Vuelta a España 2019 stage 5: L’Eliana > Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre 170.7km

[staubsauger]

They have always raced like this. If I remember correctly. Neither Quintana nor Valverde care about it.

Carapaz could've won the Vuelta, Valverde & Quintana likely can't it seems. One day Quintana is stronger, the other day Valverde. So instead of riding conservatively and looking at each other like last season, the strongest of the day just rides 100% this time around. Probably. Maybe. U never know with Movistar, do you?

 

[ice&fire]

Valverde did his thing. Quintana didn't because he couldn't. It's an accident they are on the same team.

Your common sense isn't going to kill the discussion

 

[tobydawq]

After being out for so long I'm surprised he decided to do two grand tours this year. Chaves is another one who looks nothing like he used to but he's also had many problems.

He didn't go too badly today, Chaves. He paced himself quite well. But I'm afraid he will fade in a few days.

 

[movingtarget]

Quintana really struggles for consistency these days. As usual Valverde comes to life in the Vuelta. Crazy stage fight for the breakaway. Lopez looking good. Uran not so good.

 

[starlord]

Disagree, Valverde has been going to GTs without a chance of winning for years in free roles ruining the dynamics of the team .

Exactly this. Best thing that happened to Carapaz was that Valverde had not been able to ride the Giro.

 

[HelloDolly]

So many riders could win today but I think MAL, or Valverde are the best bet

Outside pick is Podgcar

Heard it here first folks

From today I would say Quintana is not wining this race and neither is Uran
Thay have a Tour in their legs

Madrazo was fab today

and massive shout out to Nico Roche who dropped George Bennet and alot of GC hopefuls and keep 2 seconds from Uran the whole way up...Superb performance and really gutzy

You guys complain all the time on here all the time about the strength of riders ...well some strength is in the character and in the mind esp if you are 70 kilos

 

[tobydawq]

So this is turning into a brawl between a bunch of Slovenians and Colombians with a single Spaniard and Pole in the mix.

 

[trevim]

Biggest surprise of the day for me is the 15th place of Ruben Guerreiro, casually ahead of Aru, Soler, Kelderman or Formolo.... Is that really him or a bike change with Navarro, Cras or Fabro??
Anyway he looked strong the other day on the stage to Calpe, searching for a contract for 2020 it seems. I thinks he's WT material anyway

 

[Escarabajo]

As the Vuelta progresses Chaves might pose trouble for whoever is leading.

 

[klintE]

Ok, this Vuelta is over

 

[johnymax]

I expected way more from Higuita today.
Fantastic win for Madrazo. The yo-yoing was awesome
I know it's early but it looks like a race between Roglič, Lopez and Valverde.
Pogačar very good.

 

[jaylew]

He didn't go too badly today, Chaves. He paced himself quite well. But I'm afraid he will fade in a few days.

I kinda think it could be the opposite and he could actually get stronger. I pretty much expected MAL to win here as I expect him to win the whole thing. Terrific ride from Valverde. I didn't expect that.

 

[tobydawq]

I kinda think it could be the opposite and he could actually get stronger. I pretty much expected MAL to win here as I expect him to win the whole thing. Terrific ride from Valverde. I didn't expect that.

I really hope you're right, but he usually starts Grand Tours better than he finishes them, unfortunately.

 

[Red Rick]

I wonder if we're likely to see this climb again in the next few years.

 

[F_Cance]

why?

 

[DFA123]

I really hope you're right, but he usually starts Grand Tours better than he finishes them, unfortunately.

There was that time when he absolutely destroyed Contador - who was desperately trying to cling onto his third place - in the 2016 Vuelta.

 

[tobydawq]

There was that time when he absolutely destroyed Contador - who was desperately trying to cling onto his third place - in the 2016 Vuelta.

True but I'm afraid that's the only counter-example.

 

[Red Rick]

why?

Cause it's a great climb, that's why

 

[Red Rick]

There was that time when he absolutely destroyed Contador - who was desperately trying to cling onto his third place - in the 2016 Vuelta.

Valverde doesn't really have any pattern in his GT bad days, mostly that he has them almost every GT

 

[burning]

Valverde doesn't really have any pattern in his GT bad days, mostly that he has them almost every GT

Yeah, he was great in that Vuelta except for one day where he lost 10 minutes, and I do not recall a GT where he did not have a bad day since 2009 Vuelta.

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah, he was great in that Vuelta except for one day where he lost 10 minutes, and I do not recall a GT where he did not have a bad day since 2009 Vuelta.

2012-2014 Vueltas

 

[burning]

2012-2014 Vueltas

In 2012 Vuelta, he had a "bad" day where he crashed while leading the GC, it was not his fault, but it is similar to what happened in the echelon state in 2013 Tour. 2014 Vuelta seems correct though, he was simply a level below Contador and Froome while being consistent.

2015 Tour can also count as well, I do not recall a day where he was actually bad. The stage with the first MTF should not count imo, as literally everyone had a "bad" day except Sky guys and randomly Gesink.

 

[Escarabajo]

The original conversation started with Chaves not with Valverde if I can still read English!

 

[Black Betsy]

Cause it's a great climb, that's why

Any twitter of the artist who designed this 11th Duino Elegy?

 

[topt]

Tomorrow Roglic should attack on the last climb, its kind of made for him