Stage Nine to Valdelinares; a horrible day after the baking heat of Andalucía – but joy at last for Lampre with Anacona after the Ulissi and Horner debacles.
But where the hell is Pippo?
Perfect tactics from Movistar; “we’ve got a man in the break, why would we chase?…”
And they keep the jersey – and despite the best efforts of the Media to rustle up a feud, Quintana and Valverde seem to us to be working a perfect ‘one – two.’
However, a lot of watts burned up for no reward by Sky and there’s a loud ‘splash!’ on the wet tar as Alberto throws down the gauntlet.
Quintana and Rodriguez are quick to pick it up but Valverde and Froome are a little slower.
But that’s enough of my pontificating – let’s hear what a man who’s actually riding the race is saying…
It’s your first Grand Tour; the opening week has been savage with the heat, speed, hills and crashes.
So, what do you do on the first rest day?
If you’re Giant-Shimano’s 26 year-old American, Chad Haga, you speak to VeloVeritas, of course!