Vuelta the New Tour?

[Señor_Contador]

Wow, this year Alto de la Pandera, Aitana and Sierra Nevada. And there's no Pyrenees or northern cordilleras... Where do they get these friggin climbs?

 

[titan_90]

Wow, this year Alto de la Pandera, Aitana and Sierra Nevada. And there's no Pyrenees or northern cordilleras... Where do they get these friggin climbs?

They do have some nasty stages this year

Spain is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe so it's no surprise they have so many to choose from.

http://www.climbbybike.com/vuelta_2009.asp

 

[issoisso]

Wow, this year Alto de la Pandera, Aitana and Sierra Nevada. And there's no Pyrenees or northern cordilleras... Where do they get these friggin climbs?

You left out the hardest one. Xorret de Catí. 24% inclines, anyone?

 

[Señor_Contador]

Shoot, those final kilometers at 12% at almost 1,600 meters in the Alto de la Pandera are going to murder some riders... I heard the road is pretty bad up there.

 

[avantage]

Also, with no Cavendish, the sprint finishes might be interesting too...

He is too fast to be interesting.

 

[Cobber]

re: Contador and the Vuelta.

He has won it and further wins won't contribute to his legacy the way Le Tour would. To win the tour, you need to prepare specifically for it. It is a fact in razor-thin competitive environment cycling has evolved into.

this...... leaves me speechless......................

 

[tigerboy]

The importance of the various races in the cycling season are set in stone and however interesting the parcours or the field that isn't changing.

The Tour is the de facto world championship. Miles behind it and miles ahead of everything else comes The Giro. The Vuelta is the ugly sister of both.

The World championship is de fact a 6th monument. That is that.

 

[scribe]

this...... leaves me speechless......................

Because your case is weak, counselor?

 

[Cobber]

Because your case is weak, counselor?

No, more like I was dumbfounded by your idiotic post. Just because Lance never won the Vuelta doesn't mean it doesn't count..... The fact that Contador can win more than one race a year just proves he is the more complete rider.

 

[scribe]

Contador didn't ride the TdF the same year he won the Vuelta. So maybe he isn't the complete rider? Who cares!

I think Contador will fixate on the tour, because, in spite of your dumbfoundness, he knows that is where a legacy is cemented.

 

[Cobber]

Contador didn't ride the TdF the same year he won the Vuelta. So maybe he isn't the complete rider? Who cares!

I think Contador will fixate on the tour, because, in spite of your dumbfoundness, he knows that is where a legacy is cemented.

No, but he did win the Giro the same year as the Vuelta, and he has won 4 GTs in 3 years.

 

[janus1969]

Is sausage the new steak?

 

[RhodriM]

Seriously thinking of taking a holiday to spain

 

[ericthesportsman6]

For a poor American does anyone have a good site with some coverage of the Vuelta? Im excited to see how a young rider like Gesink does, and other ones like Dan Martin.

 

[Cobber]

For a poor American does anyone have a good site with some coverage of the Vuelta? Im excited to see how a young rider like Gesink does, and other ones like Dan Martin.

Universal Sports is going to carry it. http://www.universalsports.com/

 

[auscyclefan94]

auscyclefan94, you Aussie cycling fan.

Still it was pretty boring for me. sprintd and climbs and transitional stages were terrible

 

[patrick767]

re: Contador and the Vuelta.

He has won it and further wins won't contribute to his legacy the way Le Tour would. To win the tour, you need to prepare specifically for it. It is a fact in razor-thin competitive environment cycling has evolved into.

Perhaps he's more interested in winning than in his "legacy". We can hope.

 

[scribe]

Perhaps he's more interested in winning than in his "legacy". We can hope.

Did you see that corny hat with that image of his two fingers that he flashed in real both at the finish line and at the podium? I can assure you there isn't a mirror that he doesn't pass that commands his full adoring attention.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

Universal Sports is going to carry it. http://www.universalsports.com/

Thank you soooooo much

 

[auscyclefan94]

Why won't AC race. What will he do for the rest of the season? Sip Pina Colada's on the beach .Then he would miracolously come back & win the vuelta. Carlos sastre would then say htat he was secretly traning to beat us and not relaxing on the beach. It wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Zen Master]

I think Contador will fixate on the tour, because, in spite of your dumbfoundness, he knows that is where a legacy is cemented.

Well that funny way of thinking was exclusive invention of some average talented rider from Texas and it doesn't count in case of real champ like Bertie ( Bertie is that guy in yellow and old fart with stupid black socks two steps bellow is that average talented inventor from Texas )

 

[craig1985]

Also, with no Cavendish, the sprint finishes might be interesting too...

He is too fast to be interesting.

Actually Cav has said that he wants to go for stage wins in all three GT's one day.

 

[auscyclefan94]

C'mon guys lets talk about the race. Who's going to win this race? Put your great cycling knowledge out into the forum.

 

[oronet commander]

No San Sebastian, no Vuelta... maybe Contador doesn't want to ride with Bruyneel's Astana any more...

 

[issoisso]

C'mon guys lets talk about the race. Who's going to win this race? Put your great cycling knowledge out into the forum.

The route suits Valverde to a tee.

Basso should be much improved from the Giro, given it was his first GT in 3 years.
Sánchez has trained specifically for this race all season and is thus not tired at all.

Those would be the main favorites for me.