Vuelta Leading Contenders

[cineteq]

stybar 16 sec

Le's see how he does. It seems Betancur was dropped?

 

[Ruudz0r]

Le's see how he does. It seems Betancur was dropped?

De Gendt aswell. My personal favourites Pozzovivo and Martin losing to much time

 

[gregrowlerson]

Horrible TTT for Basso. I was really thinking that he had a good shot at the podium (reasonable form, only GT for the season, other rivals with far more heavy racing in their legs, etc). Perhaps he still might, but this result suggests that he has a rather weak team. Tonight's MTF is already key. I expect Nibali to get stronger as the race goes on, so if he doesn't show any weakness to the likes of Rodriguez and Valverde here than it's difficult to see how he can be beaten. But we don't really know his true climbing form at present so will just have to wait and see.

 

[Afrank]

Horrible TTT for Basso. I was really thinking that he had a good shot at the podium (reasonable form, only GT for the season, other rivals with far more heavy racing in their legs, etc). Perhaps he still might, but this result suggests that he has a rather weak team. Tonight's MTF is already key. I expect Nibali to get stronger as the race goes on, so if he doesn't show any weakness to the likes of Rodriguez and Valverde here than it's difficult to see how he can be beaten. But we don't really know his true climbing form at present so will just have to wait and see.

I think he can still do decent race. His team was never going to pull off a stellar performance in the TTT anyways; and with so many climber stages the GC race will come down to the mountains. And he did look good at Burgos. His race is far from over IMO.

 

[SafeBet]

Basso should ride defensively the whole first week. Even today's stage might be difficult for him. If he's in top shape he'll make a difference in the third. It's always been like that.

 

[greenedge]

It's good that he has not crashed in the lead up- then again he said in both the 2011 TDF/ 2012 Giro he would become better in the 3rd week, after already doing some good rides in the 2nd week, then he faded.

Hopefully he can go well here

 

[Escarabajo]

My guess is that by the time Henao fails Uran would be already far back. Henao has to crash early. You would be playing the odds very hard. Historically Uran when he plays domestic he usually falls back once he is done. The only exception was in the last Giro, but if you pay very close attention to that Giro Wiggins was already failing very early. On that first mountain stage they sent him as a bait but it worked out for the best. I also believe that deep in his mind he had one foot already outside the team and there was already a possibility of Wiggins failing by the time they hit the first mountain.

Besides all that, as I already have stated, he already has a contract with a new team, he does not want to burn any bridges with Sky, or his good friend Henao, and he has a good chance of winning the World Championship by riding for Henao only in the Vuelta.

Way too many factors against a top 10 IMHO.

I have to accept my mistakes. I fail completely on my prediction.

I am a little shock at what is going on with Henao.

 

[Netserk]

Basso being able to sprint

Be afraid. Very afraid.

 

[SafeBet]

Basso being able to sprint

Be afraid. Very afraid.

I concur. Best shape in at least two years.

Very sad to see Henao like that though. He hasn't been the same since the Giro

 

[jens_attacks]

imagine how strong will basso be on angliru

 

[Netserk]

imagine how strong will basso be on angliru

It's going to be one big smile the whole way up

 

[maxmartin]

imagine how strong will basso be on angliru

another Monte Zoncolan

 

[JRanton]

I concur. Best shape in at least two years.

Very sad to see Henao like that though. He hasn't been the same since the Giro

He was quite good in Poland. The best from the group of main favourites on Passo Pordoi for instance. It's not like he's a rider who needs time to find his form. He's very consistent so this was a big surprise.

 

[Pippo_San]

imagine how strong will basso be on angliru

2 mins on everyone else. RoboBasso's back.

BE AFRAID.