Vuelta a España - Dominant win for Alberto Contador
Spanish rider Alberto Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) has won the 2014 Vuelta a España, his third, with a clear demonstration of his dominance over British Chris Froome (Team Sky) and fellow Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Team Movistar).
With this resounding triumph Contador closes what was a bittersweet year on a high note. He aimed to win the 2014 Tour de France but had to retire during Stage 10 of the French race since he broke his leg on a crash. Hence winning the Vuelta was a must, and he delivered over a courageous Froome , who for moments looked like he would be able to challenge Contador for the final win, but had to settle for second place 1 minute and 10 seconds behind the winner.
Alberto Contador has now won six Grand Tours, including two Tour de France wins (2007 and 2009), one Giro d'Italia (2008) and as indicated before three Vuelta a España victories (2008, 2012 and 2014), confirming him as one of the best riders of this generation.
Worth to mention are the four stage wins of german John Degenkolb (Team Giant-Shimano), all in sprint finishes.
In my opinion this was a great race with lots of action among the favorites and hard fought stage wins. Hope to see some of this quality of competition at next year’s Tour de France.
Do you follow Cycling? Who is or was your favorite rider?
© Original content by NBaquero 2014
Image Credits: Alberto Contador by Korlzor under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license via Wikimedia Commons
GrandTours | Cycling | LaVuelta | albertocontador | FOPP
These were my two previous post on this year's Vuelta:
Expecting a great 2014 Vuelta a España
2014 Vuelta a España enters its final week
Image Credit » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Contador_rosa_5.JPG#file
Comments
allen0187 wrote on September 15, 2014, 1:16 AM
Followed cycling before both the international tours and races as well as the local ones. Big Lance Armstrong fan but we all know what happened to him.
suffolkjason wrote on September 15, 2014, 4:24 AM
I only follow cycling when Wiggins and Froome win!
MegL wrote on September 15, 2014, 5:53 AM
I don't follow much (any sport) but I know from attending spinning classes (stationary cycle) in the gym, just how much effort is required. They must have a lot of dedication to do that.
nbaquero wrote on September 15, 2014, 7:09 PM
So where is your rreport on Wiggo's win in the Tour of Britain. LOL! Froome will have to wait until next year
nbaquero wrote on September 15, 2014, 7:11 PM
MegL You've got that right, in a big Tour these guys risk their lives descending at 60 mph or more, and then they are punished with climbs, sprints, and so on for 20+ days
nbaquero wrote on September 15, 2014, 7:19 PM
allen0187 I know, but in spite what happened with Armstrong and a whole generation of riders, road cycling and cycling in general is a great sport, the only disadvantage, I think is watching it live. You can only see the riders for a few seconds, even if the stage is 4-hours long.