Vuelta 2010

[brentono]

A new young guy, on the improve, and another one to add to the Sprinter's List.
Cheers,
BrentonO

[toolonglegs]

He certainly had perfect timing...rather lightweight as well at 70kg's.

[brentono]

Stage 2 - Alcalá de Guadaíra to Marbella 173.7 km
Cav’s boys lead the way into the last kilometer, but Milram hit the front.
Petacchi and Hushovd are both up there. Hondo leads out Petacchi,
Cav comes around Farrar, but it’s...............
Yauheni Hutarovich who comes rocketing out of Sebastian Chavanel’s slipstream
to pip Cav on the line. A brilliant stage win for Francaise des Jeux.

All that weight must be in those legs (many FT fibers ) their pretty solid (and fast).

[brentono]

Date: 30-08-2010
3º stage
Distance: 157.3 km
Road – Stage
Departure: Marbella, Spain
Arrival: Málaga, Spain

Philippe Gilbert took the overall race lead as he won stage three of the Vuelta a Espana from Marbella to Malaga.
..The Belgian from Omega Pharma-Lotto beat one of the overall contenders, Joaquim Rodriguez,
by three seconds as they attacked on the uphill finish at the end of the 157km route
along the Mediterranean Coast in sweltering conditions.

Gilbert, winner of the Amstel Gold classic in the spring, leads Katusha's Rodriguez by 14 seconds overall
as overnight leader Mark Cavendish lost a large chunk of time on the big climb of the Puerto del Leon.

The Red Jersey, lost 25 seconds at the first climb, in the first 5km of the race,
and was over 25 minutes down at the end, of the 157Km in Stage 3.

Cheers,
BrentonO

[toolonglegs]

I don't think Cav had any intention of protecting the lead yesterday...even Andy Schleck got dropped on the climbs.I watched the last couple of hours and it was a tough stage...and really hot.The finish was fantastic...the pace with which they hit the last climb was incredible and Gilbert showed some style .He is so strong at this time of the year!.

[brentono]

I don't think Cav had any intention of protecting the lead yesterday...even Andy Schleck got dropped on the climbs.I watched the last couple of hours and it was a tough stage...and really hot.The finish was fantastic...the pace with which they hit the last climb was incredible and Gilbert showed some style .He is so strong at this time of the year!.

The Lead (Red Jersey) was a token (from the Team TT), anyway
Don't think he (Chav) was going to protect it, or even could.
It was as hard as Geelong, will be, it was a tough stage, Gilbert showed some style
and is so strong at this time of the year, that he may be a chance at the World's.
(It's in his sights)...
Cheers,
BrentonO

[toolonglegs]

For sure the worlds are in his sights...but yesterdays finish was a punchy little 1.5km climb Ardennes style with a 16km 5.5% av climb chucked in 40k's from the finish.

[brentono]

[toolonglegs]

Last km...23%... ...nice win for Igor!.

[toolonglegs]

Last km...23%... ...nice win for Igor!.

[MichaelB]

It's interesting to see where some of the GC favourites are heading - some backwards at a great rate of knots, and some holing station waiting for the big days.

Racing and climbing in the heat must be a bugger ...

[brentono]

Vuelta Stage 4 result

1 ANTON, Igor Euskaltel-Euskadi 5h 00' 29"
2 NIBALI, Vincenzo Liquigas-Doimo + 1"
3 VELITS, Peter HTC-Columbia + 1"
4 RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin Katusha + 1"
5 GILBERT, Philippe Omega Pharma-Lotto + 5"
6 VAN GARDEREN, Tejay HTC-Columbia + 8"
7 MOSQUERA, Ezequiel Xacobeo-Galicia + 12"
8 ROCHE, Nicholas AG2R La Mondiale + 12"
9 PLAZA, Ruben Caisse d'Epargne + 12"
10 URAN, Rigoberto Caisse d'Epargne + 19"
11 MENCHOV, Denis Rabobank + 19"
12 ARROYO, David Caisse d'Epargne + 19"
13 SCHLECK, Frank Team Saxo Bank + 19"
14 BRUSEGHIN, Marzio Caisse d'Epargne + 19"
15 TONDO, Xavier Cervelo TestTeam + 19"
16 TEN DAM, Laurens Rabobank + 28"
17 DANIELSON, Thomas Garmin-Transitions + 36"
18 NIEVE, Mikel Euskaltel-Euskadi + 36"
19 SÁNCHEZ, Luis León Caisse d'Epargne + 36"
20 PERAUD, Jean-Christophe Omega Pharma-Lotto + 36"

