Who wins Vuelta?

derKaiser

After the first itt, the favorites list is somewhat clearer. Who's your pick to win it all? For me, it's Tyler!

tcklyde

I'd go with Tyler. Great ride today and with two more ITT's left, the pure climbers will really have to pound in the mountains to make up time. Cunego was a disappointing four minutes back and Beloki almost three and a half. Evans almost two and Heras one and a half. It's hard to guess from today's stage what people's form in the mountains will be, but you gotta think Landis and Hamilton and Beltran. I'd like to say Heras, but I'd have to see a mountain stage before I'd take that risk...just too disappointing in the Tour. Nozal maybe... But enough speculation. I'm going with Tyler.

__________________
Harry

Roadrash Dunc

Dont jinx him!

I'll go Tyler too <fingers crossed>

Cant see anyone below Heras in 14th spot and 2 misn 30 down featuring now.
Beloki at 5 mins down is too far.He really is struggling to regain his pre-crash form.
Cunego is way down too and said he wont finish.
Vino is obviously as good as out due to illness and Sevilla isnt going to feature being over 4 mins down and riding for Tyler.

Valverde , Sastre , Landis and Heras will complete the top 5.

i'll put my neck on the line and say Tyler-Heras-Landis as the 1-2-3.

donhix1

Unless Tyler falls apart in the mountains his roluer abilities should see him through.

__________________
Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.

mocka58

It's way too far out to call it yet. Tyler is in a good position but the serious mountain climbing hasn't started yet! There are a lot of classy hill-climbers right behind him. The only other time that Tyler was in a position to win a Grand Tour was the 2002 Giro and he failed so I think the pressure is on him. Valverde is still my favourite and I think Heras might take some beating too.

Virenque

Its too hard to say that early! I will vote after todays stage, because, for example, Valverde lost 1:30 in TT and if Tyler will have problems in mountains, he can get 1:30 very quick! We still dont know how tyler is climbing at the moment! He didnt look as fresh as others in first mountain-top-finnish stage! OK there are a lot of other riders too, so we will know a lot more today

Cunego will not win it, thats for sure hehe..

donhix1

In the other grand tours Tyler always had a bad day in the mountains. He will have to be consistent to win. It is definitely not in the bag but I think he has a chance and experience enough to win.

__________________
Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.

Virenque

We didnt see him climbing after the Tour! The question is how is with his back and wrist! Uff I cant wait todays stage

Roadrash Dunc

Obviously we know its too early to call - its too early even for another week - the race will be won and lost in the last 7 stages.

But the question is who do you think will win after seeing the riders so far , not after todays stage - have a guess and stop sitting on the fence! No ones going to tell you off for getting it wrong lol.

Ive put my neck on the line and picked a podium
I'll probably want to change my mind after today but thats not the point!
The Vuelta is always a close race to the end so even todays stage isnt going to make things much clearer.

derKaiser

After today's stage, looks like Tyler is finished.

Virenque

Yes, sad but true..Now there are not a lot more candidates for overall win..

Roadrash Dunc

Ok so i want to change my mind alerady! See

Virenque

Hehe I voted Valverde but I want to change it too

hawkes

It will be Heras again same tactics almost as last year. try to keep close in the flatter ITT and make up as much time as possible in the mountains and try to destory the field in the ITT on the Sierra Nevada. He only lost 1'37" yesterday which is not bad for him in a flat TT. Today he already took 50+ seconds out of Landis and Beltran and his team as some good people(esp. Nozal) to support him.

I will say that Mancebo and Valverde are the next two and I give the edge to Mancebo. It has been a long season for Valverde and for some reason I think he is going to have a bad day in the mountains.