Giro Stage 15 ***Spoiler***

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Comments

  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Wow, I was in absolute agony watching that!
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    Traffic Warden is really struggling!!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    Nieve up to 6th overall. Hat's off.
  • IanLD
    IanLD Posts: 423
    Yes! Two Euskaltel wins in a row. Now I might get a bit less slagging when I turn up at work in my Euskaltel kit :D

    Yet another amazing stage in the Giro. Agree with the comments about it being worth fighting for second as who knows in a few weeks time...
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    last km took nieve nearly 6 minutes..
    A truly epic 7 and a half hour stage that typifies the Giro.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • StefanP
    StefanP Posts: 429
    the grupetto needs to finish 44minutes behind the leader to stay in. 13minutes gone and just 25 riders have crossed the line!
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,908
    good recovery by nibs

    a lot of good rides there...scarponi saved it for the last climb and didn't get involved in the earlier skirmishes


    nibali was brave to give it a go could have cracked into a zillion pieces and lost the podium completely


    Bertie in a different league.. remarkable he had the strength given all the riding he did earlier...was helped a fair amount by the Spanish combine effect...

    gripping viewing
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    Why is anyone other than Contador on the front of that group? Ignore Nibali, they all need him to crack and therefore to ride! But I suppose if you do that you might finish 7th instead of 3rd or lose by 10 minutes instead of 6
    I'm with you. I'm so livid at those idiots for setting pace on the flats for Contador. Rujano is SURELY in the back pocket of Saxo Bank. He deserves to be plagued by a nasty saddle sore.

    And Rabo, they set a pace then the protected rider blows up. That blows!

    Bertie got an armchair ride to the bottom of the climb then just did what he's good at.

    But let's face it, bike riders are not a clever bunch, few are uni graduate or anything that requires some intelligence.

    For the rest of the race I do not want to see anyone else than Contador on the front before climbs, becasue he's NOT the best rider, the best rider is Scarponi, Contador is ONLY the best climber. He's also a complete pussy.
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Sounded like fireworks from a way out. Cant wait for the highlights.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    FransJacques wrote:
    For the rest of the race I do not want to see anyone else than Contador on the front before climbs, becasue he's NOT the best rider, the best rider is Scarponi, Contador is ONLY the best climber. He's also a complete pussy.

    Haha, what a joke. Guess who is the best climber. Guess who is the best at riding the flats. Guess who is the best TT rider. Face it - Contador. Who has a Giro in the bag. Who has a Vuelta in the bag. Who has two Tours in the bag. Scarponi is a superb rider but he is not Contador. He doesn't have one GT to his name either.

    You better hold on to your hot seat when the TTs come.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Can't believe that Euskaltel have never won a stage in the Giro then two come right after eachother. Super ride by Nieve. He took St 16 of the Vuelta last year in good style too.

    AP
    ap-201105221120408533646.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Stage 15 results
    1 Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel Euskadi) 7:27:14
    2 Stefano Garzelli (Acqua&Sapone) + 1:41
    3 Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) + 1:50
    4 Michele Scarponi (Lampre) + 1:57
    5 John Gadret (AG2R) + 2:28
    6 José Rujano (Androni) + 2:35
    7 Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) + 3:34
    8 Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) + 3:34
    9 Roman Kreuziger (Astana) + 4:01
    10 Steven Kruijswij (Rabobank) + 4:13
    11 Denis Mechov (Geox) + 4:23
    12 David Arroyo (Movistar) + 4:30

    General classification after Stage 15
    1 Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard)
    2 Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) + 4:20
    3 Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) + 5:11
    4 John Gadret (AG2R La Mondiale) + 6:08
    5 Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi) + 6:32
    6 Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel-Euskadi) + 7:03
    Contador is the Greatest
  • KillerMetre
    KillerMetre Posts: 199
    FransJacques wrote:
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    Why is anyone other than Contador on the front of that group? Ignore Nibali, they all need him to crack and therefore to ride! But I suppose if you do that you might finish 7th instead of 3rd or lose by 10 minutes instead of 6
    I'm with you. I'm so livid at those idiots for setting pace on the flats for Contador. Rujano is SURELY in the back pocket of Saxo Bank. He deserves to be plagued by a nasty saddle sore.

    And Rabo, they set a pace then the protected rider blows up. That blows!

    Bertie got an armchair ride to the bottom of the climb then just did what he's good at.

    But let's face it, bike riders are not a clever bunch, few are uni graduate or anything that requires some intelligence.

    For the rest of the race I do not want to see anyone else than Contador on the front before climbs, becasue he's NOT the best rider, the best rider is Scarponi, Contador is ONLY the best climber. He's also a complete pussy.

