Walkman said:
Judging from last year, Froome would have stomped him. The Vuelta organizers couldn't know he would step up his program another couple of levels until after they set the course, so of course they don't want to take a chance.
That's why I say in good shape. Which he was almost always except 2013. I won't measure Froome's TT ability on the basis of this years Vuelta or Vuelta 2012 either. They were not pan flat, but in great form he should win or at least come close.
Just as Contador in top form might come close to win a slightly ondulated TT like last week ( good but not great form in this Vuelta) and be in the top 5-6 in a flat TT ( Froome top 3 when top shape).
50 km flat TT and both at their best and you'll see Froome 2nd or 3rd some 30-40 seconds behind Martin with Contador 5th or 6th another 30-45 sec back.
When both are out of shape no one shines in a TT.
Without arguing about little differences here and there, but Contador =! Valverde, who loses a LOT of time as soon as the TT is flat and has a decent lenght.
Edit: If you really want to say they have influenced the parcours - to the advantage of Valverde and Purito. Now if you say, well at the end of 2013 nobody knew... if Contador is in form like 2013 then nothing can help him win. No route.
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