Professional Cycling For the Fans - 2010 Vuellta A Espana

FYI, I just saw that Universal Sports will have live coverage of the 2010 Vuelta a Espana, Saturday, August 28 thru Sunday, September 19 (http://www.universalsports.com/cycling/la-vuelta/index.html)(http://www.universalsports.com/cycling/la-vuelta/video-live.html) . They’ve got this pick a winner sweepstakes too and the winner gets a 2011 trip to the tour, (http://www.universalsports.com/cycling/la-vuelta/sweepstakes.html). Who do you like to to take it all Andy Schleck, Denis Menchov, Tyler Farrar or Mark Cavendish?

I would like to see Schleck and Farrar take it all. I would not bet on it but you asked like.

FYI, I just saw that Universal Sports

Hope you don't mind me askin but are you by any chance being paid by Universal Sports (or any of their agents) to post this thread.

I hope Schleck takes its...shame what happened to him in the TDF. Thanks for the info!

I hope Menchov buries Schleck

I hope everyone is talking about Frank Schleck and not Andy. Andy isn't going for GC, Frank is and Andy is there to support him. Anyways, like daytonian, I thinks the Denny takes GC.

I hope Menchov buries Schleck

He won't.

what kind of speeds would they hit for a 14 min TTT? thats only 94 seconds per person.

They kind of have to give the maillot rojo to *****, he sprinted to the finish line and was first, it's his...

I expected more from Garmin, with the team like they have. But it's good that the differences between GC contenders are so small (even for Menchov, he loses 26 s to Nibali, but if not in the mountains, he should get some time back in ITT).

I thought the rules were set up like TTTs in the tour, where the whole team gets the time, and they decide who wears what. My mistake.

HTC - Columbia did a good job in the TTT. I thought Saxo Bank would have a good shot with Cancellara setting the pace, but they seemed to fall apart near the end.

Would be nice to see someone other than Cavendish winning all the sprint stages.

Youre in luck, Cav just lost a bunch sprint where he was well set up with his train. Proving he is not the god that every one thinks he is. Best sprinter in the peleton, yes. Not worth contesting or watching sprint stages, far from it.

Hutarovich FDJ
Cavendish HTC
Farrar GRM

That was a very strong sprint by Hutarovich. Caught everyone by surprise. Cav did a number on Farrar, but had no clue about Huarovich coming out of no where. Be interesting to see if Hutarovich can replicate that effort again.

Has anyone paid the $14.99 for the Universal Sports online coverage? Is it any different than what's on TV?

Has anyone paid the $14.99 for the Universal Sports online coverage? Is it any different than what's on TV?
Even if it is the exact same feed, is the quality better?

I'd pay for that alone. It is almost unwatchable how bad it is for me over cable.

Even if it is the exact same feed, is the quality better?

I'd pay for that alone. It is almost unwatchable how bad it is for me over cable.



Others I know also complain that the picture quality is horrendous and there are far too many picture breakups. I'm not sure that paying to upgrade to another network is going to really improve things. All the networks get mostly the same feed anyway.

The eurosports video feed is free.
http://www.steephill.tv/vuelta-a-espana/#live

Awesome ride by Xacebo, it was looking good for him till the final 2k. Sucks it would have been a great victory for him. But Im glad for Gilbert, there is always a place in my heart for the Belgians. He is going to be in red tomorrow. But more importantly Jaochim Rodriguez gained a decent amount of time on all the other GC riders by placing second, with some time bonuses.

I miss HD. The video is so bad, I may not watch the whole tour. Commentary is about what I'd expect but if I hear go-go more than 5 times in a stage I'm switching channels. It should get more exciting as time wears on.

I miss HD. The video is so bad, I may not watch the whole tour.

I agree Universal Sports really needs to get with it and go HD. The aweful picture makes it very difficult to watch.

What a gorgeous finish today, wonderful.

That stage was more exciting than the entire Tour De France. Ive loved this years Vuelta so much, its been wonderful.

So far we have a Belgian and a Basque rider. Now we need a win from Rigoberto Uran or Mauricio Ardila to complete the stage wins by my favorite cycling nations.

I agree Universal Sports really needs to get with it and go HD. The aweful picture makes it very difficult to watch.

How much of this is due to the fact that all broadcasters are relegated to the same cameras/feeds? In other words, could Universal change their picture quality?

Also - I would not complain too much, as without Universal, there would be no coverage.

How much of this is due to the fact that all broadcasters are relegated to the same cameras/feeds? In other words, could Universal change their picture quality?

Also - I would not complain too much, as without Universal, there would be no coverage.

