2013 Vuelta

[mcgarnacle]

hopefully it comes down to angliru on sat/sun.

have not been able to keep up with this or much events recently. beaten off more than i can chew as the saying goes. has been since beginning of aug and till end of oct. i haven't been able to ride much either, but need to get on the bike to get the legs in some sort of condition for Fitz's and other summer events.

anyway, will watch angliru. will always watch angliru.

 

[alfy!]

Another strange finish which seems to be becoming the norm for the Vuelta this year. Mollema attacks late and the pack doesn't react. He cruises home with 10 metres in hand.

Pinot and Pozzovivo the big losers of the stage, coming home 1.31 behind the main group after being caught out over a tight bridge and some cross winds.

beaten off more than i can chew

 

[alfy!]

Wow. Horner is in remarkable form. Totally out rode Nibali on the final climb. Insane stuff.

Nibali blew up at the end big time and even Valverde finished ahead of him, after seemingly failing earlier on the final climb.

Nibali by 3 seconds over Horner and suddenly Horner is looking the favourite.

 

[monty1104]

Wow. Horner is in remarkable form. Totally out rode Nibali on the final climb. Insane stuff.

Nibali blew up at the end big time and even Valverde finished ahead of him, after seemingly failing earlier on the final climb.

Nibali by 3 seconds over Horner and suddenly Horner is looking the favourite.

Hopefully will be decided on the Angrilu.

 

[Skippos]

Nibali gone.

wowee. can't believe he lost time there

 

[Skippos]

If Horner wins this it'll probably be my second best cycling memory behind cadel's tour win. would be so good for him.

 

[alfy!]

That Purito attack, some serious pace was injected with 1.2km to go. Great win for him.

And wow, oh dear, Nibali had a gap from him to Horner, Horner goes into red! Nibali really struggling over the last few days.

 

[alfy!]

It all comes down to tonight.

After the fast decent, the riders start on Angliru right away. This climb is said to be the hardest one ever done in a bike race and its 12.2 km with an average of 10.2 % confirm that.

This is only the 6th time a stage finishes on Angliru and looking at some of the past winners, it’s clear this is one for the pure climbers. Jimenez, Simoni, Heras and Contador were all best in the world when they won here. Juanjo Cobo was the last winner on Angliru (in 2011). That year the Vuelta also had a stage finish on Peña Cabarga. Last Thursday Chris Horner sat a new record on the climb. He was more than 40 seconds faster than Cobo was in 2011.

Horner the favourite, but I wouldn't count out Nibali just yet.

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Brutal climb, and in the fog.... Thought Nibali had Horner there early, but the old man came though to do it in style.

 

[monty1104]

Fantastic finish. Gotta wonder about Astanas tactics though.

 

[alfy!]

Here we go!

Roche gone on the penultimate climb, Henao with him. Roche gets back on the descent to the final climb.

Nibali attacks with 7km to go, he goes alone! Huge roll of the dice and no one follows. Roche out the back of the small peloton again with 6.5km left.

Horner looks strong in the chase behind with Purito and Valverde behind him, not helping. Valverde out the back with ~6km to go.

Nibali only has 7 seconds with 5.5km left, it's Nibali vs. Horner with Purito watching, waiting. Horner bridges the gap, it's 1, 2 and 4 in the classification together now.

Horner goes, Nibali goes, Purito watches. This is great to watch. Valverde 17 seconds back with 4.5km left. Fuglsang also in the group now for Nibali and Valverde is back!

3.5km remaining, Nibali accelerates again and rids his team mates. Again it's only 1-4 in the overall classification left. Nibali goes on the 22% section, Horner marks him. Purito and Valverde in a world of pain behind.

Gee, this is epic from Nibali and Horner. Nibali puts in another huge effort on a 19% section, Horner absolutely battling to close the gap.

Suddenly it's foggy, mist everywhere. Visibility is terrible, no cameras, chaos with the crowd, cars and motorcycles. What drama, this is the Vuelta ladies and gentlemen.

Nibali done! 1.5km left and Horner has finally broken his man. Suddenly he has 12 seconds over Nibali almost immediately.

Elissonde has been the man out front on this climb all the way. It's been an inspired ride, a brute of an effort. Great victory!

Horner second. Valverde third, Nibali fourth.

What a stage!

 

[monty1104]

Great summary!

 

[blue gunslinger]

had to say loved last night
wow

 

[alfy!]

What a great way to end a superb edition of the Vuelta. Michael Matthews caps off the event with the stage win! A flawless lead out and sprint finish.

 

[chargers 09]

What a great way to end a superb edition of the Vuelta. Michael Matthews caps off the event with the stage win! A flawless lead out and sprint finish.

He and Gerrans would have to be Australia's 2 best performing cyclists this year.

 

[alfy!]

He and Gerrans would have to be Australia's 2 best performing cyclists this year.

We've had a pretty great year to date. Rohan Dennis has had a pretty exciting year too.

 

[alfy!]

He and Gerrans would have to be Australia's 2 best performing cyclists this year.

We've had a pretty great year to date. Rohan Dennis has had a pretty exciting year too.