G
Gunsberg
Guest
Hmmm....The 2005 La Vuelta begins just a few days from now, on
Saturday, August 27th. It's clear that RBR's attention has been focused
on Die Deutschland Tour. But now that is wrapping up, and the last that
I read, La Vuelta was still considered to be one of the Grand Tours.
So, who's gonna win?
Roberto Heras will be keen on winning a 4th Vuelta a Espana, which
would give him sole possession of the record for most GC victories in
that race. Certainly, given his results in the TdF, he is again hoping
that he has yet to hit his best form.
His Liberty-Seguros team will provide formidable support, with Isidro
Nozal, Igor Gonzales de Galdeano,and Joseba Beloki riding for him.
2002 Vuelta winner Aitor Gonzalez will head the Euskaltel-Euskadi
team.
2001 winner Angel Casero will lead Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme
Francisco Mancebo will lead Illes Balears.
Among the non-Spanish (or Basque) teams, Santiago Botero will be
Phonak's GC contender.
Floyd Landis will be one of the top Americans in La Vuelta, riding for
Phonak
Carlos Sastre of Team CSC will be a threat to take some stages.
Oscar Sevilla is T-Mobile's hope.
As for the Discovery Team, Jose Azevedo will lead the team in its
attempt to win its 3rd Grand Tour victory of the year.
Also, Gilberto Simoni will be racing for Lampre-Caffita. He missed the
TdF, so he may have ambitions for a high placement, to complement his
2nd Place finish in the Giro.
This year, there are 2 Individual Time Trials (plus the 9 km. long
Prologue), both of which are on relatively flat terrain. This could
make things more difficult for Heras.
I predict that this could be Mancebo's year, and Aitor Gonzalez might
be in Podium form. Landis might be a Dark Horse for a high finish.
1) Mancebo
2) Aitor Gonzalez
3) Heras
4) Landis
5) Igor Gonzalez
6) Casero
7) Sevilla
8) Beloki
9) Azevedo
10) Simoni
Saturday, August 27th. It's clear that RBR's attention has been focused
on Die Deutschland Tour. But now that is wrapping up, and the last that
I read, La Vuelta was still considered to be one of the Grand Tours.
So, who's gonna win?
Roberto Heras will be keen on winning a 4th Vuelta a Espana, which
would give him sole possession of the record for most GC victories in
that race. Certainly, given his results in the TdF, he is again hoping
that he has yet to hit his best form.
His Liberty-Seguros team will provide formidable support, with Isidro
Nozal, Igor Gonzales de Galdeano,and Joseba Beloki riding for him.
2002 Vuelta winner Aitor Gonzalez will head the Euskaltel-Euskadi
team.
2001 winner Angel Casero will lead Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme
Francisco Mancebo will lead Illes Balears.
Among the non-Spanish (or Basque) teams, Santiago Botero will be
Phonak's GC contender.
Floyd Landis will be one of the top Americans in La Vuelta, riding for
Phonak
Carlos Sastre of Team CSC will be a threat to take some stages.
Oscar Sevilla is T-Mobile's hope.
As for the Discovery Team, Jose Azevedo will lead the team in its
attempt to win its 3rd Grand Tour victory of the year.
Also, Gilberto Simoni will be racing for Lampre-Caffita. He missed the
TdF, so he may have ambitions for a high placement, to complement his
2nd Place finish in the Giro.
This year, there are 2 Individual Time Trials (plus the 9 km. long
Prologue), both of which are on relatively flat terrain. This could
make things more difficult for Heras.
I predict that this could be Mancebo's year, and Aitor Gonzalez might
be in Podium form. Landis might be a Dark Horse for a high finish.
1) Mancebo
2) Aitor Gonzalez
3) Heras
4) Landis
5) Igor Gonzalez
6) Casero
7) Sevilla
8) Beloki
9) Azevedo
10) Simoni
