Favorite participation and runners
By gallons, you have to designate maximum favorite to Cousin roglič. If the form (and luck) accompany him, he could go to his fourth consecutive victory. To date, only Roberto Heras has achieved a poker of triumphs, although not consecutively. However, the mission does not seem easy. There are many roosters Online exit and its performance in the Tour de France, throw reasonable doubts. Red sweater candidates, a priori, are also the runners who come from the Italian turn, whose performance is difficult to foresee. We talk about the winner, Jay Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe), or Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers). The Ecuadorian arrives surrounded by expectations, but with the feeling that he needs to take a more twist to his career, which seems to be stagnant. Of the turn comes too Mikel Landa (Team Bahrain Victorios), but downloaded to pressure and with the intention of hunting some stage, if it is shot. [Captation Id = "Attachment_8452" Align = "Alignnone" Width = "744"]
Image: Podium of the Tour of Spain 2021 (Photogomezsport).[/caption]
Then you have to talk, how not to do it, of the little Belgian phenomenon. Few cyclists like Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) awaken so much interest. His performance in big turns is still to see. But do we know its limits? Possibly, neither he has the slightest idea. And for sample (one more) his extraordinary exhibition in the past classic of San Sebastián. If everything goes well, Remco should be in the ointment In the first part of the race. If you are able to hit the table in the counterreloj of Alicante (stage 10), it could become the rival to beat. We will see.
Do we know Evenepoel's limits? Possibly, neither he has the slightest idea.Beyond these names, only unknowns and issues to be resolved. Will we see at Simon Yates (Team Bikeexchange) 100% reliable that did it win in 2018? Will it take off enranged Superman López (Astana) After so many comings and goings? Will you return for your fueros Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos grenadiers)? What will be the condition of Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl)? Will it continue in your progression Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe)? Could you surprise Ben O'Connor (Ag2r Citroën)? AND Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe), the eternal applicant? As for the Spanish options, let's say there have been better times. Last year's edition was the first, since 1996, in which no Spanish corridor was able to gain stage in the Vuelta. The last to achieve this was Marc Soler, in the 2020 stage that ended in Lekunberri. A soler who, by the way, also seems to come less. And if we talk about the general, the sensations are not much better. [Captation Id = "Attachment_8454" Align = "Alignnone" Width = "744"]
Image: Alejandro Valverde says goodbye to La Vuelta (A.S.O./Gautier demouveaux).[/caption]
We have already talked about Mikel Landa, but the focus focuses on the two most promising Spanish cyclists of the moment and debutants in great turns: Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos grenadiers) and Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates). The first has already shown solvency and plenty of plenty; The second also premiered his record as a professional cyclist in the Getxo circuit.
We should not forget either Enric more, although the Movistar corridor seems to meet right now in a labyrinth. And this, just at the moment in which your team needs you more. At stake are ICU points that can be decisive for the permanence of Movistar in the elite of world cycling.
Out of wars, we attend with interest to the evolution of the UCI Proteam teams present in the race: Burgos BH, Euskaltel and, especially, the Navarrese team of Kern Pharma, which sees a dream fulfilled.
Finally, a special mention for the greatest: Alejandro Valverde. It will be his last return to Spain in the year of his withdrawal as a professional. It seems that it was yesterday when we celebrated his victory in 2009, in the middle of Golden age of Spanish cycling. And this, not to mention his thirteen stage victories. Do you remember? Fortunately or misfortune for him, the urgencies of his team will not allow him a break. The future of Movistar could depend on his behavior. A grimace of destiny.
Tour of the Tour of Spain 2022
Do you want to know the points hot From the tour of the return to Spain 2022? Here you have a quick review of its 21 stages, which are held between August 19 and September 11, a week before the start of Wollongong world championships (Australia). There will be 3,280 kilometers, distributed in 6 flat stages, 2 flat stages with end in high, 4 stages of half mountain, 7 stages of mountain, a counterreloj by teams, another individual and 3 days of rest. Take note ... and enjoy!Stage 1: Friday, August 19 Utrecht-Uctrecht (CRE) (23.2 km)
The return recovers an increasingly difficult discipline to see at the highest level. Team chrono to open mouth and look for the first red jersey of the race. The last time one was played in a great return (both in Spain and in the Tour de France) was in 2019. In the turn, we would have to go back to 2015. The organization has opted for a generous and prudent distance at the same time , aware that the differences between teams could mark the sign of the excess race. Even so, its 23 km involve twice those played in 2019 in the Torrevieja counter, where Astana won. Therefore, attentive to the differences between the teams of the favorites.
Stage 2: Saturday, August 20 ‘S-HEGENGOGENBOSCH-UKT (175.1 km)
That Netherlands is a flat region, there is no one to doubt it. And this stage is the irrefutable proof. A tour designed for sprinters and flat like the palm of the hand. Unfortunately, the best will not be from the game sprinters premises, which they had enough with the Tour de France. Little to highlight, except for an intermediate sprint at less than 20 km from the finish line, which seems designed to reduce the legs of fast men in the face of the most possible arrival. Unless the wind joins the party, little margin to surprise.
