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Vuelta 2019, Stage 20: Arenas de San Pedro - Plataforma de Gredos > 190.4 km

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I very much doubt there were many if any who could follow, lets say Lopez on Javalambre or in Andorra (which is super hard to judge cause if crashed). Valverde's level was also extremely high on most occasions.

and yet for all the talk of a super high level, Lopez only gained a bit over 2 minutes on Majka in the road stages, so overall he wasn't that great

Quintana got 5 minutes over the rest on a stage where 99 times out of a 100, most favorites finish together or at least limit their losses

and the extremely high level of Valverde resulted in him beating a U-21 rider by 20 seconds

The Vuelta was occasionally entertaining, but it's difficult to say how much actual quality was there
 
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So he didn't know the time difference with Pogacar because he had no radio. So it was the public on the road that told him that he had to push because it was getting closer to the two minutes. That was risky if you ask me. He sounded still pi$$ed with MAL. I actually think that MAL words were not his because he is too young to know much about Movistar history. It was more his coaches or temmates. However he needs some anger management sessions.
 
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and yet for all the talk of a super high level, Lopez only gained a bit over 2 minutes on Majka in the road stages, so overall he wasn't that great

Quintana got 5 minutes over the rest on a stage where 99 times out of a 100, most favorites finish together or at least limit their losses

and the extremely high level of Valverde resulted in him beating a U-21 rider by 20 seconds

The Vuelta was occasionally entertaining, but it's difficult to say how much actual quality was there
Majka was good in this Vuelta IMHO.
 
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Wow! What a stage. Poggy was phenomenal. He actually looked to be the strongest rider of the race today, at the end of week 3 in this grand tour. Roglic raced exactly as he needed on this stage. His teammates hung in there as long as they could, but they were cooked. Also, I think the recent crash may have taken a toll on some of the Jumbo riders, maybe even Roglic. Valverde's 2nd place in this Vuelta is an amazing accomplishment. Quintana did what he could, made some great moves during the past 3 weeks, and managed a top-five performance on GC even though he is missing some of his great form of a few years past. Superman was courageous throughout. A top five finish and probably the most aggressive of the GC riders. Chapeau to all. Pogacar's gambit today elevated this Vuelta a little more. I think it was the best of the three grand tours, this year. All three had their moments.
 
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That Majka feel

EEcLOxRXYAAlFz6.jpg:large
 
Really this IS the Changing of the Guard. The last 4 GTs have 1st time GT winners!

Yates
Carapaz
Bernal
Roglic

Cycling's future looks bright and has plenty to offer us with Evenpoel, Pogacar etc. :)
last 5, Thomas' Tour was his first too, even if he may not be a 'changing of the guard' having been well into his 30s.

At the same time, Roglič thanks to his unconventional route into the sport is 29 years 10 months old.
 
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Sorry but didn't Froome win the Vuelta last year? So it's 4.
GettyImages-1034443654.jpg


How does Froome winning the 2017 Vuelta predate Thomas winning the 2018 Tour?

2018 Giro - last GT Froome won
2018 Tour - Thomas
2018 Vuelta - Yates
2019 Giro - Carapaz
2019 Tour - Bernal
2019 Vuelta - Roglič

Even if you want to get cute and include Froome winning the 2011 Vuelta, that was a) announced in July, so would break the streak before Bernal, and b) it made the 2011 Vuelta Froome's first GT win, so in theory would make it 6.
 
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Really this IS the Changing of the Guard. The last 4 GTs have 1st time GT winners!

Yates
Carapaz
Bernal
Roglic

Cycling's future looks bright and has plenty to offer us with Evenpoel, Pogacar etc. :)
It seemed to be a change of tactical mindset, too. Today's stage showed everyone at their limit with little regard for token preservation of top ten spots. TdF was great and hopefully this kind of chaos will continue. Great...great!
 

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