Vuelta a Andalucia: Moreno (Katusha) Takes Stage 4, Valverde Wins Overall
by Uphill on Feb 21, 2012 10:47 AM EST
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PrintStage 4 result:
1. Dani Moreno (Katusha) 3:14:54
2. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) a 2
3. Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) m.t.
4. Sergey Lagutin (Vacansoleil) m.t.
5. Jelle Vanendert (Lotto-Belisol)
6. Robert Gesink (Rabobank) m.t.
7. Denis Menchov (Katusha) m.t.
8. Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) m.t.
9. Igor Antón (Euskaltel-Euskadi) m.t.
10. Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) m.t.
The Spanish armada taking charge of todays stage. Good to see Samu making a statement on this little uphill finsh.
Final GC:
1. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team)
2. Rein Taaramae (Cofidis)
3. Jerome Coppel (Saur Sojasun)
As of this minute, I don't have Lagutin's final placement in the GC, but I do hope he moved up a place. Also this GC didn't answer the question of who to take on the FSA DS team: Taaramae or Coppel?
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Good showing for Sergey..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Looking at the leaderboard, some VDS questions for me this week...
Taaramae or Coppel…or both? They’ll be in pretty much all the same races.
Is Valverde going to produce like JRod or better at a four-point discount?
Menchov can still climb like a GT GC threat, but what’s the deal with his TT for the past year?
Matteo Carrara, one-pointer. Hmmm.
I like Wilco Kelderman but is he too young to score points?
Do I finally take the Uzbekisan guy this year?
Brief Results
1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 4:02:37
2 Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team 0:00:10
3 Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne
4 Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan
5 Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:00:13
6 Igor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel – Euskadi 0:00:15
7 Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:00:21
8 Adrián Palomares (Spa) Andalucia
9 Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel – Euskadi 0:00:23
10 Jerome Coppel (Fra) Saur – Sojasun 0:00:24
11 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
12 Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Katusha Team
13 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Project 1t4i 0:00:26
14 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team 0:00:32
15 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) Euskaltel – Euskadi
General classification after stage 2
1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 9:11:58
2 Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne 0:00:03
3 Jerome Coppel (Fra) Saur – Sojasun 0:00:08
4 Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team 0:00:14
5 Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:00:15
6 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Project 1t4i 0:00:18
7 Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel – Euskadi 0:00:21
8 Frank Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Nissan 0:00:22
9 Matthias Brandle (Aut) Team NetApp 0:00:23
10 Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan 0:00:26
11 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) Euskaltel – Euskadi 0:00:27
12 Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan
13 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team 0:00:28
14 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
15 Matteo Carrara (Ita) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:00:29
Kelderman.
For a young guy to get a good chance at any points, he needs to be good at either TT or Sprint, so Kelderman could be worth a gamble imo.
Lagutin is out of contract at the end of this year which adds to the overall motivation.
If Valverde rides the Tour and Vuelta he could return more than J-Rod.
Agree about Taaramae and Coppel. It looks like a wash. Perhaps the Cofidis rider is a bit more fun to watch on telly.
Also F Schleck seems to be riding to win.
shhhhhhh!!!!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Its hazy and the wind is blowing from all directions, mild at times, but otherwise pretty strong.
Foggy in the afternoon with temperatures between 1-21’C. Rain could also fall.
Allow me to point out that it was an Intxausti attack which set things up for Valverde ;)
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
I just hope he's not condemned to a year of this.
With Valv, Cobo, Costa, Rojas, and Visconti ahead of him depending on the course…even Kiriyenka maybe.
Hopefully he gets a Johan van Summeren special in a big race somewhere.
by Mr 60 Percent on Feb 21, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Intxausti could pick up some points based on his TT capability, but
guys such as Castroviejo may also get in the way of his scoring power.
He climbs much better than Castroviejo though
When he’s on song he can hang with the bigs.
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
In the last week of the Vuelta, when he'd found his form (and before he got a stomach bug)
he was right up there. Likewise in Romandie last year, and Pais Vasco in the last two.
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
Where did you see he's doing the Giro?
His website schedule has him down for the Tour but no mention of Giro.
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
Trying to locate where I thought I got the info, but nothing comes up.
