Vuelta 2014 super hype!!

[Netserk]

If Uran brings his Giro form, he will almost certainly at least podium. However I do think there is a real possibility that he'll be like last year.

 

[ILovecycling]

Isnt it a build up for Worlds for Uran? Dont expect him to top 5 here

Me neither,I dont think he is a 2Gt's a year guy.
He should better focus to be in great shape for WC to fight for leadership with bananito

 

[Arredondo]

Well, if Quintana, Froome and Purito are in top shape, i think this will the podium in that order.

But Horner, Valverde, Uran and Contador (i don't think he's good enough) can challenge too.

I'm just really hope for a good Froome, because i want to see some proper fight with Nairo.

 

[ILovecycling]

Well, if Quintana, Froome and Purito are in top shape, i think this will the podium in that order.

But Horner, Valverde, Uran and Contador (i don't think he's good enough) can challenge too.

I'm just really hope for a good Froome, because i want to see some proper fight with Nairo.

yeah,thats my only wish too. AC is a bonus

 

[cineteq]

It's beyond me how an incosistent rider could podium the Giro in consecutive years.
Massively underrated rider once again.

There you go "winning or placing well once a year" is the definition of inconsistency, thus you're overrating him.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Is there a link to a startlist out there? to lazy to google

thanks

 

[Netserk]

There you go "winning or placing well once a year" is the definition of inconsistency, thus you're overrating him.

So Armstrong was inconsistent?

 

[cineteq]

So Armstrong was inconsistent?

Are you suggesting Uran is Armstrong?

 

[Netserk]

Are you suggesting Uran is Armstrong?

Are you deflecting?

 

[cineteq]

Are you deflecting?

No, I thought I'd give a silly answer to your silly question
Are you comparing the yearly program of "the winner of 7 TdFs" with Uran's yearly program? Does that make sense to you?

 

[damian13ster]

yeah,thats my only wish too. AC is a bonus

Come on, Quintana can't drop good Froome on Vuelta mountains, and he is not even close in TT. If you want a proper fight you must hope for 60% Froome.

 

[Netserk]

No, I thought I'd give a silly answer to your silly question
Are you comparing the yearly program of "the winner of 7 TdFs" with Uran's yearly program? Does that make sense to you?

I'm just showing you what kind of 'logic' you use.

 

[cineteq]

I'm just showing you what kind of 'logic' you use.

Are you deflecting?

 

[Futuroscope]

1. Aru
2. Quintana
3. Chaves

 

[Arredondo]

Come on, Quintana can't drop good Froome on Vuelta mountains, and he is not even close in TT. If you want a proper fight you must hope for 60% Froome.

 

[ILovecycling]

Come on, Quintana can't drop good Froome on Vuelta mountains, and he is not even close in TT. If you want a proper fight you must hope for 60% Froome.

ohhh sssure

 

[cineteq]

1. Aru
2. Quintana
3. Chaves

Finally someone thinking outside the cycling magazine realm. I don't agree with you though

 

[damian13ster]

ohhh sssure

Are you suggesting now that Nairo became a rider with monster acceleration that does the best on a single-mountain stages with short climbs? Or are you saying he is better than Froome in TT? I am confused

 

[Kwibus]

Are you suggesting now that Nairo became a rider with monster acceleration that does the best on a single-mountain stages with short climbs? Or are you saying he is better than Froome in TT? I am confused

I agree with you. Quintana shines on high altitutes and long climbs. I don't think he has the punch as well.
He can proof me wrong though. His TT is very good though, not on Froomedog level, but certainly good.

 

[ILovecycling]

Are you suggesting now that Nairo became a rider with monster acceleration that does the best on a single-mountain stages with short climbs? Or are you saying he is better than Froome in TT? I am confused

Think about my opinion,and dont pretend to be stupid
Or read my signature ...

 

[damian13ster]

I think its stupid to believe that if Froome is in decent form then Quintana has any chance in Vuelta. In Giro, maybe. In mountain-heavy TdF...maybe.

