Who's going to win the Vuelta 2006?

iBanesto said:

With Heras gone...

Who is going to win?

I'm going to put my money on Alejandro Valverde Belmonte.

Well it won't be an American since as we Euros know they are all too soft to ride a season and wouldn't know a flemish Classic if it kicked them in the rear end.

That'll get them going!!!

heck...we don't even know what a Flemish anything is! :p

The Vuelta could be a great race this year.

Possible winners:
Vino
Sastre
Valverde
Danielson
Mayo

It is hard not to pick Valverde, but Vino will be very determined. If this doping mess gets cleared up Basso could ride the Vuelta.

After a great Tour where he was not expecting to be the team leader, I think I will go with Sastre.

Mayo will be hugely motivated after his disaster in the Pyrenees.

I hope Valverde wins it.

Basso ?

tiogar said:

Well it won't be an American since as we Euros know they are all too soft to ride a season and wouldn't know a flemish Classic if it kicked them in the rear end.

That'll get them going!!!

Since when is the Vuelta a Flemish Classic?

Americans with a chance:
Levi almost won the Vuelta once - he could do a good show again.
Danielson will be the designated leader for DSC - still a long shot though.

Others:
Valverde would be the sentimental favorite and a good pick.
Vino - always in the mix.
Menchov and Sastre probably shot their collective wads in the Tour this year.

My pick: Mercado. He won a tough stage of the Tour so he's in great form, and he quit during the stage that Floyd won... maybe so he'll be rested for September?

DiabloScott said:

Since when is the Vuelta a Flemish Classic?

Americans with a chance:
Levi almost won the Vuelta once - he could do a good show again.
Danielson will be the designated leader for DSC - still a long shot though.

Others:
Valverde would be the sentimental favorite and a good pick.
Vino - always in the mix.
Menchov and Sastre probably shot their collective wads in the Tour this year.

My pick: Mercado. He won a tough stage of the Tour so he's in great form, and he quit during the stage that Floyd won... maybe so he'll be rested for September?

Basso..........

Haimar Zubeldia

The Vuelta seems to produce a significant share of otherwise less-than-fully notable riders making the podium. Aitor Gonzalez, Isrido Nozal, Gonzales de Galdeano, sorry if I have the names wrong.

Anyway, do we see that happen again, or, in the post-Fuentes era, not?

"Basso"