Professional Cycling For the Fans - Contador at the Vuelta this year?

Anybody know if Contador is planning on riding in the Vuelta a Espana this year? Any word on who from Astana might race in it? It seems like there would be pressure for him to ride in his home tour.

No idea. Riding back-back grand tours is very difficult. If he were to ride and win, it would be an amazing accomplishment.

it would be nice if he did. even if he pulls a menchov in the tour and is just...there after
a grand tour victory. the vuelta needs some help to keep it relevant; it's the b***tard
stepchild of the gt's. spain has amazing topography and diversity, yet it still pales in
comparison with neighbors france & italy-both of whom are truly blessed. the vuelta
should be the gt starting in london, amsterdam, monaco, tenerife, morocco-not the
giro or tour. i like that the stages are shorter but the route frequently lacks real
excitement overall. since it was moved from late spring to late summer, it's become
the consolation tour for those that have had been injured or underperformed earlier
in the season.

it would be nice if he did. even if he pulls a menchov in the tour and is just...there after
a grand tour victory. the vuelta needs some help to keep it relevant; it's the b***tard
stepchild of the gt's. spain has amazing topography and diversity, yet it still pales in
comparison with neighbors france & italy-both of whom are truly blessed. the vuelta
should be the gt starting in london, amsterdam, monaco, tenerife, morocco-not the
giro or tour. i like that the stages are shorter but the route frequently lacks real
excitement overall. since it was moved from late spring to late summer, it's become
the consolation tour for those that have had been injured or underperformed earlier
in the season.

have something against assen (http://www.velonews.com/article/86074/the-2009-vuelta-a-espana-will-start-in-the-dutch-city-of)?

it would be nice if he did. even if he pulls a menchov in the tour and is just...there after
a grand tour victory. the vuelta needs some help to keep it relevant; it's the b***tard
stepchild of the gt's. spain has amazing topography and diversity, yet it still pales in
comparison with neighbors france & italy-both of whom are truly blessed. the vuelta
should be the gt starting in london, amsterdam, monaco, tenerife, morocco-not the
giro or tour. i like that the stages are shorter but the route frequently lacks real
excitement overall. since it was moved from late spring to late summer, it's become
the consolation tour for those that have had been injured or underperformed earlier
in the season.

The Vuelta reminds me of the Belmont Stakes horse race. If the horse that wins the Kentucky Derby looses at the Preakness, nobody cares about the Belmont.

Anybody know if Contador is planning on riding in the Vuelta a Espana this year? Any word on who from Astana might race in it? It seems like there would be pressure for him to ride in his home tour.

Vino's ban expires today! Maybe Contador will be carrying his bottles?

have something against assen (http://www.velonews.com/article/86074/the-2009-vuelta-a-espana-will-start-in-the-dutch-city-of)?

nope...i wasn't expecting to wait 12 years for it though:)

The Vuelta reminds me of the Belmont Stakes horse race. If the horse that wins the Kentucky Derby looses at the Preakness, nobody cares about the Belmont.

+ 1...you are absolutely correct...unless the horse happens to be from spain.

have something against assen (http://www.velonews.com/article/86074/the-2009-vuelta-a-espana-will-start-in-the-dutch-city-of)?

Why can't they start the Vuelta in Bogota, Caracas, or Quito? Get some old school new world Spanish heritage going.

have something against assen (http://www.velonews.com/article/86074/the-2009-vuelta-a-espana-will-start-in-the-dutch-city-of)?

You said ass...that was cool.

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