+1. I heard somewhere that Universal is a pretty low budget station for NBC. They basically take the world feed from various events and add commentators. This the first year that I've ever been able to watch the Giro, Tour, and Vuelta all on TV with live or same day coverage. The Universal picture quality isn't the best, but it beats nothing or having to stream it through the computer. I've gotten used to they're commentators over the past year. They beat the hell out of the "expanded" prime time Versus guys. At least they're fairly neutral during the broadcast.

BTW, a painfully awesome finish today.

BTW, a painfully awesome finish today.

+1. Now I know what I look like climbing a moderate slope. Those bikes were rocking. The commentators got one thing right today for sure taht last 1k seemed to take a really long time. I approve of whoever has set the vuelta course so far.

For the first time in a few years the HTC train seemed to fall apart on a sprint finish. Cav had to jump early from the middle of the sprint bunch and still almost took it. Great ride by Farrar and Fernandez. Euskatel is having a great Vuelta so far. Oo I just read that Bos got a top 10. Ive been saying it for a while now, he is going to be a top tier sprint soon.

No one seems to have a good train this year. I like it a little better, makes for more interesting sprints, although I really like the match sprints that the break aways get into the most. Maybe I should just watch more track cycling, although I think that is easier said then done in the US.

Youre only about a half hour from a really beautiful track in Northbrook. Its a great place to race, and awesome to watch. Next thursday is their last week. So you still have two weeks to go check it out. http://www.northbrookvelodrome.org/

Youre only about a half hour from a really beautiful track in Northbrook. Its a great place to race, and awesome to watch. Next thursday is their last week. So you still have two weeks to go check it out. http://www.northbrookvelodrome.org/

Thanks, I will definitely have to check that out at some point. If I don't make it this year, maybe I can get up there for next year.

Farrar's victory salute on stage 5 shows that he's not used to winning races - - that's a totally Cat 4-style victory salute. He just doesn't have the practice.



For the first time in a few years the HTC train seemed to fall apart on a sprint finish. Cav had to jump early from the middle of the sprint bunch and still almost took it. Great ride by Farrar and Fernandez. Euskatel is having a great Vuelta so far. Oo I just read that Bos got a top 10. Ive been saying it for a while now, he is going to be a top tier sprint soon.

They've got some leadout guys out sick and Cavendish has the stomach bug that's struck several teams.

Farrar's victory salute on stage 5 shows that he's not used to winning races - - that's a totally Cat 4-style victory salute. He just doesn't have the practice.

They've got some leadout guys out sick and Cavendish has the stomach bug that's struck several teams.

Columbia is claiming that it was just the heat and that Cavendish is/was not sick. Although he has lost some of his train as has Farrar.

I think Farrar usually celebrates that way as well. But am too lazy to search out all the pictures to compile this in a constructive way.

Ya I've purchased the online stuff and the quality is somewhat better. I think they will have HD soon, but I agree that it's too bad they don't... Real hard to watch anything non-HD nowadays. I think Universal is doing a great job, just have to work out a few kinks..

Pretty good dedication for a Universal employee.

I really wish the feed screen was larger online. I don't want to watch full screen but something closer to the size of versus or espn3s world cup coverage would be nice. Watching full screen even with two monitors is really admitting your not doing any work.

Not sure why, but for some reason (knock on wood), this has been the most exciting race season in a long, long time.

I know the Vuelta gets lesser notice than the other grand tours, and to be honest, in the past, this race has sometimes designed its courses that have not differentiated itself. However, this year, I can only commend them so far. For one thing, they chose narrow routes, which add to a more scenic route, but also, the profile of the routes are more Spring Classic, with short, steep narrow roads. Yesterday’s stage was the most exciting 10 minutes of racing I have seen this year.

In addition, and maybe others do not care, but this is a part of Europe (Southern Spain), I am not as familiar with. Having just gotten back with my wife from the Tour of Utah, this looks a lot like riding in the Southwest.


And again – you can complain about Universal if you want, but the fact remains, if Universal drops this coverage for more bull fighting, than enjoy those grainy, on-off again Belgium feeds. As for the announcers, they are a new team, and I think you can really see an improvement. Will they ever be Phil? No, but they are actually getting some rhythm as a broadcasting pair.

Not sure why, but for some reason (knock on wood), this has been the most exciting race season in a long, long time.

I know the Vuelta gets lesser notice than the other grand tours, and to be honest, in the past, this race has sometimes designed its courses that have not differentiated itself. However, this year, I can only commend them so far. For one thing, they chose narrow routes, which add to a more scenic route, but also, the profile of the routes are more Spring Classic, with short, steep narrow roads. Yesterday’s stage was the most exciting 10 minutes of racing I have seen this year.

