It's a wrap! Vuelta 2012

image from here

They saved the best for last. Grand tours that is. After a great start to the year with the Giro we went into Le Tour with great expectations only to be left feeling a little lackluster. Thankfully the Vuelta saved the day with some of the best racing we have seen all season.

I have mentioned before my excitement to see Alberto Contador back in the action so it is no surprise that I am thrilled that he took home the red jersey.

But mostly it was the excitement of the racing that made this the tour of the year.

Perhaps the Tour de France powers that be can learn something from this years vuelta? With shorter stages, greater and tougher climbs and perfect time trial placement the Vuelta had a good recipe for success. Throw in a couple of extra flat stages early on to whet the sprinters appetites and of course a full contingent of fit and healthy riders we have a fantastic scenario for a Grand Tour.

Caps off to Contador, Rodriguez, and Valverde for providing such great racing and ending the year on a high.


Long live the Vuelta ;)

This week in cycling. Aussies, Spaniards & Belgians.

It has been a pretty exciting week in cycling! (Positives only thank you).

Firstly at the Vuelta e Espana we will see Alberto Contador ride into Madrid wearing the red leaders jersey and then stand atop the podium, proud and accomplished. It has been a brilliant Vuelta for Contador and his team, and for spectators and cycling enthusiasts alike. Exciting racing, amazing attacks and twists and turns along the way. I for one am certainly happy to see Contador back in winning form.

Still at the Vuelta Australia's Simon Clarke will take to the podium wearing the King of Mountain's jersey for the best climber of the race. This is a fantastic result for Clarke, stage four winner, who rode a smart and tactical race and is proving he has come of age. Clarke, is the second Australian to take a KOM jersey in a Grand Tour with Matt Lloyd winning honours at the 2010 Giro d'Italia. It also marks new Australian team Orica-GreenEdge's first jersey win.

It was also great to see Aussie Richie Porte a gallant second in the tough Queen Stage. Heading over no less than three category one climbs, a category two and the final uncategorised climb to finish second behind Menchov is a fantastic result for Porte.

Also exciting this week was the one day Paris-Brussels. One of the oldest races on the European Tour, Paris-Brussels is a prestigious race and one that riders love to win. Omega-Pharma QuickStep's Tom Boonen crossed the line to take the honours ahead of Australia's Mark Renshaw. Boonen has hit top form heading into the upcoming UCI World Championships. Perfect timing.

Renshaw too, is finally showing some form after a frustrating season, however he yet again, Renshaw misses out on Australian selection for World Champs. This year though form may have had something to do with it, not only the questionable selectors.

Speaking of the World Championships with Belgian Philippe Gilbert's win on stage 19 of the Vuelta it would appear he too, is hitting form at the right end of the season which bodes well for an exciting race coming next weekend.

Finally, another Australian to finish off, Simon Gerrans is showing form also with a win at the GP Québec in Canada. It is great to see Gerro fnishing off the season well, and yes, another contender for World Champ honours.


What's been your favourite cycling story this week?

Contador The Great. Vuelta 2012

image from here

I haven't been blogging as much as I would like for this year's Vuelta. Lots of reasons, mainly as I've been a bit ill and very tired, so I have been catching up with TiVo!

It's funny though, as I was going to blog Tuesday about Rodriguez being Mr. Cool Calm and Collected, almost James Bond like, unable to put a foot wrong and withstand any attacks that came his way. If I had have written that post, I would have been eating humble pie right now.

Contador is The Great. 'El Pistolero'. He armed himself, loaded, aimed and fired. And the bullet was spot on. Game over. .... Almost.

Contador wore down his opponents with sheer determination, multiple attacks on every climb over the past few weeks in the end wore them down. Christopher Froome was the first casualty, perhaps a lot earlier than expected. Valverde was next to go, although is certainly far from down and out. And it looked like Rodriguez was holding up the best to Contador's barrage, until now.

Stage 17 saw team Saxo-Bank tactically outmaneuver Rodriguez and allow Contador to make a decisive attack that would leave Rodriguez exposed, it was clear that the past couple of weeks had finally, albeit unfortunately taken their toll.

Contador ended up crossing the line, taking the stage with an outpouring of emotion, no doubt a combination of frustration and relief after the playing out of recent events.

