velo
09-22-02, 08:58 AM
Isn't that amazing? I saw on the OLN coverage today that 3 teams went to triple chainrings for today's stage. Those are some big mountains...:eek:
Road Bike Racing - Vuelta riders use triple chainrings
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bac
09-22-02, 10:34 AM
Yup, and the stage winner ran a triple! I guess a 25%+ grade even scares the big boys. There was even a point in the race when the cars couldn't make the climb as the roads were wet, and they could not get traction.
This is setting up for a fantastic race finish!! Will it be Aitor, Oscar, Roberto, Beloki, others???????
This is setting up for a fantastic race finish!! Will it be Aitor, Oscar, Roberto, Beloki, others???????
velo
09-22-02, 12:16 PM
Originally posted by bac
Will it be Aitor, Oscar, Roberto, Beloki, others???????
Roberto! :)
Will it be Aitor, Oscar, Roberto, Beloki, others???????
Roberto! :)
Joe Gardner
09-22-02, 12:19 PM
Can he hold his own durring the TT? Any more big climbs where he can extend his lead?
RonH
09-22-02, 01:41 PM
The comentators on OLN were saying they don't think Roberto Heras can win (even though he won the Golden jersey today :beer: ) because he isn't fast in the TT. He will probably do well in the next mountain stage since he is as good or maybe better than Lance in the mountains.
Oscar Sevilla could regain the lead since he only dropped to 3rd place.
I'm not making any predictions yet. Too many shakeups each day.
I'm just glad I'm watching it and not riding in it after yesterday's BAD crash and today's terrible weather. :(
BTW: My wife says Oscar Sevilla can't be more then 16 or 17 years old. He has such a baby face. ;)
Oscar Sevilla could regain the lead since he only dropped to 3rd place.
I'm not making any predictions yet. Too many shakeups each day.
I'm just glad I'm watching it and not riding in it after yesterday's BAD crash and today's terrible weather. :(
BTW: My wife says Oscar Sevilla can't be more then 16 or 17 years old. He has such a baby face. ;)
Coppi51
09-22-02, 03:36 PM
Originally posted by RonH
BTW: My wife says Oscar Sevilla can't be more then 16 or 17 years old. He has such a baby face. ;)
lol...well my gf says he looks like a WOMAN! it sucks because now that she's said that everytime i look at oscar think he looks like a woman too!
BTW: My wife says Oscar Sevilla can't be more then 16 or 17 years old. He has such a baby face. ;)
lol...well my gf says he looks like a WOMAN! it sucks because now that she's said that everytime i look at oscar think he looks like a woman too!
brent_dube
09-22-02, 07:08 PM
Originally posted by Joe Gardner
Can he hold his own durring the TT? Any more big climbs where he can extend his lead?
The next stage has one 1st category climb. Stage 18 has a 1st, 2 seconds, and a highest category climb... thats the only one I would guess that would shake up Heras from the others for good or bad. Stage 19 just has a 1st and 2nd cat climb... nothing really besides those... then the TT at the end.
I dunno if I should say Heras will hang on or no.
Can he hold his own durring the TT? Any more big climbs where he can extend his lead?
The next stage has one 1st category climb. Stage 18 has a 1st, 2 seconds, and a highest category climb... thats the only one I would guess that would shake up Heras from the others for good or bad. Stage 19 just has a 1st and 2nd cat climb... nothing really besides those... then the TT at the end.
I dunno if I should say Heras will hang on or no.
bac
09-23-02, 07:22 AM
Originally posted by brent_dube
The next stage has one 1st category climb. Stage 18 has a 1st, 2 seconds, and a highest category climb... thats the only one I would guess that would shake up Heras from the others for good or bad. Stage 19 just has a 1st and 2nd cat climb... nothing really besides those... then the TT at the end.
I dunno if I should say Heras will hang on or no.
He'll need several minutes on the likes of Aitor and even Sevilla before the final TT to have a legitimate opportunity to win.
Can this mountain-goat Postie gain that type of time in the remaining mountain stages? I dunno, but it will be fun to watch as this scenario should prompt some serious attacks! So, unlike Le Tour, this one should be a real battle to the end. I can't wait!!! :D
The next stage has one 1st category climb. Stage 18 has a 1st, 2 seconds, and a highest category climb... thats the only one I would guess that would shake up Heras from the others for good or bad. Stage 19 just has a 1st and 2nd cat climb... nothing really besides those... then the TT at the end.
I dunno if I should say Heras will hang on or no.
He'll need several minutes on the likes of Aitor and even Sevilla before the final TT to have a legitimate opportunity to win.
