Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2026, February 4-8

[Berniece]

The route could’ve used a proper mountain stage with such a length of ITT, but the best overall rider will win. Hopefully Evenepoel leading after the ITT pushes everyone else to go all-in and try something

 

[hayneplane]

Looks like:
1. Remco
2. Almeida
3. Tiberi

Not the greatest parcours for a GC fight especially with the worlds best TTer here and in confirmed excellent early season form.

Hopefully Lidl Trek will race aggressively in the easier stages for Pedersen and it would be good if Girmay is able to offer some resistance.

 

[tobydawq]

Vacek top 5?

 

[red_flanders]

cannot see anyone coming close to Remco due to the ITT

The ITT length seems a bit long given the nature of the rest of the course

I mean, maybe you've got a point RE: the course, but I also can't believe we've gotten to a place where a 17k TT is "too long".

 

[Squire]

I mean, maybe you've got a point RE: the course, but I also can't believe we've gotten to a place where a 17k TT is "too long".

LOL, yes. I don't mind slightly longer TTs either. The Algarve TT is a nice length. The only problem is really that Evenepoel is the best in all aspects of the route, and that can't easily be changed. And yes, stage 3 could maybe have done with a harder main climb. But all in all, there is still some terrain in which to do damage if the best TT-er wasn't also the best climber/puncher/rouleur/hand waver.

 

[red_flanders]

LOL, yes. I don't mind slightly longer TTs either. The Algarve TT is a nice length. The only problem is really that Evenepoel is the best in all aspects of the route, and that can't easily be changed. And yes, stage 3 could maybe have done with a harder main climb. But all in all, there is still some terrain in which to do damage if the best TT-er wasn't also the best climber/puncher/rouleur/hand waver.

Yup. The argument that the course is underwhelming? For sure. I don't know how we could have a shorter TT...

If the argument is "Remco winning is bad". Welp. Sorry. Tears in beers. I don't love domination by anyone, but...this is a stage race in February. Who cares.

Also, I heard a of talking heads last year actually saying Almeida is the best stage racer in the world. Or some such thing, and there's no doubt he had a great year. He's got an excellent TT. He's on the best team. Why wouldn't this be super competitive? Seems like it will be.

 

[houtdffan]

I mean, maybe you've got a point RE: the course, but I also can't believe we've gotten to a place where a 17k TT is "too long".

oh, 17km isn't long by any means. Just not sure that is appropriate for this course.

would rather the length of this be flipped with UAE (though UAE with the 2 MTFs should be closer to 25 km, but going from 12 to 17 is a good start)

 

[AlpRaid]

cannot see anyone coming close to Remco due to the ITT

The ITT length seems a bit long given the nature of the rest of the course

Long only in terms of recent times.

There was a time when this was pretty standard if not longer in one week races. And the riders who won GCs were primarily TTers who could climb, as opposed to climbers who often don’t need to even TT.

Begrudging Remco one such race seems petty and ridiculous considering the TDF basically doesn’t even have a real TT (flat I mean). So tired of seeing the same three or four riders in a watts per kg battle on 13% gradients. So boring.

 

[houtdffan]

Long only in terms of recent times.

There was a time when this was pretty standard if not longer in one week races. And the riders who won GCs were primarily TTers who could climb, as opposed to climbers who often don’t need to even TT.

Begrudging Remco one such race seems petty and ridiculous considering the TDF basically doesn’t even have a real TT (flat I mean). So tired of seeing the same three or four riders in a watts per kg battle on 13% gradients. So boring.

I'd be fine with 17km if there was something like a 4km 7% finishing climb. Route would be well balanced.

Something like the Dauphine, which does not even have an ITT, should have a 50km ITT

 

[AlpRaid]

I'd be fine with 17km if there was something like a 4km 7% finishing climb. Route would be well balanced.

Something like the Dauphine, which does not even have an ITT, should have a 50km ITT

100% agreed. Unreal about Dauphiné. I freaking hate what ASO has done to cycling.

 

[houtdffan]

100% agreed. Unreal about Dauphiné. I freaking hate what ASO has done to cycling.

