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

[User Guide]

Mollema not good. Little disappointing. Gesink, if he has good ITTs, he should be able to to top 5. LTD shows again he is one of the best domestiques out there.

I wonder if Froome will be able to keep at this level for the whole 3 weeks. He showed a little sign of weakness, but perhaps it was self-inflicted/tactically unsound riding?

Think him being a little weak caused the self inflicted poor tactics, once was away should of just kept going even if pulling bertie, the accelerations he doesnt like.(well physically but known in past for getting excited and blowing himself up)

 

[DominicDecoco]

I loved how Froome almost stopped just to accelerate away from Alberto..

He got exactly 1 meter away from Alberto and got countered by Valverde and Alberto afterwards. Definitely not the way to beat Alberto

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Agreed. 14s is a lot to lose on a such a small climb.

Didn't Contador lose nearly 20 secs on stage 6? And he seems to have done ok.

 

[Netserk]

Winner Anacona impressive again!

A shame with the visa thing
Have him on my cq manager, yes!

 

[marioni]

Finally Froome cracks. Great stage overall, it's shaping up to be a cracking GT.

 

[Parrot23]

bitter ...

This is a sport of nationalities I've discovered on CN. Surprising--but also shows why the EU doesn't work and they can't agree on their current problems. Say'in this as someone over the pond. A little mirror to hold up.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

mollema, another rider that hit rabo rockbottom, as all their talents do after 1 or 2 years. simply to good at too early level. not much margin left

 

[T-Nielsen]

Please tell me there is a 12 +km steep mountain comming up at some point.

Btw I wonder when Froome will try and take the time he needs before the TT.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Disappointed in Valverde? For winning?

Epic facepalm.

No for closing the gap. He could've brought Froome with him but hey that's cycling right.

I will quote myself:

"No! No you're not supposed to do that to your friend!" (in high-pitched voice)

 

[TourOfSardinia]

I loved how Froome almost stopped just to accelerate away from Alberto..

He got exactly 1 meter away from Alberto. Definitely not the way to beat Alberto.

yeah that was the best bit today - the camera caught it too.

 

[Kwibus]

This is so good for the race. COntador shows strength, but not back at 100% and Froome shows he is human. And Valverde looks super. Puti did show a little weakness.

I reckon 3rd week will tip the balance.

This. The race is still open.
Valverde really surprises me and it's good to see him back at the highest level.
Froome showing he is human is actually the best part I must say. Not because I dislike him, but I was afraid of a complete domination.

I can't recall cheering for Contador before, but I certainly was doing it when he went. I so dearly hoped he would win the stage. That would make him a happy man for sure

 

[The Hitch]

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

Yeah, as if you take any of those posters seriously in the first place. Lots of ridiculous things get posted here by lots of different people, i wouldnt take it as any sort of official forum opinion.

 

[Miburo]

Please tell me there is a 12 +km steep mountain comming up at some point.

Btw I wonder when Froome will try and take the time he needs before the TT.

Cuiti negru or something like that.

 

[Parrot23]

Positives:

Alberto shows he is still able to drop everyone and he will only become better
Froome showed he's human
3 Spaniards top 3

+1 Absolutely. And a much, much better race than the Giro and Tour. Very smart riding.

 

[roundabout]

Nice climb. Hope to see it again some day. Maybe with something more substantial before it though.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Kinda neat Contador is doing the Vuelta this year - for what ever reasons.

 

[luckyboy]

1 bad day, and then 1 day where he's back where he was before that bad day does not consistute a trend.

kinda makes sense that he will get better as he builds up the racing days

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Contador hasn't really raced in what, a year (except the recent Eneco) and is still able to short-circuit the Froomebot. Pretty impressive.

I repeat that Wiggins would get destroyed here.

 

[User Guide]

Gesink now Rabo-bossing TGBM

And yet again lost at least some of the time by not being on the shoulder of the "heads of state" when it goes off,behind a few who had lost the wheels of leaders.
Not saying he would of finished with them but how much harder riding in 5th rather than 10th or 12th when still 25 left in group?

 

[cineteq]

Anyway Contador is the first guy that cracked Froome.

Still pretty good

Give credit to Valverde too, with his early attack

 

[maxmartin]

Mollema not good. Little disappointing. Gesink, if he has good ITTs, he should be able to to top 5. LTD shows again he is one of the best domestiques out there.

I wonder if Froome will be able to keep at this level for the whole 3 weeks. He showed a little sign of weakness, but perhaps it was self-inflicted/tactically unsound riding?

the way he is riding is overconfident. just look at how he rode yesterday. And he is one trick pony he does not know what to do when he can't ride people off his wheel

 

[LaFlorecita]

Please tell me there is a 12 +km steep mountain comming up at some point.

Btw I wonder when Froome will try and take the time he needs before the TT.

Cuitu Negru & Bola del Mundo.

 

[djlovesyou]

No for closing the gap. He could've brought Froome with him but hey that's cycling right.

I will quote myself:

"No! No you're not supposed to do that to your friend!" (in high-pitched voice)

They actually friends then? I suppose they probably had a lot of time to chat while sitting in the gynaecologists waiting room waiting for their wives to finish their appointments.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Yeah, as if you take any of those posters seriously in the first place. Lots of ridiculous things get posted here by lots of different people, i wouldnt take it as any sort of official forum opinion.

Which I didn't.

I said lol at posters, not lol at everyone.

Strawyawn

 

[slim charles]

Great stage! Wanted Contador to win [well, my wet dream is always to see Igor Anton win, but that won't happen this year..], but Valverde did well, timed his attack perfectly.

Best thing about already very interesting stage is - they are all vulnerable. But not too weak. Should make for fantastic race.