- Welcome to the GCN preview of this year's Vuelta a Espana,
and it is the third and final grand tour of the season.
- That's right.
For some it's the opportunity to crown a successful 2018.
For others, it's the last chance saloon
to salvage their season and yet some riders
will actually be using this for preparation for what
could well be hardest world championship in years.
- We are going through the key stages
to watch in this 2018 edition and the key riders
to most of whom are climbers it has to be so
about one and a half sprinters thrown in the mix
and to have the preview we have come to
Tapas Revolution in Bath who will hopefully
be providing with some tapas very shortly.
Plus wine and some cerveza as you can see.
Before we get on to this preview though
we would like to tell you that we once again got
daily highlights of the world,
just to be good for the Tour de France
over on our Facebook page plus analysis too.
So make sure you head over to there
to each and everyone of the 21 stages.
- Yeah, and stay tune to this one as well
because we will reveal who the
half the sprinter is very soon.
(salsa music)
- Well I think it's about time to crackle with the route.
So it's Vuelta is the shortest of all the grand tours
at 3,255 kilometers, which sounds quite far to me.
- (laughter)
- It starts from the south coast in Malaga
and finishing in the traditional finish in Madrid,
where actually there's fourth women's challenges.
- Yeah that's right.
According to the Vuelta website,
there are eight flat stages.
There are two of those that's got high altitude finish
which is amusing, as long as you're not a sprinter.
Then there are six hilly stages, which presumably
that means hilly from start to finish,
and then five mountain stages and two time trials as well.
- The time trials in fact start in Malaga,
as James said, in the south coast of Spain.
It's just too long, eight kilometers to classify
it as a prologue, but never the less,
it will suit the prologue specialists.
It's quite a flowing course.. not too technical.
So that will be exciting to get
the Vuelta a Espagna kicked off.
And I've got a prediction.
- Oooh!
- Rohan Dennis to take a win and to go as the lead jersey.
- Oooh!
- Curse of GCN being rolled out early on our previous show.
Now of the 21 stages, there are actually
46 summits to be crossed, so categorized times.
First of those comes early.
It comes on stage two which second cat climb from the gun.
There are then two further third category climbs
in the middle of the stage and then another one
that comes just before the finish, the Caminito del Rey.
- There's no messing about is there?
- Not really.
- Bang! Straight in there to the climbs to stage two.
In fact, it's not long before we get
our first mountain top finish this year's race
which comes already on stage four.
There they go up the 12 kilometers
Peurto de Alfacar, which has pendiente of 11%,
in the middle section.. so we're ready.
We're going to see who's got legs to win the world tour.
- So big shake up could come in the second week
after seven intermediate stages.
Then go on to three summit finishes in the second week.
And then they've got really visual perspective
of the Lagos de Covad--
- Covadonga
- ..Covadonga
- That's right mate.
- And then they go into second resting.
- Your pronunciation will get better.
- Really nice backdrop on the Cosa- Cosalonga?
Is that how you say it?
- (giggles and laughter)
- Lagos de Costa-langa?
- Covadonga
- Covadonga.. that one.
(beep)
- Now Lagos de Covadonga climb, is actually
20 to 25 editions of the world tour
and it's one of the toughest climbs this year with
stretches of up to 17.5% on the closing stages.
And while the averages says it's it's only 7%
that lies the fact that there are actually
short sections of down hill there.
So overall it's a lot steeper.
- Yeah pretty tough climb that one isn't it?
As James said they go onto the second and final
rest day of the three weeks.
Just after that will be the final
individual time trials which is 32 kilometers long.
Once again, not too technical will suit the power houses.
There of course, is the opportunity
for the better GC time trials to take some time back,
but also for the TT specialists such as Rohan Dennis again.
So we'll actually go for a stage win.
We'll also talk once again about
world championships preparations here
because this comes 15 days before
the world individual time trials championships.
- Stage 19 is essentially uphill.
It starts 170 meters and rises right to the top
in a natural angle and Andora at 2,025 meters.
The steepest part is going over 13% at the bottom.
- They left a play for it at the GC after stage 9C
we're expecting to see some big
fireworks though on stage 20.
That's quite sure and pretty explosive stage, by the way.
There are six categorized climbs,
3 of which peak over 1800 meters above sea level.
And in total there are 4000 meters of climbs
to be dealt with on that ultimate day of racing.
- That's right as Dan said 4000 meters in a short stage.
It's just 105 kilometers long, meaning this could be
what we all hope stay 17 of these.
Tour De France would be, massively unpredictable.
And given that it's the Vuelta where we normally
see unpredictable racing, things are firmly crossed.
It's going to be great!
- Yeah, that's how we see this big action on that day.
Apart from that stage though, there's quite
noticeable absence of the short explosive stages
which have characterized the world tour
for the past few years.
However, when you look at the overall road map,
you'll see the dotted between the stages are pretty long.