Love him or hate him, Contador had his day. And it will be almost impossible for anyone to dislodge the Spaniard of the red jersey.

Do you feel a little for Rodriguez? What did you think of Contador and Saxo-Bank's tactics?

Time trial sets up more excitement - Vuelta

The much anticipated time trial at the Vuelta didn't really pan out as expected.

I myself, expected to be blogging about how much time Rodriguez lost and how his chances for overall classification honors were dashed, but no so. Rodriguez has arguably raced the best time trial of his life to actually hold onto the red jersey, albeit by the narrowest of margins, one second over Contador.

The unexpected and perhaps underestimated ITT winner was Astana's Frederik Kessiakoff who rode a near perfect race against the clock to take the win for the day.

As for the general classification the 'big 4' are still all in contention setting up no doubt what will be an exciting few days to come.

Contador is poised in second place, with Froome, who probably under performed in the time trial in third, while Valverde also put in a stellar performance to stay in touch in fourth place.

	Joaquim Rodriguez	40:26:15
	Alberto Contador	0:00:01
	Christopher Froome	0:00:16
	Alejandro Valverde	0:00:59

A tale of four climbers - Vuelta Stage 8

Valverde, Rodriguez, Froome and Contador. They are the four riders who have stamped their authority on this year's vuelta and it is just a matter of time before one of them is crowned the champion. But which one?

Valverde taking Stage 8

Stage 8 saw the Vuelta again live up to it's expectations with an explosive finish to an all round exciting day.

Australia's Cameron Meyer was aggressive as part of the lead group proving himself as an up and coming GC contender. His never say die attitude saw him pound away at the pedals even when faced with the great climbers surging behind him. Even when caught he hung on only dropping back within the last kilometer after his legs had declared enough for the day.

In what was a fast and furious race it really was the last kilometer of racing that brought the goods, what all loyal cycling fans had been waiting for - riders on the attack.

Perhaps it is the Vuelta's shorter stages and time bonuses inciting more aggressive riding, or perhaps the return of Contador, the eagerness of Valverde and the unleashing of the 'Froomedog' from his master Wiggins, no doubt it is the combination of all of these factors, and as a cycling fan it is just magic.

Froome was first to attack as they rounded one of the tight bends of the final climb towards the finish but it was to no avail, he was easily reigned in before Contador turned on his legs in a beautiful change of speed and attacked in his familiar style.

He quickly distanced himself from the chasing three and with 150m to go, taking a quick glance over his shoulder, looking like he had the race all but won.

But fellow Spaniards Valverde and race leader Rodriguez would have none of that. Within the next 50m they began to round him up and it would seem out of nowhere they were in Contador's shadow,  fast approaching.

Contador tried in vein to hold them off but they would be too strong with Valverde again showing why he is one of the best at this scenario taking the win ahead of Rodriguez and a somewhat bewildered Contador.

Froome was left to skulk over the line 15 seconds behind in 4th place.

Rodriguez still holds onto a narrow lead in the general classification 33 seconds ahead of Froome and Contador closes the gap edging within 7 seconds of Froome. Valverde is in fourth place.

There is little doubt that one of these riders will be this year's winner. Many have laid bets on Chris Froome taking into account his brilliant time trialling ability. Valverde and Rodriguez will have to be concerned heading towards the Stage 11 time trial and Contador, a strong time trialist in his own right will no doubt need to be at his best on the day.

I still feel it will come down to the Contador vs Froome battle, but with explosive and exciting racing as we have seen so far I don't really mind who wins, I am simply relishing it as it all unfolds.

Thank you Contador - Vuelta 2012

Finally! Yes, finally it happened. Explosive racing, attacks, excitement, anticipation all thanks to the man pro-cycling has been missing - Alberto Contador.

Whether you are a fan or not, you certainly can't deny what took place on Stage 3 of the Vuelta e Espana.

After a couple of warm up stages the Vuelta took to the first mountain top finish for the race last night and it didn't disappoint.

The break away was caught at the foot of the final climb as the fireworks were about to start.

All the contenders were there; Valverde, Rodriguez, Van Den Broek, De Gendt, Gesink, Uran, Roach and of course Froome and Contador.

