Vuelta a Espana Stage 14 - Somewhere to Somewhere Else

pelevin

It's the usual game of poker when one of the likely lads doesn't do a race thread, so I'm afraid I'll jump in with my half-arsed effort to fill the void. Proper tough mountainy day, the racing is hard already with over 70 kms to go, Uran's Omega Pharma boys setting a hard pace . . .

pelevin

Dan Martin's Irish Times article that Sean Kelly was just referring to: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/dan-martin-s-vuelta-diary-a-frustrating-finish-in-a-surreal-setting-1.1919659

Seems he intends to be less visible & aggressive from too far out in the mountains, hoping to hang in there & leave it late.

Inquitus

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Final Climb



OPQS making it very interesting by drilling it up the climb that summited at 70km to go.

Ultegra

hoping for fireworks on final climb.

Inquitus

Ultegra wrote: »

hoping for fireworks on final climb.

Pretty much guaranteed you'd think.

gordongekko

Wow fireworks and some top class cycling, can't wait.

Ultegra

wonder is cataldo & froomes radio working properly?

pelevin

Sky go to the front. They're probably going to try to drop Froome.

Daroxtar

Jeesus that's steep:eek:

Ultegra

no sign of froome

Pudsy33

Ultegra wrote: »

no sign of froome

Himself and Dan off the back I think

Darkglasses

Froome!!

Darkglasses

Great ride by motorbike Ryder!

albert kidd

epic stuff today..what a finish.

Daroxtar

Froome burning Bertie:eek::eek::eek:

Darkglasses

Froome's tactic paid off for once!

Inquitus

Wow, epic finish! From both Froome and Ryder

Darkglasses

Worrying for Bertie going into tomorrow and Monday

DDC1990

Well done Dan Martin not to lose too much time.

Maybe 40 seconds or less.

pelevin

Froome right back in the mix of things. Betting wise his odds set to yo-yo back downwards.

Roquentin

Darkglasses wrote: »

Froome's tactic paid off for once!

basically let the Spaniards wear each other out and he attacks. Makes for an epic tomorrow.

MPFG

Roquentin wrote: »

basically let the Spaniards wear each other out and he attacks. Makes for an epic tomorrow.

He rode the climb based on his power meter and as a TT...thus he never went into red and was able towards the end to put in an attack..which was just him going at the same pace as earlier in the climb while the others were tiring ..... Not too boring really if other ride differently

He could win this but will have to win some stages...so that means chasing by SKY

velo.2010

Contador dropping Valverde on a climb like that would be considered a good day at the office but for for Froome's performance. I still think a day like stage 16 could prove difficult for Froome if the intensity is kept high for the whole day. The lumpy days so far have all been about the last and sometimes only difficult climb of the day.

You begin to get an idea now of how Froome operates. Yes, he is still not 2013 Tour level but he goes his own rhythm and then seems to get a burst of adrenaline and has that crazy fast cadence.

Would have been nice to hear from Contador but Eurosport for some reason left the coverage early. Anyone get to hear how he felt on the stage?

MPFG

ITV4 highlights in a few minutes...tehy usually have interviews

Glass Prison 1214

Dan Martin moves into the top 10 for the first time in this race, well done Dan!

neris

the Guardia Civil are fairly handy at keeping the punters off the road and away from the cyclists unlike the french. Not afraid of upsetting the pc brigade by giving a good push to a few over enthusiastic fans

Iranoutofideas

Contador seemed more concerned about Valverde, and in fairness he burned him. Froome's lead over Contador to the finish got cut right back to 7 seconds at the line. Wouldn't be concerned by that at all.

Roquentin

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

Contador seemed more concerned about Valverde, and in fairness he burned him. Froome's lead over Contador to the finish got cut right back to 7 seconds at the line. Wouldn't be concerned by that at all.

i dont think froome can bridge the gap. He could bring it down to 20/30 seconds, but to turn it around, i dont think so. I hope so though to make it interesting.

fair play to froome, epic stuff

Beasty

The interesting thing about Froome today was the comments about him going at his own pace. I'm guessing that's been his approach throughout and does beg the question as to whether Bertie has been at the limit on some of these harder stages while Froome could perhaps have left a little in the tank knowing there are some tough stages left

Next 2 days are going to be fascinating, and if teh rain arrives as they were suggesting that could make it more so. Perhaps tomorrow's poll should be to attempt to forecast who's going to crash out:pac:

Brian?

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

Contador seemed more concerned about Valverde, and in fairness he burned him. Froome's lead over Contador to the finish got cut right back to 7 seconds at the line. Wouldn't be concerned by that at all.

Contador looked tired today, but it was a good day for him. He took time on Valverde, giving himself a nice cushion. He won't be worried about. 7 seconds.

Iranoutofideas

Brian? wrote: »

Contador looked tired today, but it was a good day for him. He took time on Valverde, giving himself a nice cushion. He won't be worried about. 7 seconds.

Yeah that's what I was thinking alright. I don't really get Froome's strategy...dropping back and then surging forward, psychologically I'm not sure of the merits. Anyway I want Bertie to win so happy to see him in red

dastardly00

Just finished watching the highlights on Eurosport....


HOLY FCUK THAT WAS AN EPIC STAGE!!!!!!

Brian?

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

Yeah that's what I was thinking alright. I don't really get Froome's strategy...dropping back and then surging forward, psychologically I'm not sure of the merits. Anyway I want Bertie to win so happy to see him in red

Froome doesn't really have a strategy as such. He rides to his power meter. Normally he can match surges because he can maintain a higher output for longer, he had no choice to maintain his tempo and hope the others weakened. Worked out well for him.

mirrormatrix

Anyone else think zaugg was a bit cheeky on that stage? Hung around the back of the breakaway all day doing no work at all, then burnt off everyone as soon as the gradient ramped up.

I know there's nothing forcing him to work or anything, but I imagine hell be getting a few choice words from some of the other lads. Delighted for Ryder, great stage win!

Iranoutofideas

Did anyone else spot the guy waving the Munster flag in front of Contador on the climb

dancrowley

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

Did anyone else spot the guy waving the Munster flag in front of Contador on the climb

I did!