Vuelta al País Vasco 4–9 April 2016

[Matteo.]

Also in 2015he was in monster shape , better than Purito...but he lost.
sure he 'll be one of the favorites...but not the favorite.

 

[Jakub]

Re: Re:

Taxus I'll write my three points related to your comment and tomorrow's stage. Though I know you're going to write something not constructive to the dialogue we are making.
-If Kreuz attacks nobody will care coz he's 3:26 down.
-The only time Kreuz becomes important is if he's ahead and AC tries to gap the other riders. And I don't see this scenario happening in Arrate as I don't think AC can drop Henao there, au contraire.
-If Henao and Landa are together it will not be easy like you said (I don't know why you said that). It will be one two attacks.

I mean the first climb to Arrate, wich is the hardest, by Matsaria. If Kreuziger is ahead, or even if he is in a group of 20 riders after the climb, the race will get the second time arrate with that 20 riders, and not with a 100 riders peloton as most of the years.

This time likely the race is going to split in Matsaria, but that could mean a lot or not.

If Kreuziger is ahead, contador could even try to drop everybody from the first climb, I ont nmean to got it, I meanto try it,and with Kreuziger ahead if SKy has just Henao and if Quintana is alone, hecould try to go on with Kreuziger.

It is what I mean. (to be the same person, how some people said once here, I am discussing too much with myself )

Lolz.

I rememeber very well. It was the end of Giro 2015.
Blind Contador fanboys used to say I was the same person with Taxus just because I used to state that Landa is stronger in the mountain stages of the Giro.
You just reminded me how ridiculous and wrong they were.

Poor one, I know it is a serious insult, same person as Taxus but I cross my fingers you get over it, mayve after some more time, one year was obviously not enough, so maybe 10 years?

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

Taxus I'll write my three points related to your comment and tomorrow's stage. Though I know you're going to write something not constructive to the dialogue we are making.
-If Kreuz attacks nobody will care coz he's 3:26 down.
-The only time Kreuz becomes important is if he's ahead and AC tries to gap the other riders. And I don't see this scenario happening in Arrate as I don't think AC can drop Henao there, au contraire.
-If Henao and Landa are together it will not be easy like you said (I don't know why you said that). It will be one two attacks.

I mean the first climb to Arrate, wich is the hardest, by Matsaria. If Kreuziger is ahead, or even if he is in a group of 20 riders after the climb, the race will get the second time arrate with that 20 riders, and not with a 100 riders peloton as most of the years.

This time likely the race is going to split in Matsaria, but that could mean a lot or not.

If Kreuziger is ahead, contador could even try to drop everybody from the first climb, I ont nmean to got it, I meanto try it,and with Kreuziger ahead if SKy has just Henao and if Quintana is alone, hecould try to go on with Kreuziger.

It is what I mean. (to be the same person, how some people said once here, I am discussing too much with myself )

Kreuziger has been decent but not great in my view. I don't think he has the legs to attack from far out or to pull for a long time and whittle the group down. I don't think he can do more than hang in there until the final climb and then give a short burst on the front to set up a Contador attack. As for the rest of the team, they are MIA.

Yes, I think the same, Kreuziger has not the legs of other races, he is not bad, but not close to the level of the best, so difficult for Alberto to do an strategy.

 

[Ataraxus]

Re: Re:

Taxus I'll write my three points related to your comment and tomorrow's stage. Though I know you're going to write something not constructive to the dialogue we are making.
-If Kreuz attacks nobody will care coz he's 3:26 down.
-The only time Kreuz becomes important is if he's ahead and AC tries to gap the other riders. And I don't see this scenario happening in Arrate as I don't think AC can drop Henao there, au contraire.
-If Henao and Landa are together it will not be easy like you said (I don't know why you said that). It will be one two attacks.

I mean the first climb to Arrate, wich is the hardest, by Matsaria. If Kreuziger is ahead, or even if he is in a group of 20 riders after the climb, the race will get the second time arrate with that 20 riders, and not with a 100 riders peloton as most of the years.

This time likely the race is going to split in Matsaria, but that could mean a lot or not.

