Vuelta 2014, **el sp-olé-rs**

[Pro Tour Punditry]

In a bid to try to limit the number of Vuelta threads I decided to start an el sp-olé-rs thread, at risk of there being a thread dedicated to every rider taking part

 

[rich p]

Quintana must be favourite.

 

[Buddfox]

Contador now saying he will be recovered to take part - not sure what his form will be though. Should be a corker given the line-up!

EDIT: Haha, sorry just seen there was already a thread on this particular topic! Oh well...

 

[Monsieur Remings]

I think Froome will put on a good show but he's not going to be as strong as Quintana. This is only based on the evidence of this season.

Would also love to see Purito on some form too, but something tells me - again on form returning from injury that it's not going to be his year.

Very much looking forward to it and it should be a good battle between the Columbian and the Kenyan.

 

[AndyRM]

The Froome, Quintana and Rodriguez battle should be excellent. Possibly with Uran in the mix as well?

 

[rich p]

I think Froome will put on a good show but he's not going to be as strong as Quintana. This is only based on the evidence of this season.

Would also love to see Purito on some form too, but something tells me - again on form returning from injury that it's not going to be his year.

Very much looking forward to it and it should be a good battle between the Columbian and the Kenyan.

I suspect that Rodriguez will expect to be more competitive than in the TdF but his time to win a GT has probably passed now.
Is Uran in it? He could go close again but probably no cigar.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Namibia's Craven for Europcar, hard man finished the Commie games race. Be good to see him win a stage.

 

[Crackle]

After Froome's luck this year, I'm going for him to be the first rider decked by a wild goat.

 

[HF2300]

Not sure it'll deck him. The wild goat will be at the side of the road bothering no-one and Froome will randomly veer into it.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

I suspect that Rodriguez will expect to be more competitive than in the TdF but his time to win a GT has probably passed now.
Is Uran in it? He could go close again but probably no cigar.

I think you may be right. Yes Uran is there, along with Horner, Evans, Valverde, Sagan, Degenkolb, Pinot, Cancellara, Gilbert, Moreno...even Sammy Sanchez with BMC who I haven't heard mention of in a long time since the end of Euskaltel.

 

[MisterStan]

Not sure it'll deck him. The wild goat will be at the side of the road bothering no-one and Froome will randomly veer into it.

Well he won't see it, as he'll be staring at the stem on his bike.....

 

[HF2300]

Said Richie Porte in a CyclingNews.com article, “that’s just how he rides, with his head down. I train with the guy everyday and he’s forever just riding into goats, but that’s just how he rides.”

*From http://chrisfroomelookingatstems.tumblr.com/. caveat: Some words may have been harmed in making this quote

 

[Crackle]

I see they've managed to locate Betancur for this one. He should be there if he can get on the plane but after a serious bout of something serious, he's looking for stage wins.

 

[400bhp]

The line up looks fantastic.

http://www.lavuelta.com/14pr/en/noticias/noticia.html?id=290&e=1

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Betancur eh ? He's been even more elusive than Wiggins this year, what a turn up (or is that turnip ?)

I see they've managed to locate Betancur for this one. He should be there if he can get on the plane but after a serious bout of something serious, he's looking for stage wins.

?