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?
Showing posts with label tour of spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tour of spain. Show all posts
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
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.
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 |
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
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?
Monday, August 13, 2012
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!
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!
Monday, August 6, 2012
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?
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?
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