If Kreuziger is ahead, contador could even try to drop everybody from the first climb, I ont nmean to got it, I meanto try it,and with Kreuziger ahead if SKy has just Henao and if Quintana is alone, hecould try to go on with Kreuziger.

It is what I mean. (to be the same person, how some people said once here, I am discussing too much with myself )

Lolz.

I rememeber very well. It was the end of Giro 2015.
Blind Contador fanboys used to say I was the same person with Taxus just because I used to state that Landa is stronger in the mountain stages of the Giro.
You just reminded me how ridiculous and wrong they were.

Poor one, I know it is a serious insult, same person as Taxus but I cross my fingers you get over it, mayve after some more time, one year was obviously not enough, so maybe 10 years?

For your information I've been called "airstream" too
Not that I care though, because trying to be rational and unbiased and respecting others opinions is much more important than this etiquette-ing stuff

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

Henao was 4th in last year ITT. Of course different route but I don't understand people writing him off, especially considering the monster shape he has.

Agreed. I think Contador and Henao will take 1st and 2nd in GC.

Lot of people can still won this race, Contador could win the same he could not be on the podium doing well in both cases.

I still think Quintana will win this race.

In other hand, it is not very important, but after the first climb to Arrate (Matsaria), they descent a little and they climb a little till Ixua, so the profiles are no totally right.

This is the stepest side of Arrate, but the side of the ITT IMO is the hardest one, becouse it has the most altitude difference, it is very step as well in 3 km, but it is longer.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

I don't think Henao can be written off but IIRC the ITT last year included Aia and Arrate is quite different. And he only has 4 seconds on Samu, 6 seconds on Contador and 8 on Thibaut (fingers crossed he doesn't take any time today) I don't think it'll be enough.

I see this like you, I see very difficult that Henao beat in that ITT to Contador.

But Quintana and Pinot can do it.

 

[Vasilis]

Re: Re:

I don't think Henao can be written off but IIRC the ITT last year included Aia and Arrate is quite different. And he only has 4 seconds on Samu, 6 seconds on Contador and 8 on Thibaut (fingers crossed he doesn't take any time today) I don't think it'll be enough.

I see this like you, I see very difficult that Henao beat in that ITT to Contador.

But Quintana and Pinot can do it.

Why are we already talking about the TT when there is still today to make a difference? Also, why do we completely disregard Kelderman if there's assumed to be no change today? He can certainly TT.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

stop with this cycling madness and post some pics of benat's girlfriend.

Just if his friend here allowed me, so I dont think so. Look El pedal de frodo Vuelta a España 2010 and you will find her. I took the picture. A sympathic girl. Beñat was feeling bad in that Vuelta for the hot of the first days.

Good try, but they finally has been caught:

Km 20.0Breakaway: EDET (COF, 194), WOODS (CPT, 67), DENIFL (IAM, 143), ULISSI (LAM, 118), ANACONA (MOV, 24), VELITS (BMC, 47), GESCHKE (TGA, 164), ARMEE (LTS, 83), FERRARI (TJR, 184), PLAZA (OGE, 35), ZUBELDIA (TFS, 124), BELKOV (KAT, 4), ROSA (AST, 156), MARTENS (TLJ, 177), BERHANE (DDD, 102)

Ulissy is trying everyday the break, but cycling is like that, you need luck. The same way Anacona is a dangerous man for today in a break looking for Quintana

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

I don't think Henao can be written off but IIRC the ITT last year included Aia and Arrate is quite different. And he only has 4 seconds on Samu, 6 seconds on Contador and 8 on Thibaut (fingers crossed he doesn't take any time today) I don't think it'll be enough.

I see this like you, I see very difficult that Henao beat in that ITT to Contador.

But Quintana and Pinot can do it.

Why are we already talking about the TT when there is still today to make a difference? Also, why do we completely disregard Kelderman if there's assumed to be no change today? He can certainly TT.

Today could be some difference or no (last year 12 people in the same time, and Zakarin was crazy from the bottom). it is supossed Kelderman will lose time today, but that is not sure. What what is sure is that today is a day that will make people get tired, and that is what the ITT will show tomorrow. I will put my analysys of yesteray stage again here, becouse I talk about Kelderman.

