Vuelta a España discussion (spoilers)

[NHAero]

What a ride by O'Connor! When did the GC contenders figure out what was happening?

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by Spdntrxi

I would give it up.. let another team defend it.

Giving it up with 4+ minutes to a rider like Ben O’Conner is a huge gamble. He’s not some pack fodder rider.

[denapista]

Originally Posted by saab2000

Giving it up with 4+ minutes to a rider like Ben O’Conner is a huge gamble. He’s not some pack fodder rider.

Ben is strong enough to limit losses is what I'm seeing. He doesn't have the GC punch, but can surely hang in the group. It all comes down to his ambitions in the race..

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by denapista

Ben is strong enough to limit losses is what I'm seeing. He doesn't have the GC punch, but can surely hang in the group. It all comes down to his ambitions in the race..

There's a lot of climbing in the weeks to come, so it ain't over yet.

[LegendRider]

Originally Posted by saab2000

Giving it up with 4+ minutes to a rider like Ben O’Conner is a huge gamble. He’s not some pack fodder rider.

When the last time a French team won a GT?

[Spdntrxi]

Ben will lose 90sec+ in the final TT alone.

[br0qn]

Originally Posted by Spdntrxi

I would give it up.. let another team defend it.

i'd guess that was the plan from the beginning, but i don't think they wanted to let him take the stage with over 6 minutes. it was crazy to see him extend the gap while the fragments of the break lost 4 min on o'connor

Originally Posted by NHAero

What a ride by O'Connor! When did the GC contenders figure out what was happening?

stunning, spectacular ride! the peloton certainly underestimated the gap he'd finish with but i don't think the big guns are panicking. perhaps only those who were hoping for a top 5/10 are worried.

Originally Posted by denapista

Ben is strong enough to limit losses is what I'm seeing. He doesn't have the GC punch, but can surely hang in the group. It all comes down to his ambitions in the race..

a grand tour podium, he's said he's tired of 4th. i'm not betting on him for a top 3 even after today, i'm holding on to my roglic->alimeida->landa call, but it makes for a much more interesting race yet to come.

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by LegendRider

When the last time a French team won a GT?

I don’t know that I think he hangs on to win, but he’s a rider with a very good resumé, with top ten places in GTs. I’m surprised they gave him that much rope, that’s all. I also wouldn’t be shocked if he won it, based on today’s stage. Of course, there’s a very long ways to go and anything can happen. Just pointing out that he’s not a nobody. He’s a very accomplished rider.

[Jaybee]

Letting a solid climber build up a big lead in a week 1 breakaway? Not at any Vuelta I've seen.

[Spdntrxi]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Letting a solid climber build up a big lead in a week 1 breakaway? Not at any Vuelta I've seen.

well atleast this time the fav are not on the sameteam, with social media BS pressure.

[GregL]

"Things didn't play out as we wanted." Bora sports director after stage 6. In another two and a half weeks, we'll have to see if this is the understatement of the race.

Greg

[novacyclist]

Don't worry all, Chiappucci lost after a big lead!

[Ryun]

Chapeau to O'connor for a fantastic ride. I think he potentially has the legs to hang onto red deep into the race.
On the other hand he seems to have huge mood swings when things start to go a little wrong. Ben runs on emotion and when he is on he seems to be near the top but when he is off boy does it just seems like he shuts down. If the DS can keep him positive for the remaining stages and also use Gall as a second threat it could get real interesting.

[72gmc]

Originally Posted by novacyclist

Don't worry all, Chiappucci lost after a big lead!

Wearing denim-look bibs, like a boss

[mhespenheide]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Letting a solid climber build up a big lead in a week 1 breakaway? Not at any Vuelta I've seen.

...I typed up a response, and then thought about it again.

I'm assuming you're being sarcastic here, right?