Join us for live coverage of Stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana from 8:25pm AEST, with comments added regularly throughout the stage.
After what was a spectacular Stage 7 where German young gun John Degenkolb held on for his third stage win in the space of 6 days, we are all set for what is sure to be another spectacular stage of the Vuelta a Espana.
Stage 8 is set be a captivating and race defining stage, with the 3rd Mountain stage of the Vuelta a Espana set to shake up the general classification.
This is because of what should be a remarkable finish to the stage where the riders have to negotiate a tough 4km category 2 climb only 16km out from the finish, before tackling a heart pounding 7km category 1 climb up to the finish line, which is sure to separate the pretenders from the contenders.
These climbs will give the riders plenty of opportunities to attack, with the last 7km Category 1 climb to the finish giving the riders the best chances to gain time on their rivals as it includes a scary, 4km of the climb that have a gradient of over 9%.
The tough climb to the finish is sure to give us another indication of Froome, Contador, Valverde and Red Jersey holder, Joaquim Rodriguez’s form with shots certain to be fired all the way to the top of the climb.
After what’s been a terrible last two days for cycling because of the latest development’s in the heart breaking Lance Armstrong doping allegations, we should as cycling fans focus on the positives, and Stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana is sure to remind us of why we all love cycling.
To ensure you don’t miss a beat of what will be an exhilarating stage, please join us from around 8:25pm AEST for all the action. All comments, questions, and opinions are very welcome.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
In summary, what a great performance by stage winner Alejandro Valverde of Team Movistar. Kudos must also be given to Alberto Contador, who dropped Chris Froome in what was a great attack in the last kilometre of the stage. Let's also not forget Aussie Orica GreenEdge rider, Cameron Meyer who survived in the breakaway until the last 2km of the stage and still managed to hold onto 20th place in the stage. Has Contador proven that he is stronger than Froome? Or is Rodriguez or Valverde the real deal? We'll find out in the rest of the Vuelta a Espana in what is shaping up as without a doubt the best grand tour of the year thus far. Thank you for joining me, in what has been a superb stage.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
So, to sum it all up here are the main changes to the general classification after today's stage. - Joaquim Rodriguez has extended his lead into 33 seconds over Team Sky's Chris Froome who is still in 2nd place overall. - Alberto Contador is a further 7 seconds back, at 40 seconds off the pace. - Alejandro Valverde has reduced the gap between himself and Rodriquez to only 50 seconds after his stage win. The Movistar team leader is still in 4th position. - Robert Gesink of Dutch team Rabobank is still in 5th position overall, However the dutch rider is now 1:41 behind Katusha rider, Joaquim Rodriguez who holds the overall lead by 33 seconds over Chris Froome.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Elsewhere, Australian Orica GreenEdge rider Cameron Meyer produced a remarkable effort in the breakaway only being caught with less than 2km to go in the lunch burning stage. The Australian still managed to hold onto 20th position in the stage, an incredble effort considering the extra energy required in a breakaway group.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
So what does everyone think of the extroadinary stage? Contador's impressive attack with less than 1km from the finish showed his true class, alongside red Jersey holder Joaquim Rodriguez and Alejandro Valverde who closed down Contador moments from the finish line, before Valverde took a memorable stage win. Whilst Froome only lost 15 seconds to the trio, it may prove to be very significant with Rodriguez, Contador and Valverde now knowing of Froome's definite weakness in the mountains and his fatigue after a fantastic Tour de France and Olympic campaign that was sure to exhaust not only his legs, but also his mind. So, now we know for sure that the Vuelta is a four horse race, with Rodriguez, Froome, Contador amd Valverde the only remaining realistic contenders.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
So what an incredible finish to what was a remarkable stage! Contador looked as if he had it, but in the last 100m Rodriguez and Valverede overtook the Spaniard with Valverde taking the important stage win. Chris Froome of Team Sky finished a further 15 seconds behind the trio, exposing some possible weaknesses in the mountains. What a GREAT stage we have just witnessed.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Froome has come in 14 seconds behind Contador, Valverde and Rodriguez.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Valverde and Rodriguez have caught up! And Valverde has taken the stage win! INCREDIBLE SCENES! WOWEEEEEE!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Contador is going hard giving it all he has!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Contador is increasing a massive gap! What a move from the Saxo Bank superstar!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
1km to go! Froome attacks hard, and all go with bar Valverde. Now Contador goes!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez attacks! Contador is on his wheel in a second, while Froome and Valverde managed to also close the gap.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez and Valverde amongst a few others have caught Froome and Contador, however they look as if they are struggling.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Meyer is now sticking with Froome and Contador. UNBELEIVABLE!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
FROOME HAS ATTACKED! Contador goes with him but Valverde and Rodriguez have been dropped! This is not good for Cameron Meyer who is being caught as I type. Great effort Meyer, you are destined for future greatness.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Froome, Contador and Rodriguez have caught Valverde however the quartet is now riding by themselves in a battle of the main contenders.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
ATTACK: Alejandro Valverde of Movistar has attacked leaving fellow rivals Froome, Contador and Rodriguez in his wake. This is action!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Meyer is now only 45 seconds in front of the main field with only 3km to go. Can he make it? It would be an incredible effort by the Australian who is destined for future greatness.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Meyer has roughly a 1 minute advantage over Team Sky and the peloton, with Sky looking to spoil the Australian's party so Froome can grab the stage win and a 20 second time bonus.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Cameron Meyer you superstar! He has attacked the breakaway dropping both other breakaway survivors. He is steaming ahead, and now the only ones that can stop him is the peloton. GO MEYER!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Contador is sitting on Froome's wheel? Will he attack soon?