[Strategy]

Since there seems to be relatively low key interest, it is probably not worthwhile to create a post for every single stage. So I'll just post thoughts, etc., in here.

Stage 3

First mountains already today. Contador claims he is not quite in top form, and it would make sense for him to need a week or so before he can really shine (besides the race being so hard, that many contenders would ride conservatively here at the start). I'm predicting someone like Cobo, Igor Anton or Froome to take today's stage, with the rest of the top contenders trailing by a few seconds.

[OAR]

Strategy, on 20 August 2012 - 07:02 AM, said:

Since there seems to be relatively low key interest, it is probably not worthwhile to create a post for every single stage. So I'll just post thoughts, etc., in here.

Stage 3

First mountains already today. Contador claims he is not quite in top form, and it would make sense for him to need a week or so before he can really shine (besides the race being so hard, that many contenders would ride conservatively here at the start). I'm predicting someone like Cobo, Igor Anton or Froome to take today's stage, with the rest of the top contenders trailing by a few seconds.

Contador might just come out today and swing first. I hope we see something of interest. Very tired watching this years racing. Some drama and attacks will be nice.

[OAR]

OAR, on 20 August 2012 - 10:54 AM, said:

Contador might just come out today and swing first. I hope we see something of interest. Very tired watching this years racing. Some drama and attacks will be nice.

OAR is going to make a prediction that Contador hits the peloton hard on this stage.

[shag]

So great to have Contador back. THIS is what the Tour was missing!

[Jayhawk]

We have been traveling again. But I think all our business/family obligations are over, & I can finally enjoy a GT this year. And this looks to be a real goodie!

Valverde!!! Go get 'em, Alejandro, & make this a memorable contest -- all the fireworks that the Giro & TdF lacked!

[Jayhawk]

I no longer get Universal Sports on TV. Is there an alternative for Vuelta coverage other than ponying up for NBCUniversal online? Guess I'll be tethered to my little laptop screen instead of a nice big TV

[Mark]

shag, on 20 August 2012 - 03:29 PM, said:

So great to have Contador back. THIS is what the Tour was missing!

This a thousand times over! He makes a race so much more exciting.

[OAR]

shag, on 20 August 2012 - 03:29 PM, said:

So great to have Contador back. THIS is what the Tour was missing!

YES! I was out of my office and unable to watch the ticker! What a shame for me, I just got caught up on the ticker reading and no doubt shag you are correct about "THIS is what the Tour was missing!"

You had some good questions directed at that JV guy over @ that other place. I guess it was buried in the thread? That place is a MAD-HOUSE.

[OAR]

Jayhawk, on 20 August 2012 - 03:46 PM, said:

I no longer get Universal Sports on TV. Is there an alternative for Vuelta coverage other than ponying up for NBCUniversal online? Guess I'll be tethered to my little laptop screen instead of a nice big TV

I am not sure. I do know you can run a streaming connection from somewhere. There is a place called velorooms or something like that might have the streaming links for the vuelta. Hope that helps a little.

[Jayhawk]

Thanks, OAR, and nice to see you hanging out over here again

[shag]

OAR, on 20 August 2012 - 03:51 PM, said:

YES! I was out of my office and unable to watch the ticker! What a shame for me, I just got caught up on the ticker reading and no doubt shag you are correct about "THIS is what the Tour was missing!"

You had some good questions directed at that JV guy over @ that other place. I guess it was buried in the thread? That place is a MAD-HOUSE.

Yeah, I mean the guy is just back from a long layoff, you'd think he might lay low the first climb to see where the legs are compared to everyone else ... hell no, he just unleashes the attacks ... why not? Let's race, boys! Maybe it's just me, but I like racing on instinct and feeling, instead of science and scripts and cold calculations.

Re: JV, I might PM him on those questions, I'm genuinely interested ... and things get buried over there in a heartbeat. Hit F5 and it's three pages later.

[OAR]

Jayhawk, on 20 August 2012 - 04:33 PM, said:

Thanks, OAR, and nice to see you hanging out over here again

well if I get a chance I will check out the links. If they seem ok I will post them up here.

It is nice to be over here again.

[bontempi]

You gotta love that "don't worry, another attack is coming" look Contador gave the camera when sitting at the back with about 1k to go.

[Strategy]

Exciting finish to the day's race.

Contador deciding to test everyone else right off the bat; not dancing quite as much on those pedals as we are used to seeing him, I think, but making up for it in sheer bullheaded "let's see what you've got" attitude.

That final sprint between Rodriguez and Valverde was just insane. And why... oh why... did you stop pedalling, JR?

Valverde well worth his win today, though. He was the one to open the ball, after all.

[Strategy]

SBTB rider Christopher Juul on Twitter:

Quote

More attacks on one 5km climb, than 3 weeks at the TDF. @albertocontador is Back!

So sad because it's (almost) true.

[OAR]

Strategy, on 20 August 2012 - 06:13 PM, said:

SBTB rider Christopher Juul on Twitter:



So sad because it's (almost) true.

Very nice twitter post.

I'm not a Contador fan. But the guy makes racing fun and that is why we watch.

[shag]

OAR, on 20 August 2012 - 07:03 PM, said:

I'm not a Contador fan. But the guy makes racing fun and that is why we watch.

His style is instinctual and spontaneous ... kind of the opposite of the "keep grinding it at 450 watts becuase if we do we know no one else can attack" crap. I'm not saying the grind-it-away guys are doing anything wrong - if that is your strength, go with it - it just reminds me too much of watching paint dry.

Curious how Wiggins would have liked today's style of climb ... not too much is my guess, though I doubt he would have lost very much time at the line.

[crockett]

Great stage! The speed seemed unbelievable on those accelerations. Obviously not sustainable, but wow!
Why don't we ever see Valverde race like that anymore.

[Strategy]

Another mountain stage today, although there is a deplorable lack of stage profiles out there. From the description, though, it definitely sounds like we are in for a new show today, whether by Contador/Valverde attacking again, or them paying the price for their efforts yesterday. Whatever happens, there will surely be more time gaps today between the best and the next best.

[Leafcake]

Strategy, on 21 August 2012 - 07:09 AM, said:

Another mountain stage today, although there is a deplorable lack of stage profiles out there. From the description, though, it definitely sounds like we are in for a new show today, whether by Contador/Valverde attacking again, or them paying the price for their efforts yesterday. Whatever happens, there will surely be more time gaps today between the best and the next best.

See Spanish version for stage profiles (for some reason they did not link them on the EN version):
http://www.lavuelta..../index.html?e=4

Last climb longer but more regular in gradient. Think there was talk that it could be windy up there, so more difficult to attack.