Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco 2015 (6-11 april)

[Arnout]

Purito the wily old fox Intentionally missed the corner and Henao took the bait. Great to see Henao back.

 

[Escarabajo]

Surprised at Gilbert. He could be ready for the Ardennes!

 

[Pulp]

Re: Re:

I have been waiting for more then 1 year for this! Purito is back!

And a victory in LBL is far more likely now!

Yep...definitely more excited about the Ardennes classics now.

+1

 

[Pentacycle]

Re:

Surprised at Gilbert. He could be ready for the Ardennes!

Yes, he looks even better than last year.

 

[Flamin]

Very happy for Purito!

Gilbert indeed ready for Ardennes, but it was quite obvious when looking at the last weeks that he would be. He could win Liège again.

 

[Jagartrott]

I loved the moment when Vanendert came walking up that steep hill the first time 'round - like he was doing a stroll on a relaxed Sunday.

(I'm guessing riders had to step off their bikes because of the public though)

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Re:

I loved the moment when Vanendert came walking up that steep hill the first time 'round - like he was doing a stroll on a relaxed Sunday.

(I'm guessing riders had to step off their bikes because of the public though)

Keep an eye out for who has to walk on Aia and if there are some useful climbers.

In 2008, Bernhard Kohl had to dismount. In July, he got a shock Tour podium.

In 2010, David Arroyo had to get off and push start some momentum. In May, he got a shock Giro podium.

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

I loved the moment when Vanendert came walking up that steep hill the first time 'round - like he was doing a stroll on a relaxed Sunday.

(I'm guessing riders had to step off their bikes because of the public though)

Keep an eye out for who has to walk on Aia and if there are some useful climbers.

In 2008, Bernhard Kohl had to dismount. In July, he got a shock Tour podium.

It was no shock to me I made $700 on him. Good thing I collected quickly .

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Mollema explains basically why the antigua is a bad idea when you can't hold back the fans

“I was close to be with the front group; I think I was seventh on the top on the last big climb and I wanted to pass a few guys in front of me, but it was so tight with all the spectators. That was a pity because maybe I could be like fourth over the top and then you go into the descent with a small advantage.

“I was with Kwiatkowski and Samuel Sanchez half-way down, but then lost their wheels in the last corners and finished three seconds behind those guys.”

\

spectators are really a problem, they blocked henao's attack also, you could see Henao wanted to attack sooner

 

[Netserk]

I think it's part of racing just like riders chasing motorbikes. As long as there isn't contact between fans and riders (the ones in front, I think it's fine the latter ones get a helpful push). Some roads are wide, others are narrow. I like that positioning matters. Same in sprints. The privilege of being in the wind is that you won't be closed in.

Quintana was in ideal position during the whole final and it benefited him. The same can't be said about Mollema.

 

[PeterB]

Exactly, riders knew fans were there, and should have modified their tactics, if they felt they would be impeded by them.
Ok, maybe some riders have right to be disappointed for being hindered, but small injustice is much more outweighted by atmosphere the fans create (as long as they behave).

 

[DBotero]

Re:

I think it's part of racing just like riders chasing motorbikes. As long as there isn't contact between fans and riders (the ones in front, I think it's fine the latter ones get a helpful push). Some roads are wide, others are narrow. I like that positioning matters. Same in sprints. The privilege of being in the wind is that you won't be closed in.

Quintana was in ideal position during the whole final and it benefited him. The same can't be said about Mollema.

At the first pass over the Antigua several riders were forced to get off their bikes because of the crowds.At the top of the climb,they were blocked once again by selfies hunters.Position should matter,but the crowd was out of control.Even the front trio had a hard time passing buy on the 2nd pass over the Antigua,Henao couldn't attack when he wanted.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

It isn't part of racing when somebody is positioned in 2nd wheel (Henao) but can't attack because of spectators.. that is madness

 

[Hugo87]

Just watched the last 10 km's of the stage and damn it feels good to see Purito winning again and Henao back at his form.

 

[TMP402]

Re: Re:

Henao leads, Purito second, Quintana third.

A bit silly there aren't time bonuses.

Not a fan personally, find them kind of artificial

Especially when they seem to occur in EVERY non-Tour race. But how is Henao leading?

 

[Bushman]

So, a three-way battle for the overall. The nature of the climbs should give more explosive Henao and Purito an edge over Quintana. The front three seemed that much stronger on the last climb than the rest, that considering the routes of remaining stages I don't believe anyone can come back from behind despite gaps being small.
I didn't believe Purito and specially Henao being that good, but glad to see it nevertheless.

This was probably the most explosive climb and Quintana followed the two. There are also no time bonuses and Quintana is a better tt'er than Purito and also Henao I believe. Between those three he is definately the favourite. They need to drop Kwiated ASAP though.

 

[snccdcno]

Re: Re:

Henao leads, Purito second, Quintana third.

A bit silly there aren't time bonuses.

Not a fan personally, find them kind of artificial

Especially when they seem to occur in EVERY non-Tour race. But how is Henao leading?

Cumulative stage placements, Henao has finished 25th, 50th and 2nd for a total of 77, Purito 31st, 56th and 1st for a total of 88 and Quintana 52nd, 42nd and 3rd for a total of 97.

 

[manafana]

Quintana time tommorow he will give it a proper go

 

[TMP402]

Re: Re:

Henao leads, Purito second, Quintana third.

A bit silly there aren't time bonuses.

Not a fan personally, find them kind of artificial

Especially when they seem to occur in EVERY non-Tour race. But how is Henao leading?

Cumulative stage placements, Henao has finished 25th, 50th and 2nd for a total of 77, Purito 31st, 56th and 1st for a total of 88 and Quintana 52nd, 42nd and 3rd for a total of 97.

thanks!

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

It isn't part of racing when somebody is positioned in 2nd wheel (Henao) but can't attack because of spectators.. that is madness

I just saw the stage and noticed that the group was rather small at the start of the steepest part of the climb. There was time position yourself better. Henao even said that on his interview. He noticed that it was hard to position at the end so he moved to the front for the second time that they went up the steepest slopes. Mollema should have known better.

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

It isn't part of racing when somebody is positioned in 2nd wheel (Henao) but can't attack because of spectators.. that is madness

I just saw the stage and noticed that the group was rather small at the start of the steepest part of the climb. There was time position yourself better. Henao even said that on his interview. He noticed that it was hard to position at the end so he moved to the front for the second time that they went up the steepest slopes. Mollema should have known better.

Easy to say when you have great legs.

 

[Fernandez]

Basque spectators use to do that, and they think they are cool and the best fans in the world, but they really disturb cyclists and conditioning the race.

 

[Flamin]

A very strong break was up the road, but now everyone together again after 60k.

 

[Parrulo]

Km 79:
1:30 para Martin (Etixx), Danielson (Cannondale-Garmin), Bilbao (Caja Rural-RGA) y Hardy (Cofidis)

 

[ILovecycling]

Looks like furious pace today, should be good !