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

[JRanton]

Froome is like the baddie in the movies. He just won't ****ing die!

When Froome initially attacked I thought it was incredibly stupid because Nieve was going clear and looked pretty strong. I thought he was just going to bring Contador up to him and then AC would jump away for the win.

 

[Tournesol]

Can I try.

Its a bit like the federer-nadal rivalry apart from the fact that's its totally not

Too funny. Comparing AC/Froome to Coppi-Bartali is beyond ridiculous.

Be more balanced Arredondo please.

 

[Arredondo]

Care to name just a few of those reasons?

- Because that's what history does. There has to pass a certain amount of time (let's say 30/40 years) before you really can estimate the importante of a rivalry and the greatness of riders.

- Great rivalries means a confrontation in cycling everyone talks about. The rivalry Froome-Contador is the big thing in cycling, just like the rivalry Bartali-Coppi was that for a number of years.

Of course i know Bartali and Coppi rode in a completely different era of cycling, where they attacked from a long way out, didn't had teams who controlled the race. I know the historical context of that time was totally different with Bartali (the deeply catholic and religious guy) versus Coppi (the prima donna, the adventurous, non-religious guy who was way more a 'movie star' like Bartali).

But all these things i mentioned above, excist partly because history made this factors important to remember when you speak about this rivalry. And also with the Froome-Contador rivalry, history will play his role placing it in the right perspective.

The only thing these guys have to do, is continue these great rivalry, especially in the Tour (for real, not like in 2013).

 

[Dr. Juice]

And now people saying Contador has no chance

Seriously...there are both not at 100% and need to work and lose weight. Contador had a better day in the TT and the first MTF, today Froome had the better legs.
It goes like that when you are at 85% ...one day you have good legs...the next day not so good legs.

I can't wait for Tirreno. The long and gradual Terminillo should give a better indicator (plus they'll be more advanced in their prep).

 

[cineteq]

it's an outrage ,,,,,Tears are falling.

King Bertie beaten by an elbows out spinny man.

I shall now go and hit the JD really hard and hope all will be back to normal tomorrow and Bertie shall be king again and I will not have to much of an hangover to cope with.

No point making excuses for Bertie "wrong gears. Ant build up on his tyres"
Froome spins a girly gear " sexist" and Bertie should have prepared just in case this nightmare thing that could have happened has actually happened and it did. I'm bleeding inside .....nooooooooooooooooooo

well done Froome ,,,you git wizard.

Very dramatic post, gotcha! Some 1st-languange English speakers don't seem to understand you, I guess they don't understand poetry

Ivan Basso FAIL

Are you surprised?

I am so freaking ****ed off right now.

Can't wait for your excuses!

 

[May0maniac]

I definitely agree, but it's pretty hard to give explanations when there are none.

Cycling was way bigger back then, both guys spoke the same language and their whole nation was obsessed by the rivalry.

 

[Guybrush]

Yes it really takes guts to attack from 2km out when you're behind and want to win the race. Super brave.

Have you seen him before? or it's your first time?

He's always brave, even when he's cooked, attacks

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I thought Froome's attack was brave today, honestly. He could have finished 2nd and been satisfied, knowing his preparation is going well for the Tour. Instead, he attacked and dropped Contador, giving cycling fans a great show.

I think Froome deserves praise for the way he rode.

 

[pastronef]

Gotta give it to him, Froome has quite the set of balls.

the Vuelta 2014 did him good. he learned much

 

[ray j willings]

Very dramatic post, gotcha! Some 1st-languange English speakers don't seem to understand you, I guess they don't understand poetry

Are you surprised?

Can't wait for your excuses!

Many thanks ...

But Contador ,,,How? I mean Froome uses girly gears "15 x 49 " He has long sticky out pointy elbows and he looks like a cross between Wayne rooney and ET.
Im on my 3rd glass of JD and im off to watch Andrew Johnson talk about ET disclousure with the odd Nicky manaj vid thrown in to lighten the mood.

A dark day indeed.

 

[inthepink]

why do so many Contador fans have constant sour grapes and say highly insulting things about Chris Froome without any substance on this form, especially when he wins ...( what did Gandhi say ..He would love christianity but for the christians...you guys make it hard to be behind Contador)

I admire both men in differnt ways and I am glad they are both racing as it makes it exciting for fans

 

[Carols]

it's an outrage ,,,,,Tears are falling.

King Bertie beaten by an elbows out spinny man.

I shall now go and hit the JD really hard and hope all will be back to normal tomorrow and Bertie shall be king again and I will not have to much of an hangover to cope with.

No point making excuses for Bertie "wrong gears. Ant build up on his tyres"
Froome spins a girly gear " sexist" and Bertie should have prepared just in case this nightmare thing that could have happened has actually happened and it did. I'm bleeding inside .....nooooooooooooooooooo

well done Froome ,,,you git wizard.

