Vuelta a España Who will win the 2022 Vuelta a España? Third rest day poll

[VayaVayaVaya]

I think both Evenepoel and Roglic showed signs of weakness yesterday.

Evenepoel watched as Roglic both initially got momentarily distanced by his doms and then subsequently had to pull off the front and draft at the back of the lead GC group. If Evenepoel had confidence in his ability he would have upped the tempo to try and drop Roglic but he didn't have the legs for it. Its not like he was riding a super hard tempo since both Ayuso in behind and Arrensman out in front were effectively climbing at the same pace.

On the other hand the big Jumbo move at the bottom of the climb was a failed mission due to Roglic not having the legs. He knew he needed to take close to a minute yesterday yet waited until the last possible minute before attacking. That suggests to me that he was afraid that he would blow up altogether had he moved earlier. So in the circumstances I think both riders will be satisfied with the outcome. But Evenepoel moreso given the time cushion he already has.

Evenepoel is firmly in the driving seat now after getting through the weekend. Looking at the remaining stage profiles, I simply can't see where Roglic will take the necessary time to turn around that deficit but then again stranger things have happened.

Good take. I hadn’t thought of it quite like that, but you’re right, a really good Remco would have ridden Roglic off his wheel. Both seem a bit up and down with their form right now. Remco is more likely than Roglic IMO to have a bad day, but I don’t think he’ll lose the red jersey. I think the current order stands.

 

[Lequack]

Of course Remco is going to win this. If he was going to falter, he would have already. Also he now has a rest aday and a sprint stage to recover, so even if he was a bit tired, he will get rested. But had he not gained 3 minutes over everyone previously, he might be in trouble now.

 

[pman]

It's a soft, very soft final week. With that said, under 1'45 with 2 mountain stages and uphill finish left. When Roglic is on his game, he could put 1'45 in just about anyone in either of those mountain stages. Remember what Roglic did in Stage 17 of the Vuelta last year? He went on a 60 k attack along with a Tour winner and put 1'35 into all his rivals. Now, yes, that stage was tougher than any of the ones left in this race. Yes, Roglic last year would destroy Roglic this year. But sometimes in this sport, when you let a rival hang around, you pay the price. Roglic could go long on either of the two remaining mountain stages and take the jersey on either, without Remco cracking if Primoz finds his legs.

If I was betting, I'd bet on Remco. But a big part of me thinks Roglic will end of up winning this by under 10 seconds. I like Remco, but Roglic just so often has 1 special stage in him. We'll see, it'll be a fun final week, in spite of a soft course design.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

I expect Evenepoel to win so I voted for Mas.