Vuelta stage 20. Corvera → Alto de El Angliru - 119km

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I totally forgot Froome just made a historic Tour-Vuelta double because of Contadors stage win.

Absolutely epic performance.

 

[StephenC2020]

Re: Re:

Did Meintjes save his 14th place on GC ? I could not sleep this evening if I don't know the answer ;-)

Up to 12th

Seems that way Do you think he considers that to be an achievement? I mean he could have dropped time and had a decent shot at a stage, I just don't get it

 

[b.broadhurst]

I think Movistar might have stolen the Team classification from Astana.

 

[Bolder]

While Contador did seem stronger than Froome since Andorra, he had the advantage after that stage of having almost nothing to lose. That surely makes it easier to attack. We'll never know what would have happened if Froome and Contador had gone mano a mano for the whole tour.

Great rides by both today, each reaching their objectives.

 

[ontheroad]

Absolute monstrosity of a climb, will Froome go for the holy trinity now and have a stab at the giro next year. Surely he has to consider it at some point.

 

[bigcog]

Re: Re:

Moscon 13th on the Angliru. LOL

Well, now that my two favorite riders are declining/retiring I might jump on the hype train!
The new Merckx! :lol:

Beat me to it.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re:

While Contador did seem stronger than Froome since Andorra, he had the advantage after that stage of having almost nothing to lose. That surely makes it easier to attack. We'll never know what would have happened if Froome and Contador had gone mano a mano for the whole tour.

Great rides by both today, each reaching their objectives.

You still need the legs to attack, and especially to attack day after day after day... It takes a lot of energy to do that.

 

[del1962]

Aru lost 15 minutes

 

[StephenC2020]

Re:

Absolute monstrosity of a climb, will Froome go for the holy trinity now and have a stab at the giro next year. Surely he has to consider it at some point.

I don't think Sky would do anything that risks jeopardizing theit tour dominance

 

[jsem94]

Re:

I totally forgot Froome just made a historic Tour-Vuelta double because of Contadors stage win.

Absolutely epic performance.

This too. Chapeau to the man. He wasn't necessarily always the strongest, but his superior TTing and his team really gave him this victory. It allowed him to sit on the defensive and he deserves this after so many agonizing 2nd places at the Vuelta anyway.

 

[jaylew]

Re: Re:

In other news, Gianni Moscon finished 13th.

Let that settle in for a minute.

Gianni Moscon. Thirteenth. On the Angliru.

For some reason this makes me think of when Devolder finished 11th at the Vuelta. Moscon likely could have done something similar if racing for himself.

Devolder won minutes in a break, though

I don't think that's correct. I think he just earned it by finishing with the 2nd-3rd tier GC guys every stage.

 

[bob.a.feet]

Re: Re:

Did Meintjes save his 14th place on GC ? I could not sleep this evening if I don't know the answer ;-)

Up to 12th

Seems that way Do you think he considers that to be an achievement? I mean he could have dropped time and had a decent shot at a stage, I just don't get it

I'd say he does consider it an achievement. If he wanted a stage win he would have probably tried by now. Don't know why he hasn't tried though, he could be pretty good stage hunter

 

[b.broadhurst]

Can we just take a minute to appreciate the ability of Moscon?

Absolutely incredible for all 3 weeks, some thought he would fall away but his performance is truly astonishing!

 

[b.broadhurst]

Re: Re:

Absolute monstrosity of a climb, will Froome go for the holy trinity now and have a stab at the giro next year. Surely he has to consider it at some point.

I don't think Sky would do anything that risks jeopardizing theit tour dominance

I think Sky continue with Froome attempting Tour/Vuelta double with the Tour as the priority until his body says no more.

I'm sure Froome wants the record of 6 Tours.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

Can we just take a minute to appreciate the ability of Moscon?

Absolutely incredible for all 3 weeks, some thought he would fall away but his performance is truly astonishing!

No, he's racist and deserves no appreciation from anyone.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: Re:

Did Meintjes save his 14th place on GC ? I could not sleep this evening if I don't know the answer ;-)

Up to 12th

Seems that way Do you think he considers that to be an achievement? I mean he could have dropped time and had a decent shot at a stage, I just don't get it

I'd say he does consider it an achievement. If he wanted a stage win he would have probably tried by now. Don't know why he hasn't tried though, he could be pretty good stage hunter

He gave an interview the other day where he said the team had instructed him to ride conservatively and protect his GC place (which was then 14th). UAE management should have immediately fired the DS. Preferably out of a giant cannon.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Aru holy ***. What happened there.. I know he dropped early, but so did Lopez, Lopez lost 3 minutes, Aru 15..

 

[StephenC2020]

Re: Re:

Absolute monstrosity of a climb, will Froome go for the holy trinity now and have a stab at the giro next year. Surely he has to consider it at some point.

I don't think Sky would do anything that risks jeopardizing theit tour dominance

I think Sky continue with Froome attempting Tour/Vuelta double with the Tour as the priority until his body says no more.

I'm sure Froome wants the record of 6 Tours.

Exactly, I'm sure he'll give the Giro a go once he no longer feels he can win the tour or when Sky move on to someone else for the tour. Perhaps Giro 2019/2020?

 

[bob.a.feet]

Orica have been a huge disappointment in this race. Brought three leaders and couldn't get in the top 10.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Couldn't watch the stage but chapeau Alberto Contador, justice to go out with one final shot with this stage win.

Delighted for Froome, truly deserved this Vuelta after so many near misses, he set out from the start of the season to win the double and he's achieved it, Deserves his place as one of the great GT riders of this generation.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

Aru holy ****. What happened there.. I know he dropped early, but so did Lopez, Lopez lost 3 minutes, Aru 15..

He rode the Tour already, what do you think happened? He's tiring, like most normal people do after a hard, long season.

 

[StephenC2020]

Re:

Aru holy ****. What happened there.. I know he dropped early, but so did Lopez, Lopez lost 3 minutes, Aru 15..

I suspect he just gave up. I don't think the top 10 had any real value for him anyway.

 

[Isaak-Gabriel]

Re: Re:

Can we just take a minute to appreciate the ability of Moscon?

Absolutely incredible for all 3 weeks, some thought he would fall away but his performance is truly astonishing!

No, he's racist and deserves no appreciation from anyone.

Sometimes life is a b****, sadly. To me a great rider is also a great person, like Froome.

 

[bob.a.feet]

Re:

Aru holy ****. What happened there.. I know he dropped early, but so did Lopez, Lopez lost 3 minutes, Aru 15..

Looking at today and Morzine stage last year I think it's safe to say Aru doesn't like the cold and rain. Hope he bounces back next year

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: Re:

Absolute monstrosity of a climb, will Froome go for the holy trinity now and have a stab at the giro next year. Surely he has to consider it at some point.

I don't think Sky would do anything that risks jeopardizing theit tour dominance

I think Sky continue with Froome attempting Tour/Vuelta double with the Tour as the priority until his body says no more.

I'm sure Froome wants the record of 6 Tours.

I wouldn't be so certain about the Vuelta. Froome clearly really wanted one. Whether he wants to put additional mileage on the clock trying to win a 2nd, 3rd etc isn't nearly as clear. He might, or he might want to focus entirely on his Tour streak.