Vuelta Leading Contenders

[Netserk]

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.

Kreuziger isn't going to ride for GC. He will prepare for the worlds and stage hunt.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

What about Pinot? Can he ride top 10?

If he doesn't tank on one of the few descends, he should be able to go top 5 imo.

 

[Peter von]

Kreuziger isn't going to ride for GC. He will prepare for the worlds and stage hunt.

Yeah, he did say/hint that, but Tristan Hofmann said he was an option for the GC when announcing their selection.
So i don't think you can rule out a GC run for Kreuziger, or at least i can't.

 

[PedalCastro]

Be interesting to see what Ten Dam or Mollema can do, after the Tour. Targeting the GC

 

[manafana]

arroyo does have a great chance to perform here. Rodriguez for me had an easier tour and hes been well rested to again peak during this Vuelta, Nibali should be fit but hes talking otherwise

 

[Carols]

Vuelta starts tomorrow Should be a cracking race, I can hardly wait!!!

Nibs should be the fav but he seems more interested in WCRR then winning a GC he's already won. Unless he is in a prime position to win I really don't think he'll gut himself for the overall.

Purito Wants it and the parcours suit. Will he be to tired from Le Tour have that bad day?

Vlaverde has stated openly he is out for the win. However he always seems to have some mishap that negates his chances. Crash in Tour last year, Sky caused crash on echelon stage last years Vuelat, broken wheel in le Tour this year. But even when his own chances were shot he worked like a trojan for Quintana. Will it catch up to him?

Basso was showing signs of life in last out and Henao gets his big chance. Will they be spoilers?

I'm going for:
Valverde
Purito
Nibs
Henao
Samu
Basso

I'll be rooting for Nibali but if Purito or Valverde win I'll be happy for them.

ABS!!!!!

 

[cineteq]

I'll be rooting for Nibali but if Purito or Valverde win I'll be happy for them.

ABS!!!!!

Similar here. Rooting for Purito, this time. I'll be quite happy if Lo Squalo or Alejandro wins too.

 

[Linkeballer]

Has anybody any clue how Uran wil face this race?

 

[Bushman]

Has anybody any clue how Uran wil face this race?

He will help henao, maybe target stage wins, but if something happens with henao he is the gc man.

 

[stijndefieuw]

Uran top 10 finish is nice for betting i guess, odds are 2,25

 

[murali]

Uran top 10 finish is nice for betting i guess, odds are 2,25

I thought Uran will be top 10, unless sky did some stupid tactical mistake, or they decided to limit UCI points for OPQS.

 

[Escarabajo]

I really doubt Uran will make top ten.

 

[Netserk]

I thought Uran will be top 10, unless sky did some stupid tactical mistake, or they decided to limit UCI points for OPQS.

Points are totally irrelevant for both Sky and OP-QS.

 

[murali]

Points are totally irrelevant for both Sky and OP-QS.

thank you for the clarification.

so unless Sky does something stupid, Uran will be top-10 for sure, and top-5 if he is in form.

How many teams will fight for top-10?

 

[stijndefieuw]

I really doubt Uran will make top ten.

Why? He's the stand in for Henao if he fails/falls so he shouldn't be too far away in the GC..

 

[Escarabajo]

Why? He's the stand in for Henao if he fails/falls so he shouldn't be too far away in the GC..

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.

 

[Afrank]

thank you for the clarification.

so unless Sky does something stupid, Uran will be top-10 for sure, and top-5 if he is in form.

How many teams will fight for top-10?

Not necessarily for sure with him working for Henao, should be close though. Henao was 14th while working for Froome last year.

13, maybe 14 teams will fight it out for top 10.
Edit: more around 15 on second thought.

 

[slosada]

Betancur says the leader is Pozzovivo: http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1880861&s=otr&type=column

 

[webbie146]

Hmm what do you guys think the odds are of majka, Horner, Pinot making a top 10? Who do you think is most likely to get a top 10 position? (prob majka I think).

 

[Afrank]

Of those guys, definitely Majka, then Pinot, then Horner.

 

[VeloHuman]

Hmm what do you guys think the odds are of majka, Horner, Pinot making a top 10? Who do you think is most likely to get a top 10 position? (prob majka I think).

Majka is the most likely, the guy I'd put money on for a top 10 if I had to pick. Horner doesn't have that much mileage in his legs this year and as old as he is, he was 6th in Tirreno-Adriatico a few months back, so maybe a top 10 is possible. Pinot is an unknown quantity, certainly capable of a top 10 or maybe even a top 5 seeing as he doesn't have the brutal final week of the Tour de France in his legs like so many other guys do, but who knows given his recent shakiness.

 

[murali]

Betancur says the leader is Pozzovivo: http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1880861&s=otr&type=column

is this bad news or is this just PR to take pressure away from himself?

 

[Afrank]

is this bad news or is this just PR to take pressure away from himself?

Well, Pozzovivo says he is targeting a top 5. So sounds like the Vuelta will indeed mainly be prep for Florence for Betancur. Pretty good plan I think actually, Betancur got the Giro, Pozzovivo get's the Vuelta; and Betancur get's some good training by working for Pozzovivo should he need to. Should still be able to go for a stage or two as well.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...-for-top-five-overall-in-Vuelta-a-Espana.aspx

 

[cineteq]

Stage 1
Nibali (AST)
Horner (RLT) +10
Henao (SKY) +22
Valverde (MOV) +29
Majka (TST) +32
Keuziger (TST) +32
Mollema (BEL) +49
Scarponi (LAM) +56
Rodriguez (KAT) +59
Sanchez (EUS) +1.14
De Gendt (VCD) +1.18
Pinot (FDJ) +1.25
Basso (CAN) +1.26
Martin (GRS) +1.41
Pozzovivo (ALM) +1.41
Betancur (ALM) +1.41
__________________

 

[murali]

Stage 1
Nibali (AST)
Horner (RLT) +10
Henao (SKY) +22
Valverde (MOV) +29
Majka (TST) +32
Keuziger (TST) +32
Mollema (BEL) +49
Scarponi (LAM) +56
Rodriguez (KAT) +59
Sanchez (EUS) +1.14
De Gendt (VCD) +1.18
Pinot (FDJ) +1.25
Basso (CAN) +1.26
Martin (GRS) +1.41
Pozzovivo (ALM) +1.41
Betancur (ALM) +1.41
__________________

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