Vuelta Second Rest Day Open Thread
by tedvdw on Sep 5, 2011 8:13 AM EDT
in Vuelta a España
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Print- yesterday's Assault on Angliru by Chris,
- the current standings at LaVuelta.com,
- a set of large photos at Steephill.tv.
- Sep 4-11: Tour de l'Avenir (UCI 2.Ncup) in France, Switzerland and Italy. Download the race plan as PDF.
- Sep 5-10: Tour de l'Ardèche (UCI W2.2). Read the preview by Pigeons.
- Sep 6-11: Profile Holland Ladies Tour (UCI W2.1), another important woman's stage race and another preview by Pigeons.
- Sep 6-11: Tour of Croatia (UCI 2.2). I did not find a working link.
- Sep 7: Memorial Rik van Steenbergen (UCI 1.1 / VDS 6 = minor race)
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Ok, so I was checking out l'Avenir
I find it always hard to know how good these guys are. GC-contenders I know are:
Mattia Cattaneo (Giro Bio winner, has had a great season so far)
Nairo Quintana (probably the best climber – last years winner)
Romain Bardet
Tom Dumoulin (?) (probably a bit too climby for him)
Rasmus Guldhammer? Probably not I’d say
Apparently no Nikola Novikov? Strange
So, who else? Who am I forgetting? Who should I look out for?
Vlaanderen, you may come in….
Join PodiumCafe on Strava and don't forget to enter the KOM-competition
Let's make PdC the climbiest club on the planet!
Oh, and I love Wouter Wippert
fantastic name!
Join PodiumCafe on Strava and don't forget to enter the KOM-competition
Let's make PdC the climbiest club on the planet!
yeah, curiously, it is
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 5, 2011 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Anybody else anxiously waiting on the RS/LT merge?
Focus on easy first. If that's all you get, that ain't half bad - Caballo Blanco
Seems to be a little complicated behind the curtain.
Could take a little while longer, I hope they are helping to set everyone up with work that has to be let go. tgsgirl brought up the idea of Fabian in a RadioShack kit, still having a hard time with that image. The battle of loyalties as a fan for me will be between BMC and RS, cuz like I have to take sides. (not really)
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
won't happen...Radio Shack batteries suck and we all know his motor would chew them to pieces.
by JustJoshinYa on Sep 5, 2011 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
haw
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 5, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
sorry, since it's Vuelta time that should be: "jajaja"
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 5, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe they can just wrap a RS label around a real battery
"...my reverse cyclelogy has paid off." -ant1
yeah pretty late for a lot of those guys to find work I’d guess, if that happens to go through?
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 5, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Is it sounding like a merge
or Bruyneel moving across? It sounds bizarre, I hope it is all rumours only…
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 5, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Both i think.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Sorry, worded that wrong
I mean, is Shack confirmed as a sponsor for next year? Is it Bruyneel taking his fabourite riders to the land of Leopard cash, or has that particular oil well dried up?
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 5, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
last read per the l'equipe article, radioshack-nissan sponsoring a conglomerated team.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
more like, leopard folds, which releases their riders, then rs picks the best available, leaving the named 11 riders from the cyclingnews article to fend for themselves, plus jens!.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Bloody hell, Leopard folding after such a short time?
I was never a fan of the wholesale pinching of Saxo riders, & of course, their insane PR strategy, but man, that’s ridiculous – and worrying too.
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 5, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
This seems to be the list of riders that will be released:
Paulinho, Lequattre, Feillu, Wegmann, Rohregger, Mortensen, Pedersen, Stamsnijer, Pires, Lund and Vigano.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I copied and pasted...my fault for not checking.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I feel so sorry for the guys who took the risk and find themselves so quickly out of a job.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
We had Fuglsang on the telly this evening in the news,
he sounded very disappointed, and had heard nothing from the team, Nygaard is expecting to come to Spain this evening and they all hope he will know more, but was afraid it would not be so.
But this “Giles” guy from L’Equipe has twittered that there will be an official announcement this evening, so maybe we all will be a little wiser soon.
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I've also just read stuff from Fuglsang. He seems to think he would be better off going to another team.
What a mess.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Yes, Danish telly had it on their text news
Becca says that in modern cycling you need strong sponsors
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
okay. so the reverse sorta? what happens to the existing radioshack team?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Not sure about the reverse is true part. I mean Radioshack and Nissan are the two main title sponsors...
I mean this is a Leopard press release. It says nothing of Bruyneel or specifics on almost all of the riders.
Will Sky be able to overtake Cobo and Geox?
