Vuelta 2012 Wildcards

[Libertine Seguros]

Would love to see Caja Rural, and they've been more or less guaranteed it.

Just a bit concerned as I'd like to see Broco and Cardoso at the Volta AND the Vuelta, which might be a bit too much.

 

[MADRAZO]

My wish (i like to see different teams get their chance and the a-teams instead of b-teams tired from the TDF):

Coldesportes
Acqua E Sapone
Caja Rural
Andalucia

My guess:

Cofidis
Caja Rural
Coldesportes (when all of us think they would be exiting, why shouldn't the Vuelta think so too)
Europcar/Andalucia

Hope nots:

Europcar
Saur
Arcos
(all having used all their forces in the TDF, and I like to see different teams get their chance)

 

[trevim]

Would love to see Caja Rural, and they've been more or less guaranteed it.

Just a bit concerned as I'd like to see Broco and Cardoso at the Volta AND the Vuelta, which might be a bit too much.

I remember reading somewhere that Broco would lead at the Volta because his recovery isn't good enough for 3 weeks and Cardoso would be peaking for the Vuelta.

Obviously I don't know if that's still the plan or if they've changed it somehow....

 

[Libertine Seguros]

This would make total and utter sense, as Broco has shown in the last couple of years that the Volta would appear to be the limit of his recovery.

 

[Parrulo]

This would make total and utter sense, as Broco has shown in the last couple of years that the Volta would appear to be the limit of his recovery.

indeed. now the question is, can cardoso, or the cardosos if you also include manuel, do well enough on the vuelta so caja rural shows everyone they deserve their wirld card?

 

[trevim]

indeed. now the question is, can cardoso, or the cardosos if you also include manuel, do well enough on the vuelta so caja rural shows everyone they deserve their wirld card?

Manuel was top5 in some sprints back in 2010. So if all stars allign correctly he may get a stage. Not likely but still...

About André, I can only hope he can last the 3 weeks going for breaks on mountain stages, He seems to do well in the heat/late season so that's an advantage.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Given the total lack of ITT mileage, I'm more hoping André can hang around for a top 15 or so (after all, he's looked pretty good for recovery judging by his Worlds performances and his Voltas) or maybe challenge Moncoutié for the mountains jersey. De La Fuente was the only real contender for that jersey that took the fight to Moncoutié throughout in 2009, and could be useful with a team around him, but I wouldn't expect any more than a top 15-20.

I expect we will be seeing a lot of Julián Sánchez too - he's always game for a long break.

 

[trevim]

I don't know about a top15. Caja Rural has a very experienced rider on GT's (De La Fuente) so I have some doubts they would support Cardoso right from the start of his first GT.

Looking forward to see how they do.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I don't know about a top15. Caja Rural has a very experienced rider on GT's (De La Fuente) so I have some doubts they would support Cardoso right from the start of his first GT.

Looking forward to see how they do.

They won't need to. A couple of nasty hot days (which he's good in and we know this, from the Volta) and attrition, coupled with smaller gaps and a less strong field than the Tour (especially given that many will be racing for 2nd if Contador is dominant). Manuel Vázquez managed 15th in the 2009 Vuelta while riding for Contentpolis-AMPO, just by riding his own race and following the main group. Hell, Tiralongo was 7th overall by doing the same, and Navarro and Zubeldia were 13th and 14th despite never being seen in the race. Oliver Zaugg was 11th in the 2008 edition in similar fashion, Sergey Lagutin 15th last year likewise, Karpets and Le Mevel 12th and 14th in 2010. Others have held on to a middling GC position then had one well-selected break stage that's got them a good result - Deignan's 9th in 2009 and Nieve's 11th in 2010 (possibly 10th) spring to mind.

If he is going to be good enough (which of course we don't know) then he won't necessarily need to be his team's protected rider (if there is one).

