20k it wasBurgos finished on Saturday, so they must have paid good money to get him to the Netherlands the day after, I guess.
Kruijswijk did the same one though, so it's not that it's too unusual
Are they? Are they more dangerous than riding on public roads with distracted drivers and speeding cars etc?Crits are more dangerous than normal training rides.
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/vuelta-a-espana/2019/gc/startlist/relative-team-strengthIts not a rubbish field...only Ineos missing really
Jumbo, Movistar (ex Carapaz now) Astana & EF brought their best
I am going with Roglic, MAL & Valverde for the podium
Geraint is focusing on Worlds ITT and Bernal I don't think another GT for Egan is a good idea after winning the TourCarapaz is ruled out of the Vuelta. Not sure why Ineos don't send Geraint or Bernal.
Or they will both dom for Kruijswik.If Roglic doesn't win this he'll be a great dom for Dum next year.
Or they will all dom for De Plus or Bennett.Or they will both dom for Kruijswik.
Yay, looking forward to another three weeks of Quintana bashing...On another note, just watched the team presentation and apparently Movistar's leader is now Nairito "Make Arkea Great" Quintana.
Well he finally appears to have accepted the fact that he can't do anything about the fact he's loosing his hair. You need to give him more time. However, don't expect him to ever shave it. His oldest brother has worse hair loss and doesn't shave his. (Their middle brother is fully bald).I wonder if Valverde will ever accept his hair might not be "groomable" anymore.I know how he feels though, I'm in the same place.
I don't know. Seems super weak to me.Its not a rubbish field...only Ineos missing really
Jumbo, Movistar (ex Carapaz now) Astana & EF brought their best
I am going with Roglic, MAL & Valverde for the podium
Yeah, such a fade in the Tour when he won stage 19 by being clearly the best on the day and then not time-trialing well the subsequent day because of an elbow injury.The favorite is Roglic, who's faded at the end of his last two GTs.
This tour had a very weak field too. I think the level of the gc contenders is lower than 5/10 years ago.I don't know. Seems super weak to me.
The favorite is Roglic, who's faded at the end of his last two GTs.
MAL should be solid
After that a whole lot of question marks:
Chaves and Aru are still trying to regain top form after illnesses and injury.
Majka, Kelderman, and Meintjes
Pogacar is in his first GT
And then a few guys doing back-to back GTs. Who knows how they'll go? Of that group, Bala and Krushweak are supposedly not even riding for GC and who knows what to expect from Uran and Nairo these days even when they aren't coming off another GT? Aru makes this list as well.
Who else? Latour?
I don't know, seems like a lackluster field to me but I do expect some good racing .
Finding a new job can do that sometimes................Quintana out-smiling Chaves, now I have seen everything.
Yes more illness than injuries it seems but 2016 looked like being his break out year with two grand tour podiums. It's been a struggle ever since. Think he had glandular fever for quite a while.What actually happened to Esteban Chaves after his excellent 2016-season? Has he had any serious injuries or illness?
This tour had a very weak field too. I think the level of the gc contenders is lower than 5/10 years ago.
Fuglsang didn't complete the hardest part of the Tour which is the only thing in his favour but then no one did completely due to the stage changes. Some of the Tour riders might be a little fresher than usual going into the Vuelta but Fuglsang's spring form seemed to be already on the wane before he crashed out. Astana must be short of mountain doms.Seemingly Chaves is flying ...good..... someone to give Roglic & Valverde a run for their money on the Murs
MAL & Quintana should come into play later on
Cant for the life of me think why Fuglsang turned up....after such a hard spring and Tour ...you'd think he would need a rest and Astana have enough Doms for MAL
Same with Stevie K
Makja and TJ should top 10