Rest Day 1: Who will win La Vuelta?

[Arredondo]

Contador is the big favorite but i'm concerned for his team. There are some stages where he can really get screwed over.

Contador has shown he can solve situations by himself (giro '11) but idk, it's going to be really hard to win this.

Quintana and froome still have a chance. Piti and purito don't have a chance imo.

Btw Contador is the only rider this year that has never been dropped. Rider of the year should be obvious

He was dropped by Purito in Catalunya.

Only by 5 seconds though. But still 5 seconds

 

[Netserk]

Btw Contador is the only rider this year that has never been dropped.

^^Disagrees with you.

 

[Miburo]

He was dropped by Purito in Catalunya.

Only by 5 seconds though. But still 5 seconds

I don't count stupid sprints like that lol

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Well at least we now know Contador would have beaten Froome at the TDF

Anyways voted for Quintana because cannot see Contador's knee/leg not giving him some grief at some point.

Would prefer to see Contador FTW because I just dont like Quintana very much - sorry

 

[cineteq]

So Betancur is there but not Evans???
Who made this poll, Miburo?
Voted Quintana.

 

[Escarabajo]

Moderators,
Can we make this poll public?
I forgot to pick this option.

Thanks.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I voted for Contador because he can gain time over Quintana and Rodriguez in TTs. But Quintana's chances seem to be nearly the same as Contador's - both of them could reach peak form in the decisive mountain stages. Rodriguez also looks a candidate for the podium. I'm not sure in what kind of form Froome is now - he could crack or go thermonuclear some day. And I think that Valverde could have a day off. Aru and Uran should be very good but the competition is really strong. I hope for some spectacular mountain duels!

 

[Coat-O]

He can always get a job in Vegas.

 

[Red Rick]

Contador and Quintana will likely improve towards the end. Contador was the best GC rider in the spring and in june. I've seen nothing that indicates Quintana will climb better than Contador in the end. Contador will take at least a minute in the two time trails and he probably has a better finishing kick than Quintana. Few climbs are really suited to Quintana this Vuelta.

Quintana has a way better team though. If they can isolate Contador early on stage 16 and send Valverde up the road, a lot of **** will be going on. Astana might help out, cause Contador took his gifting habit too far in July, and gave away the Tour victory by crashing out. Katusha might really help if Purito misses the late breakaway in that stage, but that's the only help I see.

Ideally, Contador takes as much time as early as possible on Valverde and Froome and those people, so he only has to mark Quintana on the really hard stages

 

[Pricey_sky]

Contador for me, I think he was fooling many of us about how long he was off the bike for. He seems in very good shape. Quintana can push him very close but will lose time in the TT's. Not sure what to make of Froome, he can still win it but I think he will just fall short and face a battle with Purito for 3rd.

 

[jens_attacks]

i will stick with alberto of course even i would be happy with anyone from the current top 8. i think there will be a battle until ancares

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

The Winner isn't in the poll

but I voted Quintana

 

[Rollthedice]

The Winner isn't in the poll

but I voted Quintana

Papy Horner?

 

[Coat-O]

Any profile of the time trial WITH gradients? The TT reminds me of this one but the with hill located differently.

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Vuelta_a_Espana_2012_Stage_11_Pontevedra

If Contador is in better shape than Froomey, he could even beat him. He has the advantage that he starts behind him and knows all the intermediate results. But let's see. He should hope for a rainy day.

Quintana/Purito need to go all in on the climb (also downhill) to not lose too much time.

Uran could be the big winner. He is one of the best on a hilly TT. Maybe a top 3 guy.

How much do you expect in the small climbers to lose on a stage like this? 1-2 minutes? Maybe 3-4 to Tony Martin.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Any profile of the time trial WITH gradients? The TT reminds me of this one but the with hill located differently.

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Vuelta_a_Espana_2012_Stage_11_Pontevedra

If Contador is in better shape than Froomey, he could even beat him. He has the advantage that he starts behind him and knows all the intermediate results. But let's see. He should hope for a rainy day.

Quintana/Purito need to go all in on the climb (also downhill) to not lose too much time.

Uran could be the big winner. He is one of the best on a hilly TT. Maybe a top 3 guy.

How much do you expect in the small climbers to lose on a stage like this? 1-2 minutes? Maybe 3-4 to Tony Martin.

Basically it's a lot of false flat ascent and descent but with a 2km @ 7.5% climb after a few Km's in.

 

[Coat-O]

Basically it's a lot of false flat ascent and descent but with a 2km @ 7.5% climb after a few Km's in.

Thank you, dude! Do you have one of those cool profiles where you can see the gradients?

 

[Pricey_sky]

Thank you, dude! Do you have one of those cool profiles where you can see the gradients?

No sorry, I just looked at the profile that is on the Steephill website.

 

[metaCYCLE]

Betancur the new Vino option!!!

not there yet, but i'll take it for now

 

[Coat-O]

Someone please post stage 10 with gradients.

 

[Rollthedice]

Someone please post stage 10 with gradients.

Valverde said it's technical and tough. He says he likes it.

 

[Coat-O]

Valverde said it's technical and tough. He says he likes it.

The more technical, the better for as well.

 

[BigMac]

Thank you, dude! Do you have one of those cool profiles where you can see the gradients?

Hope this one will do.

Cheers.

 

[Better Call Saul]

I voted for Contador because he can gain time over Quintana and Rodriguez in TTs.

Really? I've been amazed by quintanas time trialling the last 2 seasons. I would think he'll probably gain a handful of seconds on contador. I expect froome to be in red on tuesday night

 

[Coat-O]

Hope this one will do.

Cheers.

PERFECT!

10char....

 

[DFA123]

Hope this one will do.

Cheers.

I rode the route earlier this year and am surprised to see that the section near the top is so steep. It certainly didn't feel more than 10%.

I think the course as a whole is great for a time trial though as it offers something for everyone. The climb is long enough to help genuine climbers, but not so steep that it rules out the more powerful riders.

The first half of the downhill is really technical and will require a lot of hard accelerations, more than just turning a massive gear. Also the road is really narrow and the surface is poor in a lot of the corners - wouldn't fancy doing it with aero bars.

The last 15km, until Borja (which will be techincal) are mostly straight and really fast though which will suit the big powerhouses.