Vuelta overall standings after Stage 4

1 GILBERT, Philippe Omega Pharma-Lotto 13h 56' 30"
2 ANTON, Igor Euskaltel-Euskadi + 10"
3 RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin Katusha + 10"
4 NIBALI, Vincenzo Liquigas-Doimo + 12"
5 VELITS, Peter HTC-Columbia + 16"
6 VAN GARDEREN, Tejay HTC-Columbia + 29"
7 TONDO, Xavier Cervelo TestTeam + 49"
8 SCHLECK, Frank Team Saxo Bank + 50"
9 PLAZA, Ruben Caisse d'Epargne + 54"
10 MOSQUERA, Ezequiel Xacobeo-Galicia + 55"
11 ROCHE, Nicholas AG2R La Mondiale + 58"
12 ARROYO, David Caisse d'Epargne + 1' 01"
13 BRUSEGHIN, Marzio Caisse d'Epargne + 1' 01"
14 MENCHOV, Denis Rabobank + 1' 11"
15 URAN, Rigoberto Caisse d'Epargne + 1' 19"
16 DANIELSON, Thomas Garmin-Transitions + 1' 21"
17 SÁNCHEZ, Luis León Caisse d'Epargne + 1' 24"
18 KARPETS, Vladimir Katusha + 1' 24"
19 PERAUD, Jean-Christophe Omega Pharma-Lotto + 1' 33"
20 TEN DAM, Laurens Rabobank + 2' 08"
Mercifully, temperatures were cooler than they have been in recent days,
but the terrain still took its toll, and by the time the leaders hit the summit of the day’s biggest climb,
the Category 2 Alto de Valdepeñas de Jaén some 7 kilometres from the finish,
the race had been whittled down to a select group of 20 or so riders.
Igor Antón (Euskaltel) proved strongest on a brutal uphill finish in Valdepeñas de Jaén
to land stage four of the Vuelta a España.
Igor Anton of Euskaltel-Euskadi, winner of yesterday’s Stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espana,
has played down suggestions that in the absence of his team mate Samuel Sanchez
and Astana’s Alberto Contador – not to mention last year’s winner,
the suspended Alejandro Valverde – he represents the best prospect of a home victory
in this year’s race, pointing instead to Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez.

The possibilty of a Spanish winner for the Vuelta a España.
We have now gone through some of the medium climbing stages, and it will be interesting
to see what the temperatures and conditions are like when we reach the serious climbs
beginning at Stage 8.
(The first serious mountain stage perhaps sees the influence of ASO come to bear,
having, as it does, more than a passing resemblance to the recent plethora of "middle mountain" stages
of which the current Tour de France organisation are so keen.
Five classified climbs lie in wait: one cat 3, three cat 2s and a final cat 1.)
Cheers,
BrentonO

[brentono]

Date: 01-09-2010
5º stage
Distance: 195,8 km
Road – Stage
Departure: Guadix, Spain
Arrival: Lorca, Spain

