Froome didn't look so good in the finish today........

I thought today could be the day Froome takes the lead. Quintanna didn't do what he did today in the TDF this year. I think Froome will need to narrow the gap if he is going to use the time-trial to win the race. However, it seems more likely that Quintana's lead will be extended. Thwaites and Yates deserve credit for how well they have done so far. I think there is more to come from both of them.

Froome/Sky have played a blinder. Don't want to have to defend the red jersey so early in the tour, so let Quintana take that pressure and Froome just has to keep him reeled in within around 30 seconds, so can overtake him in the final few days, particularly in the time trial.

Also stops Valverde and the other Quintana team mates from attacking GC when they already have it to defend.

As Brailsford said during TdF, "you didn't see that coming".

I dont believe for a minute that is true, if Froome could have taken the lead he would, he knows he might not be able to reel him in later.

GP Ouest France is on today but not being shown in the UK, it's on France 3 TV, surprised the Bike channel didnt show it

Froome's attempting to win Vuelta on back of TdF. Needs new tactics other than get lead and try to retain it. We'll see if it pays off as the days progress.

If Froome continues to fall behind then yet it's lack of form not strategy, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sky are using their brains to get the win whichever way they think is possible.

Froome struggled to compete in the vuelta last year, and possibly the same this year. also struggled in the Olympics relative to his normal level. The TdF must take so much out of the winners.

Quintana has lost his lead now. Even if he gets it back, what Froome needs to do is narrow it as far as possible. I think tomorrow will provide us with indication of Froome's ability during this race. Quintana also rode all of the Tour de France, so itt would have also had an impact on him.

Emotional win for David de la Cruz. I read he was forced to retire from La Vuelta last year as he had not recovered from a broken leg in Tour of Poland. IAM's Devenyns admitted he was so stuffed he could not flip the lever from the small to the big ring when de la Cruz took off.
http://cyclingquotes.com/news/reacti...ta_a_espana_1/
https://streamable.com/ppx2

The major Covadonga climb today. 35mins of climbing at around 7% with stretches over 10%. No wonder the GC contenders took it easy yesterday. They won't have time for the history and scenery today. https://www.eyeonspain.com/userfiles...x1080-2670.jpg

A helicopter flew too close to riders in yesterday's Schaal Sels in Belgium: https://www.instagram.com/p/BJr3XGSgKzc/

In terms of the overall race it is good that Quintana has a minute lead over Froome seeing as he will probably take some time on the time trial.

A good win for Quintana who looks a lot better than at the Tour where he was a touch disappointing.

Yes -sets up the second half of the race nicely.

Quintana lost three minutes to Froome in a similar ITT in the Tour but I think that was the point, even allowing for the wind, we realised Quintana was suffering and did not have full race form. He looked very comfortable today, swiping his computer screen left and right during a quiet spell on the steep slopes.

Froome pretty much timed it right today after misjudging it badly on La Camperona.

I was expecting a much better result from Chaves. He could not hold Froome's wheel like Valverde.

So unlucky for Gesink to miss out on a stage win by a couple of dozen of seconds.

A much better day for Froome today. Quintana on top after backing up his effort on Saturday, but Froome was not far behind him today.

And Simon Yates in 9th, only 4 secs off Contador.

Although of course he missed the Olympics so understandably Quintana is a little fresher.

Simon Clarke of OBE rode the final climb with a dislocated shoulder. It is unlikely he will continue in the race.

Gesink's high speed, power and heart-rate for second place: https://www.strava.com/activities/69...is/15675/17807

Quintana rode up Covadonga 2.5 kph quicker to get close to the record: http://www.climbing-records.com/2016...covadonga.html

Tomorrow's stage profile looks like Stage 9. A little more undulating but nothing to trouble the peloton until the 10% grade up Pena Cabarga. http://www.letour.fr/PHOTOS/VUE/2016/1100/PROFIL.png

A reminder: the four day Tour des Fjords (from Norway, surprisingly) starts live tomorrow on the Bike Channel. Usually a very scenic race, tends to be a bit of a Norwegian benefit.

And then in the early hours of Friday morning, also on the Bike channel, the five day Tour of Alberta, starting at 01:00, the start of the month-long Canadian season. It goes back to about 21:00 for subsequent stages, so presumably an evening crit or ITT or something to start.

But wait there's more!!!! Also on Bike! on Saturday, the Brussels Cycling Classic, formerly the Paris-Brussels.

But that isn't all! On Sunday, the start of the Tour of Britain, also on ITV4 chez nous, so they are really spoiling us.

The Bike Channel needs to get online for those of us who don't have satellite or cable.

The ToB start-list is taking shape (green circle with tick means official confirmed): http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/...2016_Startlist

Any idea what time this is on ?

the channel's own website is useless..........doesn't mention this at all on the front page and the TV schedule page just shows highlights at 10pm

http://www.bikechannel.co.uk/tv-guide/

15:00-17:00 Wed-Fri, then 16:00 Sat according to my Virgin EPG.

01:00 Fri then 21:00 Sat then 22:00 Son-Tue for the Tour of Alberta

13:30 Sat for Brussels Cycling classic

thanks !

Another good scrap on a hilltop finish in the Vuelta today, look out for it.

That was the battle of the year. Froome has arrived.

Looks like they've seen off Valverde and Contador for the time being and turned it into a two horse race

Froome didn't look in any trouble today

One of those fairly rare incidents in the Norwegian race where the peloton took the wrong course and had to back track

Didn't realise it earlier but that stage in Norway around Bergen today was a dress rehearsal for the 2017 World Champs. A 20km loop, about 5k flat around the coastline and very tricky narrow twisty town centre roads, then 15k up and down hills. Expect a solo breakaway win.