Vuelta Leading Contenders

[the asian]

Arroyo certainly came in to shape at Burgos, but he'll need a lucky break like in the Giro to podium. Top 10 more likely. Hope Euskaltel can go out with a bang!

 

[Netserk]

I think there is a really good chance for Arroyo to top-5. With luck, podium is a possibility.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

André Cardoso, outside bid for a top 10. He was 21st last year and has been much better this season.

 

[PedalCastro]

Really hope Team NetApp can do well, Konig, Barta, Benedetti

 

[trevim]

André Cardoso, outside bid for a top 10. He was 21st last year and has been much better this season.

I wish he can be visible in the mountains even if that means being outside the top10. Also looking forward to see him at the Worlds.

 

[il_cobra]

too diffucult route for cobos at top podium spot i guess

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Ivan Freaking Basso, i still believe in him.

 

[Pantani_lives]

1. Nibali
2. Rodriguez
3. Samu
4. Uran
5. Valverde
6. Kreuziger
7. Henao
8. Betancur
9. Scarponi
10. Mollema

Hard to predict what riders will do who were good in the Tour, like Mollema and Kreuziger.

 

[karlboss]

I'd expect Moreno to ride this, how do folk think he'll go?

 

[WildspokeJoe]

Nibali is clearly the class of the field.

Will be interesting to see if Kreuziger builds on his tour success.

 

[42x16ss]

Strong Euskaltel-selection. My main question: Sanchez still able to do a podium? I have actually no idea how strong he is..

I guess nobody has haha.

I'm tipping Samu, Anton, Nieve and the rest of the carrots are going to go into Bezerker mode

It's Euskaltel's last roll of the dice, so they may as well shake things up. I can't see Samu winning this but I hope that he makes life hard for those who are trying. I'd hate to see them go out with a whimper

 

[Escarabajo]

Uran has no interest in this race other than preventing an accident, preparing for the worlds and helping his friend.

 

[Archibald]

I'm tipping Samu, Anton, Nieve and the rest of the carrots are going to go into Bezerker mode

It's Euskaltel's last roll of the dice, so they may as well shake things up. I can't see Samu winning this but I hope that he makes life hard for those who are trying. I'd hate to see them go out with a whimper

going kamakazi on the Angliru for the stage win?

 

[slosada]

Uran has no interest in this race other than preventing an accident, preparing for the worlds and helping his friend.

He said the same in ESPN en Español before Giro

 

[Pippo_San]

RoboBasso's awakening

 

[VeloHuman]

Nibali doesnt have form but he does have the benefit of rest / no fatigue. Question is can he reach the form in time? If so he will clearly out run the field. This, to my mind is the best chance for Purito to win. He was very reserved and quiet in the first 2 weeks of the Tour. And then rode very well in the 3rd week.

I still believe if Uran and Henao didnt have to domestique for Wiggins, then they had a good chance in the Giro. Both rode well and expect them to ride well again.

I think Nibali's form is starting to come back. He did look good at the Vuelta a Burgos, finishing on the GC podium with a solid summit finish (4th on the stage) on the final day. It's hard to use his Tour de Pologne as evidence, since he seemed to be riding domestique in that one.

 

[richwagmn]

I think the Nibali's form is starting to come back. He did look good at the Vuelta a Burgos, finishing on the GC podium with a solid summit finish (4th on the stage) on the final day. It's hard to use his Tour de Pologne as evidence, since he seemed to be riding domestique in that one.

Agree on Nibali. I think he easily comes back into form which far easier that recovering from a hard TDF in time for the Vuelta.

I'll be really surprised to see Purito or Valverde not succumb to fatigue by late in the second week. The TDF was a hard one this year and with the crazy amount of climbing in the Vuelta I think the TDF contenders are going to be hurting.

 

[PedalCastro]

Can Majka get a top 10? 5?

 

[Gloin22]

Yes he can. Like he did in the Giro.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

It will be interesting to see if all the riders who did well in the cold and the snow in Italy this May can cope with the heat in Spain in August.

 

[Peter von]

Can Majka get a top 10? 5?

Probably, but maybe it's too much for the young rider to do GC in two GTs in the same year, add to that his team also have GC hopes for Kreuziger and Roche and no young riders jersey, he might prefer to stage hunt also with worlds and Il Lombardia in mind.

 

[Alphabet]

Is Basso CN's primary favourite (not as in most likely to win, but as in most wanted to win) as of now?

 

[karlboss]

Honestly I don't think majka can make top 10, though much of that depends on the team strategy. At the Giro the were 4 MTFs and a MTT, 2 of those were ridden defensively. Valverde, Rodriguez and Moreno are also racing. Basso is there apparently ready to ride, and Euskaltel are bringing their A Team. I think if the team throws full support behind Majka, he could be just inside the top 10, but I think it more likely he'll be outside it.

 

[Escarabajo]

He said the same in ESPN en Español before Giro

Two complete different scenarios. And actually in the Giro I thought he was going to perform well and for the podium. Now he has a new contract, and Wiggins is not Henao, and there is also a road race in which he has a lot of chance.

 

[Mogwai_]

What about Pinot? Can he ride top 10?