Rate the 2016 Vuelta

[Kwibus]

Re:

7 for me. Great for GC and good stage racing, but lack of quality sprints and KotM contested by non-specialist climbers (which I hoped ASO would make more like TdF for points scoring) so little obvious prestige for any jersey other than the red one.

Kotm battle was great. Decided by 1 point.
Both are very decent climbers. Remember Elissonde won on the Angliru once.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

However, despite a promising field, the Vuelta was also severely lacking in some points and lot of that had to do with the route. The level of sprinting was sub-par for a GT, as is more often the case in the Vuelta. To truly be a "Grand Tour of Cycling" instead of a "Climber's Fest", a GT should offer a variety of terrains incenting a varied field of top riders to come and compete. However, we seem to be stuck with the ridiculous notion that the only proper action in a GT is climbing action.

Agreed. The sprint stages in this year's Tour for example were better than the climbing days

 

[dastott]

A solid 8. Very entertaining GC battle, with lots of GC action. Chapeau to Quintana, Froome, Contador, Yates and Chaves, who really lit up the race. Loses some points because no MTT, too many breakaways and not enough top draw sprinters but you can't have everything. Best GT of the year for me.

 

[capuldemetal]

9/10.just because of the Formigal stage.it kept me glued in front of the tv )

 

[yaco]

8 - Pleased to see more aggressive racing on mountain stages and teams using different tactics.

 

[Põhja Konn]

The Vuelta certainly exceeded expectations which, admittedly, were relatively low due to parcours on offer. Overall title being contested by two of the best GC rider there are right now added to it, as did Chaves winning the last podium spot with a daring long range attack on penultimate stage.

On the negative side, too many stages were gifted to the breakaway, once it was established. Also, due mainly to parcours on offer, vast majority of stages ended with a shootout on the last climb, with absolutely nothing happening before.

Overall, it was a very good Vuelta. Certainly better than expected, won by a rider I like - worth a strong 7 for me.

 

[KyoGrey]

It's amazing how year after year, the Vuelta manages to be the best (alone or tied with Giro) Grand Tour with some of the worst parcours at hand.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

It's amazing how year after year, the Vuelta manages to be the best (alone or tied with Giro) Grand Tour with some of the worst parcours at hand.

It's almost as though most fans don't have a clue about what parcours makes for a good GT these days.

 

[bob.a.feet]

I gave it a 7 - GC action was great throughout the three weeks. The only problems were too many stages for the breakaway, weak sprinting field, and Kruiswijk crashing out so early.

 

[Thepirateisgood]

6-7. Parcours nayoryaysayers regardless.

Samu was the greatest rider this GT perspective scope attached, gutted for him.

I'm not so on the who-hoo train, I followed most stages, and apart for a few it was really too heavy(and quite boring) for gc. Go to tour de suisse for this kind of gc. Otherwise it was good for the up-and coming like it should be.

 

[Flamin]

Re:

It's amazing how year after year, the Vuelta manages to be the best (alone or tied with Giro) Grand Tour with some of the worst parcours at hand.

Last time Vuelta was the best GT was in 2013 imo.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

It's amazing how year after year, the Vuelta manages to be the best (alone or tied with Giro) Grand Tour with some of the worst parcours at hand.

Last time Vuelta was the best GT was in 2013 imo.

2015 was definitely pretty bad and I would rate the Tour much higher than that version of Vuelta and the Giro was obviously out of this world.
But I think Giro and Tour 2014 were kinda meh, so if I was going to go with a GT from 2014, it would probably be La Vuelta.

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

It's amazing how year after year, the Vuelta manages to be the best (alone or tied with Giro) Grand Tour with some of the worst parcours at hand.

Last time Vuelta was the best GT was in 2013 imo.

2015 was definitely pretty bad and I would rate the Tour much higher than that version of Vuelta and the Giro was obviously out of this world.
But I think Giro and Tour 2014 were kinda meh, so if I was going to go with a GT from 2014, it would probably be La Vuelta.

Yep, Giro and Tour were bad in 14, but they were still better than that terrible Vuelta for me. But I remember there were lots of different opinions on here about 14.

 

[Thepirateisgood]

I think this thread is about this years Vuelta everybody.

I know you all like to compare apples and testicles, but then again..

 

[movingtarget]

I give it a 7. Better than the Giro.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

2 for me.

One point for Quintana beating Froome and one point for Chavez beating Contador for the 3rd place.

Actually, there should be no points for anybody beating Contador as he is cleared past his best and he should retire ASAP because he will not be winning any GT again.

So how does a race get a high rating?

7 for me. There was some good racing, but I agree with those who say there was to many breakaways.

 

[hfer07]

I'm very pleased with la Vuelta. Definitely the best GT of the year by far

8.5 to me

 

[Durden93]

Gave it an 8, great last 10-15 minutes to each stage typically, Aubisque stage was outstanding. Would've liked to have seen more more long range attacks like in the Giro, but i'll settle.

 

[SafeBet]

It was a 6,5 for me, but I gave it a 7 because it greatly exceeded my expectations, mainly thanks to the Formigal stage.

 

[CatsNK]

I gave it a 10. I very much enjoyed watching. I thought the racing was exciting and the scenery was beautiful, better than usual for the Vuelta, which sometimes seems to make Spain seem almost ugly. I liked that it was a head-to-head battle between the current greats of the sport.

The only thing that would have made it better for me would have been some rainy days.

 

[ahsoe]

8 from me. Having watched this years Tour, the Vuelta was pure joy and excitement.

The unpredictability and racing of some of the stages were very satisfying to witness.

And of course Magnus Cort won two stages

 

[barmaher]

8