Vuelta 2014 super hype!!

[greenedge]

Is Cavendish riding the Vuelta- he's listed on one but then I just saw the article on CN about Boonen and he said he would be riding for himself in the sprints?

 

[Arredondo]

I don't think there was any more time loss for Ryder on a Stelvio stage. He was leading the group himself for many kilometers while others wheelsucked him. Yet, they were only able to attack him just before the summit and gain some tiny seconds. Had they attacked earlier, they wouldn't benefit from wheelsucking and I'm sure Hesjedal would be either able to counter them or ride his own pace and minimising loses, losing more or less what he actually lost at the end of the stage. He rode away from everyone a day earlier and didn't look like struggling compared to other riders on that stage.

Concerning the Stelvio-stage you are perhaps right. Purito attacked in the last km, got some 15 seconds, but i had the idea he didn't put any more time into Hesjedal in the last 200 meters. So losing the same amount of time would be the most likely outcome in any race situation indeed. But the fact, Scarponi and Purito attacked so late, always makes you think what will be the actual time loss, if they attacked earlier.

He has shown some weakness in earlier stages, but nobody goes flat out on some medium mountain stages in the middle of the race just because one of riders who is expected to do well in GC, doesn't look particularly well (unless it's one of the 2-3 biggest favourites, perhaps, and the other guy has a strong team to make it happen).

Partly true. But in the stage to Plan del Resinelli, Katusha had played some good tactics with Losada in the break. In the end, it was Purito who attacked at 2 km to go, and got help from Losada in the last k. That shows they had the team on that particular moment to hurt Hesjedal more then they actually did that day. The fact Ryder last more then half a minute in 2 km, shows he was quite cooked at the end. That was THE stage where they could get more then 1 minute (and likely GC victory) on him. But, ofcourse that's easy to say now.

But if it was a rider like Basso or Scarponi that day instead of Hesjedal, the chance was bigger they attacked from let's say 5/6 k till the finish. But that's the advantage you get if you're not a big favourite from the start.

Versatility and ability to gain time in various terrain, circumstances etc. is a part of being a good GT rider. Hesjedal also lost a minute on a stage to Mende, because he didn't expect to be so strong at the end of the race, still uncertain of his GC capabilities, so he got himself into an early break on that stage and it didn't pay off.

Based on how he rode in that stage to Arenberg, he belonged to the best 6 guys in race. I'll give you that.

I'm not saying he is better climber than Purito, but he beat him in GC of GTs the only 2 times he tried. That shows, that in a top form and a bit of luck, the TdF podium would not be totally out of the question IMO. He is not in the top3 climbers of the world, but neither are Peraud or Pinot (yet) IMO, but they've managed it.

Based on how he rode in de '12, a podium indeed would not be totally out of the question. Especially in the Tour Wiggins won. But in a Tour like 2013, with that amount of climbs, i think even in his prime days he would not be able to finish on the podium.

 

[May0maniac]

Can we talk a little bit about the ITT on stage 10?

Someone knows the climb that is featured at the beginning? The average gradient is 4,4% for 8km, but according to the new profile on the official website the climb looks pretty irregular

How technical is the first part of the descent?

 

[Jspear]

Is Cavendish riding the Vuelta- he's listed on one but then I just saw the article on CN about Boonen and he said he would be riding for himself in the sprints?

Last I heard he wasn't officially confirmed. He was going to ride the Tour de l'Ain and see how things went.

 

[happytramp]

For Overall GC:

Chris Froome (SKY)
Nairo Quintana(Movistar)
Alberto Contador(Tinkoff-Saxo)
Andrew Talansky(Garmin)
Joaquim Rodroguez(katusha)
Fabio Aru (Astana)
Chris Horner (Lampre)
Rigoberto Uran (OPQS)
Samuel Sanchez (BMC)
Thibaut Pinot (FDJ)
Robert Gesink (Belkin)
Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto)
*Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin)
*Cadel Evans (BMC)
*Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)

Hmmm, can't see Dan Martin not making the top 15.

 

[Jspear]

Hmmm, can't see Dan Martin not making the top 15.

Yep. And add to that: Thibaut Pinot has said he will be going for a stage win and the KOM jersey. He doesn't want the pressure of GC.

 

[May0maniac]

Yep. And add to that: Thibaut Pinot has said he will be going for a stage win and the KOM jersey. He doesn't want the pressure of GC.

Yes! I think he will try to pull a Majka, finish way back durning the first week and then go in the breakaway on every decent stage.

 

[May0maniac]

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Vuelta_a_Espana_2014-Startlist
A few teams will bring massive firepower to the vuelta, Garmin Ryder, Dan and Andrew, Belkin Kelderman, Gesink and Ten Dam, Lampe Horner, Anacona, Niemiec and to a lesser extend Serpa and Cunego, Moviestar looks very strong and Astana just looks great.
BMC looks very strong if they just go stagehunting.

 

[Anderis]

Hesjedal then will focus on the Vuelta, where he will share leadership of Garmin-Sharp with Andrew Talansky, who left the last Tour de France after a crash, and Dan Martin, who is chasing success after he was thwarted by crashes at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Giro.

From Hesjedal's website. A bit of an opposite statement to those which were saying Talansky will be only there to help.

Nonetheless, a first couple of MTFs will decide everything. I hope at least 2 of them will be in form to fight for top10 spots in GC.

