Vuelta a Andalucia (Ruta Del Sol) 2.HC // 18.2 - 22.2

[Flamin]

Yes, have you ever even raced? It isn't pleasent, mind you, but sh!t happens. The point is that such unpredictable things come with the turf.

It's entirely another matter when a rider does a risky, or intentional maneuver on purpose, which he didn't. And this is what the jury has to weigh in as far as penalties go. A moment of distraction (or a pebble, or a gasoil slick, or sheer fatigue) happens to the best of them.

Besides his colleagues will let him know, appropriately, what they think.

Of course it's not on purpose. Nobody causes a crash on purpose. What kind of argument is that? It's basic cycling really, when your work is done, you go to the side of the road or let yourself slide back in the pack holding a straight line. Not steer 2 metres towards the middle of the road whilst also looking to the other side. Should be fun if every lead-out guy would do that in a full bunch sprint

 

[rhubroma]

Of course it's not on purpose. Nobody causes a crash on purpose. What kind of argument is that? It's basic cycling really, when your work is done, you go to the side of the road or let yourself slide back in the pack holding a straight line. Not steer 2 metres towards the middle of the road whilst also looking to the other side. Should be fun if every lead-out guy would do that in a full bunch sprint

This 'would-have', 'should-have' nonesence is totally irrelevant. Do you even know how the sanctioning process works? It has nothing to do with that type of random incident.

If you ride and race 30,000 k per year one has to live the profession with a bit of philosophy.

Like I said, while not at fault penalty wise, his colleagues will let him now what a ?^=^?!! he was. Get over your hysteria.

Next race.

 

[classicomano]

Time trialing in Spain. Not to be confused with derny racing.

Dumoulin commented that the same thing happened to him last year when he came second to Valverde. Really an awful joke.

 

[Escarabajo]

So it seems Froome shouldn't bother turning up at Le Tour

This year is over by the look of things!

I am so waiting for 2016. There is hope.

 

[nhowson]

This is Froomedawg stupidity at its finest.

At any rate Froome needs about 5 more GT's in his palmares to even begin to talk the talk, and walk the walk.

And if Contador wins both...

Can we just take the race for what it is now and stop projecting everything forward to the next race. I wish Oman had better coverage because then I could enjoy some cycling without being constantly reminded of July.

 

[Taxus4a]

I am quite surprised with Ivan Basso ITT, becouse he is not good at ITT, he is not explosive and he is not tecnich, but he was 18 in a tecnich an explosive ITT.

 

[MatParker117]

Yup, it's bull. In the last four years the strongest rider in the early season has also been the strongest at the Tour (Contador would have won last year without the crash).

The way Nibali rode that tour maybe, he would of pushed him hard though. As for Contador this year, he'll win the Giro but won't be on the podium in Paris. Same thing will happen as four years ago he'll crack in the third week and lose a bunch of time.

This years tour for me is a three way fight between Froome, Nibali and Quintana.

 

[ILovecycling]

So are we going to predict this year's results from this short ITT stage?????

LOL.

As always (start of the season )

The way Nibali rode that tour maybe, he would of pushed him hard though. As for Contador this year, he'll win the Giro but won't be on the podium in Paris. Same thing will happen as four years ago he'll crack in the third week and lose a bunch of time.

This years tour for me is a three way fight between Froome, Nibali and Quintana.

yea,you can dream bout it

 

[Angliru]

Contador fans, or to say better, Froome's detractors, if Contador looses the Tour will say Froome was a coward for not racing the Giro

The cowardice was Froome's initial reaction to the Tour route announcement. Being arguably the reigning best climber among his gc rivals and saying he may focus on the Giro because the Tour route doesn't favor him the way the Giro's does.

 

[manafana]

18. BASSO Ivan Tinkoff - Saxo 0:23
Not bad, 2nd best Tinkoff rider and only 9sec slower than Froome, has post-2006 Basso ever been that good in a short ITT at the start of a race, I think the 2009 Vuelta prologue was the only great prologue that we've ever seen from him after 2006, right?

thats got be the shock of day, not had tt like that in long time never mind a normal stage

 

[Angliru]

From the footage he simply made a mistake (evidently got off balanced), without intent to obstruct a rider's line, thus no punishment was merited.

