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

[etymology]

one more observation: had the looooooooong line of motos and support cars not clogged up the descent before the final loooooooooooooong climb to the finish line - i suspect basso/contador's gap when climbing resumed would have been significantly larger.

 

[indianfanboy]

This form is already good enough for the Giro.
Both tt and uphill.

Wait for Tirreno something tells me Nibali,Froome and Quintana are in for a beat down

 

[Publicus]

Are you serious? Not faster than Horner? We are early in the season, but the idea of Horner would have been able to beat the dueling giants, Contador and Froome is just crazy.

That shouldn't be surprising. It's February, no one is peaking for this race and it is the first major climb of the season

 

[pastronef]

Great ride from Alberto! Froome only loses 19s in the end, thought he'd lose well over a minute with 8k to go.

ehehe, yes, I gave up any hope when I saw kennaugh pulling and no sign of Froome.
but he came back very good.
now let's hope the guys do well this afternoon in Algarve

 

[Mihai_RO]

Last km's

Here are the last km's replay

http://youtu.be/W7pfk8CtKxw

 

[LaFlorecita]

au contraire! after basso/contador gapped the field on the short descent , contador made his move, then rode his pace. froome rode his pace - just did not crank up his pace until way later in climb. contador held his wattage, maybe even eased up when he knew he had it in the bag. also, the flattish final 500m favor froome.

i think both contador and froome did a-ok today. and tomorrow is another day!F

one more observation: had the looooooooong line of motos and support cars not clogged up the descent before the final loooooooooooooong climb to the finish line - i suspect basso/contador's gap when climbing resumed would have been significantly larger.

Two very interesting posts! thanks

The panache of the the man is incredible...oh 7km, here I go, come and catch me Very credible performance by Froome, there is just no quit in that one. Bodes well for some grand battles and viewing for us this season.

Meanwhile Alberto rocks on, he will be deadly this season!

Yes!

Are you serious? Not faster than Horner? We are early in the season, but the idea of Horner would have been able to beat the dueling giants, Contador and Froome is just crazy.

He would not have been able to beat them in February

 

[Bigas Lunas]

Thanks and I certainly hope so!

CyclingHub15 have the final 10 minutes up already...here.Longer highlights will probably be upped later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ0zJO6-ey0

 

[LaFlorecita]

I have come to the conclusion that they are two different aliens. Froome is ET while Berto is the Giger/real alien.

Zam_Olyas would like to have a word with you

 

[Coat-O]

I have come to the conclusion that they are two different aliens. Froome is ET while Berto is the Giger/real alien.

They actually look alike. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, ET is cute.

 

[Dr. Juice]

Are you serious? Not faster than Horner? We are early in the season, but the idea of Horner would have been able to beat the dueling giants, Contador and Froome is just crazy.

Forget his age. His performances in that Vuelta were comparable to Nibali Giro 13 / Tour 14 and Froome in the Tour 2013.
I am sure that in May or July they would be some 40-50 sec faster on a comparable climb when attacking from the bottom.

 

[MBotero]

Of course Froome will up his game, it's Feb not July, same for Alberto of course. Froome has already proved several times over the last year he isn't mentally weak so this won't affect him. He got beat by the better guy today, onto the next round.

I don't know Sky was always flying early in the season till Le Tour,remember Wiggo 2012,Froome 2013.I'm not convinced about this supposed change of tactics to peak later in the season,Froome's no Nibali.

 

[Kwibus]

Of course Froome will up his game, it's Feb not July, same for Alberto of course. Froome has already proved several times over the last year he isn't mentally weak so this won't affect him. He got beat by the better guy today, onto the next round.

Indeed.

We've seen serious racing today as well. Look at the gap these have on the 3rd..... Insane and it's just February.

Froome and Contador will entertain us plenty this year. Hoping for a good Quintana and Nibali as well and we are in for a grand year.

Crashes not allowed this year please.

 

[etymology]

I have come to the conclusion that they are two different aliens. Froome is ET while Berto is the Giger/real alien.

yeahbut....ET's form on HIS bike put's froome's form to shame!!

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

I don't know Sky was always flying early in the season till Le Tour,remember Wiggo 2012,Froome 2013.I'm not convinced about this supposed change of tactics to peak later in the season,Froome's no Nibali.

agree two years ago with Wiggins it was all about being at 95% all season long with small peaks for the main objectives.

 

[Rollthedice]

I don't know Sky was always flying early in the season till Le Tour,remember Wiggo 2012,Froome 2013.I'm not convinced about this supposed change of tactics to peak later in the season,Froome's no Nibali.

Froome is fine, without Contador in the mix he would have crushed any rider with ideas to win this early in the year. But things have changed since 2013 when Froome won about any stage race until and including TdF. That change is Contador being better than he ever was in this time of the year and maybe even better, period.

 

[pastronef]

agree two years ago with Wiggins it was all about being at 95% all season long with small peaks for the main objectives.

exactly. Wiggins began winning 2 weeks later than now, at Paris-Nice. Froome has time to sharpen his form for Tirreno

 

[hfer07]

just checked today's stage results

Contador is smashing early


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ0zJO6-ey0

 

[pastronef]

Froome is fine, without Contador in the mix he would have crushed any rider with ideas to win this early in the year. But things have changed since 2013 when Froome won about any stage race until and including TdF. That change is Contador being better than he ever was in this time of the year and maybe even better, period.

we must thank Contador, he saved the forum from crashing today

 

[Bushman]

Are you serious? Not faster than Horner? We are early in the season, but the idea of Horner would have been able to beat the dueling giants, Contador and Froome is just crazy.

What? Contador didn't even grit his teeth in the finish and clearly had something left in the tank. And it's freaking february and also his first race of the season. The fact that he beat Nibali and the other Vuelta guys is very impressive.

 

[Escarabajo]

we must thank Contador, he saved the forum from crashing today

Now both have been vaccinated. They should be immune now. Just that I hope that good performances happen simultanously so that either party don't start crying foul play.

 

[inthepink]

What? Contador didn't even grit his teeth in the finish and clearly had something left in the tank. And it's freaking february and also his first race of the season. The fact that he beat Nibali and the other Vuelta guys is very impressive.

Didn't beat Horner though

 

[jens_attacks]

i hope alberto knows what he's doing. so strong in february and both giro and tour on the menu? crazy i'd say. great show though from both. rarely seen something like that in february

ivan thanks for the hope of the 1-2

 

[Ivan_Basso_77]

i hope alberto knows what he's doing. so strong in february and both giro and tour on the menu? crazy i'd say. great show though from both. rarely seen something like that in february

ivan thanks for the hope of the 1-2

Well, we saw that was the plan. Ivan did a great launch for Bertie. Let's see tomorow

 

[Bushman]

Didn't beat Horner though

Can you read?

 

[Red Rick]

Looks like I missed a lot today

http://www.steephill.tv/players/you...clista-del-sol&id=arDWUzDwh8I&start=3&yr=2015

last 10km