2016 Vuelta a España, Info & Discussion

[May0maniac]

Re:

Spinning the gears was made popular by Armstrong and Gaul long before anyone knew Froome!

Yeah, but Gaul was pretty much the only one that was able to spin with the kind of gearing that they had back in the day, he really was an outliner.
I'd say the Indurain was probably the first modern rider who made high cadence popular, sometimes he even used triple chainrings.
Back to the Vuelta, I wouldn't underestimate Chaves, I expect him to finish on the podium and he could win a few stages.
Will Chernetckii ride the Vuelta?

 

[flashke]

Chaves is the man to beat this year I think. Looking at the history of the Tour-Vuelta and the declining form of Alberto (seriously, he won't win), Chaves can beat the odds.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Hugh Carthy is in

Is Caja Rural backing him as leader or is he's just in the Vuelta to grab stage win(s)

Most likely no, he isn't good enough for that yet. Pardilla on the other hand could pull a Cobo to a lesser extent - maybe finish top-8 or something similar. He climbed extremely well in Burgos.

 

[Sykes]

Re: Re:

Hugh Carthy is in

Is Caja Rural backing him as leader or is he's just in the Vuelta to grab stage win(s)

Most likely no, he isn't good enough for that yet. Pardilla on the other hand could pull a Cobo to a lesser extent - maybe finish top-8 or something similar. He climbed extremely well in Burgos.

He's doing a nice season so far, but not enough imo for the Vuelta level. Vuelta a Burgos is only a 5 day race and had only one demanding mountain stage. His best result at Vuelta was a 17º...anyway Vuelta can reserve us some surprise

 

[Netserk]

Great work Praying Mantis!

Boy, does Unipublic overestimate the amount of vertical meters! 5,200m in the stage to Aubisque

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Chaves is the man to beat this year I think. Looking at the history of the Tour-Vuelta and the declining form of Alberto (seriously, he won't win), Chaves can beat the odds.

AC has shown a pretty good level of form this year. If he's recovered from his crashes, he's the man to beat. Chaves should be second. If anyone was to beat AC then Chaves would be it, but he'll have his hands full trying.

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Chaves is the man to beat this year I think. Looking at the history of the Tour-Vuelta and the declining form of Alberto (seriously, he won't win), Chaves can beat the odds.

AC has shown a pretty good level of form this year. If he's recovered from his crashes, he's the man to beat. Chaves should be second. If anyone was to beat AC then Chaves would be it, but he'll have his hands full trying.

Seems to me that this year there is no man to beat. The only thing that is certain is that nothing is certain!

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

Chaves is the man to beat this year I think. Looking at the history of the Tour-Vuelta and the declining form of Alberto (seriously, he won't win), Chaves can beat the odds.

AC has shown a pretty good level of form this year. If he's recovered from his crashes, he's the man to beat. Chaves should be second. If anyone was to beat AC then Chaves would be it, but he'll have his hands full trying.

Seems to me that this year there is no man to beat. The only thing that is certain is that nothing is certain!

Right but there's usually a favorite. For the Tour it was Froome. For this Vuelta it should be AC...he really has no excuses. He needs to win.

 

[This Charming Man]

Re: Re:

I'm disappointed that Froome will be at the Vuelta. I hope it doesn't make it as boring as the TdF was as a result of his participation. Hope for better performances from Quintana and Contador, I guess.

The Tour wasn't boring because of Froome, it was boring because he had a crazy strong train also peaking for the Tour and taking it in turns to keep the pace high and pull back attacks. That won't be the case nearly as much in the Vuelta.

Actually, I see a good chance of Froome dominating and winning Vuelta. Vuelta, Easier race, Froome took bronze at Olympics, showing excellent for, on a course which did not suit him. Contador, is done for the season, and Quintana, well, taking his slide, like TJ.

What makes you think this?

