Vuelta a España - Stage 13: September 12 - Berja - Sierra Nevada, 175km

[Dekker_Tifosi]

If I paid attention... pretty funny coming from the one who wrote that Cadel had totally cracked when he had just made up 20 seconds!

IMO there is a difference between briefly lifting the pace to see how your opponents can respond and a real attack. I know Basso is not capable of massive explosions, but I don't think you would really consider his ride today an attack. As I wrote, if you paid attention, maybe he was at his limit and was merely being sensible. But victory is not going to come unless he steps out of his comfort zone.

I said Evans cracked when he lost Sanchez wheel. Which was simply true.

Now how's funny again?

 

[powderpuff]

Now how's funny again?

Funny is your English

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I make 1 little mistake...as non-native
You try talking Dutch then. Fool..
At least I can speak and write four different languages.

 

[Bala Verde]

I make 1 little mistake...as non-native
You try talking Dutch then. Fool..
At least I can speak and write four different languages.

including 'plat'?

 

[powderpuff]

I make 1 little mistake...as non-native
You try talking Dutch then. Fool..
At least I can speak and write four different languages.

Try speak Dutch, one moment while I fill my mouth with marbles!
What do you mean, four languages, I can swear in at least 6 languages and i'm not native either!! It was a joke ... If we talk about how Gesink performed yesterday should we use Gesunk??

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Gesink only won today (he is battling for podium, not the win, not possible, not now)

 

[powderpuff]

Gesink only won today (he is battling for podium, not the win, not possible, not now)

Why do you think he can't win the GC? AV could have a mechanical like Cadel today and he would be in the lead.

On another subject; did TD ever talk to you after he got kicked out of the TdF, as you were his webmaster/friend.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Try speak Dutch, one moment while I fill my mouth with marbles!
It was a joke ...

As is the above?
People in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones.
DT's English is as good as, better, in fact, than the next man.

Anyhow, next year, I suggest Unipublic do what they are fond of; duplicating climbs.
Yesterday and twice, next week.
So, how about up the Monachil, twice, to the finish?
Better than today's route.

As for the podium. There'a lot more racing left. Nothing is cast in stone, least of all Valverde's consistency at climbing the high mountains.

 

[powderpuff]

As is the above?
People in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones.

Whoops, dry humour not recommended on serious cycling forum.
Especially by someone who rides a mountain bike!
It's better than turning everything into a doping topic; which I am pleased to say there has been very little said about during this race.

I don't totally agree on the route being to blame for the boring racing; if Sanchez had it together from the start of the last climb and had put in a big attack while with AV, Gesink and Basso then the nature of the race would have been changed totally.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Why do you think he can't win the GC? AV could have a mechanical like Cadel today and he would be in the lead.

On another subject; did TD ever talk to you after he got kicked out of the TdF, as you were his webmaster/friend.

Call me a pessimist, I just see others are stronger

 

[issoisso]

Danielson apparently came down with a virus

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The virus of not performing when it matters?

 

[Moondance]

Why do you think he can't win the GC? AV could have a mechanical like Cadel today and he would be in the lead.

On another subject; did TD ever talk to you after he got kicked out of the TdF, as you were his webmaster/friend.

If he needs his two main rivals to get seriously f---ed by mechanical problems to win, it kind of shows that he indeed isn't able to win it, only that he is capable of having victory handed to him.

And while he should now be counted as Valverde's biggest rival for the gold, Valverde looked good today on the final climb (after looking a little shaky earlier) and if he had poured his heart into it, probably could've dropped Gesink & Basso in those last few kms and gone with Mosquera. I think Gesink was riding at his absolute limit and Valverde wasn't. I agree with Dekker-Trifosi that i don't think Gesink can win it judging by today's performance, but 2nd overall would be more than good enough.

 

[HL2037]

Yell for Cadel - He fought like a bulldog today, Kudos to him!

And I have to agree with what have been said earlier in this thread - white does not do anything good for his figure.

I think Gesink rode very sensibly today - stayed with the favorites, didn't waste energy. To me it seemed that Basso was closer to limit in the last kilometers.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Basso and Gesink were both at their absolute limit. Valverde and Mosquera (who always seems to get stronger stage by stage) were better.

Anyway, Evans got another 10 second time penalty for hanging on the car too long when he was trying to come back.

Wow. Those Vuelta dudes have some guts to punish Evans this way after their neutral mechanic ****ed up :|
I don't like Evans but this is insane and unfair.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

If he needs his two main rivals to get seriously f---ed by mechanical problems to win, it kind of shows that he indeed isn't able to win it, only that he is capable of having victory handed to him.

