive again!

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Winner Anacona impressive again!

yes indeed!!