 

[cineteq]

Quote:

Hesjedal [...] will share leadership of Garmin-Sharp with Andrew Talansky, who left the last Tour de France after a crash, and Dan Martin, who is chasing success after he was thwarted by crashes at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Giro.

From Hesjedal's website. A bit of an opposite statement to those which were saying Talansky will be only there to help.

Nonetheless, a first couple of MTFs will decide everything. I hope at least 2 of them will be in form to fight for top10 spots in GC.

I wonder where is Afrank going to hide?

"I told you so" is fitting => http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=1550158&postcount=68

 

[greenedge]

Last I heard he wasn't officially confirmed. He was going to ride the Tour de l'Ain and see how things went.

Thanks ......

 

[durtyfat]

I wonder where is Afrank going to hide?

"I told you so" is fitting => http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=1550158&postcount=68

It is logical that Talansky will be also protected, in case that Hesjedal and/or Martin lose a lot of time in a stage. I read in another article that Vaughters aims the final victory in the Vuelta with his team and that the leader will probably be D. Martin.

 

[Afrank]

I wonder where is Afrank going to hide?

"I told you so" is fitting => http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=1550158&postcount=68

What reason do I have to hide?

I never said it wasn't possible Talansky would lead, or that he wasn't good enough, or that it was a bad idea. I questioned whether Vaughters would put him in a leadership role after crashing out of the race that was his main goal of the season over guys like Ryder and Martin who've had more optimal preparation.

At the time according to what Vaughters had said, the plan was Ryder and Martin leading, with Talansky working for them. Talansky must now be recovered from his injuries enough and is in good enough form to share leadership with those two. I'm glad, I do like Talansky.

 

[Ruudz0r]

It is logical that Talansky will be also protected, in case that Hesjedal and/or Martin lose a lot of time in a stage. I read in another article that Vaughters aims the final victory in the Vuelta with his team and that the leader will probably be D. Martin.

Do you have a link for me? Thanks in advance

 

[MatParker117]

Sky: Froome, Nieve, Rowe, Kiryienka, Deignan, Siutsou, Cataldo, Kennaugh, Knees

 

[ILovecycling]

Sky: Froome, Nieve, Rowe, Kiryienka, Nieve, Siutsou, Cataldo, Kennaugh, Knees

Interesting,lot of them are very tired imo.Movistar will have best team probably.

Still stronger than tinkoff

 

[Pricey_sky]

Interesting,lot of them are very tired imo.Movistar will have best team probably.

Still stronger than tinkoff

Suitsou and Cataldo have had a break since Giro and Kennaugh missed lots of racing due to injury. Nieve did a tough Tour but didn't really go hard apart from the final MTF stage where he was in the break.

 

[Arredondo]

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Vuelta_a_Espana_2014-Startlist
A few teams will bring massive firepower to the vuelta, Garmin Ryder, Dan and Andrew, Belkin Kelderman, Gesink and Ten Dam, Lampe Horner, Anacona, Niemiec and to a lesser extend Serpa and Cunego, Moviestar looks very strong and Astana just looks great.
BMC looks very strong if they just go stagehunting.

You forgot one of the stronger teams: Katusha, with Purito, Moreno, Caruso and Kolobnev. Really strong and most importantly really fresh team.

 

[ILovecycling]

Suitsou and Cataldo have had a break since Giro and Kennaugh missed lots of racing due to injury. Nieve did a tough Tour but didn't really go hard apart from the final MTF stage where he was in the break.

thats true,otoh from these guys only nieve is top-class mountain domestique imo.(maybe Kennaugh in top shape) Its hard to stay with likes of Moreno,Valverde,Kreuziger for them.

You forgot one of the stronger teams: Katusha, with Purito, Moreno, Caruso and Kolobnev. Really strong and most importantly really fresh team.

katusha will be very strong indeed

 

[SergeDeM]

Whoever started this poll seriously dropped the ball. Betancur and Evans but no Uran?? WTF...

 

[cineteq]

Sky: Froome, Nieve, Rowe, Kiryienka, Nieve, Siutsou, Cataldo, Kennaugh, Knees

This team looks tired.

Whoever started this poll seriously dropped the ball. Betancur and Evans but no Uran?? WTF...

What can I say...No Talansky, or Garmin rider either.

What reason do I have to hide?

At the time according to what Vaughters had said, the plan was Ryder and Martin leading, with Talansky working for them. Talansky must now be recovered from his injuries enough and is in good enough form to share leadership with those two. I'm glad, I do like Talansky.

Man, do you always take comments that seriously? My point was just use common sense and don't believe the media or the actors. Now we have an American to cheer on.

 

[willbick]

Froome - "I'm a little bit light on racing days this year so getting a Grand Tour under my belt will not only help me now, but it will also help my preparation for next year."

Doesnt sound like he expects to be challenging for the GC

 

[MatParker117]

Froome - "I'm a little bit light on racing days this year so getting a Grand Tour under my belt will not only help me now, but it will also help my preparation for next year."

Doesnt sound like he expects to be challenging for the GC

"Going for the win will certainly be tough, but we’ll give it everything we’ve got."

Definitely is

 

[willbick]

Definitely is

Definitely is what? Obviously he will try his best but the vibe i get from his quotes is he doesnt expect to be in good enough shape to seriously challenge

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Sky: Froome, Nieve, Rowe, Kiryienka, Nieve, Siutsou, Cataldo, Kennaugh, Knees

Hopefully Kennaugh will get the opportunity to ride his own GC chance.
There should be enough support for Froome on this Vuelta parcours while having dual objectives imo.