Vuelta a España - Stage 8: September 6 - Alzira - Alto de Aitana, 206km

[clydesdale]

Yeah, I'm not shocked that Schleck left, whenever someone uses the phrase:

"I'm using [insert race name here] to prepare for [insert other name here]"

You can bet money that they won't be racing that hard and probably won't finish. I AM a little disappointed that I never got to see him tear up a mountain stage though.

 

[badboyberty]

http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-la-vuelta-a-espana.html

Krebs thanks, I was juggling Japanese JustinTV and the cylcingnews text coverage.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Peter weening taking control in the mountains competition.
Having a really good season. Not so sure rabobank will leave him off the tour team come 2010.

 

[BeachBum]

Peter weening taking control in the mountains competition.
Having a really good season. Not so sure rabobank will leave him off the tour team come 2010.

I've seen Weening in the Tour of California the last couple of years. He'd be an asset to any team.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

yup and while rabobank was having a dreadful tour, he was riding strong in austria. He has potential to be a real strong domestique.

Caisse really ripping it up.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Caisse really pushing it hard.

 

[issoisso]

One, Spaniards want to win the Vuelta, two, almost everyone else will quit by the end of week two.

Please tell me you're joking.

 

[Bala Verde]

funny that Sanchez had to change his bike twice and now is without a team. He is a great/the best descender, but to not have anyone with him is that smart?

 

[Mellow Velo]

Pretty clear now, from tv pics, that Sanchez has been involved in a crash.
Still struggling to regain the peloton.

 

[badboyberty]

Please tell me you're joking.

probably should have said anyone I think will do well will quit before the end of week two.

 

[issoisso]

probably should have said anyone I think will do well will quit before the end of week two.

Sorry for being picky, but the non-spanish fight tooth and nail for this race, as evidenced by the fact that in the past 4 years only one edition was won by a spanish rider. That's really the only thing I took offence to

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

probably should have said anyone I think will do well will quit before the end of week two.

Gesink, Evans, Basso... fugslang even?

 

[issoisso]

Apparently, Schleck had bad diarrhea and couldn't eat anything. That makes sense, then.

 

[Bala Verde]

Apparently, Schleck had bad diarrhea and couldn't eat anything. That makes sense, then.

that's tough on a cyclist! Dehydration and no caloric intake. Ouch!

 

[ak-zaaf]

Apparently, Schleck had bad diarrhea and couldn't eat anything. That makes sense, then.

Let's hope it's not the Schumacher shits

 

[Bala Verde]

Finally! de la Fuente... had expected him in the break away

 

[issoisso]

Break doesn't seem to have any chance

 

[ak-zaaf]

Break doesn't seem to have any chance

too bad, would love to see hoogerland win a mountain stage

weening and moncoutie dropped, expected them to be the best climbers by far.

 

[Bala Verde]

Break doesn't seem to have any chance

Valverde seems to have an interest in this stage... his team still on the front, reducing till 2:20 already at what 18k?

 

[issoisso]

Gerdemann dropped.

Bahahahhhhahhh

Oh how that makes me laugh/smile

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

some decent riders being dropped.

 

[issoisso]

too bad, would love to see hoogerland win a mountain stage

I'd love to see him win any stage. But he's not beating the entire caisse team alone.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I'd love to see him win any stage. But he's not beating the entire caisse team alone.

He is so awesome showing real heart today!

 

[ak-zaaf]

I'd love to see him win any stage. But he's not beating the entire caisse team alone.

moncoutie is back too.
caisse seems to be in a hurry.

 

[Bala Verde]

Vacansoleil keeps on impressing. As they said before the Vuelta, every day is a chance to claim victory. They sure live up to their promises.