I hope so, not sure why I want that, think I like the effort from Froome and Wiggins so far. Mollema was my real hope, but that’s no longer realistic.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Wiggo on my VDS...may be only reason I favor him
….but to be the Big Wig, hims has to Attack at some point. No sittin’ back sippin’ yer tea.
Gotta get out of saddle and Attack!!!
Froome is amazing….be looking at that boy down the road, and he has friends – ’cause his Wiki page is updated…to yesterday!!!
Soli Deo Gloria
Does you live in West Staines?
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 5, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
"hims"
very Ali G. Andy Rooney’s head would explode over that one.
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 5, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I've got Cobo on my VDS
But I think I’d rather see Wiggo win it. Partly for reasons of patriotism, partly because I’d expected a few points from a domestique Cobo, not a hatful that make me feel a little… icky. I’ll say no more here.
by EdredonBrowny on Sep 5, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I've never warmed to Wiggins much for some reason
But I’ll be cheering Froome on. Respect his efforts and love to see a new face contending. My VDS team (Nibali, Anton, VandenBroeck) are all out of it, it seems. I get no respect, maybe I should hire Nygaard.
by uninformed consent on Sep 5, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Same here. Much prefer Froome to Wiggins.
It’s a shame Sky didn’t go with Froome once he took the jersey, though of course I understand why. Cobo’s ride was awesome (if legit), and I’d be happy if he won too. Basically, anybody but Wiggins.
Start fast, finish fast, and hope you're fast enough-- Cadel Evans
I'm pulling for Sky as well....
I was so impressed with Wiggins’ ability to transition from world’s greatest pursuitist to grand tour contender/mt.goat that I found myself really hoping he’d defy the odds and accomplish what seemed like a pipe dream. His lack of results (after his TdF 4th place and nearly bumping Armstrong off the podium) however made his comments about his own ability seemed “self-inflated” and cocky in an annoying kind of way. I began to feel like he’d really snowed the directors at Sky into building a team around him. I’m happy to see that his attitude since taking the Vuelta’s red jersey appears extremely humble, with an air of that stoic British perseverance that has served them (England) so well over hundreds of years (of independence). As for Froome, I can’t remember the last time I saw such a loyal “super” (in the true sense of the often over-used term) domestique. The drama playing out in this years race reminds me more of cycling’s golden age and less of recent editions. The Vuelta has made huge strides toward changing my traditionally crappy attitude about the event in general.
Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.
Yesterday was the first time I'd watched and ascent of the Angliru
That was a beast
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
me too - check out the big pictures above. Some look like helo shots and they're just roadside shots looking down on the course...
It’s crazy!
And for holmovka – there is a great shot of Lagutin in the set.
"the paperboy weave" - nice term
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Yes
I thought it was an American English cycling term. I even heard (well, read) it as a verb: paperboying.
"Beer helps." -- Ant1.
I've 'delivered the mail' once before
had the wrong gearing for my first time up Hogpen Gap. Please be kind, don’t tell anyone.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
That
is freaky.
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 5, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Happy Labor Day everyone.
Just finished a ride…that’s 2 in one weekend! Which is quite an accomplishment in my life these days.
If anyone is curious, pancakes w/Nutella ROCK!
Excited about pointyball season?
Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
Never use the passive where you can use the active.
Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
-Orwell, Politics and the English Language
www.battleredblog.com
by tehGrindCrusher on Sep 5, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Caught a radio interview with Wiggo this morning
He said he has a mechanical on the final descent and at that moment through his tour was over (in terms of GC) he managed to catch on to the back at the foot of the Angliru but then had to use up energy in the first 1-2km of the climb making his way up to the front of the group.
He didn’t really use that as an excuss, just saying it wasn’t ideal but he left every on the mountain, really hurt, no shame Cobo stronger.
Is that what it was
He made it sound like the worse possible mechanical ever, but guess he was probably quite hyped up mentally thinking about the Angliru.
Was a good interview, first time I’ve heard him talk about the Olympics as a secondary goal to the TdF next year, said he’ll ride the tour all out as he’s only got a few changes at a Grand Tour. The poor British interviewer seems a bit confused when he said that and questions him several times, “but you’ll drop out of the tour if it would effect you Olympic form right..”
I’m so pleased to hear him say that focus is on the Tour next year.
In other GB related news
Cav confirms his riding the Tour of Britian
Trying to imagine the Cougar Shack roster
Probably something like this if Jens! moves on. Kind of a lopsided roster without a lot of good help for Cancellara. But not ridiculously old either.
