Who will win the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco?

[Fzotrlool]

I made it in order to prevent the Contador thread from becoming a Pais Vasco thread.

 

[David_William]

Andy Schleck won't win.
Kwiatkowski to get his revenge from Alberto Contador

 

[BigMac]

Moderators, anyone, please make the poll public.


The route seems fairly easy, and what a line-up! Looking forward to nice racing, without rain.

1. Valverde
2. Tejay
3. Costa
4.Contador
5. Pinot
6. Mollema
7. Betancur
8. Kwiatkwoski
9. Cunego
10. Bakelants

 

[Fzotrlool]

The route seems fairly easy, and what a line-up! Looking forward to nice racing, without rain.

1. Valverde
2. Tejay
3. Costa
5. Contador
6. Pinot
7. Mollema
8. Betancur
9. Kwiatkwoski
10. Cunego

A top 10 without a fourth place?

 

[BigMac]

A top 10 without a fourth place?

Ooops, missed it. Thanks for noticing.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I hope Kwiat doesn't target GC, but only some stages. I wan't him to be top at FW-LBL

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I read somewhere Betancur is having knee issues.
Anyway must take a closer look at the parcours before voting.

 

[Fzotrlool]

Ooops, missed it. Thanks for noticing.

But you're right, it is a race with a lot of quality.

Spilak, Peraud, Kiserlovski, Lulu or maybe even Frank Schleck could fill your fourth place spot.

 

[David_William]

I hope Kwiat doesn't target GC, but only some stages. I wan't him to be top at FW-LBL

Why not target a race that you can win?
I can't see him winning FW or LBL, Amstel maybe. I guess without Henao he has more chances but still will be hard to beat Betancur

 

[Jspear]

1. Contador
2. Valverde
3. Tjay

 

[Fzotrlool]

I read somewhere Betancur is having knee issues.
Anyway must take a closer look at the parcours before voting.

They might save him for the Ardennes Classics and let a non-explosive rider like Peraud be their captain.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Why not target a race that you can win?
I can't see him winning FW or LBL, Amstel maybe. I guess without Henao he has more chances but still will be hard to beat Betancur

Because I don't believe he can win (yet)

 

[veji11]

PEraud for the win ! (half joking, but only half.)

 

[Fzotrlool]

PEraud for the win ! (half joking, but only half.)

He is always among the best and rarely misses a top 10 spot, but he's just not a winner.

 

[Jack_89]

Kwiat or Van Garderen

because the route is easy e finally ITT helpes them

 

[Publicus]

Based on how he rode at Catalunya and the ITT, I'm picking Tejay for the overall, with Contador and Valverde rounding out the podium.

 

[Netserk]

Ranking of stages according to GC relevance:

Stage 6 (Hilly ITT)
Stage 4 (Arrete MTF)
Stage 1 (Hilly with downhill finish, steep final climb)
Stage 5 (Hilly with downhill finish, group to finish together)
Stage 3 (Hilly with downhill finish, reduced bunch sprint)
Stage 2 ('Sprint' stage)

 

[Jspear]

Kwiat or Van Garderen

because the route is easy e finally ITT helpes them

The final TT also suits Contador. Even last year(when his form was arguably not as good as this year.) during the tour he placed 2nd on the hilly TT.

 

[VeloHuman]

The final TT also suits Contador. Even last year(when his form was arguably not as good as this year.) during the tour he placed 2nd on the hilly TT.

It'll be interesting to see how he does; he was pretty underwhelming in Tirreno-Adriatico's TT.

He also will not love the parcours in of the whole race in general. Not hard enough. Probably more in the wheelhouse of Rui Costa, also a very strong time trialist, especially when hills are involved; see: last year's Tour de Suisse. Not that I think Costa will win the GC, but he could definitely place high in GC and win a stage or two, vying with Kwiato and Valverde for the downhill finishes after the mountains.

 

[Wallenquist]

Contador will probably be the strongest uphill but it may not be enough to win overall with bonus seconds and TT. I'm not sure if van Garderen will target gc after hard ride in Catalunya but if yes then he's one of the favorities together with Kwiatkowski.
Valverde can grab three stages at least, great to see him on this course.

 

[Netserk]

Easy edition my ***.

Stage 1 finish (It's very difficult to map because of no official map, and the timetable isn't great with detail, but the finish should be a little bit farer away (6.7km from the top of the last climb)):

The descent is quite technical and on a narrow road.

 

[Fzotrlool]

Another interesting name is the local hero Samuel Sanchez. He has won it and knows everything about these hills and corners. This may be the last chance to prove that he still has GC potential. If he doesn't show something here, he's done forever. A stage win at least is needed.

 

[Fzotrlool]

Contador will most likely try to attack on the 14% section, then go crazy downhill. I think he wants the jersey from day 1 instead of being forced to drop let's say a leading Valverde.

 

[Jack_89]

The final TTits Contador. Even last year(when his form was arguably not as good as this year.) during the tour he placed 2nd on the hilly TT.

yeah. I thought the same thing but in Catalunya it seems he hasn't same legs of T-A.
I also hope that i 'mwrong and he will destroy everyone in PV.

 

[Roude Leiw]

Voted for other, i suppose there are bonus seconds on all stages (besides MTF), so Slagter seems like a natural favorite for me. Could see Mr World Champ running away with the GC. Not hard enough for Berti et all to kill the race.