Team owner is a jerk, and I think, with a new team Contador, will be preparing for 2017

 

[Escarabajo]

There is no man to beat at the Vuelta this year IMHO. Is wide open.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Team owner is a jerk, and I think, with a new team Contador, will be preparing for 2017

Nope. He's preparing to win the Vuelta. This year.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

Valverde is so stupid. He could have won Lombardia with some rest and riding the Canadian Classics. Now he won't make an impact in the Vuelta and **** up his chances in Lombardia.

Really, i don't understand Movistar either. Never heard of maximizing your chances? And not burning your best rider?

Unbelievable

Vuelta ends on Sep.11, Lombardia is three weeks laters. That's more than enough time to recover for a race no one peaks for.

???
This is going to be his third GT in the year. He will be tired after the Vuelta. Even for a guy as consistent as Valverde this is too much.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Cataldo, Gruzdev, Lopez, Malacarne, Sanchez, Scarponi, Smukulis, Vanotti, Zeits.

No Fabu. What a trash season.

 

[May0maniac]

Re:

Cataldo, Gruzdev, Lopez, Malacarne, Sanchez, Scarponi, Smukulis, Vanotti, Zeits.

No Fabu. What a trash season.

No surprise, Vino already said right after the Tour that Aru wouldn't ride the Vuelta.
It's going to be a learning experience for Lopez and stagehunting with Sanchez, Scarponi and (maybe) Cataldo, I don't think that they'll really target the gc, but I already expected that.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Cataldo, Gruzdev, Lopez, Malacarne, Sanchez, Scarponi, Smukulis, Vanotti, Zeits.

No Fabu. What a trash season.

No surprise, Vino already said right after the Tour that Aru wouldn't ride the Vuelta.
It's going to be a learning experience for Lopez and stagehunting with Sanchez, Scarponi and (maybe) Cataldo, I don't think that they'll really target the gc, but I already expected that.

Had not heard that, but I actually expected Vino to send Aru to Spain, especially since he was the defending champion.

 

[Stilletto]

Re:

Cataldo, Gruzdev, Lopez, Malacarne, Sanchez, Scarponi, Smukulis, Vanotti, Zeits.

Strong team for the Team time trial.
Win that and anything else is a bonus in the Vuelta.
Sanchez could sneak a top 3, Scarponi too or even mountain jersey with Lopez.
Think they could be pretty aggresive.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Dani Moreno will be Movistar's last man.

 

[dastott]

Quintana has something to prove here so I wouldn't write him off so easily. Very open race, can't wait.

 

[DBotero]

Chris Froome,Ian Boswell, Michal Golas, Peter Kennaugh, Christian Knees, Leopold Konig, Michal Kwiatkowski, Mikel Landa, Salvatore Puccio.
Landa starting his 3rd GT this year

 

[Anderis]

Chris Froome,Ian Boswell, Michal Golas, Peter Kennaugh, Christian Knees, Leopold Konig, Michal Kwiatkowski, Mikel Landa, Salvatore Puccio.
Landa starting his 3rd GT this year

Doesn't look strong enough to control the race IMO, if we include the fact it's Landa's 3rd GT this year and that Kwiatkowski hasn't shown his 2013 climbing form for a while.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Nah, Sky doesn't look super strong, but its probably still the best squad in La Vuelta.

Just going over the teams, there are more than I can ever remember where you go 'why are they even here'. Many weak teams seemingly without objectives apart from the odd stage win.

 

[MatParker117]

Re:

Nah, Sky doesn't look super strong, but its probably still the best squad in La Vuelta.

Just going over the teams, there are more than I can ever remember where you go 'why are they even here'. Many weak teams seemingly without objectives apart from the odd stage win.

Plus there's no stage ala Stage 11 last year, doesn't need to be tour level.

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

Dani Moreno will be Movistar's last man.

Yeah but for who, Quintana or Valverde?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Dani Moreno will be Movistar's last man.

Yeah but for who, Quintana or Valverde?

Hmm. I refuse to believe Valverde will be top-5 material, so I think Quintana.. rumours about him actually being very good now, Quintana that is. But you never know when it comes to Valverde, he will try to be up there until proven otherwise!

 

[staubsauger]

Steven Kruijswijk's flying nicely under the radar once again! Just saying.