2012 Vuelta. The Return of the King.

[Dekker_Tifosi]

strong field anyway

Contador
Froome
Van den Broeck
Gesink
Mollema
Cobo
S Sanchez
Anton
Rodriguez
De Gendt
Valverde
Kreuziger
Uran

and also possible (named on some lists), Roche, Cunego, Pinot, Kessiakoff

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

strong field anyway

Contador
Froome
Van den Broeck
Gesink
Mollema
Cobo
S Sanchez
Anton
Rodriguez
De Gendt
Valverde
Kreuziger
Uran

and also possible (named on some lists), Roche, Cunego, Pinot, Kessiakoff

The original plan was for Kruijswijk to ride as well right?

And I think Vanendert is riding.

But yeah, this race actually has a stronger field than the TDF, lol, when is the last time a Vuelta had an arguably stronger field than the TDF?

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

strong field anyway

Contador
Froome
Van den Broeck
Gesink
Mollema
Cobo
S Sanchez
Anton
Rodriguez
De Gendt
Valverde
Kreuziger
Uran

and also possible (named on some lists), Roche, Cunego, Pinot, Kessiakoff

It's a cracking field if they are all at their best but there are doubts over almost all of them. Potential for some exciting and explosive mountain top finishes though.

 

[Mogwai_]

strong field anyway

Contador
Froome
Van den Broeck
Gesink
Mollema
Cobo
S Sanchez
Anton
Rodriguez
De Gendt
Valverde
Kreuziger
Uran

and also possible (named on some lists), Roche, Cunego, Pinot, Kessiakoff

Valverde said he will not ride the Vuelta.

 

[barmaher]

GC-wise, yes. I agree.

Is the sprinting field any good?

Cav (established he is an unlikely starter)
Goss??
Sagan??
EBH (I guess not)
Boonen (ditto)
Degnkolb (definite)
Kittel (I assume so)
Moser???
Ferrari???
Ventoso???

 

[Kwibus]

strong field anyway

Contador
Froome
Van den Broeck
Gesink
Mollema
Cobo
S Sanchez
Anton
Rodriguez
De Gendt
Valverde
Kreuziger
Uran

and also possible (named on some lists), Roche, Cunego, Pinot, Kessiakoff

Allthough I really like Pinot and I'm looking forward to his performances the upcoming years I most definately hope they won't let him ride the Vuelta.
Take it easy with the guy.
The Vuelta will bring us Quintana and I think he will be even more impressive then Pinot.

 

[theyoungest]

The original plan was for Pinot to ride the Vuelta, not the Tour. That's probably why his name pops up on some lists.

 

[Kwibus]

GC-wise, yes. I agree.

Is the sprinting field any good?

Cav (established he is an unlikely starter)
Goss??
Sagan??
EBH (I guess not)
Boonen (ditto)
Degnkolb (definite)
Kittel (I assume so)
Moser???
Ferrari???
Ventoso???

Sprinting field will probably be not quite as strong. Many of them allready rode the Giro and TdF. Last year almost all of them rode the Vuelta because the WC was a sprinter race.
p.s. Moser isn't a sprinter.

 

[Kwibus]

The original plan was for Pinot to ride the Vuelta, not the Tour. That's probably why his name pops up on some lists.

I think they intentionally let the press believe that.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Well, Riis says Contador must win the Vuelta. Interesting. Any idea what's behind Riis' comment? Bad translation?

If is comes from this danish interview,

http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-faar-baghjul-i-vueltaen

then it is a badish translation. He is saying, that soon they will know who will be there, and then they can make their final preperations, but that it is quite simpel. For them it is about Contador winning the Vuelta.

He does not say Contador MUST win it, but that it is what they are there for.

 

[theyoungest]

I think they intentionally let the press believe that.

What would be the point?

He was a last minute replacement for *can't remember who*.

If is comes from this danish interview,

http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-faar-baghjul-i-vueltaen

then it is a badish translation. He is saying, that soon they will know who will be there, and then they can make their final preperations, but that it is quite simpel. For them it is about Contador winning the Vuelta.

He does not say Contador MUST win it, but that it is what they are there for.

The Dutch copy-paste media also hasn't bothered to check and headlines "Riis: Contador must win the Vuelta".

Sports journalism has to be the easiest job in the world.

 

[Kwibus]

What would be the point?

He was a last minute replacement for *can't remember who*.

