Vuelta a Espana 2015

[thegrach]

I realise that the technology probably isn't mature enough yet, but surely a bit further down the track drones will be doing the lions share of video and the motorbikes will become relatively obsolete? Obviously team and service vehicles would remain, but there are already drones that follow you as you run/ride and beam back video.

 

[Papa Juggs]

The real action is about to start.

Stage will probably go to the break but the GC contenders have to try to put time on Dumoulin here if they want to win.

 

[alfy!]

Nice sensible ride from Quintana. Aru went too early. Great ride from Chaves and Dumoulin to limit losses.

 

[Papa Juggs]

Yep Aru went early and Quintana made the good move of getting on his wheel while the others played catch up. Then Quintana could just run off but he only got 7 seconds on Aru in the end so the damage wasn't too much. Insignificant really given he is still 3 minutes back.

I suspect there was a bit of holding back due to the stage tonight.

Another mouth watering summit finish but an easy day before it.

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

This has been one of my favourite stage races for a couple of years and the daily backstage pass interviews with Chaves and the team have been awesome.

 

[Papa Juggs]

Break is going full gas now and has opened up about 5 minutes.

Movistar has started to increase the pace of the main field now. They're strung right out.

Quintana making a big push for the podium but I'm not sure he can win it.

 

[alfy!]

A wild Purito appears. Riding very well at the right time of the Vuelta. Will need some seconds lead going into the TT though.

 

[Papa Juggs]

Massive dig by Aru there at the end. I could feel his burn.

Dumoulin minimises the damage at 1:51. He has the power to make that time up in the TT but this race has been long and hard for everybody.

I said it was way better than the tdf and it has only kept getting better. Too bad about the time slot or I think SBS would probably be more interested in coverage.

 

[chargers 09]

Frank Shleck turning back the clock! Would love to see Purito win it from here.
Is Chaves on track for highest OGE GC at a Grand Tour?


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[Vader]

Frank Shleck turning back the clock! Would love to see Purito win it from here.
Is Chaves on track for highest OGE GC at a Grand Tour?

Currently sitting in 6th overall. Can't recall them ever having a GT top-10 result to date, so yes.

 

[alfy!]

Dumoulin to take back the 2 minutes and take red tonight. But the next few stages after will be madness.

 

[Vader]

No more mountain top finishes, but plenty of climbing still to come. I can see him getting dropped on some of the harder climbs, but I can't see him staying dropped once they go down the other side. It's his Vuelta to lose, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[alfy!]

No more mountain top finishes, but plenty of climbing still to come. I can see him getting dropped on some of the harder climbs, but I can't see him staying dropped once they go down the other side. It's his Vuelta to lose, as far as I'm concerned.

Can easily see 18, 19 and 20 being interesting with 10-30 second gaps between contenders. Climbs with downhill finishes, the GC guys will be going hell for leather.

Add to that the time bonuses and Dumoulin will want a minute lead after the TT.

 

[Papa Juggs]

Dumoulin is flying. All he needs to do is stay on his bike and this race is over.

 

[Broar]

Great ride by Aru.

 

[Vader]

Aru did a great job of keeping his Vuelta hopes alive. With just 3 seconds between him and Dumoulin it's a genuine 2-horse race. All of the others are now more than a minute behind and it's very difficult to see any of them making up that time.

Movistar had a really good TT as well, with Quintana and Valverde jumping from 8th & 9th to 5th and 6th overall (bumping Chavez down to 7th in the process).

 

[Papa Juggs]

Yeah Aru did really well. Actually has a little bit of TT chops. He's a future star.

I really expected it to be race over so hats off to Aru on keeping it so tight.

A thrilling conclusion awaits.

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

Chaves did everything right last night, but is beginning to look tired. He just couldn't get a gap. Made for great viewing though, he had a real crack.

 

[the fly]

It's good to see Adam Hansen and Jay McCarthy make it into the breakaway.

 

[Mateyman]

Cracking racing tonight

 

[Papa Juggs]

Here I am tuning out race is over.

Dumoulin has been dropped!!! Aru what a ride.

 

[Mateyman]

Got to feel for Dumoulin

 

[Papa Juggs]

Got to feel for Dumoulin

Absolutely brutal program of climbing this tour.

Just one to many days with multiple Cat 1 climbs for a guy like him.

 

[alfy!]

Got to feel for Dumoulin

Heartbreaking way to lose a GT.

 

[grouse mate]

Great effort from Chaves to finish 5th when the next best on GC was Impey in 84th. Signed on for 3 more years, hopefully can get a team around him now.