Stage 3: Sunday, August 21 Breda> Breda (193.2 km)
Second consecutive stage for sprinters in this third act of the platoon in the Netherlands. The race runs through the northern Brabante region and includes a brief incursion in Belgium. Completely flat route, with a 4th category level that amounts to 25 meters! If you have plans for Sunday, let's say this stage is not the best excuse to cancel them. It can be very long. You're warned.
Stage 4: Tuesday, August 23 Vitoria Gasteiz-Laguardia (153.5 km)
Beginning oh really of the Spanish round. The return returns to Spain, after the day of obligatory displacement from Dutch lands. And we say seriously because the stage presents an injured profile, with an end that could be fun. Herrera is crowned 15 km from the finish line, for his soft slope. It is a 3rd category port, but with a very fast descent and a final climb worthy of classications. Could it be Julian Alaphilippe's return?
Stage 5: Wednesday, August 24 Irun-Bilbao (187 km)
First stage online in which differences could be marked. Typical Basque Country Tour with classic dyes. Difficult to control and a temptation for skirmishes. The arrival in Bilbao will take place after a double step by the already classic high of the nursery, with more than 4 km at 7%, with sections above 10%. With the forces almost intact at this point, there will be many cyclists willing to line it. Unpredictable.
Stage 6: Thursday, August 25 Bilbao> Ascension to Jano peak. San Miguel de Aguayo (180 km)
The real party begins with the first, and unpublished, end up in Cantabria. Two first category ports in the last 50 km of stage, including the final rise to the Jano peak, with more than 12 km at 6.5%, but with four initials above 8.5%. To the final climb you have to add the appetizer of the Collada de Brenes, also first, which will make the first selection for the goal. Who will want to light the fuse in this first week?
📺 Do you want to know the jano peak to know in advance what awaits the runners? Here you have a video. [embed] https://youtu.be/ygklvypmgk[/embed]
Stage 7: Friday, August 26 Camargo> Cistierna (190.1 km)
Horse wear stage between the coast and the plateau. Only who has ascended by Bike San Gorio knows the feeling of vacuum left by their 22 km ascension. Although its average slope does not scare (only 5.5%), the logic dictates that it will be an insurmountable obstacle to sprinters. A curiosity: whenever Cistierna has hosted the return, he has seen a change of leader. In 2016, David de la Cruz was a leader for a day before the domain of Nairo Quintana, while in 2018 Simon Yates recovered the red sweater, keeping it to Madrid.
Stage 8: Saturday, August 27 La Pola Llaviana/Pola de Laviana> Colláu Fancuaya (154.5 km)
Collàu Fancuaya is a new (another) enclosure in Asturian territory. Purpose expressly for the return, it will be a spicy ending: 10 km to 8.5% are numbers that already scare, including steps at 17 and 19% who alternate with the occasional Rest. If the career rhythm is high, it could make differences, since the previous land is full of small traps. Without going any further, the ascension from the exit to the top of La Colladona, from 2nd category, to stopped ball. The 3,300 meters of accumulated unevenness speak clearly of the panorama that awaits cyclists.
📺 Here you can live the climb to Collau Fancuaya, one of the unpublished ports of this return to Spain 2022. [embed] https://youtu.be/_qzrq0hhsdo[/embed]
Stage 9: Sunday, August 28 Villaviciosa> Les Praeres. Nava (175.5 km)
Third final at high in the first week of race. In this case, a day eve of rest, which could encourage combat. The end is a savage of 4 km with impossible ramps, including a concrete section and very narrow road. Spectacular for the fan, although the differences between favorites could be scarce than the numbers predict. Everything will depend, in any case, on the course of the previous stage and the interest of cyclists to take advantage of the chain of ports of the day of the day. Les Praeres first ascended in 2018, with victory for Simon Yates.
📺 In this video, the climb to Les Praeres, in detail. [embed] https://youtu.be/gpesh9mp4d4[/embed]
Stage 10: Tuesday, August 30 Elche> Alicante (CRI) (31.1 km)
Individual chrono where all eyes point to little Belgian prodigy: Remco Evenepoel. Perfect route for your conditions. Only a Roglič in good condition could shade. The road is open and runs to the sea, so the wind could be another condition, but always in favor of pure specialists. Only the curveo and the roundabouts in the urban center of Alicante can force the brake.
Stage 11: Wednesday September 31 ElPozo Food> Cabo de Gata (193 km)
In all the big turns there are tostón stages. If you had to bet on one of them in this return to Spain, today would be in all pools. Recovery day after the chrono, waiting for the arrival of the second mountain block. Everything that is not a Volata, capital surprise. It will be a tribute day for Alejandro Valverde in his land.
Stage 12: Thursday, September 1 Salobreña> White Peñas. Estepona (195.5 km)
The action returns to Spain. New ending in a classic monopuerto stage that could be altered if the maritime wind and cyclists want play. Under normal conditions, there should be no big surprises, but the end of 20 km at 6.7% is a more than respectable argument. This climb to Peñas Blancas has 4 km more than the one made in 2013, the last time the race came here, and where the Czech Leopold König (Netapp, current Bora) won. It is precisely its hardest stretch. Everything will depend on the speed with which the race arrives at the foot of the port. It can be a good occasion for the victory of second swords.
