Vuelta 2018, Stage 19: Lleida > Andorra. Naturlandia - 154,4 km *Spoilers*

john1967

DeadCalm wrote:

I thought that was a really good stage. That was a big move from Yates to put in such a strong surge and bridge to the Quintana group. It effectively nullified the Movistar plan of attack (which was obvious but needed strength and guts to counter) and looks like it won him the race, although every time he's taken time out of Valverde, Valverde has struck back.

Great effort by Kruijswijk to regain the podium. Very pleased for Pinot to get a second stage win.

Clearly not a race for those who can only enjoy it when Sky are dominating but lots to like for the rest of us.

Why did you feel the need to have a dig at Sky fans? I think you'll find most sky fans are British and they will be lovin Yates right now.I know i am

blazing_saddles

DeadCalm wrote:

You came back from wherever at the end of the first week (by which time Sky were blatantly making up the numbers) and have since been unremittingly negative about what has been a good race that many have enjoyed. If you can only enjoy cycling when Sky are winning, fair enough.

And I'll be going wherever again, before the men's road race in the world champs, but it has feck all to do with Sky.
Unusual, though, I grant you, given the amount of time I have spent on here in the past, covering Sky-free, shiite small races, that few have shown an interest in. Over the years, you won't find much Sky love in my posts either, just I hope, objectivity.

Valverde's rapid capitulation aside, today was a decent stage, especially given the nature of the climb and I fully expect tomorrow to be explosive.
Ironically, though, it was one of your two arch villains from the Giro, who put him to the sword and today he gets lauded.

john1967 wrote:

Why did you feel the need to have a dig at Sky fans? I think you'll find most sky fans are British and they will be lovin Yates right now.I know i am

Indeed.

ocdupalais

That was a big balls GT winning effort from Yates. I don't think anyone expected that.
From so far out, too. It'd be a travesty if he loses tomorrow - but if it's to a Valverde/Movistar resurgence/cunning, that would be entertaining, too (the Yates boys will win big sooner or later, no doubt - although how Simon would cope with 2 GT's being snaffled from under his nose in 1 season is another question).

larkim

Without prejudging tomorrow, is there any way of calculating what a tenner accumulator on Froome, Thomas, Yates at the beginning of the year might have netted?

RichN95.

larkim wrote:

Without prejudging tomorrow, is there any way of calculating what a tenner accumulator on Froome, Thomas, Yates at the beginning of the year might have netted?

At the beginning of the year is a bit difficult as there really aren't Vuelta odds at the beginning of the season - no-one knows who's likely to be racing. Prior to each race Froome was about Evens, Thomas 14/1 and Yates 4/1.

So if you bet on each one and let the bet ride, a tenner would return £1500. But at the beginning of the season it would be longer odds (particularly with Froome's issues)

john1967

Blazing Saddles wrote:

DeadCalm wrote:

You came back from wherever at the end of the first week (by which time Sky were blatantly making up the numbers) and have since been unremittingly negative about what has been a good race that many have enjoyed. If you can only enjoy cycling when Sky are winning, fair enough.

And I'll be going wherever again, before the men's road race in the world champs, but it has feck all to do with Sky.
Unusual, though, I grant you, given the amount of time I have spent on here in the past, covering Sky-free, shiite small races, that few have shown an interest in. Over the years, you won't find much Sky love in my posts either, just I hope, objectivity.

Valverde's rapid capitulation aside, today was a decent stage, especially given the nature of the climb and I fully expect tomorrow to be explosive.
Ironically, though, it was one of your two arch villains from the Giro, who put him to the sword and today he gets lauded.

john1967 wrote:

Why did you feel the need to have a dig at Sky fans? I think you'll find most sky fans are British and they will be lovin Yates right now.I know i am

Indeed.

Back at yer.

DeadCalm

john1967 wrote:

DeadCalm wrote:

I thought that was a really good stage. That was a big move from Yates to put in such a strong surge and bridge to the Quintana group. It effectively nullified the Movistar plan of attack (which was obvious but needed strength and guts to counter) and looks like it won him the race, although every time he's taken time out of Valverde, Valverde has struck back.

Great effort by Kruijswijk to regain the podium. Very pleased for Pinot to get a second stage win.

Clearly not a race for those who can only enjoy it when Sky are dominating but lots to like for the rest of us.

Why did you feel the need to have a dig at Sky fans? I think you'll find most sky fans are British and they will be lovin Yates right now.I know i am

It wasn't a dig at Sky fans in general, just at a small minority who had been perversely negative about what most of us could see was a decent race.

blazing_saddles

DeadCalm wrote:

It wasn't a dig at Sky fans in general, just at a small minority who had been perversely negative about what most of us could see was a decent race.

So, after a couple of decent stages, it's become my way or the highway, has it?
Last week you were complaining about having to defend your "minority" opinion, when referring to this year's Giro as dull.
Nobody called you perverse then.