Who will win Catalunya?

[Marco Pantani]

Another great stage race, another quality peloton, some tough stages.
Froome back in action to face an in form Contador, an improving Quintana and other giants of stace racing. This should be fun to watch.

 

[barmaher]

I think Froome, but I have little confidence. Contador to chase him home in second. The others at a respectful distance.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Bertie !!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Perfect parcours for Betancur.
Should be in even better form than under P-N.

Solid team to support him again.

 

[Marco Pantani]

Perfect parcours for Betancur.
Should be in even better form than under P-N.

Solid team to support him again.

True, but there were more or less only clowns contending for GC at PN.
The parcours is the only reason, why I listed him.

Honestly, I don't think he has a real chance to win the race. But a stage win should be possible.

 

[Bexon30]

Bertie !!

Not this time. He can have July! I could see Nairo taking this, although Froome won't want to be beaten. Quintana has set this as a target this race will be cool.

 

[berkerstan]

I hope Froome takes this, Quintana and Contador will be right up there. The reason why Froome takes this is because he has Porte, Lopez, Nieve around him

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Predict: one or two DNS by Sky key players.

 

[Pricey_sky]

If Froome has built on his good start in Oman and providing his recent injury is all ok then he should win. An in form Contador and Quintana will make it close though!

 

[berkerstan]

Predict: one or two DNS by Sky key players.

You don't really like Sky do you?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

snipped..

Honestly, I don't think he has a real chance to win the race. But a stage win should be possible.

Honestly, I think you are wrong.
Betancur could grab the leader's jersey already on stage 3, but will his team be strong enough to defend it? Thats the key question for me.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Not this time. He can have July! I could see Nairo taking this, although Froome won't want to be beaten. Quintana has set this as a target this race will be cool.

Pff I really hope Contador beats Froome, he has to to stand a chance in July

 

[Marco Pantani]

I'm convinced the level of racing, climbing was much higher at Tirreno than at PN. Betancur finished it off very well, but I can't see him matching attacks on the longer ascents. Let's talk in a week again.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Wrong tread

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I'm convinced the level of racing, climbing was much higher at Tirreno than at PN. Betancur finished it off very well, but I can't see him matching attacks on the longer ascents. Let's talk in a week again.

Well, we disagree about the level of racing and opposition earlier. One thing is for sure the overall GC competition is much better here than in T-A and P-N.

 

[Peter von]

Honestly, I think you are wrong.
Betancur could grab the leader's jersey already on stage 3, but will his team be strong enough to defend it? Thats the key question for me.

Won't SKY just take control no matter who is in the jersey?

I think it's going to won by Jrod or Quintana, the strength of SKY will keep Contador under some measure of control and then they can just wheel suck and take the bonus seconds.

Froome hasn't raced in a while now i think he'll be a little of his mark and without the ITT his rivals aren't forced to attack him as they usually are if they wan't to beat him.

Contador was great in TA, but the Giro riders will have closed the gap on him somewhat and i think TA was the big spring goal for Bertie since we thought that would be the big Bertie-Froomie showdown. He'll still be good buti think the uphill sprint could decide this race.

 

[Red Rick]

You don't really like Sky do you?

Just like at least 80% of the road racing section and at least 95% of the Clinic

 

[Bexon30]

Pff I really hope Contador beats Froome, he has to to stand a chance in July

I also think Froome is under more mental pressure this year than last. As for Alberto I think he appears more mentally up to it, as well as physically so it should make for good racing. With Quintana, there is some scary mountain strength. I hope Froome gets beat, so there are huge question marks heading to summer. This race looks good so let's hope it's raced hard.

 

[berkerstan]

It's ironic because yet so many people voted for Froomey to win

 

[LaFlorecita]

Won't SKY just take control no matter who is in the jersey?

I think it's going to won by Jrod or Quintana, the strength of SKY will keep Contador under some measure of control and then they can just wheel suck and take the bonus seconds.

Froome hasn't raced in a while now i think he'll be a little of his mark and without the ITT his rivals aren't forced to attack him as they usually are if they wan't to beat him.

Contador was great in TA, but the Giro riders will have closed the gap on him somewhat and i think TA was the big spring goal for Bertie since we thought that would be the big Bertie-Froomie showdown. He'll still be good buti think the uphill sprint could decide this race.

Remember who beat Quintana in the uphill sprint at T-A but I agree that Sky will probably do everything to keep Contador from winning

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's ironic because yet so many people voted for Froomey to win

Thinking he'll win =/= liking him

 

[berkerstan]

If Kreuziger is here, I would say Contador has a bigger chance. I see Sky putting one of Porte, Nieve or Lopez to attack. Chris Froome will then get a free ride from Contador or Quintana

 

[Netserk]

The Fat Cat is too heavy for the stage 4 MTF. The podium will be Quintana 1st, Contador 2nd & Froome 3rd.

 

[Netserk]

If Kreuziger is here, I would say Contador has a bigger chance. I see Sky putting one of Porte, Nieve or Lopez to attack. Chris Froome will then get a free ride from Contador or Quintana

Kreuziger isn't here. Majka will be his last man.

Skybots won't do what you suggest anyway...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Won't SKY just take control no matter who is in the jersey?

I think it's going to won by Jrod or Quintana, the strength of SKY will keep Contador under some measure of control and then they can just wheel suck and take the bonus seconds.

snipped...

Somebody will do the train thing at the end of the MTF stages. Sky, Movistar or Tinkoff will drive it at the end imo. But the heavy lifting will still have to be done by the leader's team on this route. Thats quite a bit of work on this parcours in theory. Of course should Bentacur tank on stage 4, well then all bet are off. we shall see.