La Vuelta '15 #18 Roa / Riaza **SPOILERS**
After ITT Stage 17 - it couldn't be much closer at the top
1. DUMOULIN T. TGA 68h 40' 36''
2. ARU F. AST 00' 03''
3. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER J. KAT 01' 15''
4. MAJKA R. TCS 02' 22''
5. QUINTANA ROJAS N. MOV 02' 53''
6. VALVERDE BELMONTE A. MOV 03' 15''
7. CHAVES RUBIO J. OGE 03' 30''
I think this will be a recovery stage - but there will be two teams desperate to sense any weakness in the other; and slip ups on the last descent and Astana and Giant will go for the others throat. A ten second time gap on one of the next 4 stages could win the GC so any slip up will be severely punished
After his exploits so far it is unlikely that Aru can dislodge TomD on this hill - but surely the Desperate Dan DuMoulin has to tire soon?
Hearing rumours everywhere of teams associating to help each other out - any truth in these whispers, and is it even legal?
1. DUMOULIN T. TGA 68h 40' 36''
2. ARU F. AST 00' 03''
3. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER J. KAT 01' 15''
4. MAJKA R. TCS 02' 22''
5. QUINTANA ROJAS N. MOV 02' 53''
6. VALVERDE BELMONTE A. MOV 03' 15''
7. CHAVES RUBIO J. OGE 03' 30''
I think this will be a recovery stage - but there will be two teams desperate to sense any weakness in the other; and slip ups on the last descent and Astana and Giant will go for the others throat. A ten second time gap on one of the next 4 stages could win the GC so any slip up will be severely punished
After his exploits so far it is unlikely that Aru can dislodge TomD on this hill - but surely the Desperate Dan DuMoulin has to tire soon?
Hearing rumours everywhere of teams associating to help each other out - any truth in these whispers, and is it even legal?
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Comments
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Collusion is nothing new is it?
Can't imagine Astana have too many friends to call upon, but probably more money to chuck at it than Giant/Alpecin.0 -
Peter Velits (BMC), Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto Soudal), Niki Terpstra (Etixx - Quick Step), Cameron Meyer (Orica - GreenEdge) and Andrew Talansky (Cannondale - Garmin) are out of the Vuelta.0
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Collusion is nothing new is it?
Can't imagine Astana have too many friends to call upon, but probably more money to chuck at it than Giant/Alpecin.
I am an innocent in these affairs and try not to read too much about the Machiavellian intrigues - I find it spoils my enjoyment. I cannot see anyone in Astana who could get on the front of a team line and maintain / extend a gap made on the mountain slopes over TomD especially if Lotto-Jumbo (for instance) will aid in the chase. Astana have an Italian make-up - but they are not gonna get help from Lampre Merida are they? Sky Movistar and a few other look to have the power and mettle to open a gap going up hill and then hold it - but they aren't gonna do that are they?0 -
Peter Velits (BMC), Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto Soudal), Niki Terpstra (Etixx - Quick Step), Cameron Meyer (Orica - GreenEdge) and Andrew Talansky (Cannondale - Garmin) are out of the Vuelta.
Talansky was in the Vuelta?It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.0 -
I had the same thought. And it's not like he has much chance in this year's worlds to pull out for (like Terpstra for instance)Peter Velits (BMC), Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto Soudal), Niki Terpstra (Etixx - Quick Step), Cameron Meyer (Orica - GreenEdge) and Andrew Talansky (Cannondale - Garmin) are out of the Vuelta.
Talansky was in the Vuelta?0 -
Collusion is nothing new is it?
Can't imagine Astana have too many friends to call upon, but probably more money to chuck at it than Giant/Alpecin.
Its the shouting of it in the media, and telegraphing it to all and sundry inc the commissaires
No wonder Giant Alpecin shut it down publicly. Last thing they need is a situation where Dumoulin gets docked time by forewarned commissaires looking out for it happening. Lotto Jumbo management need to be sent to the School for the Gifted for opening their gobs0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19699896#p19699896]Richmond Racer 2[/url] wrote:Collusion is nothing new is it?
Can't imagine Astana have too many friends to call upon, but probably more money to chuck at it than Giant/Alpecin.
Its the shouting of it in the media, and telegraphing it to all and sundry inc the commissaires
No wonder Giant Alpecin shut it down publicly. Last thing they need is a situation where Dumoulin gets docked time by forewarned commissaires looking out for it happening. Lotto Jumbo management need to be sent to the School for the Gifted for opening their gobs
Dutchies gotta say something given that there is a real chance that the first Dutch winner of a GT since yonks will do it while riding for a German team!
(I know, know, but that's where they are registered these days)0 -
According to Spanish newspaper AS, however, Giant-Alpecin directeur sportif Addy Engels moved swiftly to politely refuse LottoNL-Jumbo’s offer of help.
