Who will win the 2014 Vuelta?

[Afrank]

Because why the hell not? Let's speculate a little.

Using the Rosters in progress-
http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MjUyNDI=

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Vuelta_a_Espana_2014-Startlist

I've come to this list of top contenders:
Quintana
Rodriguez
Froome
Horner
Aru
Uran
Pozzovivo/Betancur
Martin/Hesjedal
Kelderman/Gesink
Other

Some other riders to watch: Barguil, Moreno, Evans, Sanchez, Valverde, Arredondo, A. Yates, Chaves, Navarro, Kudus, Monfort, VDB2, Pinot, Izagirre.

Leaving Contador off for now as although there is a chance, he looks unlikely to ride it at the moment.

So, who wins the Vuelta?

 

[staubsauger]

The Vuelta is officially cancelled this year. Instead rtve will introduce a new format called "The Chris Froome Show"!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Wilco and Gesink will tandem to a 1-2 obviously. Who is this Chris Froome character?

 

[Netserk]

Valverde to finish in front of at least half of those named as options.

 

[the_cutter]

Valverde to finish in front of at least half of those named as options.

Never finished outside of the top5 in the Vuelta has he? He always comes prepared, I expect him to fight for podium.


Horner to smash everybody, just because Papy can.

 

[staubsauger]

Wilco and Gesink will tandem to a 1-2 obviously. Who is this Chris Froome character?

It's an alien (probably a cousin of Alf) who came from the universe to become a professional cyclist and now he is destroying all his opponents with his universal performances, because he climbs faster than light velocity.

 

[Miburo]

Wilco and Gesink will tandem to a 1-2 obviously. Who is this Chris Froome character?

I feel bad for you. First dekker, then gesink, then kruiswijk, then mollema and now Keldermann

 

[theyoungest]

I feel bad for you. First dekker, then gesink, then kruiswijk, then mollema and now Keldermann

Since Kelderman is now apparently a German, he will surely be successful.

 

[Pricey_sky]

If Froome hasn't lost much form and can arrive in great shape then he should win, the route isn't the toughest this year with no huge mountain stages for Quintana to gain big time. He will still podium though with Uran and Aru to fight it out for 3rd.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Vai vai Aru

 

[Escarabajo]

Valverde to finish in front of at least half of those named as options.

No. Wind will blow him away!!

 

[the_cutter]

Some additional thoughts after looking at the route. I'd love for JRod to win, but I fear his best chance was 2012 and that one weak day may haunt him to his grave. Also I don't know if riding the Tour was a good idea. He didn't take it just as a training ride, he raced for the polka dot and was soundly beaten. Well, still plently of time left, lets hope he knew what he was doing.

His Hornerness on the other hand needed the training after his heavy crash earlier in the season and he's goin' to smash some climbing records. However, I think people underestimated him a little last year and he won't have that advantage this year. Also Vuelta '13 Nibbles was definitely a bit weaker than Giro'13/Tour'14 Nibbles and he still lost only by seconds. Based on this, a top form Froom-Froom or Quintana should beat Papy, especially the former, 'cause he should inflict some serious damage in the TT(s). So Papy needs to show even more magic than last year to win it. Heart over head, I shall stick with the old man.

 

[SafeBet]

I feel bad for you. First dekker, then gesink, then kruiswijk, then mollema and now Keldermann

Why would you feel sorry for anyone supporting Kelderman? He's a huge talent.

I'm tipping Quintana for the win after some epic battle with Froome.

 

[Arredondo]

I will say Quintana for Froome.

If Purito is good, he will be up there and finish 3rd. If he's screwed this Tour it's going to be one disappointment

Gesink, Hesjedal no factor at all for this race. I'm curious to see how Aru will manage more pressure.

 

[Miburo]

Why would you feel sorry for anyone supporting Kelderman? He's a huge talent.

I'm tipping Quintana for the win after some epic battle with Froome.

I think you missed the point. All these guys have 2 things in common: they're dutch and well you stated the 2nd thing they've in common.

Did they live up to the talent once said about them?

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Thank god that other crappy Vuelta poll has gone ! What was all that about?


Would love to vote Aru but not tonight Josephine !

Froome it is.

Don't think Quintana will keep up with a Full on Alien attack !

 

[ILovecycling]

I think you missed the point. All these guys have 2 things in common: they're dutch and well you stated the 2nd thing they've in common.

Did they live up to the talent once said about them?

This time I believe DT (so to Kelderman) more.Wilco proved his talent this year.He needs to lose weight and find a bit of explosiveness,but he should be the best from those named.


To the poll...

I believe Don Nairo will double up.Otoh it should be really close,especially cuz of Dawg tt,as I think he will drop him in 'mountains'.Its 2014,one year better Nairo gentlemans.
Im curious what Purito (aru,chaves) will show us.

 

[ILovecycling]

Thank god that other crappy Vuelta poll has gone ! What was all that about?


Would love to vote Aru but not tonight Josephine !

Froome it is.

Don't think Quintana will keep up with a Full on Alien attack !

Of course not,cuz he will be miles away by then

 

[alin.constantin89]

Froome will put some distances with those huge accelerations but Quintana will catch and pass him with his own pace.

 

[ILovecycling]

Froome will put some distances with those huge accelerations but Quintana will catch and pass him with his own pace.

this.He cant do Alien-AC dauphine madness,he should just go and go,go,no accelerations...

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

this.He cant do Alien-AC dauphine madness,he should just go and go,go,no accelerations...

great lead out man for Aru

 

[jens_attacks]

i think papy will make it again! i just want all the favourites to be there and stay on their bikes to be honest. then in the mountains, may the best win

 

[ILovecycling]

great lead out man for Aru

who?
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[SafeBet]

I think you missed the point. All these guys have 2 things in common: they're dutch and well you stated the 2nd thing they've in common.

Did they live up to the talent once said about them?

Has Kelderman been a letdown thus far?

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

who?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMHfjVgYGuo

the guy that made Quintana his *****. thats who