It wasn't long before the attacks came. Valverde was first to show his cards launching a minor attack which was easily reeled in and then Contador made his first move. His unmistakable prancing of pedals and lightening acceleration quickly had the others on their toes. It would initially appear that Froome was going to be a casualty however he gained his momentum and was never really in trouble.

There would be no less than five more attacks from Contador, each one displaying his sheer brilliance and excitement that tour racing has been missing in his absence.

Apart from dropping Van Den Broek and De Gendt, Contador's attacks were of no real consequence. But he certainly did make clear his intentions and show his challengers that he is the one to beat.

In a terribly close finish Valverde went on to steal the stage win from Rodriguez who thought he had it in the bag and will no doubt be kicking himself.

Froome too showed his strength by putting four seconds into Contador by taking third place time bonuses in front of the Spaniard.

Stage three was a mere taste to whet our appetites for what is to come over the next couple of weeks of racing, and with another tough hill top finish tonight we won't have to wait long for more!

What did you make of Contador's attacks? Was he just playing with them?

Vuelta Preview

Tonight, which is today on the other side of the globe the final grand tour for 2012 is beginning. The Tour of Spain, or Vuelta e Espana is probably the least popular of the grand tours yet is growing in respect and this year will be a fabulous spectacular.

Highlights to look forward to:

- Climbs, climbs and more climbs. This Vuelta will be one of the toughest to be conquered, with no less than 10 summit finishes and 36 categorized climbs this is definitely one for the uphill specialists.

- Contador v's Froome. Much has been made of this battle, here's my thoughts on it, and let's hope we are not disappointed.

- Alejandro Valverde, Joaquim Rodriguez, Igor Anton, Juan Jose Cobo, Thomas De Gendt and Robert Gesink will want to ensure it isn't just a two horse race.

- Shorter stages will ensure some explosive racing.

All of this is going to equate to a fascinating and intriguing three weeks of racing and all I can say is Bring It On!

What are you looking forward to at this year's Vuelta?

Froome V's Contador: Let the battle begin

This year's Tour de France was much talked about as one of the least exciting on record, however there are a few things to get excited about one of them being Christopher Froome.

Froome takes to the road this weekend for Team Sky in the upcoming Vuelta a espana (Tour of Spain) and this time he will be let loose as team leader. No longer will he be overshadowed by Brad Wiggins, no he will be free to bask in the limelight as he chases GC decoration.

But, wait there's more....

The return of Alberto Contador to grand tour racing.

Contador has warmed up his legs in this weeks Eneco Tour biding his time and preparing for his assault on his home tour. He is ready.

Both Contador and Froome have so much to prove and what a battle it is going to be.

Froome has a big season under his belt, whereas Contador, although he hasn't stopped training my well be underdone. Nothing compares to 'match fitness'.

Contador will be out to regrain his crown at the top of world cycling, tarnished or not, whilst Froome needs to prove what we all think he is capable of.  

However the events of the Vuelta play out there is no doubt this is a climbers race and these are two of the best in the business.

So let the battle begin!

The Return of Contador

Alberto Contador officially begins his Vuelta preparations tonight in the Tour of Eneco across Belgium and the Netherlands. 

The Spaniard is returning from a two year ban for a positive result of Clenbuterol in his system at the 2010 Tour de France.A case which sparked much controversy and one of the longest doping case decisions in history in cycling.

Critics say he should have suffered the most severe reprimand for his actions, supporters believe in his innocence and the 'contaminated meat' defense.

I am all for clean cycling and the first to call for total bans for those found guilty of doping in not only this sport, but any sport. However, in this instance I believe in Contador's innocence. The minute traces that were found in his system to me indicate an alternative reason than doping and his defense is more than viable.

It would certainly have been a shame for the sport of cycling to lose a rider of the likes of Alberto Contador. He is exciting, focused and is there anyone who looks better on a bike - like he belongs there?

Contador's return is one of the biggest stories this month and for the build up to the upcoming Tour of Spain where he will again front up aiming for another Grand Tour win.

Whether you like him or not you certainly cannot deny Contador's ability and talent and the excitement that he will again bring to tour racing. His ban will have spurred him on and he will be more than determined to perform at his best.


Are you looking forward to Contador's return?