Stage 1 - Valverde wins. Haven't we seen this before? Lets just hope he doesn't die in the a$%@ like he did in July.
Good to see also that the Azzuri are doing their World's prep in Spain - again. why don't they use the D-Tour for a tune up? Don't they know German precision is better than Spanish precision?
In other news, how does Tyler Hamilton win the US Pro championships? isn't that on par with Kathy Watt winning the Australian?
How fitting an end to the season that was. When the Spanish Sporting Federation sat down at the beginning of the year do you reckon they planned for what happened?
Giro – check
Tour – check
Olympic Gold – check
Euro 2008 – check
Now we see the ultimate fight of the season and on home soil. The Vuelta starts this weekend and is the most anticipated in seasons. These Spaniards are hot right now that Menchov said “niet’ and Cadel was rumoured to go find another dance floor to slip on – just so he doesn’t have to be the best 2nd placed rider in Grand Tour history (don’t get me started on his resigning with Silence- Lotto).
So it’s down to Contador v Sastre, with Valve in the background doing most of the talking (but no delivering). The Spanish have been in the spotlight all year and now are fair and square in the spotlight in a mad dash across the paella district.
Not sure this will be a replacement of the Tour - as touted by Cordero but it promises to be a belta of a Vuelta!
It was the women's turn in what was to be a very abridged version of yesterday's men's race - only 2 laps but it was a much more interesting race. The rain pelted down all afternoon which meant we were just waiting for some tyres to slip. Amazingly the girls kept upright most of the race and made the course seem easy. One major crash in the peleton occurred but like children, these warriors just bounced back up and rode on.
I'd also like to say how amazed the girls are when a few of them fell into the ditch on the side of the road. Upside down, bike on top of them they just got up, brushed off and got back on and joined the peleton. I saw some of the men pull out of the race yesterday for much less. This also made the race much more interesting, the pack stayed together and they all kept up with the attacks till the end.
Great race, great result. Cooke really is a great rider and has started the British medal haul in earnest, watch out when we hit the boards.
Sounds like a Dr Suess book hey? but it was the least favoured Spanish rider Sanchez that held of Rebbelin and Cancellara at the line. And didn't Fabian come out of no where near the end and drag Rogers and Kolobnev with him.
After a long and early break away from two minnows it took till near the end of the race for the cream to rise and to start racing. If anything it couldv'e been just another stage in this year's Tour, A Schleck attacked and attacked, Valverde was seen briefly but again believed his own hype, Cadel was there abouts but just when the move was due, he couldn't (I was hopeful but then remembered Cadel can't / doesn't attack), also it was interesting just like July his "team" weren't around to help him. Contador had some massive go's at the front until he blew up (hmmm seemed uber-strong to me I don't believe it's due to all the rest he's been having off the Pro Tour circuit). The surprise was how the German team imploded and couldn't finish the race, we can forgive the Dutch.
So the gold goes to Spain and we now look forward to seeing Sanchez in Euskaltel Euskadi orange with a hint of Gold? YUK!
So here we are, Beijing 2008. Every 4 years the worlds best change their lycra and allegiances and race for their beloved country for the right to win gold.
Italy with Bettini is the defending champ, and Spain has been touted as the strongest team. and on paper yes i think we can all agree that a star studded team is what the Spanish have brought, but will the old "team of champions" or "a champion team" rule? or will the mighty $ still make a presence and we'll see team mates help each other? I mean how do the Swiss stand a chance in this race? they have 1 representative Fabian, but with 15 of his CSC mates on the road who's to say that they will not work together? and will the Schleck brothers really talk to their only other team mate Kirchen?
This interesting posturing is only back play to the real deal, who will win the race and the right to wear a splash of gold somewhere (or everywhere) on their kit for the next 4 years? I mean Bettini made a meal of it being a golden rainbow billboard for the last 2 years, but I'm sure whoever wins we'll see some horrific gold boots/ helmet/ plumage adorned for the next 4 years just so we remember they are the Beijing master. Let the games begin.
