Big stars entering the vuelta

[jaylew]

Whats wrong with being called the olympic champion. If he hadnt won it he would be like joaquim rodriguez, arroyo etc,just another spanish gc contedner after contador sastre, valverde, perreiro.

Instead he is the olympic champion
besides judging by the gold helmet and gold handlebars i think he likes it

No kidding. I'd definitely take that gold medal over a Lombardia and maybe even over a Vuelta.

 

[Moondance]

No kidding. I'd definitely take that gold medal over a Lombardia and maybe even over a Vuelta.

No way I'd rate any one-day race (even the Worlds) over a GT. Agree about Lombardy tho.

 

[jaylew]

The Vuelta is absolutely a bigger win but there's just something about that Olympic gold medal. Down the road, I think I might rather show my grandchildren my gold medal over my Vuelta trophy.

 

[Bennyl]

I think I heard a segment at this years Tour where Stuie O'Grady might have put his Gold medals as his career highlight. (Can someone confirm this?).

I know it was not on the road, but if so, thats a massive endorsement from someone who has worn the yellow and green jerseys, won P-R and done most things that can be acheived on the Road.

 

[Vonn Brinkman]

The Vuelta is absolutely a bigger win but there's just something about that Olympic gold medal. Down the road, I think I might rather show my grandchildren my gold medal over my Vuelta trophy.

True, after all, that gold medal can only be won every four years, the Vuelta is in contention every year. Now TWO vuelta wins...that sounds like more but I think that Sammy can win this year. At least I hope he does! He finally deserves another great win next to all his "almost" victories at Vuelta, Tour, Lombardy, Ardennes classics etc.

 

[hrotha]

True, after all, that gold medal can only be won every four years, the Vuelta is in contention every year. Now TWO vuelta wins...that sounds like more but I think that Sammy can win this year. At least I hope he does! He finally deserves another great win next to all his "almost" victories at Vuelta, Tour, Lombardy, Ardennes classics etc.

Samu is not riding the Vuelta.

 

[que sera cera]

Today the Vuelta a Burgos commences. I'm especially looking forward to the Andalucia guys up there. Andalucia comes up with Gomez Marchante and Moreno Bazan, who was exceptional in Donostia.

Their riding will give an indication for possible success in the upcoming grand Spanish tour

 

[nvpacchi]

Samu is not riding the Vuelta.

When was this announced?

 

[roundabout]

Couple of days ago.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Hang on. I thought that he was classed as a "reserve"?
EE have named 5 definites for the Vuelta.
Samu is one of the other 4 possibles.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sanchez-a-reserve-for-vuelta

 

[nvpacchi]

Yeah thanks for the clarification Mellow.

I was under the impression that he was a reserve, but with over 50 days of racing already and a broken radius bone...

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

samu isn't doing the vuelta. only as a 2nd reserve I think if 2 more guys fall out.

 

[Runitout]

I think I heard a segment at this years Tour where Stuie O'Grady might have put his Gold medals as his career highlight. (Can someone confirm this?).

I know it was not on the road, but if so, thats a massive endorsement from someone who has worn the yellow and green jerseys, won P-R and done most things that can be acheived on the Road.

IIRC stuey said something to the effec that 'there are thousands with gold medals- but not many with a Roubaix rock.'

That was a couple of years ago, mind.

 

[nvpacchi]

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=29120

It looks like Samu is not doing la Vuelta.

 

[pmcg76]

Its gone a bit quiet on the Vuelta news, anyone have any more info on who will be there. What about Samu Sanchez after his victory in Burgos? Too much to expect him to hold his form until September?

 

[taiwan]

Its gone a bit quiet on the Vuelta news, anyone have any more info on who will be there. What about Samu Sanchez after his victory in Burgos? Too much to expect him to hold his form until September?

See posts above. Xacobeo Galicia just put their longlist out.

Ezequiel Mosquera, David García, Gonzalo Rabuñal, Delio Fernández, Gustavo C. Veloso, Serafín Martínez, Marcos García, Vladimir Isaychev, Gustavo Rodríguez, Francisco J. Pacheco, Gustavo Domínguez.

Mosquera was obviously good at the tour of Burgos, don't know if that's a good thing so early though.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Mosquera was very good at the Vuelta a Burgos last year - went away at the bottom of the climb with Soler, opened up a gap on Danielson/Valverde/Rodríguez/Tondó/Masciarelli, held on to Soler when he attacked, and then dropped the Colombian with a km to go to win the stage. 3rd overall I think, maybe 4th.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Its gone a bit quiet on the Vuelta news, anyone have any more info on who will be there. What about Samu Sanchez after his victory in Burgos? Too much to expect him to hold his form until September?

it's been said a million times already here but samu won't ride the vuelta

 

[lucybears]

both Schlecks

 

[El Pistolero]

True, after all, that gold medal can only be won every four years, the Vuelta is in contention every year. Now TWO vuelta wins...that sounds like more but I think that Sammy can win this year. At least I hope he does! He finally deserves another great win next to all his "almost" victories at Vuelta, Tour, Lombardy, Ardennes classics etc.

He was never close.

 

[boardhanger]

Andy Schleck said he's going to support Frank who is aiming to win and he says is showing good form. Watch out for spanish collaboration at all cost guys !!

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

Sky line up confirmed:
Thomas Löfkvist
Juan Antonio Flecha
Simon Gerrans
John-Lee Augustyn
Kjell Carlström
Lars-Petter Nordhaug
Peter Kennaugh
Ian Stannard
Ben Swift

Can only assume they'll search for stage wins because they don't really have any contenders for GC. Maybe Lofkvist can surprise a few. Can't believe Possoni hasn't been picked.

 

[tgsgirl]

Can only assume they'll search for stage wins because they don't really have any contenders for GC. Maybe Lofkvist can surprise a few. Can't believe Possoni hasn't been picked.

But wait, what about the revolutionary "everyone will get to ride a GT" talk? I haven't seen KAA or Vigano or Portal or Calzati or Downing... in a grand tour yet. All talk eh? Who would've thought

 

[icefire]

He was never close.

Samu crashed last year in the Vuelta in the last descent before the climb to Aitana. He was able to get back to the leading group and stay with them that day, mainly because there were no significant attacks other than Cunego to take the stage over Moncutie who was the last man of the break to stay ahead of the field. The day after he lost more than 1 minute to the leaders in the stage to Xorret de Catí due to the pain of the day after the crash.

This is more or less what happened to him in the Tour this year. He crashed in the stage to the Tourmalet, was able to complete the stage in good position, but suffered the consequences the next days.

Now go to check your books to see if he was close to win the Vuelta last year.

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

But wait, what about the revolutionary "everyone will get to ride a GT" talk? I haven't seen KAA or Vigano or Portal or Calzati or Downing... in a grand tour yet. All talk eh? Who would've thought

I have no idea why they said this to be honest and then a few weeks later sad Wiggins would ride the Giro and the tour. Straight away that meant they wouldn't manage it. Strange.

I imagine the invite to the Vuelta depended upon certain riders going (Flecha, Lofkvist, Gerrans maybe).

I'd have loved to see Downing ride the Vuelta but he is goign to the TOB as team leader.

KAA has struggled all season with injury, Portal and Calzati have done anything of note (then again, neither has Calstrom). Vigano has been involved in more Sky victories than anyone else so his omission is a surprise.