Who will win La Vuelta 2018?

[Lequack]

Re: Re:

Here's one more for fun:

I’m not just the president, but also a client...

#hairclubformen

For some people wearing a helmet is a blessing in disguise.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

Here's one more for fun:

I’m not just the president, but also a client...

#hairclubformen

For some people wearing a helmet is a blessing in disguise.

His hair isn't that bad. Then again my husband's hairline is about the same as Valverde's.

 

[tobydawq]

Yeah, it is pretty bad...

I think he could benefit a bit from some Alpecin shampoo. Kittel has clearly not told Valverde what's also important.

 

[Lequack]

He should get some glasses and dye his hair blonde:

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

He should get some glasses and dye his hair blonde:

Fignon looks like a sprinter 2018.

 

[Tim Booth]

Re: Re:

Nairo Q

"I'm here to go for the overall victory,"

Finally somebody saying they're hoping to win!

Simon Yates : "Sur La Vuelta pour gagner"
http://www.cyclismactu.net/news-tour-d-espagne-simon-yates-sur-la-vuelta-pour-gagner-77606.html

Good, we have two. Actually Nairo should be the overwhelming favorite.

Wilco Kelderman : “Ik ga voor een goed klassement"
http://www.wielerflits.nl/nieuws/wilco-kelderman-tijdrit-verliep-op-zich-wel-goed/

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Here's one more for fun:

I’m not just the president, but also a client...

#hairclubformen

For some people wearing a helmet is a blessing in disguise.

His hair isn't that bad. Then again my husband's hairline is about the same as Valverde's.

No offence, but it's bad. He should just go bald

 

[Bot. Sky_Bot]

He just doesn't have thick hair, and I think looks OK. And I've just checked 176 photos of Vuelta's riders - nobody is completely bald.
Maybe it's not so comfortable to wear even professional helmet being bald.

 

[perico]

Re: Re:

Here's one more for fun:

I’m not just the president, but also a client...

#hairclubformen

For some people wearing a helmet is a blessing in disguise.

His hair isn't that bad. Then again my husband's hairline is about the same as Valverde's.

LOL I was saying that it looks like he has been using already. Looks more full than in the past.

 

[perico]

Re: Re:

The surprising unmention of Enric Más in this thread...

It's a who will win thread, not who will finish 7th.

Well... he’s already of two or three listed in the poll after the second day.

 

[Akuryo]

Re: Re:

The surprising unmention of Enric Más in this thread...

It's a who will win thread, not who will finish 7th.

Well... he’s already of two or three listed in the poll after the second day.

?? I mentioned him on page 2

 

[Valv.Piti]

His hairline is still miles better than Lebron James. But yeah, his hair isn't that pretty.

 

[hfer07]

At this point, It is Quintana's race to lose, now that Porte and Nibali are out of the GC competition, The uncertainty & lack of consistency by the Yates brothers & Pinot, and whatever form Uran carries into the race- I can't quite see anyone challenging him at all, specially the way he's ridden lately .......................................................................................... Unless SKY.....

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

At this point, It is Quintana's race to lose, now that Porte and Nibali are out of the GC competition, The uncertainty & lack of consistency by the Yates brothers & Pinot, and whatever form Uran carries into the race- I can't quite see anyone challenging him at all, specially the way he's ridden lately .......................................................................................... Unless SKY.....

I hate to jinx him but you are right. But lately he has not been up to the challenge for some reason. But all pieces are falling into place. I hope nothing goes wrong.

Having a second look at the parcours, most of the stages are perfect for Valverde except 2. So, his main contender could be his own teammate. LOL. That would be a dream for Movistar.

And finally don't forget that this is the Vuelta and there is always a darkhorse in the making somewhere. De la Cruz, Bennet, Mollema, Kelderman, etc. In La Vuelta I can believe anything.

 

[The Chicken]

Why is there so little belief here in Ion Izagirre to do well in this Vuelta?

