Vuelta a España - Stage 9: September 7 - Alcoy - Xorret de Catí, 186km

[issoisso]

[aussiemode] He probably will! His team is only out to hurt him![/aussiemode]

He might try. Until now he seems to think the worlds are being held during this race.

Far better to have riders like Gilbert shaking up races than completely passive riders


Also, the pack has speeded up. If the break has only 2 or so minutes at the bottom, say buh-bye to the stage win

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

The gap is coming down rapidily.

 

[ak-zaaf]

The gap is coming down rapidily.

yup, they're screwed

 

[Bala Verde]

Caisse and rab at the front? Gesink and valverde feeling confident huh...

 

[issoisso]

Go taaramae!

 

[ak-zaaf]

Caisse and ran at the front? Gesink and valverde feeling confident huh...

If caisse contracts a sprinter they don't have to look for a train, that's for sure

 

[issoisso]

No attacks?

 

[issoisso]

Where's Sánchez? Sure this isn't a climb to his strengths, but he should do reasonably...I don't see him

 

[BroDeal]

Dang. That looks painful.

 

[BroDeal]

If Evans retains the gold jersey it will be a miracle.

Hmmm, Tommy D. is looking good.

 

[Bala Verde]

Go taaramae!

+1 hope he can sustain till the end.

 

[BroDeal]

Evans loooking great. Tommy D. hanging on to the three left at the front.

Now the group is coming back together again.

 

[BroDeal]

Tommy D. dropped. Evans, Basso, Valverde are the last of the contenders.

EDIT: The others are now clawing their way back to the front

 

[issoisso]

Now that the pace is lower, Gesink is back

 

[BroDeal]

Valverde putting the pressure on. Evans still hanging in there.

 

[issoisso]

Marzano!

and Gustavo César

 

[BroDeal]

Basso looking smooth behind Evans and Valverde.

EDIT: Gesink and TD gone for good now.

 

[issoisso]

Basso hasn't gotten out of the saddle once.

And why is César attacking? He's miles better than Marzano in a sprint.

 

[issoisso]

Valverde trying to catch people to get the 3rd place bonus and the jersey

 

[BroDeal]

Valverde attacks. Basso falls off the pace. Evans stuck to Valv's wheel.

 

[issoisso]

Basso may be a better climber, but he can't compete with an acceleration. He has to let them go and keep a steady higher pace to bring them back.

 

[BroDeal]

Evans is doing great to keep up with the attacks by Valverde.

Basso catches back on during the descent.

 

[ak-zaaf]

yippie, i won my own game

gesink back with the guys.
valverde in amarillo

 

[issoisso]

How's that for a guy who first rode a bike at 17?

 

[BroDeal]

Gesink caught back on. No sign of Tommy D.