Vuelta Winner

[lucybears]

ROFL
from our hosts
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/65th-vuelta-a-espana-his/stage-16

Monday, September 13 - Gijón - Alto de Cotobello, 179.3 km
Inside knowledge:
"Euskaltel's Samuel Sánchez is almost sure to feature"

 

[icefire]

ROFL
from our hosts
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/65th-vuelta-a-espana-his/stage-16

Monday, September 13 - Gijón - Alto de Cotobello, 179.3 km
Inside knowledge:
"Euskaltel's Samuel Sánchez is almost sure to feature"

...in the podium celebration. Together with Chechu Rubiera.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Euskaltel-Euskadi @ Vuelta:

Igor Antón, Beñat Intxausti, Egoi Martínez, Gorka Verdugo, Mikel Nieve, Koldo Fernández, Juan José Oroz, Pablo Urtasun en Amets Txurruka


venga, venga Igor !

Aupa Ametxa!

 

[tgsgirl]

Aupa Ametxa!

Aupa Ametxa indeed! He's baaaaaaack!

 

[craig1985]

Aupa Ametxa!

Does 'aupa' mean 'Go', or 'up' in Basque?

 

[Ryaguas]

Does 'aupa' mean 'Go', or 'up' in Basque?

No... Aupa is a common expression in spanish to say GO GO...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

that's pretty much what he asked

anyway I think anton will be very good here.

 

[theyoungest]

that's pretty much what he asked

anyway I think anton will be very good here.

No. Basque and Spanish are different languages.

 

[ak-zaaf]

No. Basque and Spanish are different languages.

Basque language looks amazing written down.

ps. whats'your excuse for being up so early?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Does 'aupa' mean 'Go', or 'up' in Basque?

It's "go!", and is used throughout the Basque country (fans of the French-Basque rugby teams Biarritz and Bayonne both use it to cheer on their teams), though I have no idea if it originates in Spanish or Basque.

 

[tgsgirl]

though I have no idea if it originates in Spanish or Basque.

I'm in shock!

 

[hrotha]

It's "go!", and is used throughout the Basque country (fans of the French-Basque rugby teams Biarritz and Bayonne both use it to cheer on their teams), though I have no idea if it originates in Spanish or Basque.

I think it's originally Basque and it got into Spanish as a loanword, but of course the Diccionario de la Real Academia is useless and doesn't list the etymology. It's not a very common expression in Spanish, although the derived verb "aupar" is used a lot more often.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yea, I have always associated it with Basque, but I also know that Atlético Madrid use it frequently.

 

[Arnout]

Yea, I have always associated it with Basque, but I also know that Atlético Madrid use it frequently.

If I recall it correctly, Atletico Madrid is originally a Basque team.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

If I recall it correctly, Atletico Madrid is originally a Basque team.

You're right. I just looked it up and they were founded by Basques in Madrid as a sort-of 'expatriate' version of Atlético Bilbao, before being joined by Real Madrid members dissatisfied with that club. That might explain it.

 

[karlboss]

By the poll Nibali and Frank schleck are standout favourites, which suprises me a little. Breaking your collarbone doesn't seem to dent your chances as much as riding a full tour. Everyone seems to agree Andy won't ride hard, though Frank said (while still off the bike) he expected to support Andy.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

By the poll Nibali and Frank schleck are standout favourites, which suprises me a little. Breaking your collarbone doesn't seem to dent your chances as much as riding a full tour. Everyone seems to agree Andy won't ride hard, though Frank said (while still off the bike) he expected to support Andy.

That's a good point, and has been totally overlooked. Originally, after the injury, people thought he wouldn't even be able to ride again this season. I seriously doubt Andy Schleck will ride hard, but if he does, he's an overwhelming favorite. I really don't think Nibali is a favorite. To me, it's still Menchov, followed by Mosquera/Anton/F. Schleck.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Taarämae won't be riding because of an injury.

And it should be confirmed that Soler isn't on the Caisse d'Epargne team.

 

[EmpressJo]

I seriously doubt Andy Schleck will ride hard, but if he does, he's an overwhelming favorite.

I'd be very surprised though if he does ride hard, as I imagine anyone riding Le Tour as hard as Baby Schleck did would be absolutely spent. He's there purely to support Frank.

Frank said (while still off the bike) he expected to support Andy.

Despite Frank's protestations to the contrary, he's in it to win it - coming off the bike so soon in Le Tour means he'll be a) hungry for a great result and b) eager to prove he's just fine.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

I'd be very surprised though if he does ride hard, as I imagine anyone riding Le Tour as hard as Baby Schleck did would be absolutely spent. He's there purely to support Frank.

What's up with this myth that going for the Vuelta-Tour double is impossible? The Giro-Tour is ridiculous, but not the Vuelta-Tour. Since 2005, 5 riders have finished in the top 5 of each race. That's one rider per year. There would likely be more if the Vuelta was a more popular race.

 

[Frosty]

I think its very difficult to win both as you couldnt ride at your very best for both whereas some other top riders will peak for one or the other.

I think Menchov will ride a very good Vuelta but will just be a bit below peak form. Difficult to know how Franky will do. People seem to come back from injuries quite quickly though. Nibali performed very well in the Giro, especially as he was supposed to be racing the tour of california. Only stage he lost time on was the one after he made his solo break.

 

[Nick C.]

I see Menchov says he will be aiming to win which I wasn't fully aware of as I thought his previous comments were more guarded. I still stick with Nibali but a lot less confidence.

 

[Dedelou]

I see Menchov says he will be aiming to win which I wasn't fully aware of as I thought his previous comments were more guarded. I still stick with Nibali but a lot less confidence.

I am not as positive about Nibali as i was a few weeks ago. I think something is happening that changed his concentration for the win

 

[jaylew]

I am not as positive about Nibali as i was a few weeks ago. I think something is happening that changed his concentration for the win

Not sure why. He seems to be coming into form nicely with that win at Trofeo Melinda.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

I'd say Menchov or Schleck. Rodriguez must be a bit tired by now. Am not sure the Euskaltel boys are strong enough.