La Vuelta a Espana 22/8 - 13/9 2015 (here be spoilers)

[User169]

Jumbo-Lotto have said they'll help Dumoulin if he can take red today.

 

[smutchin]

Majka does enough to take the overall lead.

Yes, a distinct possibility that seems to have been largely overlooked in all the talk of Dumoulin and Aru. Can't see him winning the stage but he's certainly good enough to be a real threat in the GC.

 

[zimzum42]

Quick question, sorry if it's been asked before.

On UK Eurosport, who is the posh young lad? And why does the other bloke have such a weird forced smile permanently etched to his face? It's bizarre...

 

[Crackle]

Bodnar: he's the Polish ITT champion apparently. Another one I had to look up. Wasn't even on my radar for this one.

 

[sleaver]

Have the Movistar riders got what looks like plastic pouches on the back of their skin suits to put their race number in? If so, talk about marginal gains when compared to a pinned on number.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

It looks like Dumoulin has taken 44 seconds out of Aru's lead after the 1st time split!

And 1'44'' at the 2nd time split....

 

[Dayvo]

Quick question, sorry if it's been asked before.

On UK Eurosport, who is the posh young lad? And why does the other bloke have such a weird forced smile permanently etched to his face? It's bizarre...

Ashley House (the posh geezer) and Juan Antonio Flecha.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Oh, well - my prediction is out of the window: Majka is collapsing. Dumoulin is supreme.

 

[smutchin]

Bodnar: he's the Polish ITT champion apparently. Another one I had to look up. Wasn't even on my radar for this one.

He was on mine - I trawled the stats on PCS before making my predictions this morning and did consider him as a possibility but went for Oliveira instead. Coppel was another on the shortlist and he's done quite well today too.

On the other hand, so was Peter Velits and he might as well have stayed in bed.

 

[Crackle]

Looks like another glorious, if only, for Rodriguez and Aru still definitely in with a chance. I don't mind if either of them win really.

 

[zimzum42]

Ashley House (the posh geezer) and Juan Antonio Flecha.

View attachment 103208

Dammit, I knew it was JAF, guess I get thrown by the bits where he's smiling like an idiot, I knew it was him doing the recce rides!

 

[uncle_adolph]

Dammit, I knew it was JAF, guess I get thrown by the bits where he's smiling like an idiot, I knew it was him doing the recce rides!

Is it only me who can't understand a single word JAF says? I might understand him more if he spoke in Spanish!

 

[rich p]

Blimey, Dumoulin was immense!
J Rod blows another last chance for a GT win. Aru could still take this on time bonuses alone.
Mikel Landa won't win a GT anytime soon either, with his poor time trialling. Assuming he's actually trying, I suppose. Not much point in him busting a gut in this now.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

This sets things up nicely. Aru has to attack, but he doesn't have to go long, he only has to snipe, and Dumoulin and team will have to watch him like a hawk. I wouldn't count Purito out either.

 

[Legs]

Shaping up very nicely indeed. Three (possibly four) exciting evenings' entertainment ahead...