Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2020, Spain, February 5 - February 9

[Lequack]

Racing season in Europe starts in Valencia, with a pretty stellar cast. Notable mentions for GC include Valverde, Pogacar, Dumoulin (now with Jumbo Visma), Dan Martin (now with Israel Start-Up Nation ).
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/vuelta-a-la-comunidad-valenciana/2020/overview
https://vueltacv.com/

Live video stream available on Eurosport.

Full startlist: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/vuelta-a-la-comunidad-valenciana/2020/gc/startlist/roster

 

[Lequack]

Stage 1 » Castelló › Vila-Real (180k)

Stage 2 » Torrent › Cullera (181k)

Stage 3 » Orihuela › Torrevieja (175k)

Stage 4 » Calp › Altea (Sierra de Bernia) (156k)

Stage 5 » Paterna › Valencia (98k)

 

[Velolover2]

I'd go with Bala but it all depends on Pog's shape.

Despite his young age, Pog is the favorite if he is just at 90%.

 

[tobydawq]

I'd go with Bala but it all depends on Pog's shape.

Despite his young age, Pog is the favorite if he is just at 90%.

Why?

In the Vuelta, they were pretty even. Some days Valverde was better, some days Pogacar was better.

 

[Velolover2]

Why?

In the Vuelta, they were pretty even. Some days Valverde was better, some days Pogacar was better.

Pog has the youth on his side but I'll have to see the MTF stage in details to judge who is the favorite.

 

[Lequack]

Pog has the youth on his side but I'll have to see the MTF stage in details to judge who is the favorite.

Here it is:

 

[Red Rick]

Mostly interested in how Dumoulin does here

 

[Red Rick]

Here it is:

Looool

I like it

 

[Velolover2]

Here it is:

Thank you, Lequack. Looks monstrous!

Bala vs. Pog for sure.

 

[tobydawq]

On those percentages, Valverde should thrive.

 

[Lequack]

PCS team is already on location

 

[Koronin]

Also Valverde will have Soler for help. Not sure who Pogacar will have for support.
Valverde will love that climb. Those are the type of climbs he great at. With today's results at Mallorca we know Valverde's form is typical for this time of year.

 

[Velolover2]

It's a mano a mano climb. The strongest rider will certainly win it regardless of the team. A hard team pace is not even good for Valverde.

It looks like something in between Mas de la Costa and Los Machucos. Honestly, Im going for Pogačar. It's a bit too long for Bala to have an edge.

 

[Escarabajo]

I'd go with Bala but it all depends on Pog's shape.

Despite his young age, Pog is the favorite if he is just at 90%.

It is just a short race. Is anyone's race including Valverde who I think is the main favorite.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Nah, the steep part is too short for Los Machucos. It's more like Mas de la Costa but if anything, this is more like a slightly shorter Monte Oiz (say they stopped at San Kristobal), or Les Praeres.

 

[Red Rick]

Don't think these climbs are that mano a mano cause they just wait as long as possible anyway. Also no need to not go as late as possible because there's no ITT. 10 km ITT would make this race a bit better imo.

 

[WKA311]

I think Poels could also challenge Bala and Pogi here, he was good in this race in the past and the climb should suite him.

Will also be interesting to see how Martin goes with Israel and I'm keeping an eye on Haig and Tao Geoghean Hart whom I both expect to make another step forward this year.

 

[yaco]

Doubt the parcours suit Haig - He'll be better in Ruta Del Sol.

 

[Lequack]

Valverde the man to beat at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana – Preview

Valverde the man to beat at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana – Preview

Spaniard the main favourite for star-studded early season stage race

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[sir fly]

Two races and snooker on the schedule this week.
How to follow everything while the cable operator is in the war with the channels' provider?

Anyway, I was unaware the both, Valencia and Arab tour, will be broadcast.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Here it is:

Looks nasty. Love it. A battle between Jakobsen and Van Emden, for sure.

 

[Lequack]

Looks nasty. Love it. A battle between Jakobsen and Van Emden, for sure.

Surely you mean between Kristoff and Trentin.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Surely you mean between Kristoff and Trentin.

You think they can roll backwards faster than Jakobsen and Van Emden?

 

[Salvarani]

Surely you mean between Kristoff and Trentin.

I know we joking but Trentin is a pretty good climber. Not in this sort of climb, but he was strong in those medium mountains in the Tour last year. The stage he won and on the stage Yates won.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

No Dumoulin. He's ill.