Vuelta a Espana 2016

^^I know that and I suspect he'll be telling people that's why he celebrated. Not sure I will believe him.

Just highlighting. That was brutal for day three.

Even American cycling news sites have given up recording Tejay's latest disaster of a GT. I can't find a single story explaining what happened to him.

Carlton Kirby was saying very pointedly how noticeably rudely van Garderen treats everyone around him - staff, fellow cyclists, other team staff DS - which isn't really a great reputation to have earned. Because it means when he's rubbish no one really cares.

Big changes

On the up

Valverde (be interesting how he handles the rest of the race given miles in his legs)
Froome
Chaves
Quintana (a little further back)

On the down

Barguil (out)
Kruijswijk (now stage hunter?)
Lopez (definitely out of GC contention)

Out the back (15 minutes+ over GC leader) - presumably stage hunting or going for climbers jersey

David Arroyo
Rein Taaramae
Omar Fraile

as said upthread
that stage yesterday was one of the most picturesque ever
looks a lovely part of the world

Northen Spain is seemingly more beautiful than southern Spain, although, this year, the Vuelta is avoiding the arid mass of the middle of Spain. It will never be as beautiful as the TdeF but this year's course looks set to hit most of the nicest parts of the countryside.

Kruijswijk (now stage hunter?)

Indeed he wasn't up to par yesterday (suffered some illness after Olympic Games) but says he's feeling OK this morning. He might still surprise, last year he finished top 10 in the Giro after losing about 7 minutes in the first week. Lots of mountains to come!

Happy to say I'll be leaving for a holiday in Northern Spain in a couple of days on holiday, hope to be able to see the summit finish on Peña Cabarga the 31st. (A go at Angliru is on the list too but my knee might disagree :-/)

Only been to Bilbao and San Sebastian previously, anyone got some good tips on what to see/do where? Picos de Europa, Santander, Leon, the coast?

Given what British tourism has done to ugly commercial developments in the South of Spain I was cringing when Kirby was urging viewers to go there on holiday. But then I cringe at most everything that comes out his mouth so I suppose it's just par for the course there too...

Tune into Kirby. He'll give you some great tips.

But why no mention of Tejay van Garderen?

dubtap is starved for news.

thanks but no thanks, enough bad commentary on tv as it is - forza sporza!

Picos de Europa is incredible, as is the coastline that neighbours it. Playa Torimbia is the nicest beach we went to on that side, but pick a seaside town and it will probably be beautiful.

Food, cider, people in Asturias are all great.

going to Asturias / Picos de Europa on saturday ;)
the plan is to make (again) Angliru, Lagos de Covadonga, Alto de Sotres and maybe Ermita de Alba.

That's a hard day's riding.

TeeJay going backwards

Who saw the cock?

I think Atapuma chose that spot to attack on purpose!

The DS put it there as a sign this morning. Haas is climbing with the best of them.

Tejay is "riding for stage wins" LOL

Earlier he was back at the team car collecting bottles...

If he is thinking of getting a win later in the race it makes sense for him to take it easy now. Twenty minutes or two hours back it's all the same.

eh eh! Not all in one day man :)
I just named the places where I plan do go.
Angliru and Ermita de Alba (maybe on the same day)

I'll pm you my mobile number, maybe we can meet/ride! you're not doing them fixed I presume ;-)