2013 Vuelta a España

briztoon · Postby **briztoon** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:31 am

There's a pattern developing on the expected sprint stages. Orica GreenEdge are being left to chase down the breaks with little to no support from the other teams. GreenEdge face burning their riders out on the chase, leaving no one to support Matthews in the final sprint, or playing chicken and pulling their riders off the front and forcing other teams to do the chasing. The last two stages show that the other teams are calling GreenEdges bluff and it is touch and go whether the breaks get caught or not.

At the very least Argos should be helping GreenEdge, but they aren't doing anything until the last four kilometres, then putting their team on the front, but then disappear at one kilometre to go.

singlespeedscott · Postby **singlespeedscott** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:01 am

RonK wrote:Watched recorded stage 4 last night. Bloody hell some of the grades were murderous. 28% in places the commentators were saying, and some of the riders were struggling even using 36x28 gearing.

Struggling? I think some of them were walking!

Ross · Postby **Ross** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:23 pm

schroeds wrote:Horners a legend...doin it for us old blokes

Maybe...
His background is a little seedy being in Astana with Lance, though I guess I should presume innocence until proven otherwise.

RonK · Postby **RonK** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 8:00 pm

Bugger! First Tony Martin, then Phil Gil, both beaten on the line.

briztoon · Postby **briztoon** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 8:05 pm

Ross wrote:
schroeds wrote:Horners a legend...doin it for us old blokes

Maybe...
His background is a little seedy being in Astana with Lance, though I guess I should presume innocence until proven otherwise.

briztoon wrote:
schroeds wrote:Horners a legend...doin it for us old blokes

Chuck wrote:It's interesting to see what performances are embraced and what performances are considered dubious
Would that be because Horner is Rider 15.

Horner should be forced to always wear number 15.

Many people in cycling speculate that Horner is Rider 15 from the USADA investigation in to Lance Armstrong. Horner might be doing it for "us old blokes", much in the same way that Stuey O'Grady did.

briztoon · Postby **briztoon** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 8:13 pm

RonK wrote:Bugger! First Tony Martin, then Phil Gil, both beaten on the line.

I felt so bad for Tony Martin. To ride solo the whole race and come up 10 meters short.

Also, Omega Pharma Quick Step is the team I follow, then GreenEdge (of course), mostly because of Tom Boonen.

As an aside, if you're ever riding around around France, the two jerseys to wear imho are the Aussie national Jersey and Boonens OPQS Belgium jersey.

RonK · Postby **RonK** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 3:54 pm

briztoon wrote:
RonK wrote:Bugger! First Tony Martin, then Phil Gil, both beaten on the line.
I felt so bad for Tony Martin. To ride solo the whole race and come up 10 meters short. Also, Omega Pharma Quick Step is the team I follow, then GreenEdge (of course), mostly because of Tom Boonen.

As an aside, if you're ever riding around around France, the two jerseys to wear imho are the Aussie national Jersey and Boonens OPQS Belgium jersey.

It doesn't matter what team Tony Martin is in - rides like his epitomise all that is great about bike racing. In my eyes at least, this takes pure guts and determination, and he earns far more admiration and respect than his wheelsucking teamate Cavendish ever will. Sadly with OPQ moving more and more towards being an outright sprint team there will be no proper place for a rider like Tony Martin, but he deserves far more than to be just another domestique in a sprint train.

clackers · Postby **clackers** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:07 pm

RonK wrote: It doesn't matter what team Tony Martin is in - rides like his epitomise all that is great about bike racing. In my eyes at least, this takes pure guts and determination

Loved him pushing through the pain barrier during Le Tour.

