La Vuelta a Espana 22/8 - 13/9 2015 (here be spoilers)

[mjr]

And it raining AGAIN...likely won't get out until later, when it's supposed to stop. Where is the hot August the forecasters were going on about in July?

Wildly off-topic but it's still dry (but warm rather than hot) in Norfolk and I've already been out to test yesterday's indoor-in-the-rain bike repair. Rain's forecast for while the Vuelta's on live, but hopefully not hard enough to disrupt reception

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

And it raining AGAIN...likely won't get out until later, when it's supposed to stop. Where is the hot August the forecasters were going on about in July?

Dunno mate, have you tried looking for it in Spain? (Horrible day here too....)

 

[oldroadman]

Dunno mate, have you tried looking for it in Spain? (Horrible day here too....)

When it rains there it REALLY rains, too. Which part, not Galicia I hope? Gets pretty damp and cool up in that corner.

 

[Hont]

Nibali quoted here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nibali-left-abandoned-by-astana-at-vuelta-a-espana/

“I chased back on to show that I’m not hurt and was fine until taking a 150 metre tow - a mistake that people are ready to throw mud at me for and attack me for. Yet nobody talks about the people who attacked when others crashed, about a lone chase against 18 attackers."

Beyond childish.

“I’d have even accepted a ten-minute penalty."

Or you could have just not cheated in the first place. You wouldn't have lost ten minutes or have been chucked off the race.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Yet nobody talks about the people who attacked when others crashed, about a lone chase against 18 attackers."

He could listen to the commentary I heard, where there was talk about Sky attacking and why they were while Nibali was down. Perhaps Sky didnt see him....

 

[smutchin]

I thought (hoped) Nibbles might bounce back strongly from his disappointing Tour, but clearly his head still isn't screwed on right if he expects us to buy that line. The nobber.

 

[smutchin]

Perhaps Sky didnt see him....

Funny how that can happen sometimes, isn't it.

 

[Hont]

Perhaps Sky didnt see him....

After the Tour I don't ever expect a Sky team where Froome is leader to wait for Nibali. He can't really complain without being hypocritical (although that won't stop him obviously).

 

[rich p]

FWIW, Movistar and Katusha were quickly on the front too after the crash.

 

[smutchin]

FWIW, Movistar and Katusha were quickly on the front too after the crash.

Valverde is another who's always ready to take advantage of others' misfortune and equally quick to complain when anyone does the same to him.

 

[rich p]

Valverde is another who's always ready to take advantage of others' misfortune and equally quick to complain when anyone does the same to him.

Some quality whingeing from Nibali though. He might be taking over from Valverde as the bete noire of the peloton

 

[Legs]

He's (Valverde) a cheating cockwomble, too.

 

[mjr]

Any links to live coverage peeps?

www.cyclingfans.com/vuelta-a-espana/live will have it but I doubt there's much before Eurosport starts at 3pm.

 

[mjr]

Entirely predictable breakaway being held close enough to catch but not so close to be a springboard for more attacks.

Entirely predictable prevalence of sticky bottles today. Bouhanni most recently on TV. Will the commissaries call their bluff or fold?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Entirely predictable breakaway being held close enough to catch but not so close to be a springboard for more attacks.

Entirely predictable prevalence of sticky bottles today. Bouhanni most recently on TV. Will the commissaries call their bluff or fold?

Very blatant, that one. I'm not sure that, after yet another crash, he really wanted to get going again.