Froome standing on brink of history after all the pain in Spain
HELL on a bike was how one professional rider described Alto de L’Angliru. Yesterday it descended into hell on earth, gusting winds and rain turning the most torturous climb in professional cycling into the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance.
Those who populate the pro peloton are among the toughest guys in sport but this must have ranked high among their most gruelling days in the saddle and the fact that Chris Froome still emerged as the leader of the Vuelta a Espana says much about the man.
With just the roll into Madrid to come today Froome’s place among the pantheon of cycling’s greats is now almost certainly secure. a rare Grand Tour double about to be added to the four Tour de France wins he had already, placing him among the very best. Only Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault had ever won the Tour and the Vuelta in the same year, and when Hinault did it back in 1978 the Spanish race was still staged in the Spring.
Nobody, however, has ever followed victory on the Champs Elysees with another Grand Tour win in the same season and the manner in which this title will be earned makes it all the more impressive.
There really are few ascents quite like this in Europe, the sight of the road rising almost vertically at the Cuena les Cabres after a series of already spiteful switchbacks enough to break the resolve of most mortals. Walking up it yesterday was hard enough, given the conditions. The sight of team vehicles wheel-spinning on the steeper slopes made it all the more dramatic for the hardiest of spectators seeking shelter against the rock faces. But to race bicycles towards through the mist towards the blustery summit must have taken some doing. Prior to their arrival officials even had to reassemble a podium battered by one particularly vicious gust.
It was the day of days. A 117km stage with two nasty climbs before the final eight mile rise to L’Angliru and what also amounted to some seriously perilous decents. It was here that Vincenzo Nibali first tried to test Froome, stretching the peloton by hurtling down the soaking wet tarmac at speeds approaching 90kmh.The sight of a motorbike hitting a barrier and Marc Soler crashing badly on one corner added to the sense of danger. Nibali, too, would reportedly come off despite his skill and courage as a descender.
The Italian who came into this stage in second place, just 97 seconds down on Froome, was back in contact with the race leader before the concluding ascent and so the duel to the finish began.
It was fascinating to watch, even if the Spanish were clearly more interested in Alberto Contador marking his last competitive ride as a professional with a dramatic solo finish. Here they really don’t worry about the doping conviction.