He's not one to brag, and not much of a joker but when the TdF was mentioned he looked a bit whistful.
Vuelta a España 2012 (with spoilers)
- Thread starter smutchin
- Start date
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Chuffy
Veteran
- Location
- On the banks of the Exe
Oh Rich, you're such a card. 
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
I think he said the other day that Stage 4 is where it's going to kick off - and I suspect you're right; he doesn't seem to be one for bluff. Unless of course he's so good at it that we're all fooled.
Chuffy
Veteran
- Location
- On the banks of the Exe
Although, to be fair to the ant-headed space weasel, Bertie wasn't keeping it full gas on those attacks. Perhaps Froome really does read a good race?
He is in training for the third week.
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
Strathlubnaig
Guru
- Location
- Alberta
Due to having to work today, god, I had to resort to the ITV4 summary show at 7pm, so I sat on the gym bike offshore here, it was pretty frustrating coverage, with 6 minutes of show followed by 5 minutes of ads, and big chunks of race missed out. Saw the best bit at least, but soooo many commercials argh.....Still, at least I was off the bike by the time that awful cycle show started up.
Pedrosanchezo
Veteran
- Location
- Perthshire, scotland
Yeh i just watched that cycle show on itv4. It is about 52 minutes too long.
Strathlubnaig
Guru
- Location
- Alberta
I caught a bit of it, admittedly, the ginger grin behind the 2 lassies was really off putting.
OP
OP
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Having now watched the highlights, I agree with your assessment entirely. I think Froome is looking good and rode cleverly and maturely, and Contador's attacks were clearly aimed at getting rid of him, so he'll be very miffed that Froome nicked 3rd place.
And as for Rodriguez... you utter wally.
Valverde is looking dangerous though.
d.
lukesdad
Guest
I think they were aimed more at the other 2 TBH.
Yeah, I also got the sense Contador was laying down an early test to Froome as a team leader. Being the team leader for a major GC must offer a considerable array of psychological challenges which Froome won't have faced before. I'm not saying it's easy, but it is easier to ride the TdF as a domestique etc. - no-one's really paying you quite so much attention. With all of Contador's experience, he must feel he has an edge in terms of mind games, and perhaps wanted to see if Froome was going to get phased or play his hand differently. Froome looked to have it all pretty much under control - and actually put one over on Contador in the sprint for the finish. All round a solid day's work - tomorrow will be more challenging.
Interview with Bobby Julich was interesting (on ITV4), really seemed to be talking Froome down. All part of the tactics, no doubt.
I would not assume that the first mountain finish will dictate the remainder of a grand tour. Some riders are just better suited for the slower, longer climbs, than the upsprint that Contador made it yesterday and some riders take some time to "get going" and aren't at their best in the first climbs.
Think about the Giro (e.g. Tiralongo won on one of the first uphill finishes but disappeared the last week) and the TdF (on Planche des Belles Filles Evans was still great, Taaramae was fifth, Pinot lost 1:30, Van Den Broeck 2 min and Tejay 3 min).
That being said, the winner should indeed be on of those 4, but I wouldn't put any money yet on them also being top 4 at the end of the Vuelta.