It (used) to be called 'racing.' Get a grip.

I don't think he lost his balance until his rear wheel made contact with the AG2R rider's front wheel. It was at that point he clipped out of his pedal to regain his balance. I agree it wasn't intentional, just unfortunate. Maybe he should have looked back to see if it was clear for him to weave off the front as he did.

 

[May0maniac]

I am quite surprised with Ivan Basso ITT, becouse he is not good at ITT, he is not explosive and he is not tecnich, but he was 18 in a tecnich an explosive ITT.

I try to keep my excitement in check, but those 2 facts make me pretty confident when it comes to Ivan, i think he's not done yet.

 

[ray j willings]

The way Nibali rode that tour maybe, he would of pushed him hard though. As for Contador this year, he'll win the Giro but won't be on the podium in Paris. Same thing will happen as four years ago he'll crack in the third week and lose a bunch of time.

This years tour for me is a three way fight between Froome, Nibali and Quintana.

I think it depends how much energy Bertie use's at the Giro.
If he his in unbeatable form then he may well be able to save a lot of energy and arrive at the tour in decent shape. What ever happens, he his a racer and if he his behind at the tour he will try a long attack or 2 and that could blow the race apart which is all good.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Contador fans, or to say better, Froome's detractors, if Contador looses the Tour will say Froome was a coward for not racing the Giro

If Contador wins the Tour, Froome's fanboys will likely claim that that the Dawg had a hangnail and thus was only at 60% of his maximum.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Yes, have you ever even raced?

What difference does that make? Are we not allowed to enjoy watching and commenting on this sport if we haven't competed?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Technically, yes he is. Andersen is his last name so that's the name that should be shown the screen as is the case with anyone else.

Like Alberto Velasco and Alejandro Belmonte?

 

[rhubroma]

What difference does that make? Are we not allowed to enjoy watching and commenting on this sport if we haven't competed?

It makes a difference, Armchair cyclist.

You know what they say (at least in Italian). Opinions are like orifices. Everybody's got them, it just depends on which hole they come out.

 

[nhowson]

If Contador wins the Tour, Froome's fanboys will likely claim that that the Dawg had a hangnail and thus was only at 60% of his maximum.

Meanwhile Nibali fans will say not enough cobbles or descents in the route if anyone else wins, and Quintana fans will just shrug and say how good his last week was and how he's young so it doesn't count. Everyone has stupid fans unfortunately.

 

[rhubroma]

Can we just take the race for what it is now and stop projecting everything forward to the next race. I wish Oman had better coverage because then I could enjoy some cycling without being constantly reminded of July.

Who is projecting? I haven't said once Contador will do this, or that this means that.

To the bold: Contador + 8, Froome - 8.

 

[rhubroma]

I don't think he lost his balance until his rear wheel made contact with the AG2R rider's front wheel. It was at that point he clipped out of his pedal to regain his balance. I agree it wasn't intentional, just unfortunate. Maybe he should have looked back to see if it was clear for him to weave off the front as he did.

I'm sure his colleagues will let him know what they thought of that move. They usually do in no uncertain terms, as in hey '?0"$%!, do that again and ?$5!??!!!**?!. The Russian will certainly never pull off the front like that again.

 

[Ivan_Basso_77]

I try to keep my excitement in check, but those 2 facts make me pretty confident when it comes to Ivan, i think he's not done yet.

I gotta feeling that with Bjarne nearby him Ivan feels best. Let's see what The Smiling Assassin will show tomorrow on Alto de Hazallanas.

 

[Kwibus]

Time trialing in Spain. Not to be confused with derny racing.

Meanwhile in Spain.....

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Stage 2:

A well designed flat stage imo. Many types of riders are in play.

Go Wellens.....

 

[Coat-O]

Lobato ftw!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Like Alberto Velasco and Alejandro Belmonte?

I dunno but from Hugo's comments it seems like the Danish naming customs are different from the Spanish.