Vuelta a Andalucia 2015 *Spoilers*

Paul 8v

Ah quite possibly, was it that numpty with a stick? I'm sure it's happened another time and it does happen to other riders from time to time. It certainly looked like someone threw something at him in this race

Paul 8v

Also with regards to Froome letting Contador get away the previous day, was he caught up on the decent? It was a bit of a cluster funk with the cars and motos, Contador caught him napping I think, Froome isn't the greatest when the road points downwards anyway.

iainf72

Yesterdays stage was quite interesting, in that it was an excellent example of Froome's ability to hold an acceleration longer than other riders uphill. Bert matched the acceleration without any issue but Froome kept going 10 - 15 seconds longer. Seem to remember reading that a lot of the climbers have remarked on this ability.

frenchfighter

iainf72 wrote:

Bert matched the acceleration without any issue but Froome kept going 10 - 15 seconds longer. Seem to remember reading that a lot of the climbers have remarked on this ability.

100%. His lactate threhsold has been pushed nearly as far as Armstrong's in this regard. Describing the attack from Froome, Contador said: 'he just did not stop, did not stop, did not stop'. Impressive indeed albeit awful to look at.

frenchfighter

Paul 8v wrote:

Also with regards to Froome letting Contador get away the previous day, was he caught up on the decent? It was a bit of a cluster funk with the cars and motos, Contador caught him napping I think, Froome isn't the greatest when the road points downwards anyway.

It was a little tricky then the climb started immediately...a definite 5/10 sec advantage being in the front spots vs 20/30 back.

joelsim

Let's see how they get on at Tirreno. Not sure that Nibs and Nairo will be in peak condition, so it is looking like Froome v Contador 2.

Macaloon

Slim Boy Fat wrote:

Great podium shot.

The fatal attraction of this sport is its exposure of the human. It's a privilege to watch these guys race. If Nibali can add the icing to Qintana's blancmange we're in for a feast.

okgo

Nibali wasn't even in the ballpark before these two got injured last year. Cant see that he's going to be much threat personally. And where was Quintana on ventoux in 2013? Back door is where.

oldwelshman

As much as I like NIbs and Quintana they are not in same league as these two.

milton50

Quintana is there or thereabouts climbing wise in my opinion.

The_Boy

okgo wrote:

And where was Quintana on ventoux in 2013? Back door is where.

Eh? He dropped less than 30 seconds after being out front on his own for I-can't-remember-how-many kms.

mm1

Macaloon wrote:

The fatal attraction of this sport is its exposure of the human. It's a privilege to watch these guys race.

That's beautiful, couldn't agree more.

Froome's long acceleration was mentioned in last month's Cycle Sport interview with Nibali. Look forward to some epic battles this summer.

Macaloon

The_Boy wrote:

okgo wrote:

And where was Quintana on ventoux in 2013? Back door is where.

Eh? He dropped less than 30 seconds after being out front on his own for I-can't-remember-how-many kms.

Quintana was a human sacrifice to the demonic Valverde early doors in that tour: one of several missed Movistar calls. On Ventoux he attacked 12k from the line, matching several Froome accelerations after being caught about 6km out. Pretty sure he's at least a match for Froome on climbs now.

Due to rivals falling off, Nibali hasn't had a chance to show what he developed after 2012, other than the super-smart race planning last year. Doubt he'd be far away.

nic_77

frenchfighter wrote:

iainf72 wrote:

Bert matched the acceleration without any issue but Froome kept going 10 - 15 seconds longer. Seem to remember reading that a lot of the climbers have remarked on this ability.

100%. His lactate threhsold has been pushed nearly as far as Armstrong's in this regard. Describing the attack from Froome, Contador said: 'he just did not stop, did not stop, did not stop'. Impressive indeed albeit awful to look at.

I'm going to venture that you don't know what you are talking about. Presumably neither were attacking at threshold. Therefore, the ability (or desire) to hold on longer is not directly related to the LT itself, but instead it suggests that Froome has a higher VO2 max (or his LT is at a lower % of his VO2 max), greater physiological ability to recover from a period of effort above LT (i.e. more efficient cardio-respiratory system) or a higher pain threshold (or more likely a combination of these factors). It's not always just about the numbers you know...

frenchfighter

Yes.

okgo

nic_77 wrote:

frenchfighter wrote:

iainf72 wrote:

Bert matched the acceleration without any issue but Froome kept going 10 - 15 seconds longer. Seem to remember reading that a lot of the climbers have remarked on this ability.

100%. His lactate threhsold has been pushed nearly as far as Armstrong's in this regard. Describing the attack from Froome, Contador said: 'he just did not stop, did not stop, did not stop'. Impressive indeed albeit awful to look at.

I'm going to venture that you don't know what you are talking about. Presumably neither were attacking at threshold. Therefore, the ability (or desire) to hold on longer is not directly related to the LT itself, but instead it suggests that Froome has a higher VO2 max (or his LT is at a lower % of his VO2 max), greater physiological ability to recover from a period of effort above LT (i.e. more efficient cardio-respiratory system) or a higher pain threshold (or more likely a combination of these factors). It's not always just about the numbers you know...

Panache or no panache many riders have said froome is one of the most gifted. To be his size and able to ride without much issue at around 66kg is astounding in itself.

frenchfighter

Do you want a Froome avatar? You are up for backing and propping him and any opportunity.

Froome may have found a way to demonstrate his talent in the past few years but he certainly has some work to do to achieve greatness. He is stuck at two GTs, significantly less than Contador and less than Nibali.

Macaloon

frenchfighter wrote:

Do you want a Froome avatar? You are up for backing and propping him and any opportunity.

Froome may have found a way to demonstrate his talent in the past few years but he certainly has some work to do to achieve greatness. He is stuck at two GTs, significantly less than Contador and less than Nibali.

You're too generous. Don't forget he had two stolen by Simon Fuller
(Runs away)

okgo

frenchfighter wrote:

Do you want a Froome avatar? You are up for backing and propping him and any opportunity.

Froome may have found a way to demonstrate his talent in the past few years but he certainly has some work to do to achieve greatness. He is stuck at two GTs, significantly less than Contador and less than Nibali.

One of which is a cheat and the other is from a team of cheats, CF is also 3 years younger than Contador.

Now you are perhaps starting to see how the rest of this forum view your posts...

frenchfighter

No nothing has changed whatsoever.

ddraver

Bertie won on a sunny day then...

nic_77

frenchfighter wrote:

Froome may have found a way to demonstrate his talent in the past few years but he certainly has some work to do to achieve greatness. He is stuck at two GTs, significantly less than Contador and less than Nibali.

Froome has only won 1 GT hasn't he? But he did beat Contador pretty convincingly. They have only both completed the same GT twice outside of that and yes Alberto won those (although in '12 Froome had also ridden the tour). Froome has got two second places, obtained whilst Contador was otherwise engaged.

jam1e

frenchfighter wrote:

No nothing has changed whatsoever.

Hmmm that riding position looks familiar, where have I seen it before...?

http://imgur.com/a/FyypP

frenchfighter

nic_77 wrote:

frenchfighter wrote:

Froome may have found a way to demonstrate his talent in the past few years but he certainly has some work to do to achieve greatness. He is stuck at two GTs, significantly less than Contador and less than Nibali.

Froome has only won 1 GT hasn't he? But he did beat Contador pretty convincingly. They have only both completed the same GT twice outside of that and yes Alberto won those (although in '12 Froome had also ridden the tour). Froome has got two second places, obtained whilst Contador was otherwise engaged.

Ah yes my typo - he has indeed only one a grand total of one grand tour. Professional since 2008. Got some work to do.
Nibali has won 1 Giro, 1 Tour and 1 Vuelta. Pro since 2005.
Quintana has won one GT. Pro since 2012. Real raw talent.
Contador has won 3 Tours, 2 Giros and 3 Vueltas. Pro since 2003. Best stage race rider of his generation.

2013 is well known to be an off year for Contador for well documented reasons. 2014 he was flying as his results prove. This year should see big things too.

nic_77

frenchfighter wrote:

nic_77 wrote:

frenchfighter wrote:

Froome may have found a way to demonstrate his talent in the past few years but he certainly has some work to do to achieve greatness. He is stuck at two GTs, significantly less than Contador and less than Nibali.

Froome has only won 1 GT hasn't he? But he did beat Contador pretty convincingly. They have only both completed the same GT twice outside of that and yes Alberto won those (although in '12 Froome had also ridden the tour). Froome has got two second places, obtained whilst Contador was otherwise engaged.

Ah yes my typo - he has indeed only one a grand total of one grand tour. Professional since 2008. Got some work to do.
Nibali has won 1 Giro, 1 Tour and 1 Vuelta. Pro since 2005.
Quintana has won one GT. Pro since 2012. Real raw talent.
Contador has won 3 Tours, 2 Giros and 3 Vueltas. Pro since 2003. Best stage race rider of his generation.

2013 is well known to be an off year for Contador for well documented reasons. 2014 he was flying as his results prove. This year should see big things too.

I can only find 2 TdFs, 1 Giro and 3 Vueltas (and four of them are from 2007/8/9). Where am I going wrong?

ddraver

frenchfighter wrote:

No nothing has changed whatsoever.


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He really is the Louie Spence of the peloton isnt he

frisbee

nic_77 wrote:

I can only find 2 TdFs, 1 Giro and 3 Vueltas (and four of them are from 2007/8/9). Where am I going wrong?

You need to look on the "specials" menu.

joelsim

frisbee wrote:

nic_77 wrote:

I can only find 2 TdFs, 1 Giro and 3 Vueltas (and four of them are from 2007/8/9). Where am I going wrong?

You need to look on the "specials" menu.

Is ff's blind eye still going? Wow.

Not really sure why 2007/8/9 is any different than now. Vino got away with it until retirement, Valverde is still getting away with it. As is Bertie, as is Froome, as is Nibali...it's just within the limits.

Realistically those who were around in 2007/8/9 have to keep their passport levels as they were then, don't they?

Anonymous

Joelsim wrote:

Realistically those who were around in 2007/8/9 have to keep their passport levels as they were then, don't they?

Never really thought about it like that. Good point.

Macaloon

sjmclean wrote:

Joelsim wrote:

Realistically those who were around in 2007/8/9 have to keep their passport levels as they were then, don't they?

Never really thought about it like that. Good point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_passport#Cycling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with a biometric passport.