Vuelta a España 2012 (with spoilers)

[Cheddar George]

I really enjoyed the highlights last night. I reckon Sean Yates was reading the "Hare and the Tortoise" to Froome as a bedtime book the night before, now matter how fast Contador sprinted off Froome just kept on going and reeled him in, rarely getting his arse out of the saddle.

Rodriguez ..... enough said already.

 

[thom]

Also, BONIFICATIONS !!!

If that was his motivation yesterday he made a right oreja de cerdo of that one in coming 4'th

 

[lukesdad]

If that was his motivation yesterday he made a right oreja de cerdo of that one in coming 4'th

I don't think it was his motivation, the alternative would have been to follow. Valverde and Rodriguez would have jumped him and probably put a few more seconds into him and Froome would have had an armchair ride, not really Berties style. With the climb being only 4 km at the start of a tour I think the options were limited these sort of climbs are made for Val and Rod, and there are a few to come yet. Thats a few 20sec bonuses!

 

[montage]

Martin in the break, 12 minute gap...considering the season he has had so far, it would be nice to see him take the stage. I imagine Sky will be happy for the break to soak up the time bonuses as well

 

[Hont]

Bertie looked explosive but he couldn't just sprint away and distance people like he used to in the pre-beef days.

I hope he has come back clean rather than just being a bit light on racing. 14 riders finished within 6 seconds of Valverde yesterday. It would not have been half as interesting if they had just rode up as a bunch of 14 and finished like that. Love him or hate him Contador does animate the race.

 

[raindog]

With the climb being only 4 km at the start of a tour I think the options were limited these sort of climbs are made for Val and Rod, and there are a few to come yet. Thats a few 20sec bonuses!

Well, that's what you'd think, but in that case why did he go for an intermediate sprint on monday to pick up a 2 second bonus and later on say "every second counts in the GC" ?

 

[rich p]

Well, that's what you'd think, but in that case why did he go for an intermediate sprint on monday to pick up a 2 second bonus and later on say "every second counts in the GC" ?

I read or heard that Froome would have won last year without the bonifications acquisition by Cobo, which is why AC is interested in gaining whatever seconds he can.

 

[raindog]

I read or heard that Froome would have won last year without the bonifications acquisition by Cobo, which is why AC is interested in gaining whatever seconds he can.

I know rich, but everyone's saying that he wasn't bothered about losing a few bonus seconds by rolling in fourth behind Froome because he'll make it up on the big climbs. But then why does he think a 2 second bonus is so important. I'm not actually asking the question, I'm just saying that it's got to be one or the other attitude, not both.

 

[rich p]

I know rich, but everyone's saying that he wasn't bothered about losing a few bonus seconds by rolling in fourth behind Froome because he'll make it up on the big climbs. But then why does he think a 2 second bonus is so important. I'm not actually asking the question, I'm just saying that it's got to be one or the other attitude, not both.

I know you are RD and I agree. I said as much in post 165.

 

[Tomi]

Shame team Sky for not waiting Valverde!

 

[smutchin]

I know rich, but everyone's saying that he wasn't bothered about losing a few bonus seconds by rolling in fourth behind Froome because he'll make it up on the big climbs. But then why does he think a 2 second bonus is so important. I'm not actually asking the question, I'm just saying that it's got to be one or the other attitude, not both.

Having missed coverage of the first couple of stages, I didn't know about that intermediate sprint but it does cast a rather different light on the end of yesterday's stage. Hmmm. Interesting.

d.

 

[Buddfox]

Shame team Sky for not waiting Valverde!

Not sure I agree, looked like they'd already upped the tempo before the crash happened, it wasn't a mechanical failure or tacks on the road... you can't neutralise every time someone has a misfortune.

 

[raindog]

Even so, the peloton won't forget this, and it might be pay back time one day.

 

[Tomi]

Not sure I agree, looked like they'd already upped the tempo before the crash happened, it wasn't a mechanical failure or tacks on the road... you can't neutralise every time someone has a misfortune.

Of course you can't, but there's an unwritten rule that when something like that happens to leader you dont attack.
Well they didn't do anything wrong, but didn't act like gentlemen either, did they?

 

[rich p]

Tough titty innit? After all, it's only ValvPiti