Prudhomme should do the right thing and have Rousse be the TDF/male cycling director and send Gouvenou to the women's TDF. HIs routes with hard final climbs and few TT km seem to match women's cycling better

 

[chickenlips]

I misread the ITT length, I read 33 then noticed that was the elevation, and not the length. Such a donut!🙄🤣

 

[Cycling111]

Prudhomme should do the right thing and have Rousse be the TDF/male cycling director and send Gouvenou to the women's TDF. HIs routes with hard final climbs and few TT km seem to match women's cycling better

Well, this year's Tour has less mountain than ever before. If they used routes like in other decades, with 250km stages with four mountain passes, Remco wouldn't stand a chance, even with a 50km time trial.
This year TDF route is designed to prevent any gaps from forming in the mountains until the end. They can't do more to make it easier for the others.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Well, this year's Tour has less mountain than ever before. If they used routes like in other decades, with 250km stages with four mountain passes, Remco wouldn't stand a chance, even with a 50km time trial.
This year TDF route is designed to prevent any gaps from forming in the mountains until the end. They can't do more to make it easier for the others.

Stage 6 says "hello". Some people will be very surprised on that day.
The race is backloaded but UAE and Teddy won't wait so long to attack.

 

[Berniece]

I really hope some of you are very wrong and we get an extremely entertaining race because a lot of riders are pushed to attack after the ITT

 

[Cycling111]

Stage 6 says "hello". Some people will be very surprised on that day.
The race is backloaded but UAE and Teddy won't wait so long to attack.

One stage, and compare it to they used to.

This year's route can't have less mountains. They can't complain about that.
Next route, they'll put a long a time trial and a route without mountains, like it's Baloise 😅. It's TDF.

 

[Berniece]

One stage, and compare it to they used to.

This year's route can't have less mountains. They can't complain about that.
Next route, they'll put a long a time trial and a route without mountains, like it's Baloise 😅. It's TDF.

Because last years TDF had so many mountains the first week? When did you feel the real mountains started last year? Stage 12? This year we have stage 3, 6 and then stage 14.

 

[Berflamand]

The ITT looks quite technical or is that map deceiving? I don't think Remco can gain that much time on this parcours that the GC is already a foregone conclusion after the ITT.

I'm keeping an eye on (the already mentioned) Vacek and perhaps Sheffield if he can stay upright in the ITT for once and shows some decent climbing/puncheur legs.

 

[Berniece]

The ITT looks quite technical or is that map deceiving? I don't think Remco can gain that much time on this parcours that the GC is already a foregone conclusion after the ITT.

I'm keeping an eye on (the already mentioned) Vacek and perhaps Sheffield if he can stay upright in the ITT for once and shows some decent climbing/puncheur legs.

Still think he can get 20-30s though. If it's more than that, the GC battle really is over

 

[Cycling111]

The ITT looks quite technical or is that map deceiving? I don't think Remco can gain that much time on this parcours that the GC is already a foregone conclusion after the ITT.

I'm keeping an eye on (the already mentioned) Vacek and perhaps Sheffield if he can stay upright in the ITT for once and shows some decent climbing/puncheur legs.

Almeida isn't very technical rider either.
Remco will win that time trial easily.

I think this course suited McNulty better than Almeida.

 

[Berflamand]

Almeida isn't very technical rider either.
Remco will win that time trial easily.

I think this course suited McNulty better than Almeida.

If McNulty starts he's definitely someone to be reckoned with indeed and he could form a strong duo with Almeida.

He's not yet on the startlist on PCS but I see that UAE's team hasn't been confirmed yet.

 

[Salvarani]

No, McNulty isn't in the race. That was my conclusion because of de route. It's a course better suited to a rouleur like McNulty than to Almeida.

Although McNulty wouldn't stand a chance against Remco either, and his time trial performance worsened last year.

What do you mean worsened?

He won and finished 2nd in his last two ITTs last season, in two races where he was leader and that he won both overall.

 

[Berniece]

He's not yet on the startlist on PCS but I see that UAE's team hasn't been confirmed yet.

It's tomorrow and we still don't have a complete startlist. That's crazy to me

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Still think he can get 20-30s though. If it's more than that, the GC battle really is over

Yes, in this race there are no opportunities to overcome such a gap over Remco. Almeida should hope it will be closer.

 

[Berniece]

Yes, in this race there are no opportunities to overcome such a gap over Remco. Almeida should hope it will be closer.

Depends a bit on the strength of RBH too. You can very easily startle Evenepoel, make him mad, and push him to make bad decisions. After stage 2, everyone will look at Evenepoel to close gaps if needed. If RBH isn't there to help him, he might lose the battle that way. Basically other riders should try to attack and go for it.

With Aleotti, Vlasov and Pellizzari there they do have a strong team. But not sure how the dynamics are and if all chips are on Evenepoel.