2014 Vuelta a Espana Stage 1 Jerez de la Frontera 12.6 km (TTT)

[Jelantik]

OPQS to just take it from Trek. BMC and Sky to fight for 3rd place.

i would switch bmc with moviestar.

 

[Dr. Juice]

Who do you think will be the surprise?

Let's say 1 surprise from a team which you expect decent to mediocre and makes the Top 5. And second surprise : a team which you expect to be in the last positions...making a Top 10.

 

[yespatterns]

Who do you think will be the surprise?

Let's say 1 surprise from a team which you expect decent to mediocre and makes the Top 5. And second surprise : a team which you expect to be in the last positions...making a Top 10.

I think Astana may surprise and do well. Thats all Ive got unless IAM gets crazy motivated.

 

[Jancouver]

No poll? Common guys!

Edit: OPQS easy money

 

[yespatterns]

No poll? Common guys!

Edit: OPQS easy money

yes, I have learned not to bet against Tony Martin.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Cancellara, Sergent, Jungels, Vandewalle, Zubeldia should take it.

Without even looking at their team I will predict OGE. They go well at these.

But wouldn't it be cool if Trek take it with Zubeldia leading them across the line. That would test the ninja's skills to the fullest...hiding in the red jersey

 

[Jspear]

Without even looking at their team I will predict OGE. They go well at these.

But wouldn't it be cool if Trek take it with Zubeldia leading them across the line. That would test the ninja's skills to the fullest...hiding in the red jersey

OGE doesn't have their strong TT team here. I don't think they will even be in the top 3.

 

[Luigi_Max]

BMC to win, they will beat Movistar easily.

OPQS to be close to BMC, Trek as well.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Without even looking at their team I will predict OGE. They go well at these.

No Durbridge, Hepburn, Lancaster or Tuft though which is a lot of their engine room gone.

 

[Helvellyn]

But wouldn't it be cool if Trek take it with Zubeldia leading them across the line. That would test the ninja's skills to the fullest...hiding in the red jersey

That would be cool, but in that situation Zubeldia will ask them to slow down for sure - he won't want his ninja stealthmode mojo to be affected.

 

[diggercuz]

Without even looking at their team I will predict OGE. They go well at these.

But wouldn't it be cool if Trek take it with Zubeldia leading them across the line. That would test the ninja's skills to the fullest...hiding in the red jersey

Yeah i think OGE will be up there, hoping for a top three but probably top 6...

I have no doubt though even if Zubeldia was in the red jersey he would still manage to hide. In fact, im not even sure i know what he looks like. I have made a point of trying to find him in the tour and i think i saw him once, however was not sure! One day im sure i will see him. Surely.

 

[yespatterns]

The Nina had to be over raced by now.who knows though, he could be hiding in one of our ceiling rafters, so I wouldn't put a good showing past him.

 

[SKSemtex]

OPQS ftw
Cannondale top 5

 

[Luigi_Max]

No Durbridge, Hepburn, Lancaster or Tuft though which is a lot of their engine room gone.

Lancaster is riding, but your point is still valid. It is far from their best TTT group of riders. Still they might still surprise but a win looks highly unlikely. BMC will win.

 

[Squirbos19]

Without even looking at their team I will predict OGE. They go well at these.

But wouldn't it be cool if Trek take it with Zubeldia leading them across the line. That would test the ninja's skills to the fullest...hiding in the red jersey

If he wore the red jersey on stage 2 it would probably be raining so he would have to wear a black rain jacket. Then the cameras couldn't pick him out.So he'll continue to be the ninja.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Lancaster is riding, but your point is still valid. It is far from their best TTT group of riders. Still they might still surprise but a win looks highly unlikely. BMC will win.

Ah didn't realise Lancaster was riding, As much as I like Yates and Chavez they won't be much use compared to the likes of Durbo and Tuft in TTT.

 

[Luigi_Max]

Ah didn't realise Lancaster was riding, As much as I like Yates and Chavez they won't be much use compared to the likes of Durbo and Tuft in TTT.

I agree. They might be okay with dropping Yates but from their comments they are unlikely to want to drop Chaves and both of them are probably going to be weaker TTT riders.

 

[Jagartrott]

Some people still believe that the squad with most TT specialist wins TTTs?
You should've learned from the past editions...

Especially on a course like this, pure power and sprinter traits are much more important.

 

[theyoungest]

Some people still believe that the squad with most TT specialist wins TTTs?
You should've learned from the past editions...

Especially on a course like this, pure power and sprinter traits are much more important.

On a technical, short course like this, it's basically a cr.p shoot. Yes, a sprint team has an advantage, but it can really be anyone (except Euskaltel, but they don't exist anymore ).

 

[Luigi_Max]

Some people still believe that the squad with most TT specialist wins TTTs?
You should've learned from the past editions...

Especially on a course like this, pure power and sprinter traits are much more important.

Yeah, I think that is correct, but small climbers are not going to be much help either way. Power to accelerate out of corners and roundabouts is going to be crucial, also bike handling to go through the corners a little bit faster as well.

A good well drilled TTT team will still have a bit of an advantage as well over a less organised team. So teams that generally prepare well might do a bit better than expected. OGE might surprise because of that.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I agree. They might be okay with dropping Yates but from their comments they are unlikely to want to drop Chaves and both of them are probably going to be weaker TTT riders.

Don't think Orica will slow down for Chavez or Yates here.
Getting a stage win and the potential to put somebody like Matthews into red in the first week takes priority methinks.

But I'm not sure the team has enough horse power to win the TTT in the first place.

Later yates and Chaves can shine in the mountains if they are competitive.

 

[Luigi_Max]

Don't think Orica will slow down for Chavez or Yates here.
Getting a stage win and the potential to put somebody like Matthews into red in the first week takes priority methinks.

But I'm not sure the team has enough horse power to win the TTT in the first place.

Later yates and Chaves can shine in the mountains if they are competitive.

You might be right about Yates and Chaves, and I think you are right about the lack of firepower. They are a long shot for the win at best.

 

[the asian]

QPQS from Trek !

And Uran to be in Red

 

[GP Blanco]

dark horse Giant Shimano

That must be a very dark horse, Giant Shimano considers TTT as a day off. Their trackrecord is almost as good as Euskaltel's.

 

[ILovecycling]

Trek should be the favourite,but Im not so sure with Arredondo

Movistar to storm Jerez