Vuelta a España 2011

[kareeem]

Horner?

But yeah, Brak and Klodi

I've just read it on twitter, don't know about Horner.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Stage 4 with Sierra Nevada far away form the previous climb and through the main road will be like Monte Terminillo. Nothing to do with what we saw in 2009.

Nevertheless, there's still San Sebastian and Burgos before the Vuelta.

Yea definitely, they're only finishing at 2125 too, at the resort town of Pradollano, whereas in 2009 they went over the Alto de Monachil first and then up to 2520m.

Expect to see some kind of tribute event or something special on this stage though - Pradollano was the site of Xavier Tondó's tragic death in May.

 

[Kwibus]

Considering his development it could happen. Like him a lot.
Probably the fact the first 2 weeks are heavy might not help him tho.

Not sure how he will respond to a 2nd GT in the year at his age. He´s a rider that gets better during the GT so this Vuelta isn´t really made for him.

 

[therealtimshady]

Will jj Cobo start? Seems to have been overlooked in the last few years

 

[Kwibus]

I think van den broeck will take it as seriously as humanly possible considering his injuries. He won't make any predictions, but he seems to be eager to save his season. Maybe top 10 or a stage win? Wiggins was considering riding it purely as preparation to the WC ITT i think.

What I´ve heard about him is that he´s really eager to perform really well in the Vuelta. It would be great for him to do so.
I remember Gesink crashing out of the TdF in 2009 and directly putting his focus on the Vuelta. He was certain to end up on the podium untill his crash in one of the latest stages. Huge hole in his knee made him lose a lot time.
VDB2s reaction and eagerness reminds of Gesink back then.

 

[Kwibus]

I've just read it on twitter, don't know about Horner.

I sure hope Horner will show up in the Vuelta.

 

[jens_attacks]

can't wait.this time i hope all the contenders won't be involved in crashes.

forzza il killer & purito!

 

[Clemson Cycling]

Horner has bike shop mechanics to beat up on in the Tour of Utah.

The Tour of Utah actually has a decent field this year having 5 Pro Tour teams

http://www.tourofutah.com/race/teams

 

[Duartista]

Will jj Cobo start? Seems to have been overlooked in the last few years

I imagine he will need to show some kind of form first. He is riding the Clasica Ordizia tomorrow, so that would be a good place to start.

In other news, Jose Rujano has apparently been negotiating with a European team to ride the Vuelta. This being Rujano... I wouldn't put much money on it actually happening, but you never know.

http://diariodelosandes.com/content/view/161456/105826/

 

[Mshengu]

This will by far be the most fascinating Vuelta. We expect to see:

Wiggins
Igor Anton/ Samu Sanchez
Nibali
Scarponi
Contador
Frank schleck

Wiggins will attack from the get go!!

 

[Kwibus]

This will by far be the most fascinating Vuelta. We expect to see:

Wiggins
Igor Anton/ Samu Sanchez
Nibali
Scarponi
Contador
Frank schleck

Wiggins will attack from the get go!!

Contador? I doubt it

 

[The Hitch]

Fabio Duarte!

Mikel Nieve!!!

I think EE will let Nieve have a free role while everyone else works for Anton.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Not sure how he will respond to a 2nd GT in the year at his age. He´s a rider that gets better during the GT so this Vuelta isn´t really made for him.

Maybe he should ride the Vuelta for experience and a stage hunt, and not for a GC. Also to keep expectations and pressure down.

 

[Kwibus]

Maybe he should ride the Vuelta for experience and a stage hunt, and not for a GC. Also to keep expectations and pressure down.

Indeed, allthough I would love to see him perform well during the entire Vuelta. It's hard to keep expectations down.

 

[Mshengu]

Contador? I doubt it

yeah my bad, I think they will send Chris Sorensen, he is quite talented. But maybe Bjarne should also help in developing Porte into a protagonist instead of a Gregario. Obviously the kid time trials very well!

 

[The Hitch]

He will.

source? ............

 

[The Hitch]

I like everyone that has the guts to follow one of Contador's attacks unless his name is Andy

Though the bonking that goes with it, is less fun. Especially in Scarponi's case haha. I forgot Scarponi will also ride the Vuelta, I won't know who to root for now(don't believe in VDB2 chances).

You can root for Anton. He doesnt just try to go with Contador. He attacks him too. Time and time again- Fleche, Burgos, Zoncolan.

He will.

source? ............

 

[Swede1]

Is there a website with the profiles of all of the stages up?

 

[The Hitch]

I like everyone that has the guts to follow one of Contador's attacks unless his name is Andy

Though the bonking that goes with it, is less fun. Especially in Scarponi's case haha. I forgot Scarponi will also ride the Vuelta, I won't know who to root for now(don't believe in VDB2 chances).

You can root for Anton. He doesnt just try to go with Contador. He attacks him too. Time and time again- Fleche, Burgos, Zoncolan.

He will.

source? ............

After waiting until 9 and 12 to have a proper mountain stage in the Giro and Tour respectively, I like it.

But the Vuelta has the last mountain on stage 15, which sucks imo. Personally I prefer to wait a few stages for the crescendo rather than have my cake and spend the next week looking at the plate wishing it was still there.

This will by far be the most fascinating Vuelta. We expect to see:

Wiggins
Igor Anton/ Samu Sanchez
Nibali
Scarponi
Contador
Frank schleck

Wiggins will attack from the get go!!

Id like to see Samu do the vuelta but this is Anton territory.

Kind of ironic though. Sanchez suffers in a lot of races because his team is too weak, but he cant do a race because his team is too strong.

 

[luckyboy]

is Menchov riding ?

Anyone know if it would be Menchov, Duarte and Sastre there?

 

[jens_attacks]

there are two threads,let's keep the other one cause is bigger

 

[LaFleur]

Looks like Estonia could set history in Vuelta: We could be having 2 Estonians riding on the same Grand Tour .
Astana's Tanel Kangert looks to be a certainty and Taaramäe said that he's seriously thinking about it, but sounded very confident about it to me anyways.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Will jj Cobo start? Seems to have been overlooked in the last few years

Not really overlooked - he's just been terrible ever since that stage win in 2009. Didn't finish a race in 2010.

Is there a website with the profiles of all of the stages up?

The official site hasn't got them up but they were released and you can find them about. I'll post them.

STAGE 1:

2:

3:

4:

 

[Libertine Seguros]

5:

6:

7:

8:

 

[Libertine Seguros]

9:

10:

*note - this TT has been lengthened to 45km*

11:

12: