Vuelta a España - Stage 16: Gijón - Cotobello 181.4 km

[roundabout]

Frank still spitting game about winning the Vuelta, even with only five team-mates left and poor climbing form. If he is serious about this he needs to put minutes into Nibbles and J-Rod today, and even then it's a long shot.

Look at the date of the original article. It's before Sunday's stage.

http://politiken.dk/sport/cykling/1057810/frnk-schleck-jeg-kan-vinde-vueltaen/

 

[Jamsque]

Look at the date of the original article. It's before Sunday's stage.

http://politiken.dk/sport/cykling/1057810/frnk-schleck-jeg-kan-vinde-vueltaen/

Ah, foolish of me to assume that CN was posting timely and relevant news.

 

[Jamsque]

Also, I was away this weekend so I missed all the chat about Anton crashing out, but how much of a bummer is that? The guy was racing his socks off and looked pretty good to win the whole thing. The Euskatel Crash Curse strikes again, I guess.

 

[Viskovitz]

The 3 climbs of today in detail:

But there's a BIG problem. 33 flat km between San Lorenzo and Cobertoria, and 19km of more flat before Cotobello.

 

[paperbackwriter]

Here Frank quoted saying that three best riders in this Vuelta are "one step higher than him" (It fits better in the topic about yesterday's stage, but since I'm posting it here... how cool is Mosquera's: "I didn't remember exactly how the final kilometres were"?)

BTW, it may not be last chance for Purito to win, but it's such a good one- more and more guys who can TT falling back in the GC, Nibali being generally a weaker climber. It's a shame that the opportunity came this year, when he's already after an insanely tough season.
I hope that at least Mosquera can use the opportunity and put time into Nibali in the remaining mountain stages (I'm with Hitch on this, Nibbles will have many chances in the future).

 

[Jamsque]

But there's a BIG problem. 33 flat km between San Lorenzo and Cobertoria, and 19km of more flat before Cotobello.

I don't know what profile you are looking at, but the 33km between San Lorenzo and Cobertoria sure don't look flat to me. You can't go up a mountain without going down the one you are already on.

 

[joy118118]

Many people thought Ullrich would win more Tours than ont. But he never had the chance. Who knows the future? Only God.

 

[The Hitch]

dude the guy is 31, and this is his first year as a true leader.
It most certainly is not his last chance.

My logic behind this is less of a - he is too old, and more of a - how many times will he get a gt without contador, schleck, menchov, basso, sammy sanchez, anton, valverde, cuddles, scarponi and maybe 1 or 2 others.

Contador and schleck may go for the tour but i see one of sammu, menchov, anton targeting the vuelta next year and one of basso etc going for the giro. More than likely, this is as good as its going to get for J Rod in gc, and its never going to get this good again.

 

[ttrider]

in hindsight J Rodriguez would have been much better this season with Giro Vuelta, i think he may have won the Giro with all of those ultra steep climbs like Zoncolan, they really suit him, i believe he ll have a chance again in the future at the Giro and Vuelta

 

[Scirea]

If Liquigas will let this breakaway go with 3 Xacobeo guys, they are insane.

 

[jens_attacks]

well it seems that there are just two xacobeo but still mosquera will deliver something special today.i hope.

 

[ttrider]

no its 3 xacebos with uran as well this cant go, i agree liquigas must chase this

 

[icefire]

Bad move from Katusha helping the chase. They should leave all the work to Liquigas.

 

[Climbing]

Any streaming up somewhere?

 

[jens_attacks]

break neutralized

 

[hrotha]

Menchov first in an intermediate sprint. Ok, officially anything can happen now.

 

[ttrider]

Apparently Nibali attacked?!

 

[jens_attacks]

poor ten dam abandons.menchov in the front.

 

[Viskovitz]

I don't know what profile you are looking at, but the 33km between San Lorenzo and Cobertoria sure don't look flat to me. You can't go up a mountain without going down the one you are already on.

23, it was a mistake.

 

[search]

Bad move from Katusha helping the chase. They should leave all the work to Liquigas.

they can't let go a group with Uran if they want to win the team classification

 

[The Hitch]

Apparently Nibali attacked?!

Do tell


......................

 

[icefire]

they can't let go a group with Uran if they want to win the team classification

They have their priorities wrong if they think of the team classification with Purito 4 seconds behind the leader. And you as well, I'm afraid

 

[The Hitch]

23, it was a mistake.

His point is that San Lorenzo to Cobertoria isnt flat at all. Maybe 1 or 2 km, but its mostly downhill, then goes slowly up before hitting Cobertoria steep sections.
Unfortunately corbetiria to Cotobelo is flat though.

 

[El Pistolero]

My logic behind this is less of a - he is too old, and more of a - how many times will he get a gt without contador, schleck, menchov, basso, sammy sanchez, anton, valverde, cuddles, scarponi and maybe 1 or 2 others.

Contador and schleck may go for the tour but i see one of sammu, menchov, anton targeting the vuelta next year and one of basso etc going for the giro. More than likely, this is as good as its going to get for J Rod in gc, and its never going to get this good again.

Contador will also ride the Vuelta next year. And unlike many others he will prepare for it and not try to win it as an after thought.

 

[The Sheep]

OROZ UGALDE Juan Jose (076) also is part of the breakaway. It seems is not going to be the breakaway of the day because behind there is a group of eight in which we can see NIBALI Vincenzo (126).