In part one of our post-Vuelta round-table we took a long, hard look at the race itself and the riders who animated it. In the second half of our discussion, our thoughts turned to a range of broader talking points surrounding the events of the last three weeks. Here’s what we said … Continue reading
VeloVoices’ friend Roz Jones is out at the Vuelta with those trusty press credentials and she was waiting for the boys at the end of that gruelling stage 16 on Monday. We’ll let her pictures do the talking:
The gradient near the summit of Cuitu Negru averaged in the mid-teens and touched 25% in places. Even the quicker riders were taking 15 minutes to do the last 3km. Don’t ever doubt how much this Vuelta hurts.
Stage winner Dario Cataldo conquered the mountain …
…and the mountain conquered him.
Thomas de Gendt weaved over the finish line
Joaquim Rodriguez crosses the line with the red jersey safe (until, of course, Wednesday…)
Contador looks cooked
Alejandro Valverde crossing the finish line
If you want to know what ‘being in the red’ looks like, look no further …
AG2R’s Rinaldo Nocentini
Saxo-Tinkoff’s Jesus Hernandez
A spent Nicolas Roche (AG2R)
Even the best stage racer in the world is in a universe of pain at the end of a day like this …
Is this the dead eye or the beginnings of his audacious plan for Stage 17?
It matters. It always matters.
An iconic image for an iconic win
This is how much it meant to him …
All pictures copyright of Roz Jones Photography. Follow Roz on Twitter and check out her website here.
This weekend, February 18th/19th, sees the running of the next French race in the calendar. The 44th edition of the Tour Cycliste Internationale du Haut Var – to give it its full title – will provide additional racing largely for those who’ve already competed in the GP Marsellaise, Etoile de Besseges and Tour Mediterraneen.
It’s yet another race supported by the local daily newspaper, and sure to be popular with the locals who will flock to watch two-time winner Thomas Voeckler defend his title.
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