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

[Bushman]

I wonder if the wind changed since none of the late starters beat Moreno. Or maybe he just rode the tt of his life.

 

[sir fly]

It looks to me that for valid conclusions we'll have to wait Friday.

 

[Jspear]

It looks to me that for valid conclusions we'll have to wait Friday.

Nah this was pretty valid. More of the same stuff in the coming days.

 

[sir fly]

Nah this was pretty valid. More of the same stuff in the coming days.

Yeah... Contador will be stuffed in coming days.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Too bad Kelderman and Moreno fell in the opening stage.

 

[pablohidalgo7]

It's a shame, kelderman has the legs to figth for the overall, the crash has ruined all.

 

[JRanton]

It looks to me that for valid conclusions we'll have to wait Friday.

Maybe but if Froome doesn't have the form to beat Contador in a TT then it's extremely unlikely that he'll be able to drop him uphill.

 

[Netserk]

It looks to me that for valid conclusions we'll have to wait Friday.

If you want valid conclusion, then Tirreno is what you'll have to wait for.

 

[sir fly]

Maybe but if Froome doesn't have the form to beat Contador in a TT then it's extremely unlikely that he'll be able to drop him uphill.

Most probably. But we still have to wait and see.

 

[sir fly]

If you want valid conclusion, then Tirreno is what you'll have to wait for.

Waiting for Tirreno, to pull a valid conclusion about Andalucia.
Interesting.

 

[Jspear]

Waiting for Tirreno, to pull a valid conclusion about Andalucia.
Interesting.

Pretty sure he meant waiting till Tirreno for a valid conclusion regarding where Froome and AC stack up against each other.

 

[sir fly]

Pretty sure he meant waiting till Tirreno for a valid conclusion regarding where Froome and AC stack up against each other.

Oh... How could I misunderstand that?

 

[staubsauger]

Actually with the Vuelta in mind, this result patterns an indicator that Froome has weakened in the time-trial rather than in his climbing skills!

Nevertheless Froome won't be against a full-peak Contador in July. So Ruta del Sol may be without validity, anyway.

 

[MatParker117]

Actually with the Vuelta in mind, this result patterns an indicator that Froome has weakened in the time-trial rather than in his climbing skills!

Nevertheless Froome won't be against a full-peak Contador in July. So Ruta del Sol may be without validity, anyway.

He's never been fantastic in short flat TT's.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Well if Froome is serious about peaking for week 3 of the Tour then it's about time he had a few average results in Feb/March.

Sky fan explanation of Froome performance in spring:

Froome has great result in early spring = already dominating, he will crush the Tour!
Froome has mediocre result in early spring = completely irrelevant, since he's peaking for the Tour!

 

[LaFlorecita]

He's never been fantastic in short flat TT's.

like at the 2014 Dauphine?

 

[rhubroma]

If you want valid conclusion, then Tirreno is what you'll have to wait for.

From the physical point of view, yes, but not from the psychological one, which Froome seems to handle less well than Contador.

 

[pastronef]

like at the 2014 Dauphine?

must agree with Flo, I thought about that too, when Froome climbed the Lyon old town seated (like he did in Romandie TT)

 

[Pricey_sky]

Sky fan explanation of Froome performance in spring:

Froome has great result in early spring = already dominating, he will crush the Tour!
Froome has mediocre result in early spring = completely irrelevant, since he's peaking for the Tour!

Don't think I've ever said that Froome's results in February means he will crush everyone in July, just merely pointing out what he said THIS winter (nothing to do with previous years) but carry on...

If Sky are that serious about the Tour, which they obviously are, then more of a Nibali approach from last year is a much better strategy, nothing to do with being a fan or not.

 

[Rollthedice]

must agree with Flo, I thought about that too, when Froome climbed the Lyon old town seated (like he did in Romandie TT)

In Romandie he was sick, that doesn't count

 

[Coat-O]

Wasn't this a very technical TT? The same that Valverde have won a couple of times?

That could explain why Contador was superior to Froome. Chris isn't exactly a technical rider. Now Contador can sit back and just follow Froome.

 

[etymology]

It looks to me that for valid conclusions we'll have to wait Friday.

here is an irrefutable conclusion:

contador was better than froome today.

rest of the race? each stage will tell.

 

[rhubroma]

Don't think I've ever said that Froome's results in February means he will crush everyone in July, just merely pointing out what he said THIS winter (nothing to do with previous years) but carry on...

Thing is, while Froome is very good, he stormed onto the sceen between 2012-2013, when AC was in a particularly awkward moment, while 2013 was simply his annus horribilus and, therefore, no indication of actual worth (as anyone with any knowledge of the Spaniard's career and the sport knows).

Last year's Vuelta set things back to their natural order, even if, the crashes at the Tour (even if both crashed) leaves some margin for specualtive intrigue.

I simply laugh, though, at Froome fans who think "Froomdawg," even at his maximum, is simply going to "crush" a rival like Contador at his maximum. In fact, until otherwise demonstrated, it is the Spaniard who is still king.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I simply laugh, though, at Froome fans who think "Froomdawg," even at his maximum, is simply going to "crush" a rival like Contador at his maximum. In fact, until otherwise demonstrated, it is the Spaniard who is still king.

Completely agree, it's not going to be as anywhere near as easy as 2013. Froome will have to put in a career best to beat Contador.

 

[rhubroma]

Completely agree, it's not going to be as anywhere near as easy as 2013. Froome will have to put in a career best to beat Contador.

True. The same applies to Contador, although he has added to the difficulty by going for the audacious double. This, though, will simply add more flavor to the soup.