Originally posted by roadbuzz
Heras has been hard to figure, this year. He did little outstanding work in the TdF, so I was thinking he was pacing his efforts in preparation for the Vuelta. But instead, he TTs decently (unheard of for a climber) and climbs moderately well, but not like the guy who won on L'Angliru (sp?) last year.
Heras was diagnosed with Bronchitis in the TDF.
It appears he has worked very hard on the TT; evidence his results in the Tour de Catalunya with a second inthe TT on the final TT. Perhaps the old theory that a pure climber loses alot in the climb by trying to be a good TT'r is evidenced in Heras?
With regards to the strategy of USPS in the Vuelta, I thought when Heras signed on that the hype was Heras for Lance in the TDF and Lance for Heras in the Vuelta. It really hasn't been completely like that. At least USPS shows up for the Vuelta, and I would think that the riders do their best to support Heras.