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Given the total lack of ITT mileage, I'm more hoping André can hang around for a top 15 or so (after all, he's looked pretty good for recovery judging by his Worlds performances and his Voltas) or maybe challenge Moncoutié for the mountains jersey. De La Fuente was the only real contender for that jersey that took the fight to Moncoutié throughout in 2009, and could be useful with a team around him, but I wouldn't expect any more than a top 15-20.

I expect we will be seeing a lot of Julián Sánchez too - he's always game for a long break.

what would you want with a top 15. that is very lame. he should go for a stage win and attack

 

[Parrulo]

what would you want with a top 15. that is very lame. he should go for a stage win and attack

well i am with ryo on this one. it would be much better for both cardoso and caja rural if he had a moncotie like vuelta with a mountain stage win and several days in the breakaway of a mountain stage fighting for the KOM jersey.

i think he pull this kind of performance to be honest, he clearly has the talent, after all not many riders get to the worlds road race without proper racing days since mid august and still finish top 20. And this happened 2 years in a row in 2009 and 2010!!1

 

[nobilis]

Another reason Europcar should not be invited. Their kit and Caja Rural's are almost the same. That will create a huge confusion. Phil Liggett was even having trouble with 2 completely distinct kits, Saxo and OPQS kits.

 

[XlandaluzeX]

i d say Caja Rurals bet for the GC will be Garikoitz Bravo, he can definetly top-15

my guess for the wildcards: Caja Rural & Cofidis & Andalucía are a lock i think, the 4th should go to Argos or Saur, sorry for Colombia

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

i d say Caja Rurals bet for the GC will be Garikoitz Bravo, he can definetly top-15

my guess for the wildcards: Caja Rural & Cofidis & Andalucía are a lock i think, the 4th should go to Argos or Saur, sorry for Colombia

bravo. LOL that will never happen.

 

[MADRAZO]

bravo. LOL that will never happen.

In 3-5 years he should be able to do it. Now it indeed seems very unlikely. This year his aim must be to finish the race and show himself in a couple of breaks.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

he never showed any real class as a younger a;lthough I admitt he rides well this year from what I saw. but he's not a typical climber. he's more hevay build and for shorter climbs and classics I think.

a future gt prospect for caja rural is enzo moyano

 

[XlandaluzeX]

he never showed any real class as a younger

whaaaaaat ?? man u must be kidding

together with Landa, the 2 more promising riders of their generation, true hes struggling a bit these 2 first years with the pros, but the guy has the tools to succeed, you know Subida a Gorla, do you ? http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/carreras-general-clasif.asp?id=864&anyo=2009

but u right, i was bit too optimistic with the top-15, a top 25 more attainable

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

honeslty that doesn't impress me at all. spanish elite racing is at a VERY low level currently and it's been for the past years. landa is a good talent but nothing exceptional either like anton was. remind me maybe a bit of intaxusti who hasn't broken through yet either.

 

[Gloin22]

AS.com reports that Vuelta wildcards go to Argos-Shimano, Cofidis, Caja Rural and Andalucia

 

[cineteq]

AS.com reports that Vuelta wildcards go to Argos-Shimano, Cofidis, Caja Rural and Andalucia

no coledeportes

 

[Sylvester]

As expected, but it's a pity. Andalucia have been a little better in the early season than they were last year, but they won't do much in the Vuelta.

 

[The Hitch]

no coledeportes

they seem to have based it in alphabetical order.

Coledeportes just missed out.

Though the real outrage should be europcar.

 

[Parrulo]

they seem to have based it in alphabetical order.

Coledeportes just missed out.

Though the real outrage should be europcar.

why is it an outrage? they will put everything they have into the tour and while the french may like tommy V's pathetic little facial expressions the spanish couldn't care less about it, nor do they about rolland who probably wouldn't even be in top shape after the tour.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

they seem to have based it in alphabetical order.

Coledeportes just missed out.

Though the real outrage should be europcar.

why? nobody in spain cares about europcar

 

[therealtimshady]

The Spanish teams should get the invites - lets face it the French teams get the wildcards for the tour and saur sojasun let's face it were rubbish last year