Vuelta a España 2025 discussion

[fenns]

Jonas the obvious pick for winner - but likely he will have aimed to peak at the Tour so might be coming down from that. His post-Tour history is thin - 2023 was complicated.

I hope Rogla goes.

 

[Peter von]

Looked to me like Pogi was getting weaker, but that's just my point of view.

yeah, might be, in my first draft i also started writing about maybe it was more the others weakening faster or whatever. But then i simplified it, in part because on the first ITT and Hautacam Vingegaard look weakeer compared to the other non-Pogi GC riders.
But obvisouly you are right it's more that in comparison to the others he was looking stronger.

 

[Netserk]

I hope Hagenes goes instead of Valter, and Kooij instead of Van Baarle would be nice too.

McNulty should ride instead of Novak.

I hope to see De Lie here. Merlier should start as well.

 

[HashRouge]

I hope Hagenes goes instead of Valter, and Kooij instead of Van Baarle would be nice too.

McNulty should ride instead of Novak.

I hope to see De Lie here. Merlier should start as well.

I mean, Domen Novak will do exactly what you ask of him and give his all for the team. McNulty rode to protect his top 10 at the Giro. I know who I'd rather take...

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Only now I've realized that stage 4 starts in Susa. Let that sink in for a moment.
Now we know what is the biggest mistake made by the organizers...What a wasted stage. Oh man, it's killing me.

 

[Blanco]

If Roglic shows up, then the podium will be him, Almeida and Vingegaard. I don't know in which order though, it will be tight.

 

[ingsve]

I just looked at the route for the first time and counting everything there are 13 uphill finishes, 11 of which are basically MTFs. Has any GT ever had that many uphill finishes?

 

[Lorzenz08]

1 - Vingegaard
2 - Almeida : 3:4X
3 - Roglic : 5:XX

 

[Ulle97]

I just looked at the route for the first time and counting everything there are 13 uphill finishes, 11 of which are basically MTFs. Has any GT ever had that many uphill finishes?

It's crazy tbh. But that's the Vuelta. That's normal enough for their route. I haven't done a count but many previous editions would have had something similar.

 

[ingsve]

It's crazy tbh. But that's the Vuelta. That's normal enough for their route. I haven't done a count but many previous editions would have had something similar.

I have't really followed the vuelta much in the past 10 years but back in the day at least they still had a fair share of sprint stages still. I need to go back and look at previous routes as well then.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I have't really followed the vuelta much in the past 10 years but back in the day at least they still had a fair share of sprint stages still. I need to go back and look at previous routes as well then.

You're correct. It started in 2011, and really took off 2012 which saw the absolute greatest Youtube-race ever between Contador, Rodriguez and Valverde. That was the race that made he really like cycling again!

 

[Unchained]

It's crazy tbh. But that's the Vuelta. That's normal enough for their route. I haven't done a count but many previous editions would have had something similar.

Vuelta is still insisting on a team time trial which I hope plays a factor.. The ITT is dead flat, medium distance.

 

[buddy buddy buddy]

I often kuss Pidcock he's such an obnoxious little ***.

get away with your cuss cuss

 

[staubsauger]

I have't really followed the vuelta much in the past 10 years but back in the day at least they still had a fair share of sprint stages still. I need to go back and look at previous routes as well then.

It was introduced around 2012.
Those earlier routes in the zeros and mid/late 90s were even more horrendous.

They made this every 2-3 day 30-60 minutes GC action their trademark. Somehow it worked out tbh.

But of course with Valverde & Purito they had the guys for it as well.

 

[Valv.Piti]

First test of the legs in San Sebastian for some of these riders. Next week two very important prep races, Poland and Burgos. Should see most of the contenders outside of the Tour boys.

 

[Wyndbrook]

First test of the legs in San Sebastian for some of these riders. Next week two very important prep races, Poland and Burgos. Should see most of the contenders outside of the Tour boys.

I doubt most of us will see much of the tour of Poland.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Apparently Roglic is racing tomorrow. He could do what the legendary Valverde always used to do, never skipping CSS between Tour and Vuelta, but I fear my hope of him competing might be a pipedream.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Also, I lied yesterday. Or i should say PCS did - Ayuso isn't riding Tour of Poland, but just CSS and Getxo. No Burgos instead so far. A bit surprised about that. Is two one day races enough? Probably, but I'd think Burgos would be very good prep after two one day races. And in the same area anyways with some decent mountains. But it seems that Del Toro is doing Burgos instead of Ayuso. Real compact from Del Toro since he aint doing the Vuelta anyways and would want to capitalize on his great shape in a pretty decent race.

I can however see that Riccitello is doing Tour of Poland. He has gone under the rader recently, but his pure climbing talent is undeniable. Wouldn't be surprised to see a breakthrough in the Vuelta.

 

[staubsauger]

Also, I lied yesterday. Or i should say PCS did - Ayuso isn't riding Tour of Poland, but just CSS and Getxo. No Burgos instead so far. A bit surprised about that. Is two one day races enough? Probably, but I'd think Burgos would be very good prep after two one day races. And in the same area anyways with some decent mountains. But it seems that Del Toro is doing Burgos instead of Ayuso. Real compact from Del Toro since he aint doing the Vuelta anyways and would want to capitalize on his great shape in a pretty decent race.

I can however see that Riccitello is doing Tour of Poland. He has gone under the rader recently, but his pure climbing talent is undeniable. Wouldn't be surprised to see a breakthrough in the Vuelta.

I know what you mean and I actually agree. But I don't know if the Vuelta a Espana actually is the right grand tour for someone like Riccitello.


I would have let Riccitello concentrate on his "home race" the Giro d'Italia instead.


Whether for general classification or stage wins and/or the mountains jersey is another question.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

(don't know if hes worth mentioning, but lets do it)

lol

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Kuss Pidcock race.
Did you forget to enter a new line?

Sorry for bumping, just started reading this thread.
So I think Kuss Pidcock meanwhile had a DNS, but glancing the lists. there's still a Kuss left being 'most likely confirmed' it seems.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Michael Rasmussen really doesn't like Vingegaard. Says he a slight favorite now, and constantly calls him Hr. Hansen lmao

Haven't heard of such interview, I read it between the lines as a small pun aka 'one Rasmussen less now'.

 

[P4rthen0n]

Also, I lied yesterday. Or i should say PCS did - Ayuso isn't riding Tour of Poland, but just CSS and Getxo. No Burgos instead so far. A bit surprised about that. Is two one day races enough? Probably, but I'd think Burgos would be very good prep after two one day races. And in the same area anyways with some decent mountains. But it seems that Del Toro is doing Burgos instead of Ayuso. Real compact from Del Toro since he aint doing the Vuelta anyways and would want to capitalize on his great shape in a pretty decent race.

I can however see that Riccitello is doing Tour of Poland. He has gone under the rader recently, but his pure climbing talent is undeniable. Wouldn't be surprised to see a breakthrough in the Vuelta.

Del Toro is not in the Vuelta start list but he's doing the Vuelta prep races.
I think he could be one of the main substitutes for a late UAE drop out for the Vuelta, especially if something happens to Ayuso or Almeida until the start date.

 

[RedheadDane]

Michael Rasmussen really doesn't like Vingegaard. Says he a slight favorite now, and constantly calls him Hr. Hansen lmao

Is he salty that Vingegaard swapped one name people barely uses for another name people barely uses?

(I mean, maybe Vingegaard signs himself up as 'Jonas Hansen' in paces where he doesn't want it to be immediately obvious who he is.)