And while he should now be counted as Valverde's biggest rival for the gold, Valverde looked good today on the final climb (after looking a little shaky earlier) and if he had poured his heart into it, probably could've dropped Gesink & Basso in those last few kms and gone with Mosquera. I think Gesink was riding at his absolute limit and Valverde wasn't. I agree with Dekker-Trifosi that i don't think Gesink can win it judging by today's performance, but 2nd overall would be more than good enough.

no way gesink rode to his maximum. I think you underestimate gesink

 

[HL2037]

That's really a bit unfair and unnecessary. But maybe they had to because it was caught by the camera very clearly?

I think it was even one of the other team cars that tried to put one of their wheels on Cadels bike.

 

[aarnold517]

no way gesink rode to his maximum. I think you underestimate gesink

timmy, it never ceases to amaze me how much you truly do love rabo

 

[pedaling squares]

Basso and Gesink were both at their absolute limit. Valverde and Mosquera (who always seems to get stronger stage by stage) were better.

Anyway, Evans got another 10 second time penalty for hanging on the car too long when he was trying to come back.

Wow. Those Vuelta dudes have some guts to punish Evans this way after their neutral mechanic ****ed up :|
I don't like Evans but this is insane and unfair.

Wow. That is harsh. I'm not a Cadel fan either, but come on!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Btw, Cyclingnews:

Twenty four hours ago Tom Danielson looked like a possible winner of this Vuelta a España, impressing with his attacks on the final climb of stage 12. However, a stomach problem has changed everything for the American, as he lost time on stage 13 and dropped from fourth to ninth overall.

That's really stretching the truth to the point of ridicolousness. He attacked, 1, count em, 1 time on stage 12, countering Mosquera. And the second 'attack' was an attempt at following Gesink, which failed.
And then that's a possible winner to you?

I think even my Dutch countrymen would not overdo it that much in Dutch press.

 

[Walshworld]

Evans blows stack.

When the man blows, he blows big. My latest Vuelta blog post at Twisted Spoke asks the question: is Evans the unluckiest man in the world? Not by a long shot.
http://walshworld.wordpress.com/

 

[laurentiu46]

Anybody knows why Mosquera is 2:06 down on Valverde on GC when the gap should be 20 seconds smaller?

 

[180mmCrank]

The whole who is on the limit thing is interesting...

Today it looked like:

Basso: Was riding close to but not over the line. Since his return he has never really demonstrated any punch to attack - he seems a cylinder short of his best. (Limit Meter - 90%)

Evans: Was right on the limit - he was unlucky with the mechanical - because I think he proably could have stayed with GC contenders (Limit Meter 100%)

Sanchez: Was right up there too I think - but he has been a bit off since his spill a few stages back - I also think he mentally struggling having bet his season on the Vuelta and it's not really going to plan (Limit Meter - 95%)

Gesink: I think he's pushing his limit - I am not saying he can't go into the red but he doesn't have some extra gear that he's sitting on - there were times today when he went to the front because he was maxed out - he was bluffing - IMHO (Limit Meter 100%)

Mosquera: He gave it everything in his push to break away and gain time (Limit Meter 101%)

Valverde: This is an interesting one for me he has a real poker face. He always looks in control but there are times when he is well into the red zone but doesn't show it unil he crosses the line. There were a couple of times in the Dauphine when Evans was pushing the pace and Contador was pacing Valverde... it all looked fine but when he crossed the line he virtually fell off his bike! I don't think the really high mountains suit Valverde and he is a lot more in the red than it appears. If he could have gone with Mosquera today I think he would - he is nervous about tomorrow. (Limit Meter 98%)

I think we may see more of the same tomorrow and a brave Valverde will give it everything to stay with whomever tries to push the pace - probably Gesink and Basso - I predict Valverde will fall off his bike as he crosses the line having contained his main rivals. He is one tough dude.

We will see

 

[Moondance]

Btw, Cyclingnews:



That's really stretching the truth to the point of ridicolousness. He attacked, 1, count em, 1 time on stage 12, countering Mosquera. And the second 'attack' was an attempt at following Gesink, which failed.
And then that's a possible winner to you?

I think even my Dutch countrymen would not overdo it that much in Dutch press.

You forget of course that Garmin is the officially endorsed team of Cyclingnews.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Sanchez: Actually climbed the Sierra Nevada faster then anyone.

Evans given a 10 second penalty, for having a 3 second boost off the car, after the "neutral" support bike did their Keystone Kops wheel changing routine?
Nice. Very even handed of the Spaniards.
A pity Piti wasn't only on a 3 second boost.
Oh wait....wrong forum section.