La Vuelta 2017 **SPOILERS**

[smutchin]

It could end up being interesting!

Wake me up if it does.

 

[smutchin]

So, Froome paid the price for his efforts on the TT, but even with today's losses he has a net gain of 15 seconds over Nibali on the last two stages.

With a couple of relatively easy days to recover before Saturday, I can't see anyone taking enough time out of him on Angliru to knock him off the top spot.

 

[400bhp]

So, Froome paid the price for his efforts on the TT, but even with today's losses he has a net gain of 15 seconds over Nibali on the last two stages.

With a couple of relatively easy days to recover before Saturday, I can't see anyone taking enough time out of him on Angliru to knock him off the top spot.

No, I think he doesn't like the wet and cold, which we've seen before but forgot about (well I did).

To suggest he paid for his efforts yesterday would then mean none of his rivals went as hard.

I think Nibali is having a great race. Essentially the last two mountain stages, Froome had wheel sucked his teammates and Nibali has attacked. The first mountain was in vain but it paid off today.

Froome will still win but there's a chunk of light for Nibali.

 

[smutchin]

No, I think he doesn't like the wet and cold, which we've seen before but forgot about (well I did).

I'm only quoting his own words:

“I’m sure I paid a little bit for [Tuesday’s] effort, that’s clear,” Froome told reporters.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-pays-a-price-for-vuelta-a-espana-time-trial-success-1/

Of course, he may be bluffing, and there may be other reasons for his apparent difficulty today, but I'm taking his words at face value.

He looked to me like someone measuring his efforts today, rather than someone who was really on the limit. I'm sure he won't be happy about losing the time, but on the other hand, he knew he had enough of a lead overall that he didn't need to risk blowing up by recklessly chasing down the attacks.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him seal it with a stage win on Saturday.

 

[Adam4868]

Or could it be that he's actually human and suffered yesterday.For a rider who's just won the Tour then come to this vuelta he looks pretty good to me.Those who think the Vuelta is boring....still ? it's been full on every day !
Contador has been great for the race,felt for him yesterday.Nibali has been on top form and deserves to be where he is.But someone mentioned 'wheelsucking' sky are the team to beat.Its a team sport that is easily lost on just focusing on the GC riders.Moscon,Nieve both had a great vuelta,like them or not they know how to play the game.I can't see Froome not winning this.Hed be a deserving winner

 

[Doseone]

There's a rumour Froome may be unwell. If that is the case, and Nibali and Contador decide to work together it could get really tight. There's opportunities before Angliru too.

 

[Twizit]

There's a rumour Froome may be unwell. If that is the case, and Nibali and Contador decide to work together it could get really tight. There's opportunities before Angliru too.

Wouldn't surprise me if that was the case (Froome being ill). Have just caught up on the ITV highlights from last night and in the interview Froome seemed very cagey to me and gave the same stock answer three times. Not usually his style. I reckon the next few days could be really interesting and don't think Froome is still as nailed on as some think for the win.

 

[hoopdriver]

Indeed! I don't think he's nailed on at all...

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

He looked to me like someone measuring his efforts today, rather than someone who was really on the limit. I'm sure he won't be happy about losing the time, but on the other hand, he knew he had enough of a lead overall that he didn't need to risk blowing up by recklessly chasing down the attacks.

I know it can be hard to tell with Froome's riding style but I was struck how he spent so much time fighting his bike yesterday. I hope it was just a poor day but I saw little that looked measured.

 

[Crackle]

There's a rumour Froome may be unwell. If that is the case, and Nibali and Contador decide to work together it could get really tight. There's opportunities before Angliru too.

Could be. A bunch of riders and most of Dimension Data have been struck down with a gastro bug and retired. I did wonder about that and I reckon this race is his Nemesis.

 

[sleaver]

There's a rumour Froome may be unwell. If that is the case, and Nibali and Contador decide to work together it could get really tight. There's opportunities before Angliru too.

I think it was at the beginning of the highlights last night, they commented on all the fist bumping Froome was doing after the TT. Its known they do that to help avoid riders getting ill but the commentators also said that they are trying to stop the spread of germs.

I thought nothing of it at the time, but then after the stage highlights finished, I did think back to it and started to wonder if he is ill.

 

[Beebo]

I think it was at the beginning of the highlights last night, they commented on all the fist bumping Froome was doing after the TT. Its known they do that to help avoid riders getting ill but the commentators also said that they are trying to stop the spread of germs.

I thought nothing of it at the time, but then after the stage highlights finished, I did think back to it and started to wonder if he is ill.

Team Sky are very hot on this. They even have separate washing machines for each team member to limit cross contamination.

 

[Beebo]

Froome looked good at the end.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I think that proves Froome isn't ill.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Team Sky are very hot on this. They even have separate washing machines for each team member to limit cross contamination.

Go on, I'll bite - surely not?