2012 Vuelta a España - Tour of Spain

Saxo-tinkof and Katusha were both pulling turns, so no love lost.

And BMC too, who were they working for?

Steve Morabito apparently *

• not the official line on Monday, but Gilbert gave the game away yesterday in an interview.
  

Apparently Movistar's Jose Ivan Gutierrez drove the pace on after Sky's Siustou crash in the TdeF. Mebbe Sky didn't forget this ?

Whilst I agree that racing is racing and understand its hard for the "unwritten rules" to be enforced, I would be concerned by some of the suggestions that they should completely disregard these "unwritten rules". Given the desire to win amongst any professional bike racer/team then I can see a conscious scrapping of the unwritten codes of conduct resulting in deliberate attempts to cause crashes to competitor riders if they think they can disguise it as accidental knowing it could result in advantage for a team leader etc. Am I over thinking this? I'm not saying any pro would want to deliberately cause harm to another cyclist but in the heat of battle?...

I almost always like the way Gerard Vroomen (Cervélo co-founder) puts it in his blog: http://gerard.cc/2012/08/22/grow-some-balls/

Am I over thinking this?

Yes

I almost always like the way Gerard Vroomen (Cervélo co-founder) puts it in his blog: http://gerard.cc/2012/08/22/grow-some-balls/

Good read

Nicely written, blunt. Will keep reading that blog.

Good read

Yep, that sums things up nicely.

The "TV was off in the car" Sky DS excuse holds about as much water as Arsene Wenger's ability to be looking the other way any time anything controversial happens, but all the DS will say it.

It was either the Tour or Dauphinee when another DS said same thing in similar circumstances but unfortunately he was carrying someone on the back seat who was tweeting pics that very clearly showed the TVs were on and working perfectly.

Valverde: 'That sumabitch just slammed into me'

Vroomen: No, he didn't slam into you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you. He rubbed you. And rubbin', son, is racin'

About 8 Spanish pros have come out and said Sky did the right thing. Rodrguez and Contador shed no tears and the latter indeed attacked on the climb. Valverde and Movistar can throw their toys out the pram but to blame Sky is just wrong.

Blame Karma bitches

I almost always like the way Gerard Vroomen (Cervélo co-founder) puts it in his blog: http://gerard.cc/2012/08/22/grow-some-balls/

Yep. That's a great post.

Wiggins probably would have called said: "We was smashing it before the cnut fell off."

And he'd have been right.

The "TV was off in the car" Sky DS excuse holds about as much water as Arsene Wenger's ability to be looking the other way any time anything controversial happens, but all the DS will say it.

It was either the Tour or Dauphinee when another DS said same thing in similar circumstances but unfortunately he was carrying someone on the back seat who was tweeting pics that very clearly showed the TVs were on and working perfectly.

Oh, it was Sean Yates after stage 17 TDF, what a coincidence

http://www.bicycling.com/sky-director-after-stage-17#/video/all

Amusing seeing ex doper Valverde saying "Each rider has to decide for themselves what is fair"
(not an exact quote, but words to that effect)

I keep hearing the ITV4 commentator and mistaking him for Frankie Boyle. I think Frankies witticisms are what this Vuelta is missing sadly. "Val-Verde? Val-fucking-fanny more like"

impressive Rodriguez leaving everyone standing after pulling away with Froome. Best climbers of the day, but there will be more & longer climbs...

An exciting final 3km, it still feels quite an open race.

how are you guys watching it?

Eurosport.

There are highlights on one of the ITV channels (I think).

any internet links. dont have eursport at work.

eurosport

steephill.tv is good for links

http://www.steephill.tv/vuelta-a-espana/#live

yes steephill. Or sports-livez or sportlemon

Can't remember the extensions, you'll find it with google

Hearts vs Liverpool ?? FML

Froome looking behind the whole way in and giving that one away by moving aside to let Purito take the corner on the inside. Checking his SRM on the line too.

He's taking the piss.