There's a lengthy transfer on the 2080 route.
The ride will be definitely be hoping the air condition
will continues to work on their buses.
- Haha!
(acoustic guitar music)
- So, who are the contenders then?
With the absence of last year's winner Chris Froome,
there's still a fully stacked field in this year's Vuelta.
But who are the contenders who will be battling for the GC?
- Well, let's start with a home favorite, shall we?
Movie star...
Now with Alejandro Valverde, evergreen Valverde,
who is as evergreen as, well, ever, quite frankly.
- (laughter)
- Now we can expect to see him up in the top 10.
On probably every stage as well, perhaps.
- Not everything but the young riders do.
- (laughter) Exactly.
Now big GC favorite from that team undoubtfully
is going to be Nairo Quintana.
Can he regain the form, that won him the Vuelta in 2016?
Win actually came off the back of a podium in France.
I haven't really seen him perform
a grand tour for over a year now.
- It's been over a year now.
I think it's quite a big test for Nairo.
See if he could get back to his best.
No word as we record this, about Mikel Landa participating.
So we'll have to wait to see on that.
On the score we have Simon Yates,
who turns to competition recently at the Tour of Poland.
There he was 2nd place.
Took a very impressive win on the final day of racing.
He'll basically be hoping for a repeat of his performance
minus that quite incredible fall from grace
that he experienced over the final few days of the tour.
And if he doesn't form that well,
there's Adam Yates, his twin brother.
So between them you'd expect one of them to be up there.
- You would, that stage 20 is going to be a test isn't it?
First time giving a punch at it.
- They're going to be ably backed up by teammate Jack Haig.
We thought he was actually probably
one of the stand out riders of the Giro d'Italia.
Then we have Fabio Aru who won the Vuelta in 2015.
But he is on the list as well as
one of those people who can salvage their season.
He was particularly miserable
in the Giro d'Italia, isn't it?
- That is true. He didn't look Fab did he?
Boom! Haha
But Wilco Kelderman of team Sunweb
was bitterly disappointed to miss out on the tour
as he crashed at his national championship.
So he will be one that's chomping a bit.
- He will be. He's quite a dark horse.
- He is.
- The world to success will carry on.
Sticking with Dutchmen, in fact,
we also have Steven Kruijswijk who will represent here.
We have LottoNL-Jumbo and he'll be looking
to continue his run of GC resort.
I've got a little fact for you here.
- Go on then.
- He has finished in the top 10
of every stage race that he's done since March of 2016
at the World At Catalagna.
- Great fact Dan
- That's quite some.
- Yeah he'll be back up in the mountains
by New Zealand's George Bennett.
They're quite a formidable duo.
- They will, and they've got someone else
to race against their team.
Oooh!
Right Vincenzo Nibali and there's another rider
that was bitterly disappointed this summer
and quite right he's simply angry I think,
after his exit of Tour de France,
when he was brought off his bike by a spectator.
His form is going to be questionable though,
but let's face it, no one in their right mind
could ever discount Vincenzo Nibali at a grand tour.
But he has inferred that he is going to be
using his preparation for the world championships.
We should definitely seize him.
- Write him off at your parole.. he very well knows.
- He's not going to make the podium Dan.
- There are two other riders on the start line
also returning after crashing out of the Tour de France.
Firstly, Richie Porte of team BMC.
This is the best chance to winning grand tour ever.
- You keep saying that about the Tour de France.
- And then we've also got team EF Education
first powered by.. Cannondale.
Sorry it always takes me awhile to think about that one.
They got.. who crashed out after the route stage.
I think those two have both got a decent chance
because they're injuries from the tour
weren't quite as bad as Nibali's.
- So hopes must surely lie on the shoulders
of Miguel Angel Lopez who has shown
formidable forms in the last coming races.
But don't discount his teammate.
- That's right.
We've also got Thibaut Pinot of Groupama-FDJ.
He's looking like he's coming back into force,
having just finished 3rd at the Tour of Poland.
But not only does he have the hopes of this team,
resting on his shoulders,
hopes of the entire French nation!
- That's been a long time since they've won the world tour.
From memory it was 1995.
- Wow!
- Took the title here at the world.
Thibault Pinot can emulate his.. this time around,
In terms of more riders, we've got Michael Woods
who had a a massive performance this time last year.
And also Ilnur Zakarin of team Katusha.
We don't know if they're here to prepare for the world
or whatever for the GC, do they?
- No
- He was on the podium last year.
- Now before we get on to the sprinters,
can you guys believe that we've got this far
but we haven't mentioned Sky yet?
- No, quite refreshing, dare I say?
.. as well as remarkable and the reason being,
is that despite having won the last four
grand tours in a row, they've got
neither Chris Froome or Geraint Thomas with them.
They're going to be basically racing
the Tour of Britain instead.
- That's right.
- So as record this, they haven't confirmed
their official eight man lineup.
