Vuelta a España 2012 (with spoilers)

[Flying_Monkey]

Well, well, well... a really excellent finish today. And Froome was a bit exposed. Great attack at the end by Contador, and even better counter-attack by Valverde and Rodriguez. Froome didn't have anything left, and tactically he really messed up today. Say what you like about his climbing ability compared to Wiggins, but he does not seem to have the tactical head that Wiggins does. He tried to out-Contador Contador today, and even not fully race-fit, Alberto showed up his presumption.

 

[raindog]

Froome blew up big time.

What a climb that was - horrible. 15% ramps

 

[rich p]

Yep, good finish by all 3 but Froome looking isolated

 

[Nearly there]

Yep, good finish by all 3 but Froome looking isolated

Agreed,I think the time trials are key to where Froome will have to claw the seconds back as I can't see him doing it on the hills.

 

[jdtate101]

Sky used up their men too soon on this climb, about 2km too early by my thinking, leaving Froome exposed.

 

[Jon Baines]

Everyone has bad days though, might just be Froomes bad day today. We saw Contador have a bad day, only so much the 3 Spaniards can work together aswel. Purito and Valverde will probably work together after the TT to try put time into Bert & Froome.

 

[thom]

I only saw the last km highlight - the story seemed to be about how to judge the final effort and spanish km seem rather long... There are two more finishes which are comparable in terms of last 5km steepness, being the final Monday and Saturday.
I guess it's unlikely to see a GC change until the Wed TT, which should give a clear indication of how Froome will match up against Contador.
This is shaping up to be an interesting contest - all the protagonists seem to have shown a weakness.

 

[smutchin]

Very canny riding by Contador. Forced Froome to do all the work - almost trackstanding when they caught Meyer rather than go ahead of Froome. Froome didn't really have a bad day, he just put in too much effort on the early part of the climb while his rivals followed his wheel. Only 14 seconds lost - could have been a lot worse.

I suspect part of the reason Sky burnt out their support men early was Uran being tired after his efforts yesterday.

Cracking race.

d.

 

[rich p]

I think Froome may regret that abortive attack for which he paid the price at the end.

 

[Noodley]

Froomedog! Froomedog! Froomedog! Froomedog! C'mon join in! Froomedog! Froomedog! Froomedog!

 

[marinyork]

I know Froome obviously had Valverde and Rodriguez ride away from him, but it seemed to me rewinding the footage of the last few corners that Contador and Froome seemed to struggle on the same bit coming into the finish (obviously with a time gap as contador had rode away). I just thought this was interesting.

Also probably not how other people see it because it looks scary - an unfit Contador attacking at the end of the stage and getting a psychological advantage even if he struggled on a bit shortly before the line.

 

[rich p]

Has Froome gf tweeted yet?

 

[Noodley]

Has Froome gf tweeted yet?

I posted above

 

[marinyork]

Has Froome gf tweeted yet?

No that's so TDF, but Froome's pet hamster and dog have both tweeted about it. The pet hamster is to be sent on a reconnaissance mission to chew tyres. The dog is going to go and pay a visit to saxobank and run off with any large steaks it sees. Also it will run across the road at a carefully timed place and then cross back over the road a second time.

 

[Crackle]

I know Froome obviously had Valverde and Rodriguez ride away from him, but it seemed to me rewinding the footage of the last few corners that Contador and Froome seemed to struggle on the same bit coming into the finish (obviously with a time gap as contador had rode away). I just thought this was interesting.

I'm expecting some power analysis from you next, Marin.