Garden Kitty
08-26-2010, 08:09 PM
The race starts on Saturday and although it's traditionally seen as the least prominent of the three grand tours, it's position towards the end of the cycling calendar guarantees some interesting storylines.
First the start lists (http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-start-list). Menchov is touted as the favorite, but other big names include the Schleck brothers, Carlos Sastre and VendeVelde.
Frank Schleck and Christian VandeVelde had early exits from the TdF and would love to highlight their season with a win here. But both have missed training and may not be in form.
Menchov has a podium finish at the TdF and wins at the Giro and the Vuelta. While he isn't often a showy rider he rarely has a very bad day and his consistency works well in the grand tours.
Andy Schleck is finishing off his Sexy Back career, and a GT win would help get some nice press for the new team he's forming with brother Frank. But Andy went all out at the TdF, and there is some discussion he's riding more to support Frank in this race. Liquigas's Nibali is a promising rider looking to make a big statement on a team crowded with GT talent and he had a great showing in his last minute entry into the Giro . Roman Kreuziger is also looking to make a splash before his transfer to a new team, and (with the exception of Menchov who is always a threat), this race is wide open and a "rider of the future" could make a statement.
Big GT riders missing from this race are Cadel Evans (BMC not invited), Contador (not in form after the TdF), Basso (two GT's in one year are enough for him) and all of Radio Shack (also not invited).
The sprinters will be out in force, although many of them may drop out part way through so as not to tire themselves out with big mountains before Worlds. Cavendish (minus Renshaw), Farrar (also coming back from injury at the TdF), Hushovd (looking for a contract if Cervelo folds as expected) and Bennati (what nice scenery) will all be there. Petacchi is in town and wants to race, but it remains to be seen if his recent visit to Coni to discuss how his name got on some wiretaps involving questionable doping activities will impact whether he's allowed to start the race.
However, the parcours is light on sprint stages at the beginning and has many of their flat stages in the last week which is a little unusual. It will either entice the sprinty types to stick around, or result in sprints with a lot of top talent missing.
The Stage List is here (http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/65th-vuelta-a-espana-his/stages) as well as a route analysis. (http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-route-analysis)
The race kicks off in style with a night time trial in Seville - should be interesting, although the course isn't very long.
Young USA rider Tejay van Garderen tackles his first Grand Tour with HTC-Columbia so it will be interesting to see how he does.
Universal TV has daily coverage on tape delay. They also have live interent coverage for a price (I recall $15 for the race) but I'm sure Cyclingfans (http://www.cyclingfans.com/) will have some links to coverage as well.
First the start lists (http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-start-list). Menchov is touted as the favorite, but other big names include the Schleck brothers, Carlos Sastre and VendeVelde.
Frank Schleck and Christian VandeVelde had early exits from the TdF and would love to highlight their season with a win here. But both have missed training and may not be in form.
Menchov has a podium finish at the TdF and wins at the Giro and the Vuelta. While he isn't often a showy rider he rarely has a very bad day and his consistency works well in the grand tours.
Andy Schleck is finishing off his Sexy Back career, and a GT win would help get some nice press for the new team he's forming with brother Frank. But Andy went all out at the TdF, and there is some discussion he's riding more to support Frank in this race. Liquigas's Nibali is a promising rider looking to make a big statement on a team crowded with GT talent and he had a great showing in his last minute entry into the Giro . Roman Kreuziger is also looking to make a splash before his transfer to a new team, and (with the exception of Menchov who is always a threat), this race is wide open and a "rider of the future" could make a statement.
Big GT riders missing from this race are Cadel Evans (BMC not invited), Contador (not in form after the TdF), Basso (two GT's in one year are enough for him) and all of Radio Shack (also not invited).
The sprinters will be out in force, although many of them may drop out part way through so as not to tire themselves out with big mountains before Worlds. Cavendish (minus Renshaw), Farrar (also coming back from injury at the TdF), Hushovd (looking for a contract if Cervelo folds as expected) and Bennati (what nice scenery) will all be there. Petacchi is in town and wants to race, but it remains to be seen if his recent visit to Coni to discuss how his name got on some wiretaps involving questionable doping activities will impact whether he's allowed to start the race.
However, the parcours is light on sprint stages at the beginning and has many of their flat stages in the last week which is a little unusual. It will either entice the sprinty types to stick around, or result in sprints with a lot of top talent missing.
The Stage List is here (http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/65th-vuelta-a-espana-his/stages) as well as a route analysis. (http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-route-analysis)
The race kicks off in style with a night time trial in Seville - should be interesting, although the course isn't very long.
Young USA rider Tejay van Garderen tackles his first Grand Tour with HTC-Columbia so it will be interesting to see how he does.
Universal TV has daily coverage on tape delay. They also have live interent coverage for a price (I recall $15 for the race) but I'm sure Cyclingfans (http://www.cyclingfans.com/) will have some links to coverage as well.