Overall Predictions:
★☆☆☆☆ Pavel Sivakov
The neo Frenchman may not be the straightforward leader but his second place at the Classica San Sebastián followed by his win at the Vuelta Burgos put him as a serious contender for the final win.
★★☆☆☆Jai Hindley
He now plays in the field of the great. His patient composed ride that won him the Giro give him a serious edge over Sergio Higuita as Bora’s main man.
★★★☆☆Joao Almeida
A fan favorite. The Bota Lume. The man with 7 lives. An intelligent rider that clearly was not at his best at the giro but was still in podium contention before testing positive to Covid. With less descents and a final km punch rarely seen before he can finally take his first Grand tour podium.
★★★★☆Primoz Roglic
The man is injured. He does not have the same luxurious team of the Tour de France and most importantly he has a dozen of naughty climbers that will attack him. A fourth successive Vuelta win will be nothing more of miracle.
★★★★★ Simon Yates
Yes; we know very much the drill of not trusting a Yates. Yet, there is something about him in this Vuelta Espana 2022 that says things we will be different. Starting with that team that is promised the opening time trial. His time trial skills are now perfect and we know very well there is no one that can climb like him.
A LeadOut promised you some special treats and here is the first part. A complilation of the predictions from all of A LeadOut most eager fellows.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ : Primoz Roglic
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Jay Hindley
⭐️⭐️⭐️: Richard Carapaz or Pavel Sivakov
⭐️⭐️: Thymen Arensman
⭐️: Domenico Pozzovivo
I hope Roglic will be in and have an healthy vuelta for a fourth victory. Jay Hindley will be a good challenger with a strong Bora Team. Carapaz and Sivakov can be on the podium with their strong team. Thymen Arensman and Pozzovivo for a top 5.
CC 2004:
★ Arensman
★★ Carapaz
★★★ Almeida
★★★★ Evenepoel
★★★★★ Roglic
CTT
★ Mas
★★ Yates
★★★ Buchmann
★★★★ Sivakov
★★★★★ M.Lopez
Charjan 7
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Simon Yates
Laugh or not, in my conviction he was absolutely ready to win Giro this year. Enough experienced to get rid of nightmares from Colle delle Finestre. Improved significantly in time-trials. The way he won the most exciting 14th stage of Italian race was a proof of his quality, maestro in the concert hall. But this year, the knee injury did burst his GC desire into flames. He returned and looked very confident in some preparation races this summer, even hot weather didn't make him struggle like it used to. Only 6th in San Sebastian? That's really good result for him. Simon was never as good one-day racer as his twin, but when it comes to Grand Tour history, Adam might be jealous of what Simon achieved. Former Vuelta winner at all. Much faith in the Bike Exchange star.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Primoz Roglic
People say he is done. His throne in Jumbo is now taken by a shy Danish fishboy. Too early for a verdict. We talk about a rider, who won two of the biggest one-week races this season. We talk about a rider, who did some days of Tour severely damaged and still climbed La Planche de Belles Filles as third fastest. Later he embed vital role in key tactical moment of entire Tour, forcing Pogacar to work and chase on Col du Galibier. Now he is back to health. There are some doubts over his lack of training but remember - he is a unique rider. Rarely disappoints, when he is not damaged. He is Mr. Vuelta. If Jumbo didn't know he is ready to defend the title, they wouldn't select him for Utrecht depart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️: Remco Evenepoel
Ok, you can argue that he never proved anything in Grand Tours (don't count Giro 2021, he rode it soon after leaving physiotherapy cabinet). So, it's definitely too early to state extreme opinions of both sides like "new Merckx" or "overrated, never gonna finish GT in Top 5". Let's check what he can do! Probably he did the biggest, most detailed preparation for any race in his career to improve skills he often missed to become complete. I talk about highest mountains, very steep gradients and descents. Remco improved a lot these attributes, that's for sure. Is this already enough to conquer red jersey and keep consistency? Apart from that, form and confidence should be as good as we saw few weeks ago in San Sebastian - unbelievable performance. So, we can expect him to surprise GC contenders by attacking on hilly stages, he is likely to try it. Design of whole Vuelta course seems to be very nice for him. Quickstep team roster tells us that they're gonna support their climber and ignore sprint stages, rare to see in Wolfpack. That are good conditions for Belgian wonderkid to set a milestone.
⭐️⭐️: Joao Almeida
Portuguese is another young rider with huge potential, who is still learning and yet to do his best in three-week races. He didn't look confident during Giro, but that was enough to be placed 4th in GC, while illness forced him to abandon. He comes to Vuelta after a mighty victory in the last stage of Burgos and a probably better squad of UAE domestiques than his helpers from Italy. Same as Evenepoel case, the design of the course should work well for Joao, that's why I see his chances even bigger than INEOS or BORA leaders.
⭐️: Richard Carapaz
Olympic Champion wasn't impressive in Poland and maybe he should hurry up to find the form, but this race wasn't a true test of legs. Target is to be in good form on time and Ecuadorian is an expert of preparation for entire three weeks. Very consistent rider in Grand Tours. Problem is that there are not many extreme mountainous tasks in this race, where Carapaz will be sure to gain some time over competitors(*). Interesting to know how well he will cooperate with the team, which includes many high-quality youngsters.
* - I would write similar description of Jai Hindley, who was close to replace 1-star favourite Carapaz in my prediction, but Bora brings sprinters and Ineos looks more focused on GC. Also Ineos stronger in TTT, so I chose Carapaz
Gsipp00:
★★★ Remco; Rogla; Carapaz
★★ Almeida; Yates
★ Hindley, Ayuso
Giusepperides:
★★★★★ Roglic, Hindley
★★★ Carapaz, Yates
★ Almeida
***** Sivakov
**** Higuita
*** Almeida
** Quintana
* Remco -
Not convinced Roglic will be at full strength. - I can’t trust a Yates brother ever again - It’s too early for GT Alaphilippe following that brutal crash - Landa is Landa
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟: Jai Hindley - his grand tour pedigree is no longer in doubt.
🌟🌟🌟🌟: Remco Evenepoel - doubts still remain about his ability to convert his one-day race class into a grand tour GC bid, but he is a sensational talent, so nothing can be ruled out.
🌟🌟🌟: Primoz Roglic - the parcours really suit him, but there are just too many injury question marks over Roglic and his team to make him the 5-star favourite he normally would be.
🌟🌟: Richard Carapaz - he has a really strong team, and Carapaz has plenty of experience of featuring on Grand Tour podiums, so he will be a strong contender.
🌟: Joao Almeida - his current form is really good, and he knows how to pace himself over 3 weeks. He should push hard for a podium place.
★★★★★ Roglic
★★★★ Landa
★★★ Almeida
★★ Evenepoel
★ Hindley
TXdog22:
Podium of Carapaz, Hindley, Kuss in no special order. Can't see Roglic finishing. If he does leave, Kuss may have a good Vuelta.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️--------
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Roglic, Yates
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Almeida, Evenepoel
⭐️⭐️ Carapaz, Sivakov, Hindley
⭐️ O'Connor, Arensman
The final and most awaited part : The Velogames guide is under construction with more special guests!!
Don’t forget to follow A LeadOut on Twitter , Instagram and Like on Facebook.
You could aslo help by donating via Paypal or Buy me a Coffee.
Comments
Post a Comment