 

[BalearicBeats]

Zubeldia caught again before the cameras are rolling, classic!

 

[Taxus4a]

I liked the stage, it was a good one.

Contador is strong and he is maybe the maximun favourite. It is good when a rider behave as a champion and try to do something almost everyday and using strategy. It is what cycling must be.

it was a good race for Purito, but he is not a good shape. Today he was close to the best becouse the climb suits him very well. Tomorrow he will be better in shape, but the climb suits him worse, so he is expected to lose time.

Henao was the stronger today, but he didnt take time, so that is not good for his interest, and the other card of the time losed 8 seconds. He has lot of numbers to win this race, but Contador is at a similar level and his experience in this race and better in ITT make me put him a little bit above still.

Quintana. He has past the worse days for him and he just lost a few seconds. He looked strong today despite the rain. Tomorrow he could desmostrate he is the best climber of the world, but the climb is not very long for him., and there is a flat and a descent before the finish. He can win the way he did here in the past, with a good ITT.

Pinot, looking strong, I wouldnt be very surprised if he win tomorrow and GC as well, but today he lost some energies in his particular ego fight with Aru that he could need next days.

Landa. He was dead for GC today, but finally the GC riders looked echar others and he is very alive, third in GC. But he should attack first thinking in Henao, he should put his possibility of podium behind his leader here, despite he is basque. He won in Aia last year but it is not a climb that suits him very well. All the day in the front of the group has its advantages, but finally you can pay that. He is not at his best, but even at his best, Aia is too explosive for him. Tomorrow is better, he has his options, but the main leader should be Henao, better as well for ITT. As it is usual in Landa, when people expect him or there is pressure, he used to fail, and when nobody expect him, he do amazing things. For that reason SKY has his risk by getting this rider to leader of the Giro. But if he is mentally and phisically well, he is a magical rider able to do what maybe nobody can.

Samu. he is there, so that is becouse he is strong. He told today it is not easy to recover for him. But he has won in Arrate and he has won ITT at this race. It is no possible to put him appart now.

Kelderman. The same than Samu. Tomorroow they need to put a hight pace becouse he is at good shape and he is a good trialist.

it was nice to see Verona figteen for the stage, Wellens looked very strong, but he had his chances.

 

[jonan92]

Km 43.0 The gap is 32" Breakaway

Km 44.0 The race divided! Break in the peloton

Km 49.0MATE (COF, 196) > 1st group to 32" > 2nd group to 54" > Peloton to 2'12" Breakaway

It seems that the race is a little crazy now

 

[Ricco']

So, Txurruka wasn't in the break on any stage of this year's race.

Another reason for my dislike against Orica.

 

[liamito]

Re:

So, Txurruka wasn't in the break on any stage of this year's race.

Another reason for my dislike against Orica.

There he is

 

[luckyboy]

Just wrote this about him the other day, thank god he's in a break this race
http://cyclingtips.com/2016/04/patron-saint-of-the-breakaway-why-amets-txurruka-joined-orica-greenedge/

 

[Cannibal72]

A fine article, thanks for sharing.

 

[jonan92]

When he spoke to the Basque tv he said that he was working fro the leader, he wasn't given the task of attacking

 

[Taxus4a]

WTF, Verona again on the break! After to be yesterday in all the breaks is amazing.

Important for the race control:

Km 76.0KIRIYENKA (SKY, 15) abandons

 

[SafeBet]

What riders are in the break behind Rosa?

 

[Miburo]

Re:

What riders are in the break behind Rosa?

Armée, Monfort, De Plus, Verona, Denifl, Belkov, Silin, Lopez, Anacona, Txurruka, Moinard, Velits, Rolland, Woods, Roy, Berhane, Ulissi, Geschke, Ferrari, Bagot en Edet.

Edet, monfort, verona and armee are the ones a minute behind. Rest 3 mint

 

[LaFlorecita]

Rosa

 

[inacion]

Fabio Aru crashed!

 

[Lexman]

Dan MArtin abandoned

 

[rick james]

Piss time

 

[Samamba]

Rosa beast, 100km solo?