Davidrnau · Postby **Davidrnau** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 7:27 pm

Stage 8 > Jerez de la Frontera - Estepona. Alto de Peñas Blancas
31 August / 166.60 kilometres
Stagewinner : KONIG Leopold

Stage results
1. KONIG Leopold TNE 04:09:46
2. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel KAT 00:00:01
3. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:00:05

Stage 9 > Antequera - Valdepeñas de Jaén
1 September / 163.70 kilometres
Stagewinner : MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel

Stage results
1. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel KAT 04:18:57
2. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:00:04
3. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 00:00:04

General Classification
1. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel KAT
2. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:00:01
3. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 00:00:20
4. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:00:22
5. HORNER Christopher RLT 00:00:28
6. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 00:00:56
7. KONIG Leopold TNE 00:01:09
8. ZUBELDIA AGIRRE Haimar RLT 00:01:10
9. URAN Rigoberto SKY 00:01:24
10. SANTAROMITA Ivan BMC 00:01:25

David

jamesn184 · Postby **jamesn184** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:20 am

well Horner showed he's got the legs to at least challange Nibali. Then Nibali showed the rest he's got fresher legs and dropped his main rivals like a sack of sh*t

briztoon · Postby **briztoon** » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:02 am

At the end of an injury-ravaged season during the extended Indian summer of his career, Horner’s surprisingly high level of performance poses something of a conundrum. “It’s not that we were slow, it’s that he was faster than us,” Rodriguez said.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-esp ... 10/results" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder if anyone will ask the question directly instead of implying somethings up?

GAV!N · Postby **GAV!N** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:11 am

Who's the tip for the ITT? Cancellara vs Tony Martin should be a good match up!

RonK · Postby **RonK** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:51 am

GAV!N wrote:Who's the tip for the ITT? Cancellara vs Tony Martin should be a good match up!

Should be, but Fab is preparing for the road race at the world champs, and his Vuelta performances so far seem to bear that out. And on TM's performance the other day I'm leaning his way - but - the course includes a cat 3 climb, so maybe Nibali.

Davidrnau · Postby **Davidrnau** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 12:57 pm

Stage 10 > Torredelcampo - Güéjar Sierra. Alto de Hazallanas
2 September / 186.80 kilometres
Stagewinner : HORNER Christopher

Stage results
1. HORNER Christopher RLT 04:30:22
2. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 00:00:48
3. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:01:02

General Classification

1. HORNER Christopher RLT
2. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 00:00:43
3. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:00:53
4. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:01:02
5. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 00:01:40
6. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel KAT 00:02:04
7. BASSO Ivan CAN 00:02:20
8. PINOT Thibaut FDJ 00:03:11
9. MAJKA Rafal TST 00:03:16
10. POZZOVIVO Domenico ALM 00:03:28

David

Davidrnau · Postby **Davidrnau** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 1:14 pm

GAV!N wrote:Who's the tip for the ITT? Cancellara vs Tony Martin should be a good match up!

Hmmm....climb should suit Nibali (10kms of uphill leading to cat 3), Tony Martin will be right up there also, maybe Basso....its going to be great to watch, firstly the climb then the 20kms or so of downhill

David

vander · Postby **vander** » Wed Sep 04, 2013 3:28 pm

If you have Nibbles in there gotta have Valverde as an option.

jamesn184 · Postby **jamesn184** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:01 am

Spartacus rules again and Nibbles looking good to

Davidrnau · Postby **Davidrnau** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:10 pm

Stage 11 > Tarazona - Tarazona
4 September / 38.80 kilometres
Stagewinner : 00:51:00 CANCELLARA Fabian

Stage results
1. CANCELLARA Fabian RLT 00:51:00
2. MARTIN Tony OPQ 00:00:37
3. POZZOVIVO Domenico ALM 00:01:24
4. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 00:01:25
5. CATALDO Dario SKY 00:01:41
6. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:01:48
7. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:01:52
8. COPPEL Jerome COF 00:01:52
9. BRAJKOVIC Janez AST 00:01:53
10. SANCHEZ GONZALEZ Samuel EUS 00:02:13

General Classification
1. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 41:22:22
2. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:00:33
3. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:00:46
4. HORNER Christopher RLT 00:00:46
5. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 00:02:33
6. POZZOVIVO Domenico ALM 00:02:44
7. BASSO Ivan CAN 00:02:55
8. PINOT Thibaut FDJ 00:03:35
9. MAJKA Rafal TST 00:03:46
10. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel KAT 00:03:56

