Vuelta a Espana - who's going to win?

[AdK1991]

Sorry for the double post.

I read in the article that Garmin has Danielson as one of the leaders.
Will that mean that D.Martin can't ride for a top 10, as I read from a few people over here.
And do you guys think that this is the right choice?
I'm asking this because I read over here that Martin had a better season than Danielson. Anyway, I guess it's better to wait and see what's going to happen.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Martin > TD

daniel martin should be allowed to have a free role. Tom danielson will never win a GT. (or come closer then his 6th place) IMO of course.

 

[Delicato]

What about the jerseys?
Who's going to win the King of the Mountain, Sprint Jersey?
Sprint: Farrar
Mountain: Probably somebody who's part of a few breaks.

Farrar won't finish the Vuelta, he is there only because of first week's sprints. Davis has a chance, though.

As for KoM, someone from Continental division will grab it, Tondo is my candidate.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Tondo is a good one. I think fugslang might lose touch with the GC contenders and maybe redirect his goals at the mounatin jersey too.

 

[AdK1991]

It would be great if Martin finishes a few spots above Danielson in the GC.

 

[Delicato]

Tondo is a good one. I think fugslang might lose touch with the GC contenders and maybe redirect his goals at the mounatin jersey too.

Well, that would be interesting, though I doubt that Schlecklet can be competitive in his second GT.

 

[manolo]

"Russian Vladimir Efimkin will return to racing for the first time in seven weeks in the Giro della Romagna on September 6" No Vuelta for Efimkin?... Hmmm... Too bad!...

 

[Delicato]

"Russian Vladimir Efimkin will return to racing for the first time in seven weeks in the Giro della Romagna on September 6" No Vuelta for Efimkin?... Hmmm... Too bad!...

His twin brother will take part, anyways, it is hard to distinguish between the two

 

[skidmark]

Hard to say, eh? First because some of the 'best' guys for GTs are either preparing for the Worlds (Schlecks, Evans, I guess you could include Cunego 'cause he's actually won a GT) or are questionable after serving their time (Basso, Vino). Second because the guys who seem to be most focused on it are either not quite top performers in 3-week races (Valverde, Sanchez) or unproven (Gesink, Fuglsang). Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Vino the only guy who's won the Vuelta that is racing?

Should be interesting. I'll pick Kirchen, the forgotten Luxembourger. He seems to fade by the end of long races too, but hey, why the hell not? He's got a season to save too.

 

[a7081543]

Vuelta

Looking forward to it
I am a keen gambler and have listed my tips on: http://chrisalfred.wordpress.com/
I think Evans Vino and the schlecks won't feature on the GC but will win stages. I am hoping for a Basso Gesink Horner podium in that order

 

[palmerq]

Is this on canadian tv, or is this the same as american tv :S I dont know.


Anyway I vote for samuel sanchez to win it, I think he is a great rider for this race, although I suspect valverde will put in a very strong performance this time, it´s just a guess based on nothing but I think he´ll put in maybe his best and come close to winning it. Also I think vinokourov won´t finish, but will win a time trial...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Hard to say, eh? First because some of the 'best' guys for GTs are either preparing for the Worlds (Schlecks, Evans, I guess you could include Cunego 'cause he's actually won a GT) or are questionable after serving their time (Basso, Vino). Second because the guys who seem to be most focused on it are either not quite top performers in 3-week races (Valverde, Sanchez) or unproven (Gesink, Fuglsang). Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Vino the only guy who's won the Vuelta that is racing?

Should be interesting. I'll pick Kirchen, the forgotten Luxembourger. He seems to fade by the end of long races too, but hey, why the hell not? He's got a season to save too.

I would not say Gesink is unproven in 3-week races (7th in Vuelta last year, 55 seconds behind Valverde's 5th place...)

 

[AdK1991]

Do you think that Horner is free to ride for his own chances?
Btw, I say a report about the Rabobank and Moerenhout said he was going for a stage win, so let's hope that it won't be as in the TDF, where they only had to support the leader and didn't get a change for a stage win( until the final 4/5 stages).

