The Shrinking Vuelta

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gregrowlerson said:
Classic post! But actually the peyresourde hasn't been used since '07, so I am glad it's back next year. And La Tousierre first time since '06, plus no Alpe duez, AX3-Domaines, Galibier, etc. It is a very different tour as far as the mountains route goes.

Really? What's this then?

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and this?

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Is it? When we're comparing it to climbs that are not used full stop, it's a bit odd to claim a positive when talking about the Tour not doing the same old same old because they're doing a climb they've done in 3 of the last 5 Tours, just because they've put it a bit too far from the end of the stage the last couple of times.

Surely by being in 3 of the last 5 Tours this proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Peyresourde is indeed part of the same old same old?
 
Personally I'm open to them moving the Vuelta back to April. They'd have to shuffle and bounce some other races, but I liked it better then. More riders rode it to win it, not to prepare for the Worlds (which I never understood). Plus, Spain is more beautiful then. Lots of snow, the hillsides green. Having the race in September we get a lot of brown grass and hills, and fog.
 
Oct 29, 2010
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April would be very interesting... Spain would certainly be a lot nicer at that time of year.

Glad to see this thread has served some purpose... Sorry I got taken in by the jokesters.
 
Alpe d'Huez said:
Personally I'm open to them moving the Vuelta back to April. They'd have to shuffle and bounce some other races, but I liked it better then. More riders rode it to win it, not to prepare for the Worlds (which I never understood). Plus, Spain is more beautiful then. Lots of snow, the hillsides green. Having the race in September we get a lot of brown grass and hills, and fog.

Especially when there's a moderate or hilly Worlds, plenty of riders who are riding the Vuelta for GC will claim to be preparing for the Worlds so that they have a ready-made excuse if it all goes wrong. Does anybody really believe Evans wasn't bothered about GC at the 2009 edition?