Professional Cycling For the Fans - Vuelta a Castilla y Leon

Another event that's getting far more attention this year, what with Contador and Armstrong together for their first time.

Astana's bringing their A-team, including Leipheimer, Rubiera, Zubeldia (Popovych is getting a well needed rest).

Valverde just announced he's in. Basso. Vandevelde. Menchov. A couple mountain-top finishes. Predictions?

Menchov has always been one of my favorites, I'm excited to see how he fares this year. He looked so good in the 09 TdF, but I just wished he had attacked a bit more on a couple of key stages. Easy for me to say from the comfort of my sofa though!

Menchov has always been one of my favorites, I'm excited to see how he fares this year. He looked so good in the 09 TdF, but I just wished he had attacked a bit more on a couple of key stages. Easy for me to say from the comfort of my sofa though!

Yes perhaps too easy to call them boring when their thighs are on fire. I've always liked Menchov too. However, last year's TdF was a more plodding and calculated exercise than most years... until the Alpe d'Huez. This year the tone of the race won't be as determined by Evans as last year -- and already Evans is saying he's ready to attack more (we'll believe it when we see it I suppose).

For Castilla y Leon, I'll predict Contador will win rather comfortably. I hope I'm wrong and it gets exciting. I look forward to seeing Valverde's form as well how Basso's rehabilitating.

[***Spoiler Alert***]















Good finish in the TT for Astana.

Yes perhaps too easy to call them boring when their thighs are on fire. I've always liked Menchov too. However, last year's TdF was a more plodding and calculated exercise than most years... until the Alpe d'Huez. This year the tone of the race won't be as determined by Evans as last year -- and already Evans is saying he's ready to attack more (we'll believe it when we see it I suppose).

For Castilla y Leon, I'll predict Contador will win rather comfortably. I hope I'm wrong and it gets exciting. I look forward to seeing Valverde's form as well how Basso's rehabilitating.

I like Menchov too, and to his defense he took a pretty hard spill at last years TdF, just as he was making a major GC move. I think he and VdV will have learned a lot from thier mistakes at last years TdF and will be forces this year. I'm not sold on Astana at the TdF, I still think there are very strong teams out there and Astana will be the target.

I say Levi takes it.