“That’s forbidden by the rules of the UCI, so we will support Tom to the extent of our capabilities and we won’t resort to any irregular strategy,” Engels said.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giant-alpecin-refuse-lottonl-jumbos-offer-to-help-dumoulin-at-vuelta-a-espana/Contador is the Greatest0 -
Nicolas Roche (Sky), Sebastien Minard (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Darwin Atapuma (BMC), José Gonçalves, Ángel Madrazo (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Cyril Lemoine, Dominique Rollin (Cofidis), Pieter Serry (Etixx-Quick Step), Arnaud Courteille (FDJ), Simon Pellaud, Vicente Reynés (IAM Cycling), Kristijan Durasek (Lampre-Merida), Bart De Clercq, Adam Hansen, Tosh Van der Sande (Lotto-Soudal), José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar), Songezo Jim (MTN-Qhubeka), André Cardoso (Cannondale-Garmin), Jerome Cousin, Cyril Gautier (Europcar), Eduard Vorganov (Katusha), Tim Roosen (LottoNL-Jumbo), Daniele Bennati, Pawel Poljanski (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Haimar Zubeldia (Trek)
Have 4mins with 40km to raceContador is the Greatest0 -
Nicolas Roche (Sky), Sebastien Minard (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Darwin Atapuma (BMC), José Gonçalves, Ángel Madrazo (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Cyril Lemoine, Dominique Rollin (Cofidis), Pieter Serry (Etixx-Quick Step), Arnaud Courteille (FDJ), Simon Pellaud, Vicente Reynés (IAM Cycling), Kristijan Durasek (Lampre-Merida), Bart De Clercq, Adam Hansen, Tosh Van der Sande (Lotto-Soudal), José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar), Songezo Jim (MTN-Qhubeka), André Cardoso (Cannondale-Garmin), Jerome Cousin, Cyril Gautier (Europcar), Eduard Vorganov (Katusha), Tim Roosen (LottoNL-Jumbo), Daniele Bennati, Pawel Poljanski (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Haimar Zubeldia (Trek)
Have 4mins with 40km to race
Good. Hopefully all the bonus seconds get mopped up.It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.0 -
Astana leading the chase, or rather controlling it. A rider from Katusha has attacked off the front of the peloton.Contador is the Greatest0
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JROD ATTACKING
ALERT ALERTContador is the Greatest0 -
Reaches his teammate. Nice move but then the Astana team drives up the pace and tows the peloton (now shredded to 50 riders).Contador is the Greatest0
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Disappointing.Contador is the Greatest0
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At least he's having a go!Disappointing.0 -
30km, 2.30
Cat 1 starts in 10k for the break and lasts 10k
Really hope Aru can make the Dutch bloke sufferContador is the Greatest0 -
Gautier is now solo off the front of the break and Astana are leading the peloton
25km, 2minsContador is the Greatest0 -
Less than a hundred posts to go. Wonder if I need to spend them on spoilers!Contador is the Greatest0
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BANG BANG BANG
Aru attacks from the base
Less than 10 riders in contact
Tom D unfortunately there
Aru dropped everyone...bar the big bloke
Majka pulls him back along with Chaves and Quintana
Aru unleashing
Valverde and JRod back in contact
Those were some real stinging pure climber attacks and Tom D didn't lose an inch. Absolutely surrealContador is the Greatest0 -
Super racing now0
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Wow fantastic stuff
Tom D class rider, long future ahead of himaztecboy0 -
Those were some real stinging pure climber attacks and Tom D didn't lose an inch. Absolutely surreal
Maybe they weren't all that stinging!0 -
Aru thinks he can get rid of Dumoulin on a 4-6% climb. Not going to happen.0
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interesting game of chess here, as Aru can't afford to let the other GCs to get up the roadaztecboy0
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Magnificent cycling, this.0
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What a joke this Tom D is. Literally not left Aru's wheel the entire climb. Not budged an inch. Simply unbelievable.
Aru so entertaining.
Four of my men lighting up that climb.Contador is the Greatest0 -
What a joke this Tom D is. Literally not left Aru's wheel the entire climb. Not budged an inch. Simply unbelievable.
Aru so entertaining.
Why the f'uck would he leave his wheel though?0 -
What a joke this Tom D is. Literally not left Aru's wheel the entire climb. Not budged an inch. Simply unbelievable.
Aru so entertaining.
Why * would he leave his wheel though?
Because typically when a pure climber launches attack after attack after attack the huge bulk of the Dutch man theoretically should not be able to hold that wheel. Maybe if he grinds back up after a little while but matching a pure climber stroke for stroke...give me a break.Contador is the Greatest0 -
FF, you're a parody0
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What a joke this Tom D is. Literally not left Aru's wheel the entire climb. Not budged an inch. Simply unbelievable.
Aru so entertaining.
Why * would he leave his wheel though?
Because typically when a pure climber launches attack after attack after attack the huge bulk of the Dutch man theoretically should not be able to hold that wheel. Maybe if he grinds back up after a little while but matching a pure climber stroke for stroke...give me a break.
So Aru should drop Dumoulin on a climb that is 'so' hard that the riders can sit wheels and stop pedalling every hundred meters..? That climb was more a hill. Almost flat, even..0
