I think the reason Quintana and Nibali aren't considered at the level of Froome and Contador is because they have not outright beaten them on the grand stage. Both won a GT last year, but neither faced Froome or Contador. I also think those last two have never faced each other on an equal level...
In 2012 Froome did both a good Tour and Vuelta. He was running empty in the Vuelta but still finished 4th. I think he can do it. True, in 2012 he didn't win the Tour and was out to prove he could have, but he always seems to go quite well at the Vuelta. Maybe he has something to prove this year...
1-0 for Contador after TT, 2-0 after first mountain. 2-1 after second mountain and 2-2 after Froome took the overall. I don't see why that shouldn't count. On top that, he also took the points jersey and his team was dominant throughout, just look at that gap in the team GC.
You could even...
Porte is indeed pencilled for P-N.
The GC top 10 has an interesting structure about it, certainly the latter part. My guess is Katusha will win the team classification. Anybody know anything about young rider's jersey?
I think the Ardennes are where his real strenths lie, more than riding for GC. He has already finished 2nd in Fl?che and last year was third behind Sagan and Albasini I believe on a punchy stage of Suisse, even though it was his first (and sadly last) race back. I think he should be leader in...
I'm curious to see how Sebastian Henao will go. Of course, Sky will need to make the right decision of supporting him in races, but I believed he could have done better at last year's Giro with more support right from the start.