Vuelta a España 2019 Stage 17 - Aranda de Duero › Guadalajara (220 km)

CantGetNoSleep

I think they are trying to ensure their 4th and 5th places on the overall are secure, would be another fantastic achievement after they got three in the top 10 on the TDF.

BIGT4464

EC1000 wrote: »

Apparently they are trying to drop the domestiques on the uphill that are doing all the chasing.

Edit@ Seems to be working - split to pieces now!

INTERESTING TACTIC

36km to go, the pace is unreal.

MPFGLB

Movistar tactics make no sense as other riders dropping back to chase

neris

Dont think theres any love lost between quintana and management especially with him leaving

Inquitus wrote: »

Chasing Quintana lol!

Inquitus

Sam hanging in there, qudos

at1withmyself

With 4 big climbs tomorrow, all the GC lads will be wrecked after this 😊. Another good day tomorrow so to look forward to...

Injuryprone

I also think that when Jacobsen got dropped in the front group, it was kind of being left to all the moviestar guys to make the pace. So that move behind also sent out the massage that we'll bring ye back unless ye start to work. And I now notice that they are. I don't think what they did is making any difference to roglic

dastardly00

Around 50 km/h average so far... crazy!

brocbrocach

MPFGLB wrote: »

Movistar tactics make no sense as other riders dropping back to chase

Well, they've dropped Roglics domestiques! Now Astana are on the rack which might be exploited later. Meanwhile Movistars lads can sit in and chill until they try to escape in the last kms. The last 10kms should be great for action too.

MPFGLB

brocbrocach wrote: »

Well, they've dropped Roglics domestiques! Now Astana are on the rack which might be exploited later. Meanwhile Movistars lads can sit in and chill until they try to escape in the last kms. The last 10kms should be great for action too.

That is not a tactic as they took almost a minute out of Quintana, tired their guys out up front and in peloton (no sitting and chilling anywhere) and there were enough Astana and others to drop back

That was a valverde move and dreadful tactics if they want Quintana on the podium

mr spuckler

4th hour 54.5 km/h average :eek:

Inquitus

mr spuckler wrote: »

4th hour 54.5 km/h average :eek:

Strong cross tailwind apparently.

neris

jesus that equity release ad is desperate

REBELSAFC

Why is the BORA lad helping Astana in the chasing group?

brocbrocach

MPFGLB wrote: »

That is not a tactic as they took almost a minute out of Quintana, tired their guys out up front and in peloton (no sitting and chilling anywhere) and there were enough Astana and others to drop back

That was a valverde move and dreadful tactics if they want Quintana on the podium

Short term pain for long term gain. It's 5 Astana lads against 20+ escapees for Quintana. Now Roglic is under pressure to ride and Valverde + domestique or two will try to escape and take more time.

Quintana on Sam's wheel

MPFGLB

brocbrocach wrote: »

Short term pain for long term gain. It's 5 Astana lads against 20+ escapees for Quintana. Now Roglic is under pressure to ride and Valverde + domestique or two will try to escape and take more time.

Sorry ..dont agree with any of that ..Roglic has been under no pressure and neither has Pogacar ..Astan have seen to that

The 5 Astana lads are fresher than the 20 up front who are riding all day

Anyway you look at it dreadful Movistar treatment of Quintana
And all for Valverde's podium

neris

cmon sam

neris

sam ****ed hismelf there, went too early

dastardly00

heartbreak

Miklos

I dunno was it Sam getting it wrong or QuickStep getting it right. This stage was made for them.

EC1000

They held all the cards. Strength in numbers...

Injuryprone

Panicked. Stybar was going to be caught, the danger was from behind

Mefistofelino

neris wrote: »

sam ****ed hismelf there, went too early

I don't think he had much of an option - too many lads there who'd go for a long one while he'd be waiting for the last 200m.

TBH - I like seeing Bennett trying out different finishing tactics. He might become more of a Boonen than a Cavendish.

dastardly00

Quintana up to 2nd place

cunavalos

F#ck!!!! He went past me with about 500/600 to go and I could see the moment when he realised he didnt have the legs to see it through to the line. It is a stage that got away from him but 24 points towards green so still in with a chance.

Time to pray for a big breakaway tomorrow and no points for Roglic, Pogacar,Quintana.

Real shame Sam didnt have a team mate in the run in. Cost him 2 stages so far

dastardly00

I think Carlton Kirby was right (for once) when he said than Sam will be initially disappointed, but looking back on today's performance he did really well. The other fast men in the break were dropped but Sam hung on in there with the likes of Gilbert and Stybar.

Mefistofelino

Mefistofelino wrote: »

I don't think he had much of an option - too many lads there who'd go for a long one while he'd be waiting for the last 200m.

TBH - I like seeing Bennett trying out different finishing tactics. He might become more of a Boonen than a Cavendish.

I was just thinking the fact he was there in that break today, it was more something I'd have expected of Sagan.

REBELSAFC

Pity. Sam rode very well but QuickStep probaby deserve the stage after instigating all the drama and chaos