I could feel every pedal stroke to that finish. It’s just a different kind of hurt on their face when its pedaling to stay upright, vs fighting off pursuers
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I’m glad they docked him. That bike change was completely voluntary for a lighter wheelset for the climb - doing that and then sitting on the bumper was glaring
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Want to know how to ruin a banger La Vuelta in the 3rd week? Have Wout crash out 
. I’m so bummed…fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.
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Agreed. I can’t watch it any more.
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very much looked like a target fixation crash.
Nice to see Soler get a win. He’s been pushing hard this race, so well earned. I think he is one of those riders who wasn’t never going to be a grand tour GC guy, and he would have had better success as a stage hunter.
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The way he was hanging onto Max Poole not taking turns, he’s either a great actor or really knows how to suffer, I’m not sure anyone knows.
We urgently need salary caps in cycling or super teams like Equipo Kern Pharma are going to continue to dominate every race.
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There is something unsettling about a pharma sponsored cycling team tbh
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Imagine one of the pioneers in EPO would sponsor a whole race. It would be called sth like Amgen Tour of California…
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I remember. Floyd and Levi won the first few.
Ugh.
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It really seems like Karmically that Visma is paying for winning all 3 grand tours last year, and taking the entire podium of the Vuelta
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O’Connor now just racing to stay on the podium…zero interest is trying to stay with Rog.
Carapaz is trying, but can’t shake O’Connor…Mas, gaining time on everyone except Rog, looking to lock down 2nd.
Final spot on the podium may come down to the TT, unless Carapaz or O’Connor can gain significant time tomorrow.
ETA - Rog takes a stranglehold on the GC, Carapaz manages to put 45" into O’Connor in the final 1.5km. Need to see the final numbers for the GC still.
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O’Connor may be in better shape than I thought…he will probably have a slight advantge over Carapaz in the final TT, so Richie will need to gain well over a minute tomorrow.
I think Mas is in pretty good shape for 2nd, if he climbs tomorrow like he did today.
Bonus seconds may prove to be critical tomorrow, as well…there are seconds available at the top of the penultimate climb, 25km out as well as on the finish line. Will the GC teams ride to keep a break close enough that the GC leaders can claim the time bonuses?