Vuelta 2010 route

[Andrija]

Has been unveiled today.
It's nice route with lots of climbing, spread (pretty much) equally through entire race. Only one ITT (but for specialists) and very short TTT (more designed like team presentation, than race factor); versus six (organizers' words) finishes on altitude, are strong argument to characterize this Vuelta as one for climbers. Organizers are also doing their best to keep the race exciting till the last day with ITT in last week and another uphill finish on penultimate day.
The problem (as every season) is - who's going to race it and target it? The audience, as well as cyclists, is a bit full of GTs, specially after TDF with all its hype.
Spanish riders with addition of Cunego (stage hunter) should make this race interesting.

 

[sopas]

There is also one other major NEW addition to next year's Vuelta. That is the climb to "Bola del Mundo" (at about 2,200 meters over sea level), which is an extension of Navacerrada climb near Madrid. This is one of the hardest climbs in the world. Next to Angliru, nothing as hard has ever been attempted in the Vuelta ever.

A few months ago Contador mentioned this climb (he climbed Navacerrada about 200 times training last year!! ) and the organizers of the Vuelta seem to have pleased him by adding this stage. Next year we will likely see Contador ride both Tour and Vuelta. That is good news!!!!

Look at the last 4 kms!!! 10, 11, and 12% average with some slopes as much as 16, 18, and 19%!!

 

[slovakguy]

hard to imagine someone having an edge on contador if he chooses to ride this one.

 

[Andrija]

hard to imagine someone having an edge on contador if he chooses to ride this one.

True.
But, can you imagine anyone in any GT having an edge on him?
This Vuelta could be very exciting if Contador decides not to ride, Valverde decides to defend the title, Sanchez takes another shot at it, as well as Sastre and Evans and Menchov change their plans of doing Giro - Tour double.
I'm almost sure Contador will do Tour - Vuelta, so the Vuelta show will be on riders from spanish continental teams who'll fight for high placings. I can't imagine Valverde, Sastre and Sanchez killing themselves just to be second or third. They won't give Contador anything, but the moment he takes the jersey and shows them his strength, they'll ease off, just defending current placings.

 

[slovakguy]

True.
But, can you imagine anyone in any GT having an edge on him?
This Vuelta could be very exciting if Contador decides not to ride, Valverde decides to defend the title, Sanchez takes another shot at it, as well as Sastre and Evans and Menchov change their plans of doing Giro - Tour double.
I'm almost sure Contador will do Tour - Vuelta, so the Vuelta show will be on riders from spanish continental teams who'll fight for high placings. I can't imagine Valverde, Sastre and Sanchez killing themselves just to be second or third. They won't give Contador anything, but the moment he takes the jersey and shows them his strength, they'll ease off, just defending current placings.

andy schleck could give contador a run for his money, should andy improve his time trialling. admittedly, there isn't much itt here, but enough that that might make the difference.

excluding a.c. & a.s., i'll go with euskie's sanchez. i think valverde's luck will run out with a c.a.s. ban, sastre doesn't seem to have the jump he had a few years ago.