1 A Schleck
2 F Schleck
3 Cancellara
4 Fuglsang
5 Monfort
6 Gerdemann
7 Posthuma
8 Nizzolo
9 Zaugg
10. Bennati
11. Klemme
12. Rast
13. Hermans
14. Brajkovic
15. Horner
16. Kloden
17. Zubeldia
18. Irizar
19. Machado
20. Oliveira
21. Busche
22. King
23. Rovny
24. Popovych
25. Selander
26. Cardoso
27. Meersman
28. Gallopin
29. Bennett
30. Parker
So Radiopardleoshack-Trek will go to the Tour with at least 5 leaders...awesome!
by JustJoshinYa on Sep 5, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
They'll need em
BMC will have Cadel, Tejay, Contador, Lance and Zombie Maurice Garin.
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 5, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Horner the biggest loser?
Seems to me that Chris Horner is the biggest loser in this anticipated move, although I guess with “bottle” moving on at least he will know his role in the new team…
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
except . . . (pure fantasy here) . . . that Leipheimer was THIS close
to
signng a 2 year deal
with Leopard-Trek
And in all those names has Cancellara now got a decent Classics squad?
I know Herman’s in, but there can’t be much room for more.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Rast is there, he was supposed to be for Cance was he not?
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd forgotten about Rast...it still doesn't feel very substantial does it?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
No, Cance would have had a better team if he had stayed with Saxo
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
i want him to go with Stuey to GreenEdge now...they're only hiring flatlanders...and Albasini :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
LOL...he might cost more than Cance!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
But you have a rich guy backing the team, don't you?
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I heard you talking about 'sugar daddies'. Gerry Ryan is wealthy, but he isn't one.
That said, I’d say GE would pay almost any price for that pair, but it’s never going to happen :(
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I know he is different and has supported Australian cycling for a long time, nothing bad was intended.
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I know you didn't mean that. And unless Jens! has actually signed on the dotted line with LT,
I bet they try to get him. I think though that his heart lies with the Schlecks. I wonder what Riis is thinking right about now? He must be feeling a rather grim satisfaction, don’t you think?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
If Leopard folds, then Jens! and all the others are free to sign with new teams.
I am so much turmoil about all of this that I don’t really know what I think, and not at all what Riis is thinking.
Must admit that some of my feelings is a big Ha Ha, you all got what you deserved, but as I said I have very mixed feelings about the whole mess.
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I was really sorry when O'Grady signed with GreenEdge, but I'm relieved for him now.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
smile, I was actually happy to see him go "home", and found it a good move.
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
It's looking better all the time and Australian fans seem universally pleased,
so it all looks good. I just want Goss to follow him.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Saxo
is going to be in the same boat soon?I thought they are out as sponsors and would not think there’s a line waiting to sign up with Berts hearing hanging over them.Even if he is cleared I don’t see them having a easy time finding a main sponsor either.Inlighten me folks if I’m wrong.
LOL knows more than me, but I'm fairly sure Saxo has extended its sponsorship.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Saxo, Sungard and Specialized are all sponsors for 2012
and it is very likely that Saxo will continue beyond that, they love Bjarne and there support is not depending on Contador.
Specialized is Contadors personally sponsor, and as far as I know they are very happy with him.
Personally I don’t like Saxo-bank, but that is a political thing, and of cause I am happy that they spend some of their wealth on Bjarnes team ;)
by LittleOldLady on Sep 5, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember that. But at the time I think we thought more would follow.
Instead there’ll be an overload of GT riders.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
and
Enjoy!
Join PodiumCafe on Strava and don't forget to enter the KOM-competition
Let's make PdC the climbiest club on the planet!
Have the best time
If we hear about kidnapped riders, we’ll know who to blame!
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 5, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Just spoke to Cobo...
I called 1-800-REDJERSEY and spoke briefly with the overall leader. Here’s how the interview went:
me: “Remember when you won on the Angliru?”
Cobo: “si”
me: “That was awesome!”
Cobo said something, mendejo, bendejo maybe? Not sure. But then his manager interrupted.
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 5, 2011 11:50 AM EDT reply actions
haha you turned Cobo into a Mexican!
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 5, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
*jaja
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 5, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
oops
Hey, slang knows no borders.
[and I know nothing about Spain.]
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 5, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I hear it rains...
but mainly in the airplanes (or something like that)…
by JustJoshinYa on Sep 5, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Out of the LT part of the list, I think Bennati needs to go in favor of another domestique
I’m not who that domestique should be though, but definitely not Benna. He doesn’t win anymore and he isn’t an ideal domestique IMO.