Perhaps I mixed up the P-N schedule with the Giro.
Looks like he's doing Tirreno Adriatico rather than PN now.
I think that’s better for him tbh…won’t have to shepherd Valverde all week there.
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
On another note.
Do you happen to know Nieve’s season plans?
If all those guys are getting their races to lead, Intxhausti could too.
I shake a schmuck just to make a buck. Then I break a duck and if the duck gotta get bucked then I don't give a fuck.
He'll get Pais Vasco for GC, with Valverde going for a stage win or two on the lumpy sprint stage(s).
Then he’ll win the Spanish TT Nats, and get the pleasure of being water-carrier for the Tour.
Spanish TT nats? Don't think that's likely unless it's a very hilly one!
But yes, Pais Vasco is his home race and he’s done excellently there for the past two years so he should get leadership, whether outright or joint.
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
i can think of at least 3
on Movistar alone that is a better tter…..
4 years of vds, never pick a rider I don't like.
Yeah, he can pull out a decent TT if the course is up and down but he's not amazing
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
I've been getting increasingly worried about this but I'm fairly hopeful that he'll get his chances.
Unzue was really really keen to poach him from Euskaltel and has never stopped talking of him in a glowing light. Last year was hard for so many reasons but from interviews etc, it seems he’s very keen to bring him on. He was in great form last spring before his unfortunate sequence of events unfolded and I just hope he gets a chance to build on that somewhere big.
It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"
Will it last? That is my main concern...
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Yes. He also looked damned strong at the TDU. He's out to prove a point.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Taaramae was my last cut ...
Mainly because he is on Cofidis. Hope that was not a mistake. And I considered Valverde, perhaps not for long enough.
by wannabe_scattista on Feb 21, 2012 2:53 PM EST reply actions
Don't these guys know VDS season hasn't started yet?
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I just couldn't
put Valverde on my VDS team. He’s gonna looking great, and will score a bucketload of points this year, but the whole suspension thing just made me feel like I couldn’t pick him.
At least I can feel comfortable with my VDS mediocrity as all the Valverde-containing teams rocket past me.
I hear you.
Trying to avoid dopers as well. Difficult landscape.
I'm with you in spirit...
but how can I keep calling my team Chupacabras without at least one major convicted blood doper?
Much better than my 2010 strategy where I picked Pellizotti, who I thought was a blood doper but also the next Giro champion, only to see him actually get suspended…for suspected blood doping.
by Mr 60 Percent on Feb 21, 2012 7:00 PM EST up reply actions
I just had to pick him after seeing him at the TDU after the race.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
The scene where he was downing a beer
to help “generate” a sample for the post race testing?
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
Well that, plus the tears of relief ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I'm preferentially picking the dopers!
On the basis that they’re pretty lucky to still be doping and so will probably go like the clappers and score loooaaaddss of points! As far as I’m concerned all morality goes out the window when it comes to VDS! ;-)
So I’ve got piti, schumi, astarloza, pellizotti…..
Left out the reformed guys though (Millar, Dekker etc.) cos they’re just pack fodder these days ;)
To several real life DS morality probably goes out the window too when to comes to high scoring riders.
Personally I see no difference between Millar, Dekker, Valverde and Schumacher. It wil take a lot more than some public apology and a nice PR spiel to get me convinced that a doper belongs to the “good” guys.
So where do you stand on guys who consistently beat these dopes?
This to me is the real challenge.
As an example, I’d hate to ever think that Evans was doping in any way shape or form, and sure he was beaten by some who have dark clouds over their heads, but he has also been able to hold his own alongside some of these same “shady characters”.
And then you have stellar (I did NOT say extraterrestrial!) performances from someone like Gilbert last year, or Cancellara in previous year(s). What to make of that?
Ahhh perhaps (from a VDS perspective) it is just better to employ some “James Bond suspension of disbelief”; not question it too much and just enjoy it for what it is?
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
To be clear, I am not judging anybody who plays this game. The rules are clear.
As for the real life stuff, well I distinguish between convicted dopers and everybody else. I have my own private “suspect” list which I try not to bring up in public all the time.
