2012 Vuelta. The Return of the King.

[the asian]

Didn't expect Bruno Pires, but the guy has top 20 finishes in both Dauphine and Poland, and is probably in good form. It will be interesting to see how much of a help Majka will be. Noval
Should lose some time in the TTT, but overall looking solid.

 

[CasperVg]

Sky confirmed their line-up for the Vuelta:

Chris Froome, Juan Antonio Flecha, Sergio Henao, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio.

 

[Cimber]

Didn't expect Bruno Pires, but the guy has top 20 finishes in both Dauphine and Poland, and is probably in good form. It will be interesting to see how much of a help Majka will be. Noval
Should lose some time in the TTT, but overall looking solid.

So disappointed about Noval. They really should get in Mørkøv instead. He can do all that Noval can (which is not much) and so much more (better at positioning him and Bertie in the peloton, wont get dropped on cat 4 climbs, and does a really good TTT)

 

[Cimber]

Sky confirmed their line-up for the Vuelta:

Chris Froome, Juan Antonio Flecha, Sergio Henao, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio.

They will take 40-50 secs on SBTB on the TTT... and they will surely need that time for later on

 

[the asian]

So disappointed about Noval. They really should get in Mørkøv instead. He can do all that Noval can (which is not much) and so much more (better at positioning him and Bertie in the peloton, wont get dropped on cat 4 climbs, and does a really good TTT)

Morkov may have been dropped because he participated in the Track at the Olympics.

 

[Cimber]

Morkov may have been dropped because he participated in the Track at the Olympics.

Or cos he has a high personal aim of winning Tour the Denmark which takes place during the Vuelta. Or maybe Bertie just badly wanted his three amigos to all be there at his site (for the first 100km at least, before his amigo el gordo get dropped like a stone)

 

[pastronef]

They will take 40-50 secs on SBTB on the TTT... and they will surely need that time for later on

TTT times don't count for G.C.
that stage will also count for stage win. times will be taken from the first road stage on.

 

[metaCYCLE]

Mørkøv instead of Noval? Doesn't really make much sense to me (as much as i like Mr. Mørkøv's exploits on a bike). MM is an attacking rider and that worked perfectly in the Tour where SBTB had no GC ambitions, but now with El Emperador back in the fold all the team will be focused on protecting the afore mentioned GC man. So in a way i'd rather see a boring, unremarkable rider like Noval doing his sheepherder duties in the Vuelta than seeing MM wasting himself in the same way.

 

[jens_attacks]

Sky confirmed their line-up for the Vuelta:

Chris Froome, Juan Antonio Flecha, Sergio Henao, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio.

jezuz what a team !
rigo and sergio will bring a lot of pain in this vuelta,i hope sergio can go for a top 5 himself.

TTT times don't count for G.C.
that stage will also count for stage win. times will be taken from the first road stage on.

who said that?wasn't just a bad translation?otherwise it would be one of the most ridiculous things i've heard,just scratch the stage and that's it.

 

[the asian]

TTT times don't count for G.C.
that stage will also count for stage win. times will be taken from the first road stage on.

They do.

Mørkøv instead of Noval? Doesn't really make much sense to me (as much as i like Mr. Mørkøv's exploits on a bike). MM is an attacking rider and that worked perfectly in the Tour where SBTB had no GC ambitions, but now with El Emperador back in the fold all the team will be focused on protecting the afore mentioned GC man. So in a way i'd rather see a boring, unremarkable rider like Noval doing his sheepherder duties in the Vuelta than seeing MM wasting himself in the same way.

Noval sucks at shepherding duties and doesn't contribute to a TTT. Morkov being a pursuiter should be a strong in the flat and contribute strongly to the TTT.

 

[Fidolix]

jezuz what a team !
rigo and sergio will bring a lot of pain in this vuelta,i hope sergio can go for a top 5 himself.




who said that?wasn't just a bad translation?otherwise it would be one of the most ridiculous things i've heard,just scratch the stage and that's it.

it counts

 

[Cimber]

TTT times don't count for G.C.
that stage will also count for stage win. times will be taken from the first road stage on.

Its been mentioned 100 times by now. IT DOES count. All that stuff about it didnt count was just a bad translation. What they wanted to say is that it wont matter much for the GC cos its a short TTT

 

[Netserk]

Mørkøv instead of Noval? Doesn't really make much sense to me (as much as i like Mr. Mørkøv's exploits on a bike). MM is an attacking rider and that worked perfectly in the Tour where SBTB had no GC ambitions, but now with El Emperador back in the fold all the team will be focused on protecting the afore mentioned GC man. So in a way i'd rather see a boring, unremarkable rider like Noval doing his sheepherder duties in the Vuelta than seeing MM wasting himself in the same way.

