[superbarney]

Is (and if so when) is the Vuelta 2023 going live as a competition?

Topic

[11waterloo]

Not that they would admit to

Not that they would admit to it but Evenepoel needs to have a word with Mas, Vlasov & Landa ( especially as he is joining Quick Step) to try & form an unofficial alliance against Jumbo/UAE. Not sure how it would work but, as it stands, they are at the mercy of the two big teams. 

[Daniel Norton]

Playing well?  Basically,

Playing well?  Basically, being so far behind you in the overall, I just decided to go for it and trust my instincts.  Liberating.  Unfortunately for me, barring a miracle, your lead is too easy to defend.

For Soler to have a chance, I reckon he has to climb better than he has previously on the massive climbs.  Kuss has already proven he can do that, which means Evenepoel is on deep trouble IMO.  It’s going to be so tactical if nobody can just ride away on the Tourmalet or one of the other huge stages. 

This has to be the most interesting GT in years.  Roglic is the favourite for me, but it’s so open due to the complex tactics.

ETA:  Who doesn’t want to see Kuss do it?  Even Roglic does, which could make things VERY interesting.

[11waterloo]

The way you are playing

The way you are playing currently it will probably work! The TT was meant to restore some order to the GC standings but we have the third best Jumbo & UAE riders at the top. I reckon Jumbo/UAE have to back Kuss & Soler respectively until they crack. Kuss is a really decent climber so could go all the way, but I suspect two previous Grand Tours will get him eventually. Soler is a mystery to his own team I think so who knows what he will do next! It does put a lot of extra pressure on Evenepoel because he needs to dislodge them, knowing that both teams have stronger riders in reserve if he does. 

[Daniel Norton]

Some of the bookies are still

Some of the bookies are still offering 7/1 for Kuss to win the Vuelta.  I might stick £1K on it.

[MinardiM189]

This Vuelta is giving me a

This Vuelta is giving me a headache !!

[11waterloo]

And FDJ having to control

And FDJ having to control things adds to the potential chaos!

[Daniel Norton]

I wasted a transfer on Storer

I wasted a transfer on Storer.  He is obviously riding well, but had to pull most of the climb due to the random Martinez in the break scenario.  Strangely, I’d be close to leading the Vuelta had Martinez stayed in the peloton.

If the chaos continues, I predict a pretty low scoring GT in terms of the game.  In all honesty, I’m not sure how to play it tomorrow.  I have one word that means complications…  WIND!

[11waterloo]

It is a bizarre state of

It is a bizarre state of affairs! The whole race has gone completely mad to be honest. Bardet was a better pick than Kämna today. I hovered between the two and lost the coin toss! 

[Daniel Norton]

This isn’t normal.  Are we

This isn’t normal.  Are we really, seriously considering Ganna for a sprint stage?

[Daniel Norton]

Yeah, the reason Poole was a

Yeah, the reason Poole was a good punt was that he might have picked up a stack of points in the next two stages if he took the young rider and GC jerseys.  I was defo influenced by the fact I really wanted him to do it though, so prob a mistake really.

Credit to DSM though for trying.  They were definitely riding for Poole, but he had strangely bad legs.  I suspect there might be a virus going through the peloton or something.

[11waterloo]

Yes, I swerved him in the end

Yes, I swerved him in the end fortunately. I really struggle with heart picks though. I get some rider in my head and want to pick them as a way of proving my knowledge of cycling. Very rarely ends well! 

[MinardiM189]

and then he crashed – twice

and then he crashed – twice

and in reality he has had no time to work with the sprint train or to get a decent position on the TT bike.

So a more heart than brain pick for me.

[11waterloo]

I was very close to picking

I was very close to picking him – was sure he would want to put on a show for his new team. It was only the price that put me off in the end. 

[MinardiM189]

I have those moments too.

I have those moments too.

Choosing Demare in Renewi was a little like that.

 

[11waterloo]

I think Poole was a really

I think Poole was a really solid pick on paper (like my doomed Onley pick yesterday). Decent price, good chance of GC/young rider/KoM points as well as likely top 10 on stage if it became a GC day. He just seemed to completely blow up unfortunately – the level required in a Grand Tour is clearly huge.

[Author]

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