    Some accurate, well considered and eloquently put points :roll:
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    frenchfighter wrote:
    FransJacques wrote:
    For the rest of the race I do not want to see anyone else than Contador on the front before climbs, becasue he's NOT the best rider, the best rider is Scarponi, Contador is ONLY the best climber. He's also a complete pussy.

    Haha, what a joke. Guess who is the best climber. Guess who is the best at riding the flats. Guess who is the best TT rider. Face it - Contador. Who has a Giro in the bag. Who has a Vuelta in the bag. Who has two Tours in the bag. Scarponi is a superb rider but he is not Contador. He doesn't have one GT to his name either.

    You better hold on to your hot seat when the TTs come.

    Easy tiger, assuming a level playing field, I do not believe him to be the best TT or flat rider even at this giro, and if you think about it neither do you.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Sounded like fireworks from a way out. Cant wait for the highlights.

    meh - couple of sparklers maybe, I enjoyed yesterday more!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    I enjoyed that! (Probably because I didn't have to ride it :D ).

    Excellent descent by Nibali, great climbing by Garzelli who is, I think, about my age :shock: Seven and a half hours of agony and a deserving winner. Just a shame that Bertie is so far ahead of the rest....
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:
    FransJacques wrote:
    For the rest of the race I do not want to see anyone else than Contador on the front before climbs, becasue he's NOT the best rider, the best rider is Scarponi, Contador is ONLY the best climber. He's also a complete pussy.

    Haha, what a joke. Guess who is the best climber. Guess who is the best at riding the flats. Guess who is the best TT rider. Face it - Contador. Who has a Giro in the bag. Who has a Vuelta in the bag. Who has two Tours in the bag. Scarponi is a superb rider but he is not Contador. He doesn't have one GT to his name either.

    You better hold on to your hot seat when the TTs come.

    Easy tiger, assuming a level playing field, I do not believe him to be the best TT or flat rider even at this giro, and if you think about it neither do you.

    To clarify: within those considered GT contenders. It is known that he can ride well in the bunch arriving at the climbs fresher than the others.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • seven7faces
    seven7faces Posts: 360
    So how does anyone beat Bertie at the Tour? No-one can live with him on the climbs, his nearest rivals cant match his TT, and Riis will keep an eye on tactics.
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    I don't rate him as a better bunch rider than any of the other contenders, I rate him as head and shoulders above them on the last climbs, and probably in this years field the best TT rider of the Gc riders by a country mile.

    I'm genuinely not trying to wind you up or anything here, and I don't doubt for a second that he has ability in spades (i remember seeing him at 21 and thinking he would be special) but I just can't bring myself to believe in him due to the teams that employ him and the smell around him. That said, I don't believe in Scarponi, Rujano, Kreuzigar or most GC guys
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,821
    They won't need to worry 'cos he won't be there
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,908
    FransJacques wrote:
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    Why is anyone other than Contador on the front of that group? Ignore Nibali, they all need him to crack and therefore to ride! But I suppose if you do that you might finish 7th instead of 3rd or lose by 10 minutes instead of 6
    I'm with you. I'm so livid at those idiots for setting pace on the flats for Contador. Rujano is SURELY in the back pocket of Saxo Bank. He deserves to be plagued by a nasty saddle sore.

    And Rabo, they set a pace then the protected rider blows up. That blows!

    Bertie got an armchair ride to the bottom of the climb then just did what he's good at.

    But let's face it, bike riders are not a clever bunch, few are uni graduate or anything that requires some intelligence.

    For the rest of the race I do not want to see anyone else than Contador on the front before climbs, becasue he's NOT the best rider, the best rider is Scarponi, Contador is ONLY the best climber. He's also a complete pussy.

    happened in the indurain era as well

    everyone raced for 2nd and 3rd steps and indurain allowed others the win on the day

    I think contador as a pussy is a bit harsh I suspect he is quite good at cycling
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    I don't rate him as a better bunch rider than any of the other contenders, I rate him as head and shoulders above them on the last climbs, and probably in this years field the best TT rider of the Gc riders by a country mile.

    I'm genuinely not trying to wind you up or anything here, and I don't doubt for a second that he has ability in spades (i remember seeing him at 21 and thinking he would be special) but I just can't bring myself to believe in him due to the teams that employ him and the smell around him. That said, I don't believe in Scarponi, Rujano, Kreuzigar or most GC guys

    You aren't winding me up, although I certainly wont be going down the route of defending his innocence to doping here. Guilty by team association is not something that sits well with me at all.