ROTFL, although I did have to Google 'git wizard'. Great stuff, thanks for lightening the mood

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

I honestly don't understand people in this thread. A standard attack from 2km on an MTF is brave and makes for an epic stage how?!?

 

[Tournesol]

Many thanks ...

But Contador ,,,How? I mean Froome uses girly gears "15 x 49 " He has long sticky out pointy elbows and he looks like a cross between Wayne rooney and ET.
Im on my 3rd glass of JD and im off to watch Andrew Johnson talk about ET disclousure with the odd Nicky manaj vid thrown in to lighten the mood.

A dark day indeed.

Quality post. I love a bit of hyperbole!!!

 

[hrotha]

why do so many Contador fans have constant sour grapes and say highly insulting things about Chris Froome without any substance on this form, especially when he wins

Because, for whatever reason, Contador seems to attract lots of people who are into him for his looks. Cycling is the last thing they care about. They've turned him into the Justin Bieber of the sport.

 

[slosada]

English is my 1st language but this post makes almost no sense to me.

Not my first language for me (although I live and work in English) but I agree... Can you imagine what it would be for others?

 

[Rollthedice]

the Vuelta 2014 did him good. he learned much

I think Froome is the same as he ever was, that is after august 2011. Riding for the win in every stage race based on sheer power and those seated attacks usually in the last 2 Km while his team destroys the field. If that one single strategy doesn't work or, God forbid, his powermeter is broken then he'll start yo-yo-ing. Of course he never gives up, it seems like he always wants to prove something.

 

[Carols]

In 40 years, we will speak of current rivalries as great as we know do of rivalries in the 50's/60's and 70's. Just because that's the function of history.

Indeed, that is the way it happens. Decades from now Alberto and his great rivalry first with Andy Schleck and then with Chris Froome will be part of the lore of cycling.

Right now I see them more as LeMond vs Fignon. But the rivalry will flourish for at least 2 more years and after I am dust history will write it's story.

 

[Arredondo]

Indeed, that is the way it happens. Decades from now Alberto and his great rivalry first with Andy Schleck and then with Chris Froome will be part of the lore of cycling.

Right now I see them more as LeMond vs Fignon. But the rivalry will flourish for at least 2 more years and after I am dust history will write it's story.

The Coppi-Bartali was more of a example. You can indeed name every big rivalry in the past.

Better indeed to take a rivalry which contained not as long as Coppi-Bartali did. Like Lemond-Fignon like you mentioned.

 

[ray j willings]

why do so many Contador fans have constant sour grapes and say highly insulting things about Chris Froome without any substance on this form, especially when he wins ...( what did Gandhi say ..He would love christianity but for the christians...you guys make it hard to be behind Contador)

I admire both men in differnt ways and I am glad they are both racing as it makes it exciting for fans

How can you admire any man who looks like a stick insect riding a bike
Some times it's hard to make out his legs from his arms. When he sits down, it can be confusing.

It's the pillows . why don't the other teams use custom pillows.
What's wrong with Oleg. Get Bertie a nice pillow.

 

[grizzlee]

Ivan Basso FAIL

Nico Roche actually got rid of him. Double fail for tinkoff.

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

Oh sure, I'm not complaining about how the riders raced, I just don't understand why on earth people reply here as if this is some sort of super epic stage, the epitome of cycling or whatever when in reality it was pretty standard and they only raced for 2km. I don't blame Froome for waiting with his final attack. I'm just surprised at people replying as if this stage was really epic, which it wasn't at all. It was a 1 climb stage, which saw 2km of racing in Februari. It was exciting that it was so close, but that's about it.......

Because it IS epic. The RUTA DEL SOL? That's what makes it epic, it being the Ruta del Sol, and the 2 expected TdF favorites do what?
Yesterday Contador goes alone 7 km, Froome with his weird Vuelta "tactic", coming from behind.. the rest 1'40"+ back. In February at the Ruta del Sol? Epic.
Today Froome does a Pena Cabarga 2011 impression and drops Contador. In February, at the Ruta del Sol. Epic.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Froome may look horrible on the bike, but until they start handing out time bonuses for visually pleasing bike positions, I think he's completely safe.

 

[ray j willings]

Because, for whatever reason, Contador seems to attract lots of people who are into him for his looks. Cycling is the last thing they care about. They've turned him into the Justin Bieber of the sport.

What a good post. You really know your cycling fans,,,

Bieber is without a doubt the greatest musician who ever lived.

Great comparison

I would compare Froome musically to Big Time Rush .

 

[Jagartrott]

Indeed, that is the way it happens. Decades from now Alberto and his great rivalry first with Andy Schleck and then with Chris Froome will be part of the lore of cycling.

Right now I see them more as LeMond vs Fignon. But the rivalry will flourish for at least 2 more years and after I am dust history will write it's story.

I don't really agree.
How many times did they go head to head in a GT that they finished? Or in any more important race they both targeted?

'Great rivalries' should be more than the odd encounter.