In addition, and maybe others do not care, but this is a part of Europe (Southern Spain), I am not as familiar with. Having just gotten back with my wife from the Tour of Utah, this looks a lot like riding in the Southwest.


And again – you can complain about Universal if you want, but the fact remains, if Universal drops this coverage for more bull fighting, than enjoy those grainy, on-off again Belgium feeds. As for the announcers, they are a new team, and I think you can really see an improvement. Will they ever be Phil? No, but they are actually getting some rhythm as a broadcasting pair.

I agree with you. The Vuelta was a great race last year as well. I don't know if it will be as exciting through out as this year's Giro was, but its off to a great start. Hopefully, Universal will gain some footing and be able to improve the picture quality. But I'm not complaining. The option is no tv coverage.

We were screaming for Tylers win. He deserved it. Mark doesn't look his usual self, hopefully he'll recover. Tyler even said he was sick so the heat is doing a number on the entire field. I'm not complaining that USN is covering it just the video feed which is a technical and likely budget issue. The eyes don't lie though, HD is so much easier to watch. I'll squint for the next couple weeks if I have to. Cheers

Today seemed like a stage built for a Thor win. He is no longer a bunch sprinter with likes of Cav or Farrar. But with something to break up the peleton a bit, he seems to always win the final sprint.

The last couple days have been a nice example of how Farrar and Thor are different riders. Can you build a grand tour team with both of them (and Haussler) in it though? How about if you still want to play in GC and TTT? Too many good riders is a nice problem, but there are some tough decisions to be made.

Thor this season at least has not been looking that good in group sprints. He is an incredible rider but I don't think he will be matching Cav, Farrar and company in a flat stage sprint.

I still think he would have a shoot at points, but I think Garmin wants the wins more then a chance a green jersey, that said unless something changes I see both as being a hope more then great chance for Garmin.

I dont see a garmin tour team without Farrar and Thor. I would guess garmin brings them both and see who is on form, who can compete in the different stages, and if either is set up for the green before naming a sprint captain. Similar to what Radioshack tried to do at this tour. Haussler has never been a GT rider, if he is on the tour team at all it will be as a lead out man/pace setter.

Both Thor and Tyler would work well on the same gt team. Thor has won greens mainly because he can go out on breaks and pile up points in between mountains or win stages like today. If the climbs isn't especially brutal he can hang with the climbers and beat them in the sprints while the main sprinters are dragging it up the mountain. Even with a full lead out train, Thor would be hard pressed to beat the true sprinters like Cav, Petacchi, Tyler, etc.

I think Thor will concentrate heavily on the Classics and be peaking there. Will he be part of the lead out? If he is will this give Tyler an advantage.

I am happy with the move since I like Garmin and I think Thor is a great rider and really a more exciting rider with his break aways. Not to mention he seems happy and well liked.

The internet feed cut away from his interview and I was a little pissed but they put it back on once they were back from commercial.

A little bit of questionable sprinting by Ale today. I dont think it was DQ worthy, and I thin Cav will blame that for his loss, but its not accurate.

Ale came out of no where this season to be back on form.

Well - between Thor and Tuft, Garmin has the market cornered for teams with the best names.

Question - how do the Test Team riders fit in with Garmin's supposed clean approach to cycling.

A little bit of questionable sprinting by Ale today. I dont think it was DQ worthy, and I thin Cav will blame that for his loss, but its not accurate.

Ale came out of no where this season to be back on form.

I think it was clean riding for the most part but cav definitely got boxed in. I am not convinced he had the legs to take it out anyways. I would say that, position going into the sprint is part of the sprint and Cav did not have it today. That is where not having a proper lead out can hurt you. Some can do well by always finding the right seam at the right time like McEwan (of old). I think Cav might have been thinking to hold off on a little longer, from the last time he was beat by going to early. I am happy that we keep getting new winners.

I just want to take a moment and brag that I am in the top 20 for fantasy Vuelta on nrtoone.com. Booyah! If only I had noticed that stage one was a team time trial!

Stage 8

Another great stage in this years Vuelta. Nice to see a breakaway succeeding at last. Exciting battles for both the stage, GC and also the mountain jersey. Viva la Vuelta!!!

I just want to take a moment and brag that I am in the top 20 for fantasy Vuelta on nrtoone.com. Booyah! If only I had noticed that stage one was a team time trial!

That's pretty good. LL Sanchez is killing me. He's yet to scratch a point in my league. Plus, I had three guys win on the days after I picked their bonus stages. :cry: Still a ways to go though.