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Vuelta a España 2022: Pre-race discussion/hype tread

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What do you think the chances are for Nairoman in this Vuelta. He has always achieved great results in this race.

I feel he won't be able to target the GC after stretching himself at the Tour.

I definitely think a stage win is possible. Perhaps he has his eye on the Sierra Nevada stage at such high altitude!!
 
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Pretty surprised Remco is the favourite in the betting. Yes he has the TT advantage and is specifically targeting the race - but don’t think he’s shown anything in the high mountains to warrant being ahead of Carapaz (if riding), Hindley or Yates over a 3 week GT in the betting.
 
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I tend to like giro and vuelta more than the tour as it's a bit more open. Someone like Higuita might surprise, but Hindley seems to be building shape again so I guess Higuita might go for KOM or stages if so.

I can't imagine a vuelta without Rogla pretty face, even if it I tend to like less predicted results.

Last vuelta was quite fun with lots of crazy attacks and breakaways.

I guess another question

*Will Almeida podium a GT?

He doesn't seem to be in his best shape so my guess is no.

I'd not be surprised if Hindley won again honestly.
 
I tend to like giro and vuelta more than the tour as it's a bit more open. Someone like Higuita might surprise, but Hindley seems to be building shape again so I guess Higuita might go for KOM or stages if so.

I can't imagine a vuelta without Rogla pretty face, even if it I tend to like less predicted results.

Last vuelta was quite fun with lots of crazy attacks and breakaways.

I guess another question

*Will Almeida podium a GT?

He doesn't seem to be in his best shape so my guess is no.

I'd not be surprised if Hindley won again honestly.

Have you heard anything about Bora changing plans? Because unless Higuita is really hurt by his crash he should be the leader in the Vuelta, was supposed to be. Also better suited to the route.
 
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Have you heard anything about Bora changing plans? Because unless Higuita is really hurt by his crash he should be the leader in the Vuelta, was supposed to be. Also better suited to the route.
I didn't know honestly. But that could be fun.

I'd still not be surprised if he was surpassed by Hindley in the end though.

(Hindley and Jonas feels similar in my head somehow.)
 
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Pretty surprised Remco is the favourite in the betting. Yes he has the TT advantage and is specifically targeting the race - but don’t think he’s shown anything in the high mountains to warrant being ahead of Carapaz (if riding), Hindley or Yates over a 3 week GT in the betting.
I expect Remco to be the first since .......(Ullrich?) to win big mountain stages just by grinding the peloton to bits and pieces. Not once standing up and attacking, just gradually increasing the speed while sitting on the bike, until he is alone on the mountain. And of course win by 1+ min on the couple of biggest mountain stages like Sierra Nevada.
 
It's a bit insane how still nobody takes Hindley seriously, when he has been 2nd and 1st in the Giro.
Yeah, the Giro 2020 could have been a fluke (just look at TGH), but this year's performances were truly impressive. Carapaz is considered to be one of the very best climbers, and Hindley matched him every day and thoroughly beat him on Fedaia. At that point I don't think anyone else than Vingegaard, Pog and a Bernal back in peak shape could have matched and beaten Hindley in the mountains.
 
It's a bit insane how still nobody takes Hindley seriously, when he has been 2nd and 1st in the Giro.
Of course this will be his second GT this year and I think Higuita will be the leader. Still he should be a big name by now and talked about.

I do take him seriously, he's deservedly a GT winner, but I don't believe he's capable of winning the Giro-Vuelta double which only Contador managed to accomplish in 2008 and nobody else since the new calender date of the Vuelta.
 
I might get some stick here, but looking through the profiles the route is actually pretty decent. Yes they could of made it better, but it's still got potential.
Hard not to when making a race in Spain! Gotta look at it more closely later, but apart from starting in the NL, I don't have that much of a problem with the route either. Once we reach Spain, the race should be good as usual.
 
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