Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2025, Stage 12: Laredo – Los Corrales de Buelna (144.9k)

[Cycling111]

I wonder if they will play the flowing water sounds when Ayuso walks onto the podium to symbolise the tears of his haters.

Really, the tears are from the people who treat him like a battered cyclist
They've been crying for years about the poor abuse. Today they'll cry again. Because that's what's happened these past few years, and they've considered it abuse. LOL

 

[Sciatic]

Ayuso’s teammates perhaps not as upset with him as fans think or hope they are. Been a great Vuelta for them so far, which he has been a big part of, despite them looking chaotic the results don’t lie.

Don't you think that's partly because everyone is inured to it (expecting it) by now? Consider if it was Pogacar who was behind by 40' (I know, that's far fetched) going into tomorrow's stage. The team would want their best climbers ready to blow up the race on the way to Angry-lu to give him the best chance of gaining the most time there. So I would think from Almeida's perspective (or those of his fans & supporters) today's action was counter-productive at the least, insulting at the most. As it would for any other team leader (on other teams) who was within striking range of the lead going into the most important stage of the race.

 

[HashRouge]

What is a hard J? Like the Spanish consonant?

No, they just mean a normal English J sound, rather than a "y" sound ("Yumbo Visma"). Luke Rowe does it as well.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Don't you think that's partly because everyone is inured to it (expecting it) by now? Consider if it was Pogacar who was behind by 40' (I know, that's far fetched) going into tomorrow's stage. The team would want their best climbers ready to blow up the race on the way to Angry-lu to give him the best chance of gaining the most time there. So I would think from Almeida's perspective (or those of his fans & supporters) today's action was counter-productive at the least, insulting at the most. As it would for any other team leader (on other teams) who was within striking range of the lead going into the most important stage of the race.

A bit yes, but as the race has gone on their strategy of having secondary considerations has made me feel a bit less sorry for Almeida. Both time losses have been mainly of his own volition, lacking the courage to follow his teammate who was on Vingegaard's wheel on stage 9 and getting straight dropped yesterday. He looks good, but not good enough to win, all having a more dedicated team would serve in this case would do is make him lose the race a little more slowly with less stage wins for UAE.

Expecting the 5th and like, 10th best GC rider in the world to be able to beat the 2nd best with a super strong team is probably unrealistic, if you offered them podium and 5(so far) wins before the race they would've snapped your hand off. Soler staying in GC for too long and doing nothing for him I think is the main thing he might feel aggrieved by. Ayuso's antics have been ridiculous at times but he's done a bit, drove them to the win in the ttt and has the characteristics and instincts to finish the job.

If Almeida drops Vingegaard tomorrow on Angliru I'll eat my words of course, I'd love to see it.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Really, the tears are from the people who treat him like a battered cyclist
They've been crying for years about the poor abuse. Today they'll cry again. Because that's what's happened these past few years, and they've considered it abuse. LOL

Yea, it's not like he's had to endure any REAL hardship, like the team not handcuffing its pre-race leader to protect his 7th place. That's real abuse.

 

[Bkinn]

Movistar is a bit desperate for a victorie and Ayuso used it against them, event thought he still was the favorite in the sprint.

 

[Netserk]

Yea, it's not like he's had to endure any REAL hardship, like the team not handcuffing its pre-race leader to protect his 7th place. That's real abuse.

This is not Bora, this is UAE. There are rules!

 

[Valv.Piti]

Can we start protesting UAE so they also don't go in the break anymore please?

Classic UAE, and the rest of the teams are too clueless to do anything. Not mad in the slightest of UAE winning again when the group of 50 (!!!!) decided to race like this against Soler and Ayuso. Soler was fresh enough to do a full leadout, that should tell you how bad the opposition screwed this up, ofc helped by Trek who chose the conservative way of gaining points in the green jersey comp.

Great win for Ayuso once again, and great teamwork from Soler. Very similar to the stage he won to Cerler where Vine sacrificed himself. Say what you want about this team, but they are just so damned good at winning bike races and do it in uncoventional fashion that many DS' wouldn't dare to do with Almedia sitting at 2nd going into the two hardest stages.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

An important bit of information:

The three riders at the top of the GC standings are riding with the bib numbers 1, 11 and 111.