    With reference to his early age - yes he was an incredible athlete from a very early age (read, when he first rode a bike). Scarponi roomed with him at LS and said that then he was considered very talented.

    He has been winning consistently at a high level for years:
    2011
    Tour of Murcia; stage two
    Tour of Murcia; stage three
    Tour of Murcia; overall
    Giro d'Italia; stage nine
    2010
    Paris-Nice; stage four
    Paris-Nice; overall
    Volta ao Algarve; stage three
    Volta ao Algarve; overall
    Vuelta a Castilla y Leon; stage four ITT
    Vuelta a Castilla y Leon; overall
    Tour de France; overall
    2009
    Tour de France; stage four TTT
    Tour de France; stage 15
    Tour de France; stage 18
    Tour de France; overall
    Paris-Nice; stage six
    Paris-Nice; stage one
    Tour of the Basque Country; overall
    Tour of the Basque Country; stage three
    Tour of the Basque Country; stage six
    Tour of the Algarve; overall
    Tour of the Algarve; stage four
    National time trial championships
    2008
    Giro d'Italia; overall
    Vuelta a Espana; overall
    Vuelta a Espana; stage
    Vuelta a Espana; stage
    Tour of the Basque Country; overall
    Tour of the Basque Country; stage
    Tour of the Basque Country; stage
    Tour of Castille y Leon; overall
    Tour of Castille y Leon; stage
    Tour of Castille y Leon; stage
    2007
    Tour de France; overall
    Tour de France; young riders' white jersey
    Tour de France; stage
    Paris-Nice; overall
    Paris-Nice; young riders' classification
    Paris-Nice; stage
    Paris-Nice; stage
    Tour of Castille y Leon; overall
    Tour of Castille y Leon; stage
    Tour of Valencia, stage
    2006
    Tour of Switzerland; stage
    Tour of Romandie; stage
    2005
    Tour of Romandie; stage
    Tour of Basque Country; stage
    Catalan Week; stage
    Catalan Week; overall
    Tour Down Under; stage
    2003
    Tour of Poland; stage
    Contador is the Greatest
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    I'm glad we can disagree respectfully FF.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    I'm glad we can disagree respectfully FF.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • P_Tucker
    P_Tucker Posts: 1,878
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:
    FransJacques wrote:
    For the rest of the race I do not want to see anyone else than Contador on the front before climbs, becasue he's NOT the best rider, the best rider is Scarponi, Contador is ONLY the best climber. He's also a complete pussy.

    Haha, what a joke. Guess who is the best climber. Guess who is the best at riding the flats. Guess who is the best TT rider. Face it - Contador. Who has a Giro in the bag. Who has a Vuelta in the bag. Who has two Tours in the bag. Scarponi is a superb rider but he is not Contador. He doesn't have one GT to his name either.

    You better hold on to your hot seat when the TTs come.

    Easy tiger, assuming a level playing field, I do not believe him to be the best TT or flat rider even at this giro, and if you think about it neither do you.

    Well, I think we can all agree he's the best GC rider.
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    FransJacques wrote:



    But let's face it, bike riders are not a clever bunch, few are uni graduate or anything that requires some intelligence.

    .
    Sanctimonious Bullshit.

    some of the most idiotic people I've met have degrees or some accademic thesis but know nothing.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    frenchfighter wrote:

    With reference to his early age - yes he was an incredible athlete from a very early age (read, when he first rode a bike). Scarponi roomed with him at LS and said that then he was considered very talented.

    I wonder if Bert noticed him getting blood transfusions when they roomed together....
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • rebs
    rebs Posts: 891
    I get people want to rant down on the accountant but this is a little too strong when it comes to how he is riding. He did get the early jump on everyone soon as the roads started to get vertical. He attacked first and made it stick. It's now up to everyone else to reply. No reason why anyone in Contador's position to go all out attacking.

    It does have the chance to make the GC battle boring. As everyone will no doubt start racing for 2nd now.

    The fun will be watching who is big enough to go for the mountaintop stage wins. As no springs will be happening. I suspect we'll be missing out of some of the best racing watching breakaways get formed which often happens before the TV's go live.
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    iainf72 wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:

    With reference to his early age - yes he was an incredible athlete from a very early age (read, when he first rode a bike). Scarponi roomed with him at LS and said that then he was considered very talented.

    I wonder if Bert noticed him getting blood transfusions when they roomed together....
    I wonder what he discovered in 2007 and if he witnessed anything.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • cornoyemade
    cornoyemade Posts: 180
    wow...i need a rest day after watching that. Bravo Contador!!! Bravo Nieve!

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