So what about the sporting side? I have been disappointed so many times in the past, but my love for this sport remains pretty strong. I now look at things in real time: action and entertainment here and now. I have “learned” to somehow differentiate any post race process with the real action on the road. Its not easy, but it works for now.
To me all who do things wrong are in the same bucket
They then win a bit of favour back from me if they acknowledge what they did.
Then if they show they can win clean they also get a bit of sympathy from the presumption that they could have achieved well without the doping but were pressured into doing it.
For me Operacion Puerto was ridiculous, because clearly so many riders were involved and it seems to have been a widely-known option in the peloton (and other sports), that it’s almost understandable why riders would go for it. Scarponi for example, knowing others are involved and wanting to be at that level, it’s almost understandable why he did it. He also looked at the evidence presented and accepted a ban, not dragging it out through the courts. I don’t like what Valverde did, but I hate even more what CONI and UCI did, especially the ridiculously fragmented verdict on a supposed doping infraction from 2004. I don’t see David Millar as some kind of outpost of doping prevention or white prince, as he seems to see himself as. People like Moncoutié, Laurent Lefevre, Xavier Tondo are/were the ones showing that it’s not ok to dope, or that you don’t need to. They’re the ones that ought to be looked upon as the anti-doping heroes, not repenters like Millar.
Due to the above, really it’s Franck who annoys me the most. That must’ve been one hell of a diet plan…
I reckon you'll go well this year
I guess I’m being hypocritical as I did pick Basso, but Valverde was a step too far.
Blah, blah, blah...!!! I am done..! Argentinian Gauchos & Co. Is officially in..!
Now I understand what you guys say the more you know (or believe you do) the harder it gets to submit your team..! Well my is done.. Good luck to my Gauchos…!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Now the suffering and regret truly begins
Ahh the joys, the joys, the joys :-)
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
I hope no one gets hurt and scores at least 75% of what i want..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
They have highlights from the previous day run the next day on Andalucian TV (didn't feel like checking youtube)
and WOW…they do not filter the sound because the moto bikes are crazy loud and annoying. Louder than if you were riding with them
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
at 16.00 local for the prior day's stage, so for yesterday, in about 1 hr 15 mins, give or take
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Sergey for the win...!
Bet is going to be a popular pick this year..
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
compared to last year?
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
It's alright Pablo. Sergey is actually so cool, we didn't put him on our teams for fear of jinxing him :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
good..! so he will be 2ND at vuelta this year and I will be one of the few..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I'll be cheering for him all the way...unless one of my three faves is ahead of him :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I was kinda hoping they let him be Giro GC man
And I hope he finally wins the Crit Int!
Oscarito!
Raving Mad and Somewhat Slightly Dazed is submitted and YOU KNOW he’s on my team.
I dreamed of Jeannie
that one at least
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
any updates from today?
busy at work can look anything up..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
dani moreno (katusha) wins final stage. valverde takes the overall.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Thanks UM.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Strange
The 20-rider group that finished together had literally everyone in the field who we would think of as a GC guy. And almost no one else.
Kind of early in the year for that, no?
by Mr 60 Percent on Feb 23, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Good point.
Nice trend indeed, and I like to think it could be the legacy of HTC, a team that literally went for the win in every single race on the calendar. Hopefully we are seeing a bit of that philosophy slowly penetrating the peloton.
Take Taaramae
They’ll both probably get Tour bids, but Cofidis getting snubbed would be a jaw-dropping shock while Saur getting snubbed would be a “oh, they didn’t go all-Frenchy this year.”
Also,
Taaramae got only 185 of his 660 points at the TdF last year.
Ok, I’d expect the percentage of his points from the TdF to be a little higher this year, but it’s not like he’s a one-trick pony.
So, if the risk of Cofidis not getting selected is even 25% (which I think is way too high), that’s a 25% risk to about 30% of his points.
It’s not like he’ll be a doughnut without the Tour.
You were a little more outspoken during last year's run up.
And I do appreciate your insight. Still looking for a way to get Rein back on my team as he’s been there on all my teams. Right now Uran, GHH, Kreuz and Anton are my VDS constants. Obviously, blind loyalty is one of my character traits.
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 24, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
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