📺 Look this 100% rise amateur To Peñas Blancas. So you don't catch you by surprise! [Embed] https://youtu.be/glrhyymcbno[/embed]
Stage 13: Friday, September 2 Ronda> Montilla (171 km)
It would be strange for teams with sprinters to miss this opportunity. Nothing to add to this day of pure transition.
Stage 14: Saturday, September 3 Montoro-Sierra de la Pandera (160.3 km)
Just 24 hours from the stage with Final in Sierra Nevada, we arrive at one of the toughest increases in Andalusia: El Alto de la Sierra de la Pandera, in Jaén. A port with long sections above 10% along a narrow road of the old military base located at the top. A lady rise to more than 1,800 meters altitude. It will be the sixth time in the history of the return that a stage ends at the pender. And it will also do so when 20 years of the first ascent to this port are turned.
📺 Here you have Perico Delgado and Luis Ángel Maté ascending the tambourine together. To get a more accurate idea of the end of the stage. [embed] https://youtu.be/9fwnars5buw[/embed]
Stage 15: Sunday, September 4 Martos> Sierra Nevada (148.1 km)
The return 2022 has nine finals at high, but if one stands out above all, it is today's ascension to Sierra Nevada. The only ascent of special category in this edition. A day that accumulates more than 4,000 meters of unevenness in just 153 kilometers. The route also addresses the high of Purche, which seems little thing, but which amounts to 50 km from finish and is first category. Almost nothing. Finally, Ascension to monster For the Alto Hoya de la Mora, the most difficult slope to reach Sierra Nevada. At this stage the altitude will play an important role, with several kilometers above 2,000 meters, as well as the foreseeable high temperature of this Andalusian area. Stage that could be almost definitive.
Stage 16: Tuesday, September 6 Sanlúcar de Barrameda-Tomares (188.9 km)
Tomares was already the end of the stage in the 2017 Vuelta, in a day of nervous cycling and with an entertaining outcome. That time Matteo Trentin won. Today will be the last great opportunity for sprinters before the final stage in Madrid. For the rest, little to add. Expendable stage if you have important tasks.
Stage 17: Wednesday, September 7 Aracena> Tentudía Monastery (160 km)
Of the five finals in high unpublished, that of Monastery of Tentudía is one of them. An arrival at the highest point in the province of Badajoz, next to one of the best samples of the Spanish Mudejar. In addition, on the eve of Extremadura day, so the cycling party will be complete. It is a misleading stage. Although the end lacks extreme hardness (without despising the last 4 km, 7-8%) the stage of the stage does not give truce: not a flat meter. Predictably, ideal day for an escape with a happy ending. Being the last week, it is difficult to think that it is a bearable day for cyclists. On the contrary.
📺 Do you want to know live the ascent to Tentudía monastery? In this video you can see it. [Embed] https://youtu.be/qc632i7eby0[/embed]
Stage 18: Thursday, September 8 Trujillo> Alto del Piornal (191.7 km)
The stage promises show. It will be the best way to celebrate Extremadura's day, which coincides with the passage of the runners through this land. Few active cyclists lived, Valverde and Luis León Sánchez among them, that first arrival of the return to El Piornal (2006). A first port that was then ascended on the way to the Covatilla. It is a climb located in one of the most remote areas of Extremadura. A territory that the return rarely visits. By unknown, the piornal could well become one of the judges of the race. It will be promoted by its three aspects: from the despair, from the Yuste monastery and from Hervás. None of them have large earrings, but it is relentless for its length and constancy; especially, at this point in the race.
📺 In this video you can contemplate the climb to the piornal. [embed] https://youtu.be/_vhp-c7n2y[/embed]
Stage 19: Friday, September 9 Talavera de la Reina> Talavera de la Reina (132.7 km)
Half mountain route on a short route and two steps through the port of the Piélago, second category. A stage that will run in its integrity to the province of Toledo. A priori, nervous and unpredictable, although without significance for the final classification of the race, except surprise.
Stage 20: Saturday, September 10 Moralzarzal> Puerto de Navacerrada (175.5 km)
Nor are the toughest ports or the most dantesque routes. But in the Sierra de Madrid they usually pass things. They are uploaded, in general, short and with an asphalt in perfect condition. But the key is that they are chained without margin for recovery. It must also be taken into account that efforts in the third week, and with the season already advanced, are noticed in the legs. What if they are noticed! In this case, the last chance for move the tree. The history of the Vuelta is full of stories of leaders living authentic enclosures in these places. The most recent, in 2015. We still remember Fabio Aru bursting Tom Dumoulin in La Morcuera. And if we went back in time, it was memorable was Pedro Delgado's attack to Robert Millar in 1985, tracing a difference that seemed definitive in favor of the Scottish corridor.
Stage 21: Sunday, September 11 Las Rozas> Madrid (100.5 km)
Triumphal walk of the platoon with stage end in the center of Madrid. Final point. It is time to think about Wollongong world championships (Australia), from September 18 to 25.
