New look Vuelta for 2007

By Brett | Permalink | 1 comment | August 9th, 2007 | Trackback

Part of this was in a reply to Ashton’s post below, so I thought I would delve a little deeper.

For this year’s edition of the the Vuelta, Vinokourov an Kashechkin’s out, and now Alejandro Valverde is out (riding the Tour of Burgos and in the GP of Plouay to prepare the Road World Championships). So the Vuelta’s 2006 podium has essentially been decapitated. At least Oscar Pereiro participated in the Tour this year.

So the favorites have to be Denis Menchov (assuming he rides), or maybe Carlos Sastre. As for Discovery, perhaps Tom Danielson (6th last year) or Egoi Martinez (12th and KOM last year) has a chance. Last year’s 5th place, José Angel Gomez Marchante (Saunier Duval-Prodir), may have a shot as well as 7th place Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and 8th place Vladimir Karpets (Caisse d’Epargne-Illes Balears). Last year’s 9th place Manuel Beltran has since switched to Liquigas, so he may have a team built around him to contend. Danilo Di Luca rode the Vuelta last year, but after his Giro win this year, I would be stunned if he chose to ride the Vuelta.

This is looking worse for the Vuelta as time goes on. No wonder they are getting bad ratings in Spain…

Home » About Cycling

If you found "New look Vuelta for 2007" useful or interesting, please share it with others by bookmarking it at any of the following sites: