Vuelta a España Rest Day 2

[theyoungest]

I'm sure Wiggins didn't start training all out the day after his injury, so it 'll probably be closer to two weeks. But if your preparation is this short, those two weeks can make a huge difference. Or at least this is what i chose to believe, because Wiggins outclimbing JVDB in normal circumstances would have me start doubting the very concept of physics

If we're just going by physics, it's not that strange: I would guess that their respective weight isn't that far apart (somewhere around 67 kgs?) and Wiggins puts out more watts, as evidenced in the time trial.

 

[LukeSchmid]

do you think so? It's not so much about defending leads on mountains anymore and I doubt guys like Ardila, de la Fuente, Duarte etc. are of any help if Sky starts to attack into the crosswind (or things like that)

of course, with Arvesen Sky lost an important rider for situations like that but they are still way stronger than Geox.

Ardila will not be able to help at all, he retired during stage 5.

 

[search]

Ardila will not be able to help at all, he retired during stage 5.

ah, okay, thanks, I was already wondering if he had become even more invisible than in recent years

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

If we're just going by physics, it's not that strange: I would guess that their respective weight isn't that far apart (somewhere around 67 kgs?) and Wiggins puts out more watts, as evidenced in the time trial.

But in the Dauphine which Wiggins won, he was outclimbed by JvdBroeck on the Allevard. Which makes me think normally JvdBroeck is definately a better climber

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

If we're just going by physics, it's not that strange: I would guess that their respective weight isn't that far apart (somewhere around 67 kgs?) and Wiggins puts out more watts, as evidenced in the time trial.

Well i was more trying to make a joke, but obviously failed. Maybe it should have been something like "questioning the meaning of life"... but i didn't use that because i still haven't figured that one out

 

[hatcher]

But in the Dauphine which Wiggins won, he was outclimbed by JvdBroeck on the Allevard. Which makes me think normally JvdBroeck is definately a better climber

That reasoning sends us in circles though. On climbs not suited to him, Wiggins has outclimbed Nibali, Rodriguez etc in the Vuelta. I doubt many would say Wiggins is a better climber than those two.

 

[gilbertador]

Think its Cobos Vuelta if he retains his strength on pena carbaga with Menchov Sastre and Duarte his back up is quality and experienced

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Nuyens already has one major result this year: it would be churlish of him to steal the Farolillo rojo from Veelers.

I suspect one of the Andalucía guys for the combativity award: Palomares or Benítez.

 

[auscyclefan94]

the doping talk surrounding cobo astounds me. I hope he goes onto win la vuelta now just to **** off those self-righteous idiots having a go at him.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Nice quote from Nibali:

“It’s going to be difficult to leave a marker at this point, because I’m still in the top ten overall and they certainly won’t let me go in the breaks. I’ll have to invent something. I’ll try.”

taken from
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nibali-endures-angliru-disappointment

 

[LukeSchmid]

Nice quote from Nibali:

“It’s going to be difficult to leave a marker at this point, because I’m still in the top ten overall and they certainly won’t let me go in the breaks. I’ll have to invent something. I’ll try.”

taken from
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nibali-endures-angliru-disappointment

He could try and do one of his mad descents down the Lunada on stage 17 to try and get to Pena Cabraga first. It should not work because it is too far but it would be fun to see him try.
He could also try to get away on the descent into Bilbao on stage 19. Or even stage 18 but again almost certainly too far to the finish.

 

[movingtarget]

Sky are still in a good position. It all depends on how much risk they want to take. 20 seconds is not much even though the stage finishes are not that hard. Geox have done well but it gets harder for them now as they have to defend the Red jersey until the end of the week. It remains to be seen how Froome handles the last week but so far he has looked strong and still rode well yesterday. Wiggins has to ride for Froome now. Only chance for a Sky win.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Mollema has acknowledged podium will be hard but he hasn't put it out of his head yet. He wants to try and see what he can do on Pena Cabarga

 

[Swede1]

do you think so? It's not so much about defending leads on mountains anymore and I doubt guys like Ardila, de la Fuente, Duarte etc. are of any help if Sky starts to attack into the crosswind (or things like that)

of course, with Arvesen Sky lost an important rider for situations like that but they are still way stronger than Geox.

Yeah just like saxo left contador behind in the crosswinds in 2010 because contador only had a team for mountains....

Just like Contador did, Cobo just has to stay at the front of the peloton on froome's wheel. All he needs is Menchov up there to help him keep his position and he is fine. Just like Vino did for Contador.

I bet Sky is going to try, and I bet that they won't leave Cobo behind.

 

[Cobblestoned]

the doping talk surrounding cobo astounds me. I hope he goes onto win la vuelta now just to **** off those self-righteous idiots having a go at him.

Agree. Things are getting out of control.
Many users out of control, like after 2 bottles of Jägermeister.
Some users just staggering through the forum delivering their awesome freakishness.
Building their forum reputation by hate and opening clinic-threads for any successfull rider.

Good times.

If there weren't some good and interesting guys around here, I would really pull the plug.

 

[Cobblestoned]

Nice quote from Nibali:

“It’s going to be difficult to leave a marker at this point, because I’m still in the top ten overall and they certainly won’t let me go in the breaks. I’ll have to invent something. I’ll try.”

taken from
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nibali-endures-angliru-disappointment

I see many flat-attacks coming. Especially by SKY.

Things are far from over. If you want so.

 

[gilbertador]

Id love to see Nibali put in a solid attempt to retain his crown, the descent to Pena Carbaga and then the Basque stages definitely have the potential to be lit up

 

[Descender]

Id love to see Nibali put in a solid attempt to retain his crown, the descent to Pena Carbaga and then the Basque stages definitely have the potential to be lit up

That's only true for the Bilbao stage.

 

[Andy99]

I see many flat-attacks coming. Especially by SKY.

Things are far from over. If you want so.

Hopefully so. Given Froome and Wiggins are both relatively close to Cobo - I REALLY hope they start attacking. Could be an awesome final week.

If Mollema is prepared to have a go too, things could hot up nicely.

 

[jsem94]

Without a tight race, the final week would be boring - few attacks, only real racing at Peña Cabarga.

So in a way it's good that it's really tight now, but with a good route throughout - this would not have been an issue.

 

[Scirea]

Hopefully so. Given Froome and Wiggins are both relatively close to Cobo - I REALLY hope they start attacking. Could be an awesome final week.

If Mollema is prepared to have a go too, things could hot up nicely.

Wiggins and Froome don't have any good places to attack. Mollema at least can pick up some bonus seconds with his speed but he is too much back.

 

[ferryman]

Wiggins and Froome don't have any good places to attack. Mollema at least can pick up some bonus seconds with his speed but he is too much back.

Have to disagree. There are always ways to attack and the week to Madrid offers quite a few. Keep watching, should and will be some action left in this yet

 

[Scirea]

Have to disagree. There are always ways to attack and the week to Madrid offers quite a few. Keep watching, should and will be some action left in this yet

I don't count suicide attacks as legitimate ones.

 

[greenedge]

Sky will try. Menchov i don't think is what you would call ideal as a road captain positioning wise. Stage 8 at the Giro this year and stage 7. He could even crash as well. I suppose his time at Rabo did however teach him how to work with the wind.

JVDB is stronger than Wiggins on climbs. This year he out climbed him at the Dauphinie and worked for Gilbert at the classics.

 

[movingtarget]

Sky will try. Menchov i don't think is what you would call ideal as a road captain positioning wise. Stage 8 at the Giro this year and stage 7. He could even crash as well. I suppose his time at Rabo did however teach him how to work with the wind.

JVDB is stronger than Wiggins on climbs. This year he out climbed him at the Dauphinie and worked for Gilbert at the classics.

Geox are leading the team classification because of their climbing as individuals. Defending the red jersey for a week on much different terrain does not strike me as something Geox excell at. Sky with two riders near the top of GC still have an advantage. There are no more big mountains for Cobo to use. Sky have to find 20 seconds in the next week by clever riding. I don't think the race is over just yet especially with time bonuses still on offer.