But we understand amongst riders
they would be doing the world of team Sky.
Michal Kwiatkowski, he has recently won the Tour of Poland.
Of course, then we've got David de la Cruz,
the home rider for this race.
Also the Tao Geoghegan Hart, who's really impressed
of his climbing so far this year.
- Yeah, now I don't think anyone's going to make the podium
but that probably means that at least one of them will.
- Right, when it comes to sprinters,
on those really explosive stages,
it's really hard to look past likes of Peters again,
who's returning to the Veulta since 2015 and he's going to
try to add to the four stages he won previous.
- Will he face the stiff opposition?
- He will.
- Right, ready for this?
He's going to be up against Nacer Bouhanni,
Jacques and Danny van Poppel.
- And?
- That's it!
(beep and suspenseful music)
- Since we recorded our big preview,
a few more teams have released their rosters,
and that means a few more sprinters
have been thrown into the mix.
Quick Step Floors have brought Elia Viviani
who has had a fantastic year and being the
most successful rider this season, having taken 15 wins.
And then, Phil Bauhaus who would be heading the Sunweb team.
Then there's a new crowned European champion,
Matteo Trentin who's been brought along by Mitchelton-Scott.
Now, back to you... in the studio..
Actually I'm in the studio.. but it's back to you
in the studio (laughter).
- Now it is worth bearing in mind as we've already mentioned
that there's going to be some riders here that's using
Vuelta Espana to build up for that
savage world championship, which comes
just after Innsbruck in Austria.
I've notably avoid to mentioned Petes again
as well given that he's already won three on the trot.
He can climb.. we've seen that before.
So maybe this world tour--
- I mean he's going to be hungry for it.
He likes the jersey I'm sure.
- Yeah, well.. it's his.
World championships rainbow jersey is his
and if anyone else wants it,
they're going to have to fight him for it.
A fair play.
- Have to fight it to be fair. (laughter)
- Yeah I'm--
- Yeah, of the three of us, you're best suited
to fight him for it.
- (laughter)
- Yeah, we'll put you for it, James.
- (electric guitar music)
- George Bennett, he made grand tour victory.
(click click click)
- The shock of Vincenzo Nibali coming back
with a fighting spirit after his crash at the tour.
(click click bang!)
- Richie Porte, I'm pretty sure I wrote off his grand tour
chances before the Tour of France, but I've changed my mind.
(whip swinging, whack)
(electric rock music)
- Vincenzo Nibali.. I think because he's fresh
after he's crashed Tour de France
and also world championship in his mind.. good shape.
(bang bang)
- Simon Yates, I'm just praying that
he's going to hold on in that third week.
(bang bang gun fire)
- I'm going for Richie Porte..
I think it's about time Richie has some love.
He's a really nice bloat, and uh,
very very strong rider.. AND!
He didn't injure himself as badly as he thought
in the Tour de France.. So.. he's my man.
(click click bang)
- My prediction is Yates..
No it's not, because I can't tell them apart.
My prediction is actually Vincenzo Nibali
because at the Tour de France,
he looked like the Nibali of all.
He looked strong.. he looked composed.
And I think he's coming in the twilight,
really, of his grand tour career.
At least I think so, and I think this year
he's got a point to prove.. Go on Nabali!
(bang bang)
- I think the 2018 Vuelta Espagna...
will be won by Michal Kwiatkowski
because he's on the strongest team
and I think Sky will release him from ..
duties for the world.
(sounds of fireworks shooting in the sky and explosion)
- My prediction for the 2018 Vuelta Espana
overall victory is Miguel Angel Lopez.
Everyone else said Nibali, right?
- That's right.
- Angel Lopez
(fast gunfires, gun cocking)
- Miguel Angel Lopez because he'll cover the three weeks
in less time than anyone else.
(drum roll)
- So those are our prediction.
We'd like to know yours too.
If we missed out on anybody, certainly comment
in the sections below.
And by the way... if Emma gets this right,
we have all agreed that we would quit GCN.
- Yeah that's right.
Now as Dan mentioned in the beginning of this show
don't forget there are highlights and the analysis
that are available to watch on Facebook
and make sure you check into those.
And of course, if you've noticed, nice t-shirts.
If you want to celebrate racing in Spain,
and the end of season, these are the ones to do it with.
- And if you did like this video,
then don't forget to give us a thumbs up.
- globalcyclingnetwork.com is the place
to get all GCN merchandise.
You might have noted that one big admission
of the Vuelta Espagna this year is Lou,
which angry Lou is particularly angry about this year.
(squeak)
- What? No angry Lou?!
- Um if you want to see us racing up hottest climb in Spain,
click just down here.
- Lagos... de... Covado.. longa
- No man.
- Covadolonga!
- Cough--longa
- It's too late now.
- Lagos de Covadonga! I've got it!
- No, it's Covadonga