Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2024, stage 8: Úbeda - Cazorla, 158.7k

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Jul 8, 2017
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There is a long way to go in this race, and I think that people are panicking a little. Sure, Bora made a mistake on stage 6, but I would ride normally right now and trust that Roglic is significantly stronger than O'Connor on most of the remaining stages.

Bit like "naah Kuss will lose 2+ minutes in the TT and Roglic will be in red by Tourmalet"
or
"Naah, Roglic should be stronger than Pogacar on that TT, there's no need to attack hard"?

Roglic has lost arguably 2 GTs by miss calculating how strong his opponents are. Would be extremely naive to try and calculate again. At least untill he is within 90-120 seconds.
 
Aug 6, 2010
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Bit like "naah Kuss will lose 2+ minutes in the TT and Roglic will be in red by Tourmalet"
or
"Naah, Roglic should be stronger than Pogacar on that TT, there's no need to attack hard"?

Roglic has lost arguably 2 GTs by miss calculating how strong his opponents are. Would be extremely naive to try and calculate again. At least untill he is within 90-120 seconds.

O'Connor is hardly Pogacar (even young Pogacar), and it's debatable how many mistakes if any that Roglic even made in that Tour. And the team dynamics in last year's race made these situations very confusing and different (if all 3 were on different teams then Vingegaard may have won anyway).

But still, yes it will be very frustrating for Roglic and Bora if they do lose to O'Connor (because it would have been avoidable).
 
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Jul 4, 2016
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O'Connor to stomp on Cazorla or he might go in the break. It's a win-win either way.
 
Apr 8, 2023
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The Red Bull/Bora DS who came up with stage 6's killer plan better find something for the weekend. Sunday's stage is tough and 34 C according to the weather forecast, so I don't expect fireworks today until the bonus sprint. The break's composition will be interesting. UAE again trying something maybe, Narvaez plus a lot of other guys depending on legs.
 
Jul 8, 2017
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O'Connor is hardly Pogacar (even young Pogacar), and it's debatable how many mistakes if any that Roglic even made in that Tour. And the team dynamics in last year's race made these situations very confusing and different (if all 3 were on different teams then Vingegaard may have won anyway).

But still, yes it will be very frustrating for Roglic and Bora if they do lose to O'Connor (because it would have been avoidable).

O'Connor is not Pogacar but before LPBF everyone thought that under normal circumstances Roglic is the favourite, no? And as a result, Roglic didn't even try on the last mountain stage when he was clearly stronger. So bad calculations.

I don't think it's wise to calculate before you assess (today and tomorrow) how strong you are and how strong your opponent is.
 
Aug 29, 2009
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O'Connor is hardly Pogacar (even young Pogacar), and it's debatable how many mistakes if any that Roglic even made in that Tour. And the team dynamics in last year's race made these situations very confusing and different (if all 3 were on different teams then Vingegaard may have won anyway).

But still, yes it will be very frustrating for Roglic and Bora if they do lose to O'Connor (because it would have been avoidable).
to be fair, Roglic is hardly Pogacar either, though. There's a reason he has barely won any stages by more than ~10 seconds
 
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May 10, 2015
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Wasn't this stage mentioned as one of the stages with full live broadcast?

I mean I never understood why they chose this one but did they change it or something?
 
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Jul 4, 2016
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I recently came out of retirement from cycling antagonism. Let me get this straight: Gall who looks really good announces that O'Connor is their gc leader. So Bora and all the other red jersey pretenders give him a 5 minute lead. It's going to be hilarious if O'Connor holds on and if he doesn't, then it's only the Vuelta.
 
Jul 31, 2024
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to be fair, Roglic is hardly Pogacar either, though. There's a reason he has barely won any stages by more than ~10 seconds
Vuelta 2021, Stage 17 - Lagos de Covadonga. Yes, maybe an outlier. But definitely not entirely impossible :)
 
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Jul 27, 2009
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Élie Gesbert has just returned to racing after going through surgery on his iliac artery earlier in the year, but he's abandoned today after hanging on for dear life during the first week.
I just asked myself days ago what's going on with him. Thanks for informing!
 
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Aug 13, 2011
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I recently came out of retirement from cycling antagonism. Let me get this straight: Gall who looks really good announces that O'Connor is their gc leader. So Bora and all the other red jersey pretenders give him a 5 minute lead. It's going to be hilarious if O'Connor holds on and if he doesn't, then it's only the Vuelta.
How’d it go on the gymnastics forums?
 
May 10, 2015
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Élie Gesbert has just returned to racing after going through surgery on his iliac artery earlier in the year, but he's abandoned today after hanging on for dear life during the first week.

Just absolutely ridiculous Arkea made him start this race honestly. Weird.
 
Sep 26, 2020
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Just absolutely ridiculous Arkea made him start this race honestly. Weird.

He did finish 33 in Getxo in his first race back, ahead of multiple riders who are beating him here, so I guess it is possible they thought he was ready for it. But of course you wouldn't be surprised, if they had rushed his rehabilitation either, or if he wanted to return as fast as possible to try and get a new contract for next season.
 
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Aug 29, 2009
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in their Vuelta preview, Arkea called Gesbert's participation "just a bonus" after what he went through, so it honestly didn't really sound like they were lining him up with big expectations.
 
Feb 9, 2013
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Those firetruck water hoses yesterday were awesome, how hot is it supposed to be today?

(Got my popsicles ready, and I need to add some special effects to my TV so it looks like it's snowing, or at least raining, at the very hot Vuelta. Kinda like in one of those flimsily made ASMR youtube videos. :tearsofjoy:)
 
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May 10, 2015
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in their Vuelta preview, Arkea called Gesbert's participation "just a bonus" after what he went through, so it honestly didn't really sound like they were lining him up with big expectations.

What is even the point then... it doesn't sound healthy, but I guess it's what to expect from them given they let riders with broken bones ride races.

Could've send one of their 10 C sprinters instead and racked in some "free" points instead.
 
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May 10, 2015
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If they weren't already doing it, Bora should definitely control from now on. Only 110km left.
 
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