Vuelta a España La Vuelta a España 2025, 1st rest day: Who will finish on the podium?

[Netserk]

 

[greyclouds]

I’m going with JV, JA and FG

 

[Netserk]

@Ilmaestro99

 

[Red Rick]

Pidcock doesn't seem like the type that's gonna be consistently this level. Ciccone probably way underdelivered because he tried too hard to follow Vingegaard and then had nothing left to follow Almeida.

 

[Netserk]

I'd like it if one of Træen, Fortunato, Jorgenson and Riccitello makes the podium, but this might just be the stage race that is so simple that Gall won't throw away his GC.

 

[topcat]

Pidcock doesn't seem like the type that's gonna be consistently this level. Ciccone probably way underdelivered because he tried too hard to follow Vingegaard and then had nothing left to follow Almeida.

If Ciccone just wheelsucks Almeida, then he'll podium (if he doesn't die of boredom).

 

[Charlyghoul]

Pidcock doesn't seem like the type that's gonna be consistently this level. Ciccone probably way underdelivered because he tried too hard to follow Vingegaard and then had nothing left to follow Almeida.

This is the new Pidcock. The GC Pidcock. The Pidcock that is putting aside the mountain biker and becoming the man he was born to be.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Vingegaard and Almeida are of course locked in, and Gall looks like the best option for third place at this point. Ciccone’s form seems to be fading, and he’ll struggle on Angliru and Bola del Mundo. It’s funny that Pidcock is actually a candidate now. Personally, I don’t believe it, but he did look strong on stage 9 and has been training specifically for the Vuelta.
I still think Hindley can take the third spot. He looked good at the start of the race -maybe not quite as sharp now - but he should thrive on the two hardest stages. If he doesn’t, and Bora don’t make Pellizzari wait for him, then Pellizzari could have a chance as well. Jorgenson I haven’t really been paying attention to, so I’m not sure about him. Bernal I don’t believe in; he should crack in the last week.
It’s still so close in the GC, and we haven’t had a real mountain stage yet (well, arguably we won't have any at all), so it’s hard to predict, but that’s how I see the balance of power right now.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Obviously Vingegaard remains the top favourite but I think Almeida will be solid 2nd in this Vuelta (and the only guy not to get totally destroyed). #3 remains more open: I somewhat don't believe Pidcock will be that strong all the time: Gall and Ciccone are good candidates: I will go with the former.

 

[Netserk]

* * * * * - Vingegaard
* * * * - Almeida
* * * - Gall, Ciccone
* * - Bernal, Pidcock, Jorgenson, Hindley
* - Riccitello, Træen, Pellizzari, Fortunato, Kuss

 

[Ilmaestro99]

My podium prediction

1. Vingegard
2. Ciccone
3. Landa, with a fuente de style raid

Traen unfortunately won't hold on to the podium or even the top 5. I don't have a lot of faith in fortunato, hindley, piddock etc. Almida will get emotional about his lack of support and crack. Gall is a dark horse

 

[Wyndbrook]

This is the new Pidcock. The GC Pidcock. The Pidcock that is putting aside the mountain biker and becoming the man he was born to be.

This thread is about how we think will finish on the final podium.
Perhaps it might be a good idea if you actually voted for Tom.

 

[Cassirer]

two places logic (vinge, almeida), one place feelgood (bernal)

 

[tobydawq]

Vingegaard and Almeida are of course locked in, and Gall looks like the best option for third place at this point. Ciccone’s form seems to be fading, and he’ll struggle on Angliru and Bola del Mundo. It’s funny that Pidcock is actually a candidate now. Personally, I don’t believe it, but he did look strong on stage 9 and has been training specifically for the Vuelta.
I still think Hindley can take the third spot. He looked good at the start of the race -maybe not quite as sharp now - but he should thrive on the two hardest stages. If he doesn’t, and Bora don’t make Pellizzari wait for him, then Pellizzari could have a chance as well. Jorgenson I haven’t really been paying attention to, so I’m not sure about him. Bernal I don’t believe in; he should crack in the last week.
It’s still so close in the GC, and we haven’t had a real mountain stage yet (well, arguably we won't have any at all), so it’s hard to predict, but that’s how I see the balance of power right now.

I don't think Ciccone is necessarily fading, he just cooked himself yesterday trying to follow Vingegaard for too long.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I don't think Ciccone is necessarily fading, he just cooked himself yesterday trying to follow Vingegaard for too long.

Perhaps yes, but he hasn't ever managed to make it all click and perform well over three weeks, and he's already been in peak condition for a while, so my suspicion is that he will fade eventually if he isn't already.

 

[SafeBet]

Ciccone tends to struggle mentally when things don't go his way. He rides mostly on emotions and instinct which is never a good recipe for a good GC. That said, I do believe he could have finished with Gall yesterday and perhaps even with Almeida with a more conservative approach. Top10 is a realistic goal for him at this point. Top5 a very good result. Don't think he can podium.

Based on their careers, Hindley looks like the safest bet for a podium finish after Vingo e Almeida, but I'm pretty sure he's not at his best right now. His chances largely depend on him hitting optimal shape before the Angliru - Farrapona combo. Gall is climbing better than him but there are question marks over his consistency (and he might fade with the Tour in his legs). Pidcock is coming off possibly his best ever climbing performance but to me that was also a perfect stage for him. The Angliru stage will tell us more about his chances.

 

[movingtarget]

Vingegaard, Almeida and Hindley.