A Day for the Sprinters.
Race leader Philippe Gilbert finished safely in the bunch to earn another day in the red leader's jersey.
Vuelta Stage 5 result
1 FARRAR, Tyler Garmin-Transitions 5h 03' 36"
2 FERNÁNDEZ, Koldo Euskaltel-Euskadi (all same time)
3 CAVENDISH, Mark HTC-Columbia
4 TOSATTO, Matteo Quickstep
5 PETACCHI, Alessandro Lampre-Farnese Vini
6 CHAVANEL, Sébastien Francaise des Jeux
7 FÖRSTER, Robert Milram
8 GALIMZYANOV, Denis Katusha
9 BOS, Theo Cervelo TestTeam
10 VAN AVERMAET, Greg Omega Pharma-Lotto

Farrar revealed after the stage that he had been feeling poorly last night and this morning,
but felt better as the stage went along.
"It was a little strange today because I was alone.
Normally in a stage like this, we have riders working at the front but I was not confident
after suffering during yesterday's stage. Today I felt better and better.
Only with 20km to go I told my teammates that I was up for the sprint.

Farrar’s sprint campaign at the Tour de France was truncated by the broken wrist
that he suffered on stage two but the Garmin-Transitions man bounced back
from that disappointment with victory at the Vattenfall Cyclassics.
The American’s rich streak of August form has carried over to the Vuelta
and after 3rd place on Sunday’s opening road stage, he made no mistake in Lorca.

Vuelta overall standings after Stage 5
1 GILBERT, Philippe Omega Pharma-Lotto 19h 00' 06"
2 ANTON, Igor Euskaltel-Euskadi + 10"
3 RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin Katusha + 10"
4 NIBALI, Vincenzo Liquigas-Doimo + 12"
5 VELITS, Peter HTC-Columbia + 16"
6 VAN GARDEREN, Tejay HTC-Columbia + 29"
7 TONDO, Xavier Cervelo TestTeam + 49"
8 SCHLECK, Frank Team Saxo Bank + 50"
9 PLAZA, Ruben Caisse d'Epargne + 54"
10 MOSQUERA, Ezequiel Xacobeo-Galicia + 55"
11 ROCHE, Nicholas AG2R La Mondiale + 58"
12 BRUSEGHIN, Marzio Caisse d'Epargne + 1' 01"
13 MENCHOV, Denis Rabobank + 1' 11"
14 URAN, Rigoberto Caisse d'Epargne + 1' 19"
15 DANIELSON, Thomas Garmin-Transitions + 1' 21"
16 SÁNCHEZ, Luis León Caisse d'Epargne + 1' 24"
Cheers,
BrentonO

[brentono]

Stage 6
02-09-2010
6º stage
Distance: 148,6 km
Road – Stage
Departure: Caravaca de la Cruz, Spain
Arrival: Murcia, Spain

A "good look" for Hushovd, who will be joining the Garmin Transitions-Cervelo merged team next season.

With around 65 riders all within touching distance of each other heading down the final straight,
the stage victory was up for grabs right until the end but was Hushovd, who gained victory.
With a category two climb on the run the powerful Hushovd was able to shake off the pure sprinters
like Mark Cavendish and Tyler Farrar and bring his endurance as well as his speed to bear.
The only true sprinters to make it over the 1,000-foot climb were Daniele Bennati (Liquigas),
Grega Bola (Lampre) and Allan Davis (Astana). And that’s the order they finished – all behind Hushovd.

Sixth place was claimed by Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), who retains the leader's red jersey
and his 10-second advantage over Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi) at the top of the overall standings.

[brentono]

Stage 7.
Date: 03-09-2010
7º stage
Distance: 186,1 km
Road – Stage
Departure: Murcia, Spain
Arrival: Orihuela, Spain

Vuelta a España: Alessandro Petacchi fires his Ale-Jets to take stage 7

The high temperatures returned to the race for stage 7.
This stage between Murcia and Orihuela follows an Escher staircase of a course,
heading northeast then looping back on itself to finish not far from where it began.
The profile is mostly flat with just one category 3 climb to interrupt the tranquility.

Petacchi recorded his 20th Spanish Vuelta stage victory by taking the seventh leg on Friday,
while Philippe Gilbert of Belgium maintained the overall lead for the fifth straight day.
Mark Cavendish of Britain and Team HTC-Columbia was second
and Juan Jose Haedo of Argentina and Team Saxo Bank was third in the same time.