Pressure? The french have incredibly high expectations from the guy. Sure he had to deal with the pressure during the TdF, but not the hype before it.
Maybe I'm too much into conspiracies though

 

[Kwibus]

The Dutch copy-paste media also hasn't bothered to check and headlines "Riis: Contador must win the Vuelta".

Sports journalism has to be the easiest job in the world.

Checking sources? It's a long time ago journalists did that.

Not long ago a dutch tv program decided to test the newspapers and online news sites. They released ridiculous news items and most of the papers/news sites simply put it into their paper or on their website. Only a few contacted the source, but the fake source just said a few silly things and they believed it.

Ofcourse this wasn't a shock for me regarding some newspapers, but all of them did it. That was a shock tbh.

 

[barmaher]

Sprinting field will probably be not quite as strong. Many of them allready rode the Giro and TdF. Last year almost all of them rode the Vuelta because the WC was a sprinter race.
p.s. Moser isn't a sprinter.

I think he is a man with a kick for tough stages. Reduced sprints like Sagan, etc. But you are right, I shouldn't have included him in the list.

 

[jilbiker]

If is comes from this danish interview,

http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-faar-baghjul-i-vueltaen

then it is a badish translation. He is saying, that soon they will know who will be there, and then they can make their final preperations, but that it is quite simpel. For them it is about Contador winning the Vuelta.

He does not say Contador MUST win it, but that it is what they are there for.

very poor reporting from Cycling news. It did not make sense why anyone would make that kind of statement. Kind of like win it or else with a gun pointed on the head. Certainly would NOT present that in public about your star rider.

 

[the asian]

I think he is a man with a kick for tough stages. Reduced sprints like Sagan, etc. But you are right, I shouldn't have included him in the list.

Definitely not a sprinter, but does have a good kick. I see him more as a puncheur, but Basso feels he can develop in to a good Gc man.

 

[jyhjyh]

Well, Riis says Contador must win the Vuelta. Interesting. Any idea what's behind Riis' comment? Bad translation?

Articles in Danish newspapers where Riis talks about Contador and the Vuelta:

http://jyllands-posten.dk/sport/cykling/article4786274.ece

http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-faar-baghjul-i-vueltaen

 

[Bobby G]

Definitely not a sprinter, but does have a good kick. I see him more as a puncheur, but Basso feels he can develop in to a good Gc man.

So impressive early on in his career, I genuinely believe he can be what he wants. He appears to be a puncheur with a good turn of speed but if he chooses to focus on the GC I think he could do it. Already some impressive TT performances.

 

[El Pistolero]

GC-wise, yes. I agree.

Is the sprinting field any good?

Cav (established he is an unlikely starter)
Goss??
Sagan??
EBH (I guess not)
Boonen (ditto)
Degnkolb (definite)
Kittel (I assume so)
Moser???
Ferrari???
Ventoso???

Despite winning 3 stages in this Tour Greipel still gets no respect.

 

[rzombie1988]

Any idea on what guys from the tour will do the Vuelta? It really could be a great line-up if everyone gets in. If it's more helpful, does anyone know who won't be in the Vuelta?

 

[will10]

Despite winning 3 stages in this Tour Greipel still gets no respect.

Yes, barmaher speaks for us all.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Starting to get concerned. It has been literally hours since Flo wrote something in this thread.

 

[barmaher]

Yes, barmaher speaks for us all.

I think Greipel is the world's second best sprinter. I just forgot him. Shame on me. I feel so stupid now

 

[richwagmn]

If is comes from this danish interview,

http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-faar-baghjul-i-vueltaen

then it is a badish translation. He is saying, that soon they will know who will be there, and then they can make their final preperations, but that it is quite simpel. For them it is about Contador winning the Vuelta.

He does not say Contador MUST win it, but that it is what they are there for.

Thanks for the clarification. It didn't sound like something Riis would be saying.

 

[Angliru]

strong field anyway

Contador
Froome
Van den Broeck
Gesink
Mollema
Cobo
S Sanchez
Anton
Rodriguez
De Gendt
Valverde
Kreuziger
Uran

and also possible (named on some lists), Roche, Cunego, Pinot, Kessiakoff

I really can't see FDJ making Pinot ride 2 consecutive grand tours, especially considering that it wasn't in their original plans to have him do the Tour in the first place. Who was the rider that he replaced at the Tour due to injury?