King Of The Wolds said:
Reclaim?
Regardless, I think his best days are probably behind him. I'd have Contador, Evans, Wiggins, Nibali, Andy, Froome, Cobo, Sanchez all down as riders with a better chance.
As glad as I am to see someone with the sense to mention Sanchez in the favourites (considering many on these boards see Voeckler, Nibali, Peraud with a much better chance), I have to ask, Cobo???
The case for The Pope is that he is on his day arguably the best gc tter, especially on a hill course seeing how he owned Leipheimer in Giro 09.
The case for El Bisonte is that he is arguably a slightly better climber than the Pope. (and considering Dennis was pretty impressive in Vuelta, and has some other great results before, I would take the pope over bisonte personally).
On a 2012 course, the tt aspect wins every time.
As for Froome, I think the heat of the Vuelta suits him more, he will kind of be trying to peak for that, and he has TDF peaks and challenges ahead of him, just not in 2012 where its all for Wiggins (and Cav).
Hopefully he will be a real contender in future years, especially if he can win the Vuelta and focus on that.