And what do you think Mørkøv's role was at the '11 Giro? (together with Tosatto, who is also at this Vuelta)

 

[Cimber]

Mørkøv instead of Noval? Doesn't really make much sense to me (as much as i like Mr. Mørkøv's exploits on a bike). MM is an attacking rider and that worked perfectly in the Tour where SBTB had no GC ambitions, but now with El Emperador back in the fold all the team will be focused on protecting the afore mentioned GC man. So in a way i'd rather see a boring, unremarkable rider like Noval doing his sheepherder duties in the Vuelta than seeing MM wasting himself in the same way.

U are all wrong about Mørkøv. He CAN be an aggrisive rider, yes. The only reason he has been attacking so much is because his team leaders have been out (Nueyns out for the classics and Bertie for the Tour). In 2011 Mørkøv was aming for a Tour spot to be caretaker for Bertie on the flats, and he has earlier stated that one of his goals is to become a Capitaine de Route who will keep a team organised in the peloton and be the DS right hand in the peloton. He is not by default a rider who only does break-aways. Not at all. He very good at keeping his captain out of problems on flat stages (he did it taht well in the Giro 2011 fx - and he has gotten stronger since so he should be even more useful now)

 

[Forunculo]

Sky confirmed their line-up for the Vuelta:

Chris Froome, Juan Antonio Flecha, Sergio Henao, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio.

SKY brings Porte because of TTT, they want to defend an early lead with a train. It have worked with Wiggo, but for the first time, Sky leader must be ready for a challenge face to face.

 

[Miburo]

Sky confirmed their line-up for the Vuelta:

Chris Froome, Juan Antonio Flecha, Sergio Henao, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Rigoberto Urán and Xabier Zandio.

Pfff what a team, sky is not fooling around.

But I like it, the stronger the better. I wish we had a strong Andy too then vuelta was officialy more interesting than the tour this year although it's probably already more interesting lol so many attacking riders (bertie, purito, uran, froome, vdb, de gendt, mollema and the guy from movistar forgot his name )

Cause honestly it's 100 times better when Contador crush the best in the world, that's how it should be.

Wiggins his victories were earned and all but there will ALWAYS be a "but contador didn't race the tour"

If you don't beat the best then how can you consider that winning the tour is the highest thing?

It's like winning a 100 meter without Bolt.

Anyway no presents, just destroy them all. But give roche a victory, might be important for UCI-points

 

[Kwibus]

yea, after dauphine I wouldn't really call him a big suprise if he was climbing with the very best

It's still just his first year as a pro. So an top10 in an GC would be very very impressive.
Not sure, but when was the last neopro that rode top10 GC in a GT?

First he has to actually ride top10 though

 

[Pharazon]

SKY brings Porte because of TTT, they want to defend an early lead with a train. It have worked with Wiggo, but for the first time, Sky leader must be ready for a challenge face to face.

disagree..

porte is a decent climber...

why would they want to red jersey so early?

 

[metaCYCLE]

disagree..

porte is a decent climber...

why would they want to red jersey so early?

because it could be the only instance when they could (realistically) grab it.

 

[Cimber]

disagree..

porte is a decent climber...

why would they want to red jersey so early?/

Cos thats the only time of the race they have a chance of wearing it

 

[Ferminal]

Awesome team for Sky.

I don't think we will see UK Postal though, the other three will help Froome but also try to maintain their GC position. Hopefully 4 in the top10!

 

[Netserk]

Awesome team for Sky.

I don't think we will see UK Postal though, the other three will help Froome but also try to maintain their GC position. Hopefully 4 in the top10!

It would be awesome if they then used their positions in the GC to attack all over the place, unlike Leotard

 

[Ferminal]

That's what the Colombians are for

 

[The Cobra]

One thing's for sure if Froome, Uran, Henao and Porte work together attacking and chasing on the climbs Contador is going to have a hard time of it. On his best form it wouldnt matter he can just ride away form everyone regardless but if he's a little bit below which I expect him to be he could be in trouble. Cant wait for this to start!

 

[Dedelou]

One thing's for sure if Froome, Uran, Henao and Porte work together attacking and chasing on the climbs Contador is going to have a hard time of it. On his best form it wouldnt matter he can just ride away form everyone regardless but if he's a little bit below which I expect him to be he could be in trouble. Cant wait for this to start!

yes they are a formidable group that will frighten more than one challenger. Let's see if they intimidate the 2 banks guys