On a day that started with Lorena Wiebes on 111 wins.

 

[Red Rick]

Not mad in the slightest of UAE winning again when the group of 50 (!!!!) decided to race like this against Soler and Ayuso.

That is just the negative area of effect of Mads Pedersen on races.

 

[Valv.Piti]

That is just the negative area of effect of Mads Pedersen on races.

You are not wrong in this particular instance. As I said they went with the negative approach, unfortunately.

 

[Sciatic]

A bit yes, but as the race has gone on their strategy of having secondary considerations has made me feel a bit less sorry for Almeida. Both time losses have been mainly of his own volition, lacking the courage to follow his teammate who was on Vingegaard's wheel on stage 9 and getting straight dropped yesterday. He looks good, but not good enough to win, all having a more dedicated team would serve in this case would do is make him lose the race a little more slowly with less stage wins for UAE.

Expecting the 5th and like, 10th best GC rider in the world to be able to beat the 2nd best with a super strong team is probably unrealistic, if you offered them podium and 5(so far) wins before the race they would've snapped your hand off. Soler staying in GC for too long and doing nothing for him I think is the main thing he might feel aggrieved by. Ayuso's antics have been ridiculous at times but he's done a bit, drove them to the win in the ttt and has the characteristics and instincts to finish the job.

If Almeida drops Vingegaard tomorrow on Angliru I'll eat my words of course, I'd love to see it.

Good points.

 

[Danskebjerge]

That is just the negative area of effect of Mads Pedersen on races.

Blah blah. 🤣 Lidl-Trek have had a disappointing Vuelta so far, and winning the green jersey may be their only success when it all ends in Madrid. The way they can achieve this is by taking points on the not too tough mountain stages.

 

[Psycat]

Obligatory, yikes.

 

[Andy262]

Just watched the highlights. What a mug Romo was there. Did all the work for Ayuso.

 

[pelotonIQ]

tomorrow is the D day of this Vuelta. Thankfully for Almeida his team saved their legs for tomorrow. Ayuso and soler will pull a lot for sure! Fantastic team!

Fixed it for you.

 

[CyclistAbi]

And we have a team, good luck to competition.

P.S. Soler was just splendid.

 

[Danskebjerge]

Just watched the highlights. What a mug Romo was there. Did all the work for Ayuso.

I think Romo was worried that Rolland would get up to them.

 

[Pippo_San]

Man what a champion in the making this Ayuso is.
The next Uijtdebroeks.
He couldn't even drop Javier Romo.

I can't wait to see him going for the GC in the next GT.
I'm readying my pop corns.

 

[Peter von]

I think Romo was worried that Rolland would get up to them.

Yeah he was much more worried about loosing 2nd or more than Ayuso was.
So was his team probably.

Ayuso didn’t care particularly about difference between 2nd or 17th.

 

[Unchained]

Man what a champion in the making this Ayuso is.
The next Uijtdebroeks.
He couldn't even drop Javier Romo.

I can't wait to see him going for the GC in the next GT.
I'm readying my pop corns.

I enjoy the post as Juan Ayuso is toilet flushed out of the back, he is blown up again.. Guy has been only on or off guess today is an off day.

 

[Pippo_San]

I enjoy the post as Juan Ayuso is toilet flushed out of the back, he is blown up again.. Guy has been only on or off guess today is an off day.

The guy is slowly but surely becoming a living meme.
Next year will be fun.

 

[Unchained]

The guy is slowly but surely becoming a living meme.
Next year will be fun.

Young man, learning his way under extraordinary stress, all in the public eye. Mistakes are made, part of the human condition. I only feel bad that nobody in his circle tells him that if he makes a mistake, racing, personal, professional, in the press, just sleep on it before additional comments. The only wrong time to do or say something is when he is emotional and stressed, which is every day until UAE experience is over. Saying something for people to kick around and pick apart is hurting him further.. Best comment is " no comment " or just smile and ride away, race his bike. He is in such a habit of getting attention and giving interviews he doesn't see the downside..