Can this mountain-goat Postie gain that type of time in the remaining mountain stages? I dunno, but it will be fun to watch as this scenario should prompt some serious attacks! So, unlike Le Tour, this one should be a real battle to the end. I can't wait!!! :D
RainmanP
09-23-02, 07:24 AM
Roberto actually did a pretty decent time trial the other day. If he can maintain his time lead for a few days and put some time into Beloki on the "especial" (Vuelta speak for "hors categorie") climb on stage 18 he might just do it. There are still a lot of kms and opportunities for disaster. It ain't over 'til it's over. I sure hope Bruyneel has been holding some of the team in reserve and that they aren't actually struggling as they seem to be. Vandevelde is doing a great job, but he and Heras could sure use some help from Rubiera. Even though his doesn't seem to be doing great he was right with the lead group yesterday, even if he was at the tail. Let's hope he can jump in and help.
OK, show of hands, who was NOT jumping up and down urging Roberto on those last few kms?
OK, show of hands, who was NOT jumping up and down urging Roberto on those last few kms?
bac
09-23-02, 07:27 AM
Originally posted by RainmanP
OK, show of hands, who was NOT jumping up and down urging Roberto on those last few kms?
Oscar, Aitor and Beloki. :D
OK, show of hands, who was NOT jumping up and down urging Roberto on those last few kms?
Oscar, Aitor and Beloki. :D
RonH
09-23-02, 09:17 AM
Originally posted by RainmanP
OK, show of hands, who was NOT jumping up and down urging Roberto on those last few kms?
My palms were getting a little sweaty during the last few km. Even my wife (the non-cyclist) couldn't believe what she was seeing.
When he crossed the line I had a big smile on my face and chills running down my back.
OK, show of hands, who was NOT jumping up and down urging Roberto on those last few kms?
My palms were getting a little sweaty during the last few km. Even my wife (the non-cyclist) couldn't believe what she was seeing.
When he crossed the line I had a big smile on my face and chills running down my back.
brent_dube
09-23-02, 09:57 AM
Originally posted by bac
He'll need several minutes on the likes of Aitor and even Sevilla before the final TT to have a legitimate opportunity to win.
Well, Sevilla finished less than a minute ahead of Heras in the first TT... although Aitor finished about 1:30 ahead.
I have a feeling this race is gonna go down to a pretty dramatic TT at the end for the overall.
He'll need several minutes on the likes of Aitor and even Sevilla before the final TT to have a legitimate opportunity to win.
Well, Sevilla finished less than a minute ahead of Heras in the first TT... although Aitor finished about 1:30 ahead.
I have a feeling this race is gonna go down to a pretty dramatic TT at the end for the overall.
lotek
09-23-02, 10:14 AM
I'm guessing we are going to see the
return of "The Blue Train". Remember this is USPS
coached by the same Johann Bruyneel who just won the TdF.
I'm of the opinion that USPS has just been playin possum.
Remember the TdF? let Once kill themselves
defending the first half of the tour,
then kill em in the mountains?
As to Heras and the TT, He specifically came to
USPS to learn/improve his TT skills. He is Lance's
number one lt. do you think he hasn't learned
anything from El Jeffe?
return of "The Blue Train". Remember this is USPS
coached by the same Johann Bruyneel who just won the TdF.
I'm of the opinion that USPS has just been playin possum.
Remember the TdF? let Once kill themselves
defending the first half of the tour,
then kill em in the mountains?
As to Heras and the TT, He specifically came to
USPS to learn/improve his TT skills. He is Lance's
number one lt. do you think he hasn't learned
anything from El Jeffe?
bac
09-23-02, 12:04 PM
Originally posted by brent_dube
Well, Sevilla finished less than a minute ahead of Heras in the first TT... although Aitor finished about 1:30 ahead.
Yup, but the final TT is 50% longer than the initial TT ... you do the math. I can't wait!!!! :)
Well, Sevilla finished less than a minute ahead of Heras in the first TT... although Aitor finished about 1:30 ahead.
Yup, but the final TT is 50% longer than the initial TT ... you do the math. I can't wait!!!! :)
bac
09-23-02, 12:18 PM
Originally posted by lotek
I'm of the opinion that USPS has just been playin possum.
That remains to be seen, but it would make for an amazing finish! Apparently, Kelme's sports director doesn't think so though:
"We still like our chances, both with Gonzalez and Sevilla," said Vicente Belda, Kelme's sport director. "There's still a very difficult week of racing and U.S. Postal doesn't have a very strong team."
Here are a few other side-issues to consider:
-The infighting between Aitor and Oscar has officially begun with Aitor's attack on the Angliru summit climb. With Aitor's contract with Kelme expiring this year, he has already shown that he isn't going to do much work for Oscar. Will this ultimately be the determining factor of the GC??
-Iban Mayo has silently put himself in a position to win the race.
Did I mention that I can't wait to see what happens???? :D
I'm of the opinion that USPS has just been playin possum.
