Monday, September 03, 2007

Haimar down but not out


Haimar has not abandoned the Vuelta. It's as simple as that. He crashed and hurt his left collarbone but, contrary to earlier reports, he didn't abandon. He hurt his collarbone, but didn't break it. He came in completely alone 11 minutes down. That means according to himself that "I will probably take the start tomorrow as well, unless it gets worse over the night". Good news. Haimar will be important for Samu's podium bid, so to lose Haimar on the third stage would have been a catastrophe. Anyway, back to the racing....

The whole team looked really strong today. Seeing all nine riders at the front of the pack was a joy to watch, and they all looked good. Samu rode brilliantly to claim 11th place, while Igor "felt really good" according to himself and landed 21st place. Dioni, Alán (who's now a brilliant 12th overall) and Iñaki also came in with this leading group, so that no doubt bodes well for the remainder of the race. Iñigo was 34 seconds down, Aitor 49 while Koldo was 5:31 back.

Tomorrow will see the pack tackle it's first mountainous stage, and my bet is on Samu to win it. Seriously, he'll win it I think. He's peformed well on the slopes of the Covadonga earlier, and considering his excellent shape, I just can't see why he can't do so again. Aupa Euskaltel!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a schock!! I saw the fall, and I thought it was more serious! What happyness as we knew that he crossed the finish line!

And what a great stage from Euskaltel! If Haimar did not fall, they would have made something great, as they eliminated a lot of contrahents!!!!

Anonymous said...

Tomorrow a few riders will get to the top together... I bet Marchante, Sastre and Evans. Maybe Samuel

Anonymous said...

that's basque fighting spirit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I think Samuel and Gomez Marchante are the best by now. They aren't tired from another grand tour, and they are both good climbers. We will see.

Not me, because I have to work in a few minutes :(

 

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