David

Davidrnau · Postby **Davidrnau** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:34 pm

Stage 12 > Maella - Tarragona
5 September / 164.20 kilometres

Stagewinner : 04:03:44 GILBERT Philippe

General Classification
1. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 45:26:06
2. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:00:31
3. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:00:46
4. HORNER Christopher RLT 00:00:46
5. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 00:02:33
6. POZZOVIVO Domenico ALM 00:02:44
7. BASSO Ivan CAN 00:02:52
8. PINOT Thibaut FDJ 00:03:35
9. MAJKA Rafal TST 00:03:46
10. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel KAT 00:03:56

David

RonK · Postby **RonK** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:31 pm

At last Phil Gil beats the curse of the rainbow jersey.

singlespeedscott · Postby **singlespeedscott** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:45 pm

He certainly left it till late in the season.

Davidrnau · Postby **Davidrnau** » Sat Sep 07, 2013 5:28 pm

Stage 13 > Valls - Castelldefels
6 September / 169.00 kilometres

Stagewinner : 04:00:13 BARGUIL Warren

General Classification
1. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 49:29:02
2. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:00:31
3. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:00:46
4. HORNER Christopher RLT 00:00:46
5. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 00:02:33
6. POZZOVIVO Domenico ALM 00:02:44
7. BASSO Ivan CAN 00:02:52
8. PINOT Thibaut FDJ 00:03:35
9. MAJKA Rafal TST 00:03:46
10. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel KAT 00:03:56

David

RonK · Postby **RonK** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:26 pm

Jeez, you couldn't beat the Vuelta for entertainment. It has been by far the most interesting and exciting tour this year.

What an epic stage 14 has turned out to be, and yet another different winner.

And all the while Nibali has ridden a tactically brilliant race.

Davidrnau · Postby **Davidrnau** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:06 pm

What appaling conditions for Stage 14 just look at the abandoned......

Abandoned
14. CHAINEL Steve ALM DNF
28. SINKELDAM Ramon ARG DNF
46. SANCHEZ GIL Luis Leon BEL DNF
71. BASSO Ivan CAN DNF
83. BESSY Cyril COF DNF
116. KREDER Michel GRS DNF
117. NUYENS Nick GRS DNF
144. HENDERSON Gregory LTB DNF
146. VAN DE WALLE Jurgen LTB DNF
148. VANENDERT Jelle LTB DNF
171. GERRANS Simon OGE DNS
172. BEWLEY Sam OGE DNS
189. ZUBELDIA AGIRRE Haimar RLT DNF
201. KREUZIGER Roman TST DNF
211. POELS Wouter VCD DNF
219. WESTRA Lieuwe VCD DNF

Stage 14 > Bagà - Andorra. Collada de la Gallina
7 September / 155.70 kilometres

Stagewinner : 04:24:00 RATTO Daniele

General Classification
1. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 53:56:49
2. HORNER Christopher RLT 00:00:50
3. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:01:42
4. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 00:02:57
5. POZZOVIVO Domenico ALM 00:03:43
6. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:04:06
7. PINOT Thibaut FDJ 00:04:34
8. KONIG Leopold TNE 00:05:42
9. MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel KAT 00:06:28
10. KANGERT Tanel AST 00:06:45

Congratulations to Ratto, the worse the weather Nibali loves it

David

Davidrnau · Postby **Davidrnau** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:12 pm

Another difficult day for the riders ...

Stage 15 > Andorra - Peyragudes
8 September / 224.90 kilometres

Stagewinner : 06:20:12 GENIEZ Alexandre

General Classification
1. NIBALI Vincenzo AST 60:20:21
2. HORNER Christopher RLT 00:00:50
3. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:01:42
4. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin KAT 00:02:57
5. POZZOVIVO Domenico ALM 00:03:43
6. ROCHE Nicholas TST 00:03:49
7. PINOT Thibaut FDJ 00:04:59
8. KONIG Leopold TNE 00:06:18
9. SANCHEZ GONZALEZ Samuel EUS 00:07:46
10. KANGERT Tanel AST 00:09:11

David