Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 10/21/2020 05:08 PM |
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I don't think there is much chance Froome can bounce back during the race....based on the first 2 days, he is woefully behind and needs the Vuelta to just get some high quality miles. At some point, he will need to recover form this in order to realize the benefits.
Now maybe he can ride super-easy in the back for a few days, but this course is so hard, I don't think it will be possible. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 10/21/2020 05:23 PM |
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Yes, agreed, the bouncing back is more wishful thinking than reality.
In a way Dumoulin shows what may happen if Froome pushes on. TD was on backfoot in Dauphine and early part of Tour, slowly caught back up on form but had to work hard to get there, and now the tank is empty two days into hardest Vuelta in ages.
Froome has way more catching up to do, so it is a fine balance between getting some racing in and not overdoing it. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 10/21/2020 06:20 PM |
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2 for 2 in terms of racing that is fun to watch.
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 10/21/2020 07:59 PM |
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| I don't call this "catching up" for Froome. This is a rebuilding season. He's not getting "there" until late next season at best. I think he can be good next spring/early summer but not his old self. I knew after my head injury, fall of 1977, I couldn't hit the form I had that previous summer until 1980. 1979 I could have been close. I'm pretty sure Froome's setback is just as big as mine. Doesn't help that each year he gets older while the younger riders come into their best years. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 10/22/2020 10:39 AM |
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| Ben - 5.8 to go. Froome gets to head of peloton setting pace. He’s already doing better than I hoped. Brief, 1.5k pace setting but still. Mentally must be great for him. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 10/22/2020 11:22 AM |
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I I distanced the 3-4 field right away at Smuggler's Notch mid-June the summer after my accident and crested alone. Caught half way down by 5 riders, then a second bunch soon after the bottom. Just like the year before except the year before I was behind the very strong junior David Lamb. But ... that was a big effort and a place where I shine. Later that race I didn't have much. The rest of the season I spent very little time at the front and never was a factor.
Here Froome got to shine for a mile. Good on him and it will do his head good but it's still going to be a long haul. This short season might actually be a blessing for him. He gets to further his recovery, training and strength without having it rubbed in his face how far he has yet to go. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 10/25/2020 10:57 AM |
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Holy cow what a battlefield.
Roglic and JV going backwards.
Carapaz is looking good. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 10/25/2020 11:10 AM |
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Epic!
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 10/25/2020 09:23 PM |
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Great stage...but really hard to keep track of who was where. Field just shattered!!
Whole new ballgame now....wide open. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 10/26/2020 08:42 PM |
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Good to read on Velonews that Kuss feels quite Covid safe in Vuelta. Seems much better done than Giro.
But still Spain entering lockdown will make for interesting times. It’s mostly because for however compliant the Spanish are during daylight hours at night it all falls apart. At least for now it’s not affecting professional sports.
Also more insight on the rain jacket debacle. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 10/27/2020 12:22 PM |
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Woodsey!
Another great racing day. Not much control by any team. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 10/27/2020 01:02 PM |
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| I was rooting for the old man, hoping he could pull of a win on his home soil. (The old man who has learned how to dress for a grand tour!) Also rooting for the American, hoping he would be given free reign. Seems he got the reign but the race didn't pan out for him. But good on Woods. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 10/27/2020 09:14 PM |
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Yes another excellent stage. Great racing in the Basque country.
I read that chilly weather will continue, as is normal for this region in fall.
PS Valverde kicked some behind today, but was a dollar short. Good effort. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 10/28/2020 10:51 AM |
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| But the time Valverde gained has completely changed Movistar's strategic opportunities. They now have 3 riders in the Top 10, within ~2 min of the lead. Valverde is obviously the most vulnerable of the 3 (Soler and Mas being the others) but having the option to send him up the road to force others to chase is a good position to be in. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 10/28/2020 10:59 AM |
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| And just like that, there he goes with 6.5km to go!!
Not getting very far though....but that is OK. Forcing JV and Ineos to chase. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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