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Why is there so little belief here in Ion Izagirre to do well in this Vuelta?

My guess it because he's never really gone for a GT before. (Last year's Tour ended before it really started). However he's my pick, although he's my pick because your guess is as good as anyone else's as to what Valverde's plans for this Vuelta are.

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

Why is there so little belief here in Ion Izagirre to do well in this Vuelta?

He is one of my favourite riders but I just don't think he has what it takes to fight for GC in a 3 week race. Though, to be fair, he has a better chance than at last year's Tour which of course ended after 6 kms.

He's a decent climber but no more than that and his TT capabilities have been suffering since he began riding a Merida bike. He isn't the most consistent rider either, which he showed in this year's Tour. But he can be very good at the very end of a Grand Tour as he showed in the 2016 Tour.

He is quite a peculiar rider, and I am intrigued to follow him - I expect him to be in the lower half of the top 10 but mostly because many of the other contenders won't shine more than him being among the 10 best GC riders of the field.

 

[The Chicken]

Thanks y'all for those answers.

Ion is my pick too, obvs and I hope he can surprise a few people.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re: Re:

Why is there so little belief here in Ion Izagirre to do well in this Vuelta?

He is one of my favourite riders but I just don't think he has what it takes to fight for GC in a 3 week race. Though, to be fair, he has a better chance than at last year's Tour which of course ended after 6 kms.

He's a decent climber but no more than that and his TT capabilities have been suffering since he began riding a Merida bike. He isn't the most consistent rider either, which he showed in last year's Tour. But he can be very good at the very end of a Grand Tour as he showed in the 2016 Tour.

He is quite a peculiar rider, and I am intrigued to follow him - I expect him to be in the lower half of the top 10 but mostly because many of the other contenders won't shine more than him being among the 10 best GC riders of the field.

Ion Izagirre among the top 10 GC riders in the field ??
Quintana, Valaverde, Uran, Woods, Majka, Mollema, de La Cruz, Kelderman, Zakarin, Adam Yates , Roche, Bilbao, Lopez, NIbali, Pinot, Amador, Monfort, MAL, Carapaz,Meintjes, Aru,Dan Martin, Porte Bennett, SK have all finished in the top 10 of a GT (or more) ... which Ion never has even though he is 29
Talk about wanting to see what you want to see

 

[Rollthedice]

Re: Re:

Why is there so little belief here in Ion Izagirre to do well in this Vuelta?

He is one of my favourite riders but I just don't think he has what it takes to fight for GC in a 3 week race. Though, to be fair, he has a better chance than at last year's Tour which of course ended after 6 kms.

He's a decent climber but no more than that and his TT capabilities have been suffering since he began riding a Merida bike. He isn't the most consistent rider either, which he showed in last year's Tour. But he can be very good at the very end of a Grand Tour as he showed in the 2016 Tour.

He is quite a peculiar rider, and I am intrigued to follow him - I expect him to be in the lower half of the top 10 but mostly because many of the other contenders won't shine more than him being among the 10 best GC riders of the field.

Ion Izagirre among the top 10 GC riders in the field ??
Quintana, Valaverde, Uran, Woods, Majka, Mollema, de La Cruz, Kelderman, Zakarin, Adam Yates , Roche, Bilbao, Lopez, NIbali, Pinot, Amador, Monfort, MAL, Carapaz,Meintjes, Aru,Dan Martin, Porte Bennett, SK have all finished in the top 10 of a GT (or more) ... which Ion never has even though he is 29
Talk about wanting to see what you want to see

Until a month ago neither did Thomas Geraint and he is 32 but of course Ion is not riding for Sky so he can't do it. Maybe Vino can sort out what's been missing for Izagirre to become a top 10 GT rider.

 

[Robert5091]

So did anyone have LRP at 167th after 3 stages? Would have been a good bet.

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

Why is there so little belief here in Ion Izagirre to do well in this Vuelta?

