Rate the "epic mediocrity" of the 2011 Vuelta a España route

[The Hitch]

Rate the "epic mediocrity" of the 2011 Vuelta a España route

Give the 2011 Vuelta a España route a rating out of 10 where 1 represents great disappointment and 10 represents great approval.

 

[Descender]

Mediocrity?

I'd say it's better than the Tour route.

Like I said in the other thread, I give it a 7.5/10. As is the trend, too few ITT kms and too many uphill finishes, and the three big northern stages should be reversed, but overall it's a very varied route with lots of interesting stages all along. Better than last years, and I dare to say it's the hardest Vuelta ever.

 

[jens_attacks]

mediocrity it is.
i gave it a 5.sprinters will have to sweat for the wins and that's a good thing.better than le tour's route.

 

[Monte Zoncolon]

The Official Parcours ( route, course ) of the Vuelta Espana 2011, will be announced Tomorrow. 12th January.

 

[Descender]

The Official Parcours ( route, course ) of the Vuelta Espana 2011, will be announced Tomorrow. 12th January. So then we will see if the Spanish news paper, Diario de León's, release of the 2011 Vuelta Route, was speculative or accurate.

Good morning.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Where's the link to the route?

 

[Mellow Velo]

Good morning.

I like. Definitely better than Le Tour, but not Il Giro.
Glad to see they've kept a couple of short, explosive finishing ramps.
Always nice to get a new mountain or several.
Who can not like the Northern beasts?
OK, it is short of clockwork.
7.5 seems about right.

 

[Descender]

Where's the link to the route?

http://www.lavuelta.com/11pr/es/recorrido/index.html#z1

Though it seems to be down now. Go to the old thread.

 

[Monte Zoncolon]

Where's the link to the route?

I presume You are in Australia. Good morning 12th January. The official link does not exist Yet because as I am writing this post it is January 11th in Spain. Time 23:17 pm.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Just saw it, I gave it a five. Sierra Nevada on stage 4 should be epic but not enough tt km's imo. Are any gt organisers going to give guys who can time trial a chance? Seriously? A GT should have a balance of all disciplines in the sport in the GT. A GT is seen as the ultimate test of cycling ability and I personally think the Spanish will alter their route so a guy like Rodriguez will win.

 

[nvpacchi]

7/10

Would have given it an 8 or an 8.5 if the run-in to Vitoria wasn't dead flat, and the parade around Madrid was a TT instead.

Glad to see the Valdepenas de Jaen used again

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Just saw it, I gave it a five. Sierra Nevada on stage 4 should be epic but not enough tt km's imo. Are any gt organisers going to give guys who can time trial a chance? Seriously? A GT should have a balance of all disciplines in the sport in the GT. A GT is seen as the ultimate test of cycling ability and I personally think the Spanish will alter their route so a guy like Rodriguez will win.

I kind of agree with you but cos it's coming from you all I can read is "wah wah wah Evans won't win on this parcours".

 

[auscyclefan94]

I kind of agree with you but cos it's coming from you all I can read is "wah wah wah Evans won't win on this parcours".

read what you want into it but more tt km's cause for more exciting racing. The pure climbers have to attack more to get time on the guys who do a bit of both and then the final tt the guys who do a bit of both have to try and get it back in a thrilling tt. I think he could win.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I counted 10 mountain stages. How many of these are MTF's?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

read what you want into it but more tt km's cause for more exciting racing. The pure climbers have to attack more to get time on the guys who do a bit of both and then the final tt the guys who do a bit of both have to try and get it back in a thrilling tt. I think he could win.

I agree with you, I just read ACF moaning that there should be more TT mileage in a GT being ACF moaning that the race isn't Evans-oriented enough.

On the other hand, if the Colombians come, they couldn't ask for a better-suited GT. Except maybe the Giro.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I agree with you, I just read ACF moaning that there should be more TT mileage in a GT being ACF moaning that the race isn't Evans-oriented enough.

On the other hand, if the Colombians come, they couldn't ask for a better-suited GT. Except maybe the Giro.

Ok, I will admit it is partially to do with my bias towards Evans!

 

[The Hitch]

Ok, I will admit it is partially to do with my bias towards Evans!

I cant see Evans factoring much here. If he goes hard in the Ardennes and hard in the Tour (which will be hard this year) i dont know that he can get a second peak in time for the Vuelta. Espeically since theres a week less between the 2.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I cant see Evans factoring much here. If he goes hard in the Ardennes and hard in the Tour (which will be hard this year) i dont know that he can get a second peak in time for the Vuelta. Espeically since theres a week less between the 2.

The bold part is a big 'if' this year. I doubt he will really be at peak form. He's hinted in interviews that classics will be less of a focus but we'll see.

Who is riding? I think it is a great route for David Blanco!

 

[The Hitch]

The bold part is a big 'if' this year. I doubt he will really be at peak form. He's hinted in interviews that classics will be less of a focus but we'll see.

Who is riding? I think it is a great route for David Blanco!

Cant look past Igor Anton atm.

Rujano maybe. If one of the Geox boys doesnt do the Tour, then they have a chance. Joaquim Rodriguez if he doesnt do the Tour. Riccardo Ricco could. Ezes chance was last year unfortunately.

Oh yeah and if Contador doesnt get a ban, but isnt allowed to do the Tour, then you have your favourite.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Cant look past Igor Anton atm.

I agree with that. How good is he is he in the time trial?

Does anyone know how many MTF's are there?

 

[Descender]

Cant look past Igor Anton atm.

Rujano maybe. If one of the Geox boys doesnt do the Tour, then they have a chance. Joaquim Rodriguez if he doesnt do the Tour. Riccardo Ricco could. Ezes chance was last year unfortunately.

Oh yeah and if Contador doesnt get a ban, but isnt allowed to do the Tour, then you have your favourite.

Anton should be the big favourite.

Fuentes denied having said that btw.

 

[Descender]

I agree with that. How good is he is he in the time trial?

Does anyone know how many MTF's are there?

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=34449

 

[The Hitch]

Anton should be the big favourite.

Fuentes denied having said that btw.

Its not important whether he said it or not. What matters is people think he said it

Its the simplest way of getting the message across. I could quote when he says that it wasnt just cyclists and there were other sports etc etc etc, or i can stick to "Si hablo adios al mundial". Easier.

And having said Anton, i dont think hes the big favourite. When we see the Giro well no more, because maybe someone like Rujano or Ricco will be able to perform very well. There are so many out there who can potentialy challenge Anton.

 

[Descender]

Its not important whether he said it or not. What matters is people think he said it

Its the simplest way of getting the message across. I could quote when he says that it wasnt just cyclists and there were other sports etc etc etc, or i can stick to "Si hablo adios al mundial". Easier.

And having said Anton, i dont think hes the big favourite. When we see the Giro well no more, because maybe someone like Rujano or Ricco will be able to perform very well. There are so many out there who can potentialy challenge Anton.

Are you another jealous Brit?

Cycling is one thing, but I can't see how doping would substantially improve Spain's performance especially seeing their style.

To me, right now, Anton is the favourite. But there's a whole season to go still.

 

[auscyclefan94]

After Pena Carbarga it seems to be a bit of an anti-climax in the vuelta. The last three stages before then are just nothing much at all really.
Most mountain stages don't have much before it. I guess it means that mtn stages will be raced faster.