2006 Vuelta a España: León - Alto de El Morredero (Ponferrada) 154,2 Kms.

[Andrija]

Another one uphill finish, so another one opportrunity for GC selection. The difference is this time is little bit easier and guys know who the danger men are. Also some of them tuned the legs up two days ago and we can expect harder battle. Some breakaway is possible too. This time I think Valverde will show something... Or will save himself for Sunday.

 

[JRMDC]

Another one uphill finish, so another one opportrunity for GC selection. The difference is this time is little bit easier and guys know who the danger men are. Also some of them tuned the legs up two days ago and we can expect harder battle. Some breakaway is possible too. This time I think Valverde will show something... Or will save himself for Sunday.

Interesting stage, we have a 22 year old leading the overall!

 

[JRMDC]

How is Marchante in TTs? Is he a threat for the overall?

 

[sk8ar]

How is Marchante in TTs? Is he a threat for the overall?

YES Slovenia in gold jersey !
Anyway results available here :
http://www.cycling-forum.info/viewtopic.php?id=3

 

[DiabloScott]

YES Slovenia in gold jersey !
Anyway results available here :
http://www.cycling-forum.info/viewtopic.php?id=3

Damn, Valverde looks strong AND smart. Plus he didn't want to win the GC without taking a stage along the way

 

[musette]

I'm soooo glad Danielson has been put in his place! Both in the sense of being lower in the GC, and also in having a teammate upstage him (just like TD tried to usurp Il Falco's leadership role in the Giro). What goes around comes around!

 

[DiabloScott]

I'm soooo glad Danielson has been put in his place! Both in the sense of being lower in the GC, and also in having a teammate upstage him (just like TD tried to usurp Il Falco's leadership role in the Giro). What goes around comes around!

Two Disco riders beat him on the stage and the same two Disco riders are ahead of him on GC. I don't think he'll even finish... he'll have some wanky excuse for sucking in the time trial too. Loser.

 

[Andrija]

How is Marchante in TTs? Is he a threat for the overall?

He was very good in last TT of Burgos (I think), he won the race by winning that TT. But not so great time trialist generally speaking. But this time he has good motivation so he may pull something special out of bag (EPO or fresh blood ). I think he will be in top 10 in Madrd.

 

[JRMDC]

Two Disco riders beat him on the stage and the same two Disco riders are ahead of him on GC. I don't think he'll even finish... he'll have some wanky excuse for sucking in the time trial too. Loser.

Actually, FOUR DC riders beat him on the stage; Devolder was an impressive 9th today and Gusev dragged him up and so placed right in front of him.

 

[DiabloScott]

He was very good in last TT of Burgos (I think), he won the race by winning that TT. But not so great time trialist generally speaking. But this time he has good motivation so he may pull something special out of bag (EPO or fresh blood ). I think he will be in top 10 in Madrd.

Also, he's "Gomez" or "Gomez Marchante", not "Marchante"

 

[JRMDC]

Also, he's "Gomez" or "Gomez Marchante", not "Marchante"

Thanks, that was my mistake.

 

[Bro Deal]

Does today officially mark the end of Tommy D as a potential GT team leader?

Despite being a climbing specialist he has never climbed with the top men in an uphill finish. He reminds me of Vaughters: Flashes of brilliance on single days but brittle over multiple days of racing.

 

[Virenque]

Brajkovic in gold! Fantastic. Who would have believed! However, Disco tactics quite sucked! Why did Beltran attack Valverde with about 5 to go? Brajkovic was already a leader at this point of the stage with DiLuca one minute and a half behind. Another strange move was Brajkovic`s attack. His (and other 3 teammates`) job at this point was definitely to come to the finish without a negative gap. Especially if considering that he is a very good TTist, better than Valverde and probably better than Sastre too. Team stage classification was great, the only one who really disappointed was Bruynel..

 

[musette]

Beltran could have been trying to soften the non-Disco people for a Braj attack, or trying to test the status of non-Disco people.

Also, it's sad that Gusev had to drag TD up. Gusev is hardly known for his climbing, although he is a good all-arounder. DC didn't even have Beltran try to wait for TD! I appreciate that Beltran was supposed to help Braj.

 

[whiteboytrash]

TommyD explains his failure:

I am definitely happy for Janez, he is a very strong rider. I am not so surprised that he has been doing well as I know he is very good, but to take the leader's jersey shows that he definitely has been riding extremely well so far.
I felt horrible yesterday. I felt bad the first day in the mountains and then yesterday was absolutely horrible. I could have ridden better up that climb in November! If you look at my performances all year, it just doesn't make any sense. I am not sick, there is nothing wrong with me - I have no idea what happened. I have never ridden that bad in my life. I was 36th on the mountain stage... 36th! I have never finished 36th on a mountain stage.

 

[Powerful Pete]

TommyD explains his failure:

I am definitely happy for Janez, he is a very strong rider. I am not so surprised that he has been doing well as I know he is very good, but to take the leader's jersey shows that he definitely has been riding extremely well so far.
I felt horrible yesterday. I felt bad the first day in the mountains and then yesterday was absolutely horrible. I could have ridden better up that climb in November! If you look at my performances all year, it just doesn't make any sense. I am not sick, there is nothing wrong with me - I have no idea what happened. I have never ridden that bad in my life. I was 36th on the mountain stage... 36th! I have never finished 36th on a mountain stage.

LOL, now it is all clear to me...

But please clarify, fellow-CF posters. Why focus on this guy so much, when he never does anything? I can understand having 101 threads on Basso, Armstrong, Kaiser Jan, etc. But TD? Who cares?

 

[Virenque]

Danielson is jealous..a bit..it`s nothing wrong with that. It has to be a difficult time for all more known riders than Brajkovic. However, it`s not true that he does nothing! Remember, he was in top10 in GC in last year`s Vuelta. I don`t want to start this topic again, but that is definitely a great result. Vuelta is 3rd biggest stage race..remember that. But yes, Brajkovic is better. At least will be...

 

[whiteboytrash]

LOL, now it is all clear to me...

But please clarify, fellow-CF posters. Why focus on this guy so much, when he never does anything? I can understand having 101 threads on Basso, Armstrong, Kaiser Jan, etc. But TD? Who cares?

Because its funny... the claims from himself, Bruyneel and co. that this guy is the real deal but he always amounts to nothing... you can see why riders don't want to go to Discovery anymore (Kessler, Basso etc.) because even if you're a better rider the management will chose a tool like TD and make him team captain for a Grand Tour ! What’s even funnier at the Vuelta is you have a guy who is 22 and is leading the race but they will still probably make him work for TD who is 4 minutes back ! No wonder Savo is going to Astana/Lampre……..