Result stage 7
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Bel) Lampre-Farnese Vini
2. Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Columbia
3. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Team Saxo Bank
4. Andreas Stauff (Ger) Quick Step
5. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Transitions
6. Robert Förster (Ger) Team Milram
7. Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo
8. Enrico Gasparotto (Ita) Team Astana
9. Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) FDJ
10. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) OmegaPharma-Lotto

Standings after stage 7
1. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) OmegaPharma-Lotto
2. Igor Antón (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi (AT) 10s
3. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo (AT) 12s
5. Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Columbia (AT) 16s
6. Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Columbia (AT) 29s
7. Xavier Tondo (Spa) Cervélo TestTeam (AT) 49s
8. Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank (AT) 50s
9. Ruben Plaza (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne (AT) 54s
10. Ezequiel Mosquera (Spa) Xacobeo-Galicia (AT) 55s

Cheers,
BrentonO

[Strawburger]

David Moncoutie can spin these gears.. The others... Well....

35km to go. Hope he can pick up some points in this mountain stage. Love supporting someone near the front!!!

[Strawburger]

What a climber! Such a smooth style and so much power. Blew everyone away. Even when he was away from the rest he was pedaling so smooth. How does he do it???

[toolonglegs]

Strong core

[brentono]

The Frenchman David Moncoutie has become in recent years one of the best prepared riders the Vuelta,
as he has now won three consecutive years one of the mountain stages.
After his victory, Moncoutie explained: "I knew today was a very good day for me and I was looking for the breakaway.
I had very good feelings. And we have worked well in the breakaway.
That is why I knew I had many chances to win because I was the strongest of the five
and fortunately I was able to finish the job

Preparation, and ability

[you cannot be sirrus]

Last night's stage was the best thus far. Got to love those mountain top finishes. Montcoutie's (sp) ride was phenomenal and my tip, Nibali, is looking good for the GC. The next two weeks are going to be awesome I feel.

[brentono]

Here comes the Spaniards

David López won the ninth stage of the Vuelta a España in Alcoy, and Igor Anton retained the overall lead.
Anton, the overnight leader, stayed in front ahead of Joaquín Rodríguez even though they share the same time.

[Aushiker]

Hi

Hot off the press (Twitter):

The Saxo Bank team has prevented Andy Schleck and Stuart O’Grady from starting the 10th stage of the Vuelta a España on Tuesday, citing an unspecified “rules violation,” according to Danish news reports.

The sporten.dk website and TV 2 Sport reported that team boss Bjarne Riis took the action Tuesday morning in advance of the day’s stage.

The news reports mentioned violations of team rules, but were not clear as to which rules were allegedly broken. Speaking with reporters at the start in Tarragona, Riis wouldn’t elaborate, but said the violations did not involve doping allegations. Later reports suggest that the two may have violated a team ban on alcohol.

Luxembourg’s Schleck was a runner-up at the 2009 and 2010 Tour de France and the 2007 Giro d’Italia. O’Grady has three Tour de France stage wins, won Paris-Roubaix in in 2007 and Olympic Madison gold in 2004. Both are expected to leave the team at season’s end to join a new squad organized and sponsored by Luxembourg-based businesses.

Source: Velonews

Andrew

[toolonglegs]

They were taking the piss a bit ...but 5am and out drinking in the middle of a tour.No wonder Andy was getting dropped on every climb .

[MichaelB]

Wonder of AS and SO'G were thumbing their noses a bit a Bjarne ??

At the end of the day, Frankie is the big loser out of it.

It will be interesting to see what comes out of the first one or two big mountain stages.

Seems like the Spanish and Italian organisers have worked out how to make a good race from the start (TdF did well to start and then it fizzled a bit).

[sogood]

Frank was never going to be a podium contender given his collar bone fracture in the Tour. Anyone thinking otherwise would be dreaming.