That remains to be seen, but it would make for an amazing finish! Apparently, Kelme's sports director doesn't think so though:
"We still like our chances, both with Gonzalez and Sevilla," said Vicente Belda, Kelme's sport director. "There's still a very difficult week of racing and U.S. Postal doesn't have a very strong team."
Here are a few other side-issues to consider:
-The infighting between Aitor and Oscar has officially begun with Aitor's attack on the Angliru summit climb. With Aitor's contract with Kelme expiring this year, he has already shown that he isn't going to do much work for Oscar. Will this ultimately be the determining factor of the GC??
-Iban Mayo has silently put himself in a position to win the race.
Did I mention that I can't wait to see what happens???? :D
Joe Gardner
09-23-02, 12:18 PM
Is the 2nd TT a team TT?
bac
09-23-02, 12:21 PM
Originally posted by Joe Gardner
Is the 2nd TT a team TT?
No - it's every man for himself! Did I mention that I can't wait? :D
Is the 2nd TT a team TT?
No - it's every man for himself! Did I mention that I can't wait? :D
brent_dube
09-23-02, 12:25 PM
Originally posted by bac
Yup, but the final TT is 50% longer than the initial TT ... you do the math. I can't wait!!!! :)
The first one was 36km... the last one is 41km. About 10-15% longer. But who knows if Heras is able to keep the performance he had in teh first one.
Anyways, just as you, I can't wait either! :D
Yup, but the final TT is 50% longer than the initial TT ... you do the math. I can't wait!!!! :)
The first one was 36km... the last one is 41km. About 10-15% longer. But who knows if Heras is able to keep the performance he had in teh first one.
Anyways, just as you, I can't wait either! :D
bac
09-23-02, 12:32 PM
Originally posted by brent_dube
The first one was 36km... the last one is 41km. About 10-15% longer.
Holy cow - you're correct! I must have read the numbers wrong.
Man, this is going to be one great fight. I guess we'll see who manages his body better, and who has the most heart (no pun intended!) as this puppy will not be over until the final stage.
The first one was 36km... the last one is 41km. About 10-15% longer.
Holy cow - you're correct! I must have read the numbers wrong.
Man, this is going to be one great fight. I guess we'll see who manages his body better, and who has the most heart (no pun intended!) as this puppy will not be over until the final stage.
lotek
09-23-02, 02:39 PM
what concerns me with postal is the fact they've lost
2 riders (casey and pena).
I can't believe that Aitor attacked his own team member.
He was suppose to ride Heras and Beloki's wheel
to force them to attack, seems his strategy backfired.
I find I've enjoyed the Giro and Vuelta more than TdF,
I like the unpredictablity of them more than the certainty
of Lance's domination of the ride.
Speaking of Lance, wonder how he would have done
on Angliru? Remember his comments on La Plaigne to
Heras, "slow down".
My wife and I were literally hoarse from screaming
after watching the stage on Sunday. FWIW the wife
thinks Oscar is "cute", sigh.
Marty
2 riders (casey and pena).
I can't believe that Aitor attacked his own team member.
He was suppose to ride Heras and Beloki's wheel
to force them to attack, seems his strategy backfired.
I find I've enjoyed the Giro and Vuelta more than TdF,
I like the unpredictablity of them more than the certainty
of Lance's domination of the ride.
Speaking of Lance, wonder how he would have done
on Angliru? Remember his comments on La Plaigne to
Heras, "slow down".
My wife and I were literally hoarse from screaming
after watching the stage on Sunday. FWIW the wife
thinks Oscar is "cute", sigh.
Marty
bac
09-24-02, 06:52 AM
Originally posted by lotek
I can't believe that Aitor attacked his own team member.
He was suppose to ride Heras and Beloki's wheel
to force them to attack, seems his strategy backfired.
Aitor's View:
"I don't have to feel guilty about anything," Kelme's Aitor Gonzalez told Spanish radio Sunday night. "If I did something to hurt a member of the team, I did it without realizing it and I don't have to apologize about anything."
Sevilla's View:
"I accept what Aitor has said and now it serves to purpose to keep talking about it. We are teammates and we are going to keep fighting to try to win the Vuelta - so long as he doesn't do it again," Sevilla said.
Let the games begin!!! :D
I can't believe that Aitor attacked his own team member.
He was suppose to ride Heras and Beloki's wheel
to force them to attack, seems his strategy backfired.
Aitor's View:
"I don't have to feel guilty about anything," Kelme's Aitor Gonzalez told Spanish radio Sunday night. "If I did something to hurt a member of the team, I did it without realizing it and I don't have to apologize about anything."
Sevilla's View:
"I accept what Aitor has said and now it serves to purpose to keep talking about it. We are teammates and we are going to keep fighting to try to win the Vuelta - so long as he doesn't do it again," Sevilla said.
Let the games begin!!! :D