Froome Watch: Stage Winner

Our man attacked, got reeled back in, and attacked again for the stage win. For a minute, it looked as if his attack on today's final climb would take him to the overall lead, but Juan Jose Cobo didn't really crack but instead fought himself back to Chris's wheel and even passed him. You could see how both racers were each giving the absolute maximum. But after being passed, Chris found it within himself to get to the finish, and the 20 seconds bonification, first. He was, however, just one second ahead of Cobo, who himself receives 12 extra seconds, and so the total gain was only nine seconds, which still leaves Chris 13 seconds short of the race lead. But it was the most exciting couple of minutes of bike racing I've watched all year. Chris just did his post-race interview and called today perhaps his hardest day ever on the bike. It showed, and what more can one expect? He's on the podium now, and actually looks the women in the eye (all around nice guy!). There aren't too many opportunities left, but Madrid is still a couple of days away (he's happily spraying the champagne around now), so who knows. It won't be the fans who will keep him from winning, if we go by today's conduct. When Chris was on the attack, and Cobo appeared to be cracking, I worried about some person interfering with the race, but even though (as usual on these steep climbs) the fans were all over the road, people cheered Chris just about as enthusiastically as Cobo. So there's probably some battle left, although Cobo seems very strong (and he has a good team). But it's awfully close, especially with these bonification bonuses at the finish every day. Of course, second in the Vuelta is more than anyone, including this Froome fan, expected at the outset. Chris himself seems very pleased too, and why not? It's his big breakthrough: grand tour contender--how many people can say that?