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Vuelta Stage 1 TTT--ranking the teams

So, considering this race starts with a TTT, I thought it might be fun (and helpful for fantasy cycling purposes) to rank these teams chances from a TT strength perspective. This isn't exactly giving away that much as far as team selection goes, so I'm willing to stick my neck out and project...

1. Omega Pharma Quickstep
2. Sky
3. Rabobank
4. Katusha
5. Radioshack-Nissan
6. Movistar
7. Orica-Greenedge
8. Astana
9. Saxobank
10. Garmin-Sharp

Followed by... BMC, AG2R, Vacansoleil, Lotto, Liquigas, Argos, FDJ, Lampre, Confidis, Euskatel, Caja Rural and Andalucia

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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28 comments

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obutterwick | 11 years ago
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I eat my hat.

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Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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Grey?? This one. Fairly sure it just looks grey because its stretched out  39

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2012/6/30/1341070...

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silas chime | 11 years ago
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Wiggins' grey skinsuit for TDF TT's was considerably different from his stage racing suit?

I just reckon it looks pretty cool.....although reports of a finishing line in the bull ring with carpet laid down is a bit worrying!!

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Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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So are they having to wear that kit for the full race? I thought once you started in a kit you had to continue in it?

You are only allowed a certain number of changes a year unless its for sponsorship aswell?  39

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Simon_MacMichael | 11 years ago
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Hah, I was going to make a joke in the preview about looking out for a team in white and red  3

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silas chime | 11 years ago
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I'm hearing Caja Rural have been given permission to ride in all white with red neckerchiefs today in homage to the Pamplona Bull Run......pretty cool and almost enough to tempt me into picking one of them!!

http://www.as.com/ciclismo/articulo/caja-rural-visten-mozos-encierro/201...

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JAndrewHill | 11 years ago
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One movistar
Teo greenedge
One sky
Two radioshack
One katusha
Two opq

Should do well in stage 21

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JAndrewHill | 11 years ago
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My team is packed with decent sprinters and breakaway specialists...and now you tell me its an ttt...i might as well go purist. No transfers for me tonite.

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TERatcliffe26 | 11 years ago
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My team is set in stone now, as im off to the football, so wont be changing, but wont post it as the deadline is so late

Mine is picked with stage 2 and 3 in mind

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chrisdstripes | 11 years ago
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Pretty close now - think I've decided on my team. I've picked a team for stage 2, and any 50-50 decisions have gone the way of the rider with the better TT team. Trying to keep it balanced so I have transfers in hand until after stage 3, by which time it will hopefully be a bit clearer who is in form...

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rcorbin | 11 years ago
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I've set mine up for Stage 2 sprinters for teams that can TTT.

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TERatcliffe26 | 11 years ago
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Ive just changed one of my OPQ riders for a Rabo, so have 9 different teams now...just unsure how that change may affect me for stage 2

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livestrongnick | 11 years ago
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picked a team that will score a little on ttt then do better stage 2. Giving me 4 transfers for lumpy stuff  39

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Stumps | 11 years ago
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Problem is do you load up on the favs for the TT and then hope they work out in transfers for the next few stages ?

Personally, as Gkam said, its not a great deal of points even if you get everyone right.

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dave atkinson | 11 years ago
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BMC are though. and Rabobank.

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dave atkinson | 11 years ago
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Movistar and Saxo aren't fancied by the bookies at all...

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obutterwick | 11 years ago
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Am i missing something? VeloNews recommends Sky, Movistar, SaxoBank and Garmin for the ITT. Sky and Garmin, fair enough. The other two confuses me, especially when looking at GreenEdge and their current form.

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Stumps | 11 years ago
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On holiday for the first week so picked a mixture of pre race favs and some good ds climbers / breakaway guys.

No sprinters picked as its a lottery in the sprints and i'd rather have some decent climbers for the hillier stages.

Hopefully in the tt i will pick up some decent points with sky, rabo, opq, kat and movistar.

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frankiejay | 11 years ago
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2 OPQ, 1 sky, 1 rabo, 1 garmin, 1 liquigas, 1 lotto, and 1 FDJ

Plan on making no changes for Stage 2.

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chrisdstripes replied to frankiejay | 11 years ago
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frankiejay wrote:

2 OPQ, 1 sky, 1 rabo, 1 garmin, 1 liquigas, 1 lotto, and 1 FDJ

Plan on making no changes for Stage 2.

I'm similar - picked a team for stage 2 (well, a couple for 3-4), but if in doubt have gone for someone in a strong team in the hope of not being too far behind in the TTT...

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ray silvester | 11 years ago
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I've gone for 2 Rabo,2 Astana,2 Sky,2 OPQ and a Garmin with 5 climbers and 4 guys who can win stage 2.I'll use 4 transfers to get them out for stage 3  16

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Gkam84 | 11 years ago
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I'm not to fussed about picking riders for this stage as give or take a couple of points, the highest anyone could score is only 96

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TERatcliffe26 | 11 years ago
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Well ive played it with stage 2 in mind, without naming my riders I have 2 OPQ, and 1 each of Sky, Garmin, Katusha, Liqugas, Greenedge, FDJ and Radioshack

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drheaton | 11 years ago
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Katusha could come good as they did at the Giro, I can't see Garmin being as strong but Greenedge are always there or there abouts. Sky puzzle me, they're never as good as you expect.

My team? Probably Tony Martin +1 OPQ (I reckon Martin will get the leaders jersey) then 2 each from Sky and Greendedge and 1 from Liquigas, Katusha and Garmin.

Or something like that.

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silas chime | 11 years ago
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I like the look of Rabobank and yeah....Vacansoleil,although I got stung big time in the Eneco TTT.

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Raleigh | 11 years ago
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Garmin to win this one methinks.

RSNT second, Liquigas first.

Vacansoleil to surprise?  39

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Stumps | 11 years ago
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Rabobank have been poor this season compared to their usual TT efforts. Garmin won Qatar, Giro and were third in Tirrano - Adriatico and have the TTT pedigree.

If you only need 5 to count over the line then Sky with Froome, Stannard, Porte etc look as good as anyone.

Bertie could lose a lot of time as Saxo look poor albeit its only 17k.

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TERatcliffe26 | 11 years ago
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I ahd a look at the teams and apart from saying OPQ should win it im not sure.

Greenedge dont look as strong, Sky look solid, Katusha could go either way, RSNT look quite decent actually, Movistar could also do pretty well. I think FDJ and Vaconsolei may well surprise. BMC also look weaker than normal. Garmin and Rabobank look solid as well

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