2011-08-20 - Vuelta a Espana: dates / route

As for the silence over the last few days from people on the Vuelta, I think it says it all. The final stage procession seemed to start about 4days ago. In all the event was alive for just a few days, the rest was fairly mundane - with no change in the GC (or even threat to it) in the last 4 days - that can hardly be good for an event.

With only one individual time trial - you have to wonder how this year's race produced a winner that demonstrated all round skills?

I was disappointed by the last few days - which is so annoying given it was building to a bit of climax - then nothing. I don't think the Vuelta has done much to dismiss claims that it is now a much poorer sister to the Giro and the Tour.

This is Froome attacking on Friday. It was a quality move that was expertly checked by Cobo.

This is Wiggins on the Friday setting a punishing pace that decimated the peloton, a pace that put his own third place in jeopardy as he sacrificed himself for Froome.

Where the terrain allowed the Sky team tried, and they kept up a hard pace in an attempt to crack Cobo. Any attempt to just fly of the front would have been doomed and might have put their 2nd and 3rd places on the podium at risk. The race might have lacked a few fireworks in the last few days but it was still worth watching.
What did you want from the race? I admit it wasn't a 'vintage edition', but there was some brilliant riding at times. We've got Britons on the 2nd and 3rd step of the podium and all you can say is 'Meh'!
Typical British response.