Originally Posted by The Net: “I think we are seeing the Vuelta being decided right here.
Froome's lack of strong support at this Tour now being exposed. A brilliant piece of work between Movistar and Tinko to rip Froome out of contention. I cant see a way back.”
yes........looks like Froome's Vuelta is going up in smoke
can't see any way back now........I suppose he could do a Froome solo up the last climb and get some time back like he did the other day when got dropped and fought his way back
Astana are doing Froome a favour here.........they've put a few guys on the front and have pulled back about 30 seconds on the run in to the final climb
Originally Posted by The Net: “I think we are seeing the Vuelta being decided right here.
Froome's lack of strong support at this Tour now being exposed. A brilliant piece of work between Movistar and Tinko to rip Froome out of contention. I cant see a way back.”
Yes he only has the B team around him, missing the likes of Kiryienka and Stanard, he needed some big engines there.
It could get worse for Froome if his team performs as badly as they did today. That wasn't even a B team effort from them. Considering who they're riding for, they were too far behind today.
Stage pace was high 40.7kph so the out-of-time limit was set at 18% of Brambilla's time (I estimate at 31.4mins).
Peloton of 90 riders came in at 54mins. A number large enough to avoid disqualification.
Quote: “Pursuant to article 2.6.032 of the UCI Regulations, and only in exceptional, unforeseeable cases of force majeure, the Commissaries Panel may extend the finishing time limits after consultation with the Organiser”
Originally Posted by wns_195: “Poor Froome. His rivals have ganged up on him and his team has disappeared. They're over 25 minutes behind. Froome's Vuelta is surely over now.”
Surely he should have been sat on Quintana's wheel from the start today, regardless of his team He was defending a notional 1 to 2 minute lead (ie his expected margin in the time trial, less Quintana's 54 sec lead at the start of today). I don't understand why he ever let himself be so far behind in the peleton.
Originally Posted by Eater Sundae: “Surely he should have been sat on Quintana's wheel from the start today, regardless of his team He was defending a notional 1 to 2 minute lead (ie his expected margin in the time trial, less Quintana's 54 sec lead at the start of today). I don't understand why he ever let himself be so far behind in the peleton.”
Yes Chris had a big error of judgement. He got caught cold.
Originally Posted by swingaleg: “Did anyone notice that Cav appeared to stop and remonstrate with a spectator.....
”
Yeah, impressive. Mid climb as well, just got back on and pedalled back into position. I also liked the very annoyed border collie who had to be held back. "Get back in the bunch! Stop lagging behind! Get up the hill! Get into the paddock!"
Originally Posted by Uncle Fester: “Nice to see Contador nearly back to his best after his falls”
Perhaps a little off his best as he gets older riding in the shadow of Quintana. A lot of parallels from yesterday's stage to Stage 19 of the 2011 Tour: short mountainous stage with Contador taking off early and animating the stage. https://youtu.be/YwEMzxq4RwY?t=7m04s
OBE did admit before the stage that their fantastic team effort for Yates on Saturday left them tired and vulnerable in Sunday's stage. I wonder if their pair's early crash today was influenced by tiredness.
Still chances of major surprises in the remaining stages in this gruelling race.
Perhaps the Vuelta organisers should set up an extra stage on the rest day for the 94 who took the afternoon off yesterday.
Originally Posted by swingaleg: “Did anyone notice that Cav appeared to stop and remonstrate with a spectator.....
”
From what was said about that in today's highlights show and presumably in the live broadcast, a teenage yob was trying to impress his mates, and thought standing in the rain abusing cyclists was the thing to do. Cav should have sprinted right into and over him.
Just popping in to say how great it was yesterday watching the Tour of Britain pass through my little town, seeing them live and in person, and very close up was fantastic!
Lots of people where I was, so a good time was had by all!
Just a shame that we didn't make the TV coverage highlights on ITV 4!
Originally Posted by batdude_uk1: “Just popping in to say how great it was yesterday watching the Tour of Britain pass through my little town, seeing them live and in person, and very close up was fantastic!
!”
Amazing really how much this has become part of British culture in only about the last five years. It's only the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Tour de France that get this level of response in Europe.
Originally Posted by grassmarket: “Amazing really how much this has become part of British culture in only about the last five years. It's only the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Tour de France that get this level of response in Europe.”
Remember the Olympic Torch relay in 2012........the number of people in every town that came out to watch it was incredible
Perhaps as a nation we just like standing and watching things go past.......
I guess the standing at the side of the road attracts kids and people who dont understand cycling, for me I wouldnt have a clue how the race is panning out and would much rather watch on TV than a fleeting glance has the cyclists flash by.