In Vuelta? No chance. Even if it doesnt have 50km TT in it
When they went head to head in GC....Quintana won once. 5th vs 6th from Froome in Volta a Catalunya.....

 

[gospina]

This sounds like an except taken from a cycling magazine. Quintana, Rodriguez and Horner are the only ones 'sort of' ready for this. Froome and Contador are injured, and Uran and Betancur are very inconsitent. Btw, you failed to mention Talansky and JVB.

Thank you, I think. I don't think Uran is inconsistent. He should be in the podium. I didn't forget to mention Talansky and JVB. I just think they aren't worth mentioning. To be honest, I started on the wrong foot with Talansky when Vaughters was comparing him to Nairo over twitter. Vaughters stated that although Nairo was riding his bike to school when he was little, Talansky was being driven by his mother in a station wagon. I said to myself then that Talansky wasn't going to win 1 GT in his career. I have grown to respect him more, specially after his struggle at the TDF, but no way he is a contender this year. I know he finished 2nd to Nairo years and years ago and they have the closest thing to a long term duel building...it just won't be during the vuelta. Maybe he will come in 3rd in a stage

 

[ILovecycling]

I think its stupid to believe that if Froome is in decent form then Quintana has any chance in Vuelta. In Giro, maybe. In mountain-heavy TdF...maybe.

In Vuelta? No chance. Even if it doesnt have 50km TT in it
When they went head to head in GC....Quintana won once. 5th vs 6th from Froome in Volta a Catalunya.....

ok this is beyond my mind...avatar bet till end of next Tour?
who will be higher at final GC

 

[damian13ster]

as you probably noticed I dont have an avatar. I dont care about avatars. Not even sure how to put one in. So no incentive for me to do such bet.

I still stand by my opinion.

 

[gospina]

I think its stupid to believe that if Froome is in decent form then Quintana has any chance in Vuelta. In Giro, maybe. In mountain-heavy TdF...maybe.

In Vuelta? No chance. Even if it doesnt have 50km TT in it
When they went head to head in GC....Quintana won once. 5th vs 6th from Froome in Volta a Catalunya.....

I think realistically that if everyone was on their best form, Contador=Froome>Nairo=Nibali>Uran,Purito,Valverde>Rest.

Top 4 riders are Conti, Froome, Nairo, Nibs:

I think that Contador, Froome, Nairo and Nibali are close enough to each other that the teams and circumstances will make a difference. One stage where there is a split, one stage where teammates have stomach flu, one stage where one forgets to eat is enough to lose to the other.

Long 10% mountains=Nairo has slight edge, others are about the same
Rolling mountains=All are about the same
flat TT = Froome has edge, Nibali & Contador are close to each other, Nairo is behind
mountain TT = Nairo has edge, Froome, Nibali, Contador
Rollers = Nibali has edge
Downhill = Nibali has edge, Nairo 2nd, Contador then Froome.
Strategy = Contador has edge, Nibali and Nairo close, Froome, not so much
sharp, short climbs= Nairo has edge
Long, not so steep mountains=Froome has big edge here. All others must get on his wheel.
Cobbles = Give Nibali 2'

Again, when in form, these are my thoughts. We are talking about 20" difference between the 1st and 4th in this theoretical all-against-all head to head.

Now, regarding the Vuelta:
A TTT will make a huge difference. That's where other people come into play. OPQS has Tony Martin in there? Uran gets 40".
Is there a split due to winds?. One can lose 2', one can gain 20".
You have a superdomestique guiding you and he is on point? Give leader 20". superdomestique drops out? Add 15" to the rest of the guys.
Who has the best team? I Think OPQS, then Lampre. Movistar with Alejandro is hard to see.

So, in summary, IMO, If Froome and Contador are in form, there is a great race for the podium. If they aren't, like I suspect, Uran jumps to 2nd.
Aru, Chaves, Garmin guys, local spanish teams will all be sneaking in here and there. Horner can sneak into top 5. It will be a great Vuelta because they aren't 100%.
If they are 90% (Froome and Conti), it will be great. I think they are around 85%, which means they will fight for 3rd.