Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2026, February 4-8

[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.

 

[Berniece]

@Armchair Cyclist @Cookster15 can this be stickied please?

 

[Cycling111]

It looks like McNulty will be in it after all. I think he could do better than Almeida on this route.

 

[Berniece]

RBH team has been finalised. Pellizzari is in a domestique role, so probably all-in for Evenepoel.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

RBH team has been finalised. Pellizzari is in a domestique role, so probably all-in for Evenepoel.

It would be shocking if anyone else was a leader for them

 

[Berniece]

It would be shocking if anyone else was a leader for them

Not really, with Vlasov there it might make sense to have 2 leaders. Last time he rode Valencia he was beaten after all by him.

 

[Cycling111]

Pellizzari is a climber. This route doesn't suit him.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Not really, with Vlasov there it might make sense to have 2 leaders. Last time he rode Valencia he was beaten after all by him.

Do compare route this year vs that year

 

[Berniece]

Do compare route this year vs that year

Has nothing to do with the route. Vlasov from 2022 or 2024 would have great chance of riding podium here. He's great at rolling terrain.

 

[Potomac]

PCS lists nine Americans starting the race. That's a lot for anything in Europe.

1	Andrew August	INEOS Grenadiers	20y + 115d
2	Artem Shmidt	INEOS Grenadiers	22y + 6d
3	Ethan Dunham	APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery	22y + 343d
4	Eddy Huntsman	APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery	23y + 264d
5	Magnus Sheffield	INEOS Grenadiers	23y + 291d
6	Patrick Welch	APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery	24y + 291d
7	Liam Flanagan	APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery	25y + 192d
8	Riley Sheehan	NSN Cycling Team	25y + 233d
9	Brandon McNulty	UAE Team Emirates - XRG	27y + 308d

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Has nothing to do with the route. Vlasov from 2022 or 2024 would have great chance of riding podium here. He's great at rolling terrain.

To have 2 leaders means that either one can perform better. If Remco really did make a step forward, as you constantly say you think he will, then Vlasov, regardless of the year, should stand no chance to be better in any realistic scenario

 

[Berniece]

To have 2 leaders means that either one can perform better. If Remco really did make a step forward, as you constantly say you think he will, then Vlasov, regardless of the year, should stand no chance to be better in any realistic scenario

That’s true