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I would not say Gesink is unproven in 3-week races (7th in Vuelta last year, 55 seconds behind Valverde's 5th place...)

agreed. that was hsi maiden GT too, was only beaten by valverde and rodriguez via time trial (went from 5th of 7th i think, after last itt)

 

[AdK1991]

agreed. that was hsi maiden GT too, was only beaten by valverde and rodriguez via time trial (went from 5th of 7th i think, after last itt)

He was 30rd (?) in at the TDF ITT this year so let's hope that he can do it even better now.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

yup he was the best of the rabo guys anyway. If he has the legs, ITT will be the only area where the likes of Valverde and Sanchez have an advantage imo. (especially the ITT in the vuelta, those distances really seem to suit valverde)

 

[badboyberty]

Better actually vote for someone who is actually on a roster for the Vuelta.

Tadej Valjavec, consistant, good climber, decent ITT, missed le Tour and with no major team support for the Worlds should ride for the whole three weeks in Spain.

 

[issoisso]

Better actually vote for someone who is actually on a roster for the Vuelta.

Every one of the poll options will be riding.

 

[lucybears]

Do you think that Horner is free to ride for his own chances?
Btw, I say a report about the Rabobank and Moerenhout said he was going for a stage win, so let's hope that it won't be as in the TDF, where they only had to support the leader and didn't get a change for a stage win( until the final 4/5 stages).

Chris Horner is an all-arounder and has a long, long list of cycling victories in his career. Unfortunately this season he has had more than his fair share of injuries and in many ways his season is just beginning. He can put in a decent time trial, he is always one of the last guys in the mountains and most importantly he can read a race like no other and will initially be a protected rider on the team. Most recently he led in the Tour de l’Ain for two days before losing the jersey and ending up in 2nd overall. This is Horner’s 3rd Vuelta.
http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/mehlting_pot/vueltapreview.html

 

[Delicato]

Chris Horner is an all-arounder and has a long, long list of cycling victories in his career. Unfortunately this season he has had more than his fair share of injuries and in many ways his season is just beginning. He can put in a decent time trial, he is always one of the last guys in the mountains and most importantly he can read a race like no other and will initially be a protected rider on the team. Most recently he led in the Tour de l’Ain for two days before losing the jersey and ending up in 2nd overall. This is Horner’s 3rd Vuelta.
http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/mehlting_pot/vueltapreview.html

Zubeldia is their designated team leader.

 

[issoisso]

Sylvain Chavanel is out of the QuickStep squad, to be replaced by Wouter "waaaaahhhh mommy mommy the bad man won't let me ride" Weylandt.

Marcel Wyss is injured and will thus miss his chance at a first GT, after a very promising season. He's replaced by Simon Gerrans.

 

[Bala Verde]

Sylvain Chavanel is out of the QuickStep squad, to be replaced by Wouter "waaaaahhhh mommy mommy the bad man won't let me ride" Weylandt.

Marcel Wyss is injured and will thus miss his chance at a first GT, after a very promising season. He's replaced by Simon Gerrans.

I was wondering why Wyss wasn't selected. Too bad, would have liked to watch him take on the Vuelta and see what he is capable of when riding with the big men.

Other Vuelta related news, Gilbert - after heavily criticising the Belgian national coach Bomans - has said he's preparing for the Worlds. Therefore he has picked 3 stages, once per week, where he'll go for the win. With this in the back of your mind, it shouldn't be too dificult to figure out which stages he's aiming for.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Zubeldia is their designated team leader.

would be the best option for astana imo.

 

[hfer07]

I'm very exited to watch this year's Vuelta - great contenders, The Parcours is amazing-although I wanted see Lagos de Covadonga stage included, but i guess it's plenty of climbing already. I hope that a Non-Spaniard can win it in order to bring back more attention to this grand tour, like in the old days. Basso, Kreuziger & Andy Schleck are my favorites-Valverde could surprise, & Mosquera is hoped for a Good result...

 

[krebs303]

Do you think that Horner is free to ride for his own chances?

Chris Horner will finally get a crack at the GC in a grand tour when the Vuelta a España clicks into gear on Saturday in Holland.

That’s according to Astana sport director Sean Yates, who said the team will let Horner give it a stab for the overall classification.

http://www.velonews.com/article/97167/yates--horner-will-get-his-chance-at-vuelta-

However Vino is listed as #1

Astana – Vuelta a España, 2009
31. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz)
32. Jesus Hernandez (Spa)
33. Christopher Horner (USA)
34. Maxim Iglinsky (Kaz)
35. Assan Bazayev (Kaz)
36. Daniel Navarro (Spa)
37. José Luis Rubiera (Spa)
38. Michael Schär (Swi)
39. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa)