Vuelta Espana 2017
Discussion
Well, PHers favourite grand tour starts on Saturday. This promises to be a humdinger. All the usual protagonists doing battle in the final GT of the year, not forgetting Bertie's swan song. Route looks pretty brutal - Froome along with Bardet must be the two favourites but I fancy Nibbles, should be a little bit fresher. Let the racing commence.
^^For me this is the best GT, usually a great route with lots of tough climbs 
Indeed AC's last ever GT - perhaps this will spur him on to do better. Whatever his form, he certainly will entertain as is his style. I hope Froome has a real challenge from the other big guns - don't want to mention the tour too much but we could certainly do with a epic GC battle to see who really is best.
I have't checked the full entry list, is Sagan in it?
Indeed AC's last ever GT - perhaps this will spur him on to do better. Whatever his form, he certainly will entertain as is his style. I hope Froome has a real challenge from the other big guns - don't want to mention the tour too much but we could certainly do with a epic GC battle to see who really is best.
I have't checked the full entry list, is Sagan in it?
Highway Star said:
No Sagan isn't riding the Vuelta.
Great start list this year, fantastic depth:
Bardet
Pozzovivo
Aru
Nibali
Majka
Chaves
A Yates
S Yates
De la Cruz
Jungels
Zakarin
Kruijswijk
Froome
Barguil
Kelderman
Contador
Meintjes
Plus others likeSanchez, Talansky, De Gendt, Betancur, Anton, Bennett, Poels...
EFA.Great start list this year, fantastic depth:
Bardet
Pozzovivo
Aru
Nibali
Majka
Chaves
A Yates
S Yates
De la Cruz
Jungels
Zakarin
Kruijswijk
Froome
Barguil
Kelderman
Contador
Meintjes
Plus others like
Great win by the Quick Steppers there, beautifully set up. An improvement on yesterday's mickey mouse TTT course - what the course designer was thinking god only knows. So far Carlton Kirby has only mentioned Chris Froome's name about a thousand times. Fully paid up fan boy there. Apparently there are other GC contenders in this race.
Today's stage was good. Superb to see Froome so eager almost 'unleashed'. Chaves looked strong when he stayed with Froome, however the real surprise was Nibali - he seemed to come from nowhere at the end and then pounced like a shark 
I really hope the GC battle hots up early on, would be great to see a proper fight among the GC guys. Certainly looks like it is going to be an interesting few weeks.
Not sure what happened to Bertie - was hoping he would be in the mix but 3rd stage in and he looks way off the mark.
I really hope the GC battle hots up early on, would be great to see a proper fight among the GC guys. Certainly looks like it is going to be an interesting few weeks.
Not sure what happened to Bertie - was hoping he would be in the mix but 3rd stage in and he looks way off the mark.
Great to watch a stage today as the Vuelta came through Nerja. Also interesting to watch the later stages on telly as Chris F came off but still regained most of his lead
Two wtf incidents late on, video of both on L'Equipe; first a spectator running across the road to shove a rider into the ditch, then a cop pushing an over-enthusiastic spectator under one of the motorbikes
Can't say it's not an eventful race!
Two wtf incidents late on, video of both on L'Equipe; first a spectator running across the road to shove a rider into the ditch, then a cop pushing an over-enthusiastic spectator under one of the motorbikes
Can't say it's not an eventful race!
kin brutal....I usually only follow Tour de France and Olympic cycling but for the first time I've been following Vuelta this year (on ITV4 highlights). What a fantastic and exciting race it has been; every day there is something going on (helped by Contador losing time early on).
The stages are tough and many seem to be breakaway friendly. Very enjoyable for an armchair fan like me.
The stages are tough and many seem to be breakaway friendly. Very enjoyable for an armchair fan like me.
johnxjsc1985 said:
I think Tuesday's TT could be the defining moment its 40k or so and should suit Froome well.
There is a big weekend of climbing first - will be interesting to see if nibali can do something before the time trial. He's been looking pretty strong so far and is still largely in contention. Contador yesterday was seriously impressive - like him or loathe him, the man certainly likes flat out racing
There are very few cyclists that can live with that level of attack!
^^mike f you lucky man! Looks great 😊
Highest climb in the vuelta today guys 2500m. I think this is one of the highest climbs in pro cycling.
There was some great racing yesterday, nice to see nibali/froome and contador battling it out yesterday. All superb riders with multiple grand tours to their names.
Highest climb in the vuelta today guys 2500m. I think this is one of the highest climbs in pro cycling.
There was some great racing yesterday, nice to see nibali/froome and contador battling it out yesterday. All superb riders with multiple grand tours to their names.
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