Focus on easy first. If that's all you get, that ain't half bad - Caballo Blanco
Meant as a reply to Mr. 60 percent
Focus on easy first. If that's all you get, that ain't half bad - Caballo Blanco
He has actually ridden pretty strongly this season...5 wins and a whole host of podiums.
Might not be an A-sprinter, but he wins more than many people
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
Definitely keep Benna
There’s so much…redundancy on that roster above that I’d imagine a lot of unhappy riders. Very smart of Leiphiemer to get out.
I guess I should have said compared to how he used to win
Focus on easy first. If that's all you get, that ain't half bad - Caballo Blanco
Also, I mention Bahnna, not Benna ;)
Focus on easy first. If that's all you get, that ain't half bad - Caballo Blanco
Watching racing over the internet
is forcing me to buy a new computer. I can’t watch the livestream and visit PdC at the same time, everything slows down too much. So I am here to ask for some advice!
I think that I want a laptop instead of another desktop. I don’t play games, just email, livestreams and some work. I am not a technology sophisticate! I would like to be able to send the livestreams to my TV and watch on that screen.
I’ve found two laptops that seem to fill the bill but can’t decide: They are identical pretty much in terms of maker, RAM, processer, hard drive capacity, have wiMax, etc. The difference is one is “refurbished”, has only a 3 month warranty, but has a faster hard drive. The other is new, 12 month warranty, slower hard drive and costs about $35 more.
Does the longer warranty offset the increased cost and slower hard drive? For my purposes, does the hard drive speed make much difference?
Any opinions would be appreciated!
by uninformed consent on Sep 5, 2011 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
$35 difference - go new.
Hard drive speed won’t impact live streaming, email, etc. CPU and memory is more important there. I rarely trust in refurbs when it comes to computer equipment, especially laptops. No telling what it’s past history was, so for $35 difference, I’d go new.
Another thing on that hard drive. Faster means more heat in the laptop and I doubt the laptop case has been modified to deal with the extra heat…so it may actually reduce the life somewhat that is remaining.
by JustJoshinYa on Sep 5, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Well it's an option no?
one I may very well pick myself in the near future(although not because of cycling). And you don’t need to worry about watching online there
I came very close to doing that
Oh, about 22 years ago! Wish now that I had taken the opportunity (listen and learn, young ones!)
by uninformed consent on Sep 5, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks JJY
I think that the used one may be a demo model—since other stores of the chain also have the same one available as “refurbished”. But I would feel better with the longer warranty, that is true.
by uninformed consent on Sep 5, 2011 12:42 PM EDT reply actions
completely off-topic: do we get vds points for giro della romagna?
1º GATTO Oscar (Farnese Vini – Neri Sottoli)
2º PONZI Simone (Liquigas – Cannondale)
3º BATTAGLIN Enrico (Colnago – CSF Inox)
4º BRAMBILLA Gianluca (Colnago – CSF Inox)
5º FERRARI Fabricio (Caja Rural)
Speaking of Radio Trek
Rumors of Machado, Oliveira, and Cardoso joining the confirmed signing of Paulinho at Saxo bank.
That makes a lot of sense...Contador (if he's riding in 2012) will feel mightily relieved.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Interesting
Of the whole group, Nelson Oliveira is the one Cougar Shack should really try to keep. Guy has a future in TTs, as a GT domestique, and probably on the cobbles. Looked awesome in Stage 13 on front pulling back the break after the two Cat 1s.
by Mr 60 Percent on Sep 5, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Riis tapping the Portuguese talent
Nice haul for next year and into the future.
just pixels with personality
Oliveira is mentioned in the Leopard presser
as a rider who will join them
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Sep 5, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I know there are lots of Emilia Fahlin fans around, so I'll cross-post
Emilia wins the prologue of Tour de l’Ardèche!
And Australian Rohan Dennis is leading L'Avenir :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
So the Luxembourg cycling project lasted a year
great move by all those guys to move away from Riis, it truly benefited the Schlecks, who once again used great tactics to win the Tour and especially Cance. Oh and did they ever show Gilbert something. Now they can ride in the shadow of JB and the Americans on the American team. Well I’ll be interested to see how JB with the Schlecks works, as much as I dislike him I do believe he may be able to get them to start riding for their own ambition more. More so I look forward to Bert crushing them all if he is allowed to race.
(I’m so revengeful!)
Marc de Maar takes his fabulous champ jersey
and leaves QST for United Healthcare
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
WTF back to where he came from?
Join PodiumCafe on Strava and don't forget to enter the KOM-competition
Let's make PdC the climbiest club on the planet!
Whaaaaat? That makes me sadface! I want to see him in Europe dammit!
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
yeah me too if only for that jersey
so dope
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Sep 5, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
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