He is one of my favourite riders but I just don't think he has what it takes to fight for GC in a 3 week race. Though, to be fair, he has a better chance than at last year's Tour which of course ended after 6 kms.

He's a decent climber but no more than that and his TT capabilities have been suffering since he began riding a Merida bike. He isn't the most consistent rider either, which he showed in last year's Tour. But he can be very good at the very end of a Grand Tour as he showed in the 2016 Tour.

He is quite a peculiar rider, and I am intrigued to follow him - I expect him to be in the lower half of the top 10 but mostly because many of the other contenders won't shine more than him being among the 10 best GC riders of the field.

Ion Izagirre among the top 10 GC riders in the field ??
Quintana, Valaverde, Uran, Woods, Majka, Mollema, de La Cruz, Kelderman, Zakarin, Adam Yates , Roche, Bilbao, Lopez, NIbali, Pinot, Amador, Monfort, MAL, Carapaz,Meintjes, Aru,Dan Martin, Porte Bennett, SK have all finished in the top 10 of a GT (or more) ... which Ion never has even though he is 29
Talk about wanting to see what you want to see

Uh, what's the point of mentioning people like Porte, Carapaz, Adam Yates, Dan Martin, Amador and Nibali who obviously don't ride for GC?

And yes, it's pretty easy to list ten riders who on paper is better suited to a GT than Izagirre but people miss out. Who would have thought that Bilbao and Konrad would have been in the top 10 in the Giro?

This is Izagirre's biggest goal of the season, he has never tried to ride for GC before, hence his complete lack of results in that department, and a lot of people will be thinking about the worlds.

 

[*G*K*S]

Re: Re:

Why is there so little belief here in Ion Izagirre to do well in this Vuelta?

He is one of my favourite riders but I just don't think he has what it takes to fight for GC in a 3 week race. Though, to be fair, he has a better chance than at last year's Tour which of course ended after 6 kms.

He's a decent climber but no more than that and his TT capabilities have been suffering since he began riding a Merida bike. He isn't the most consistent rider either, which he showed in last year's Tour. But he can be very good at the very end of a Grand Tour as he showed in the 2016 Tour.

He is quite a peculiar rider, and I am intrigued to follow him - I expect him to be in the lower half of the top 10 but mostly because many of the other contenders won't shine more than him being among the 10 best GC riders of the field.

Ion Izagirre among the top 10 GC riders in the field ??
Quintana, Valaverde, Uran, Woods, Majka, Mollema, de La Cruz, Kelderman, Zakarin, Adam Yates , Roche, Bilbao, Lopez, NIbali, Pinot, Amador, Monfort, MAL, Carapaz,Meintjes, Aru,Dan Martin, Porte Bennett, SK have all finished in the top 10 of a GT (or more) ... which Ion never has even though he is 29
Talk about wanting to see what you want to see

Uh, what's the point of mentioning people like Porte, Carapaz, Adam Yates, Dan Martin, Amador and Nibali who obviously don't ride for GC?

And yes, it's pretty easy to list ten riders who on paper is better suited to a GT than Izagirre but people miss out. Who would have thought that Bilbao and Konrad would have been in the top 10 in the Giro?

This is Izagirre's biggest goal of the season, he has never tried to ride for GC before, hence his complete lack of results in that department, and a lot of people will be thinking about the worlds.

I'm pulling for Izzy. Odds are he won't win it all, but a final podium placing is not out of reach by any means.

 

[Popchu]

All this Ion Izagirre talk... for me he's a top 10 contender at best.

 

[spalco]

All this Ion Izagirre talk... for me he's a top 10 contender at best.

Who knows, Vuelta can be weird about GC.
Kwiatkowski's grand tour results are 136, 11, 28, 57 and 49, and he's apparently taken seriously as a contender this year?

Betting firms have Izaguirre as a huge underdog for what it's worth. So if someone really believes in him, there would be money to be made.