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

[Lequack]

Also what a signing for UAE Pogacar is. With Dan Martin leaving and Fabio Aru still not as his best, he is now really central to this team and I hope they appreciate it and not just pass him off to the highest bidder.

 

[roundabout]

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

 

[Escarabajo]

I guess Geraint would have been as good as Andy Schleck was back in the day

As good as he was at the Vuelta. Which is they have to look for him at the pubs!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

It was Quintana who attacked early on Los Muchachos. But other than that great post.

Yes, you're right. I was thinking of Acebo, my bad.

 

[ice&fire]

This surely deserves further research, but if I'm not mistaken Bartali managed his last podium after 14 years from his first.

Coppi got his last podium 15 years after his first one.

 

[Red Rick]

Gesink saying they're gonna have beers tonight. Said he himself is probably under the table after 3 sips, but Roglic knows how to hold his liquor

 

[Escarabajo]

Interview with Valverde (if anyone speaks Spanish)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1172900589837180929

View: https://twitter.com/Movistar_Team/status/1172900589837180929

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.

 

[Escarabajo]

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.

 

[hfer07]

Pogačar: The future. A super star in the making. I just hope and pray UAE can nurture his massive talent accordingly
Roglic: Congrats for a well deserved Grand Tour Title after a magnificent season. cheers !!

 

[Mayomaniac]

Gesink saying they're gonna have beers tonight. Said he himself is probably under the table after 3 sips, but Roglic knows how to hold his liquor

As a fellow farmboy I'm dissapointed with Gesink, he should be able to drink at least a few beers.

 

[roundabout]

Majka was good in this Vuelta IMHO.

it's easy to seem good when there's a drop off in quality somewhere around his position

but ok, to be fair he was good, but after rest day 2

 

[JosephK]

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.

 

[Carols]

Will we see a red Bianchi tomorrow or is that not allowed?

I Hope Not! It was so awesome to see that beautiful Bianchi color throughout this Vuelta being ridden by the winner! Wrap the handlebars and wheels in read but leave a Bianchi the proper Bianchi color!

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1172917006712131586

View: https://twitter.com/Eurosport_UK/status/1172917006712131586

 

[bajbar]

I Hope Not! It was so awesome to see that beautiful Bianchi color throughout this Vuelta being ridden by the winner! Wrap the handlebars and wheels in read but leave a Bianchi the proper Bianchi color!

Nah, they are going full red tomorrow. Bianchi already posted a pic of a red (TT) bike before the Vuelta even started

 

[Carols]

Nah, they are going full red tomorrow. Bianchi already posted a pic of a red (TT) bike before the Vuelta even started

Okay, can't blame them . I just love Bianchi aqua.

 

[Lequack]

That Majka feel

 

[RedheadDane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1172917006712131586

View: https://twitter.com/Eurosport_UK/status/1172917006712131586

He sounds very proud of his achievement.

 

[Carols]

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.

 

[JosephK]

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.

Not to crash the party, but Geraint Thomas could even be added to the list (TDF 2018).

 

[Libertine Seguros]

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.

 

[Lequack]

 

[Rollthedice]

Yeah but Froome won the Vuelta so it's the last 4.

Froome won the 2011 Vuelta in the meantime.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Sorry but didn't Froome win the Vuelta last year? So it's 4.

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.

 

[Oldermanish]

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!