Major attack by the losers

This year's Vuelta starts with an individual time trial over 8 kilometers in Malaga, but this is unlikely to have any influence on the overall ranking. In general, the tour starts a little quieter this year. Much to the delight of the sprinters who arrived, who had the opportunity to do a mass sprint four times in the first ten stages. The classification riders don't have to waste any time on their competitors in the first 12 stages. With the mountain finishes of the fourth stage to Alfacar and the ninth stage to La Covatilla, you can't win the Vuelta, but if your form isn't right, you can definitely lose. Things get really serious on stages 13,14,15, 19 and 20. With three mountain finishes in a row, a preliminary decision will probably be made in terms of the overall ranking. In the third and final week, the important time trial and three mountain finishes are on the program. The XNUMXth and XNUMXth stages will show who still has the energy for a final attack and arrive in Madrid in the red jersey of the overall leader.

Nairo Quintana is hard to beat in the mountains © APA/afp / JEFF PACHOUD

The favorites Nairo Quintana (Movistar) is considered the best mountain rider in the field. That's exactly why the route with its many mountain finishes should suit him. The few time trial kilometers and the very strong team with Alejandro Valverde, Richard Carapaz, Andrey Amadaor and Winner Anacona, which can keep up the pace on the climbs, also speak in his favor. However, there is a big question mark over the form of the 28-year-old Colombian. After the disappointing Tour de France, which he finished in tenth place overall, Quintana did not compete in any more races. It will be important for the 2016 Vuelta winner to get into the tour well so as not to immediately fall behind. If the mountain specialist gets through without a phase of weakness, he is almost guaranteed a place on the podium.

After third place at the Giro d'Italia, Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) wants to attack again to win his first Grand Tour. The chances for that are not bad. The Colombian has recovered well since the Giro in May and he recently showed that he is in good form with two stage wins at the Tour of Burgos. He also has probably the strongest team in the field with Pello Bilbao, Davide Villela, Dario Cataldo, Jan Hirt and Omar Fraile. The 24-year-old Colombian's only weak point is his lack of consistency over three weeks. So far, on every longer tour he has had at least one day to forget, in which he lost a lot of time. But if Lopez shows his usual level over three weeks, he can compete for victory. The Astana team will try to control the race

Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) showed us what he's made of at the Giro. The 25-year-old Brit was on course for victory for a long time until he collapsed on the last two mountain stages and lost a lot of time. However, Yates will have learned from this and will save his energy for the all-important third week, going all the way to the end this time. It weighs less than 60 kilograms and is therefore made for the mountains. Simon Yates is certainly good for the win if he doesn't give up again at the end. Co-favorites Richie Porte (BMC) should actually be one of the top favorites. However, its form is uncertain. After his injury-related retirement from the Tour de France, the Australian did not compete in any more races. If the form is right and he gets through without falling, victory is possible.

Wilco Kelderman (Sunweb) surprised with fourth place at the Vuelta last year. But an injury also set the 27-year-old back a long way in his preparation. However, if he can repeat his 2017 form, a lot is possible for the Dutchman.

Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) finally wants to win his first Grand Tour. The mountain specialist has been one of the secret favorites for years, but has never made it to the top. The 28-year-old has one major weakness: he is not a good downhill skier. Pinot has already lost one or two top results downhill. Ideally, the podium is possible for the Frenchman.

Fabio Aru (UAE-Emirates) had to give up the Giro d'Italia in disappointment. However, the 2015 winner wants to achieve a top result again at the Vuelta. The 28-year-old Sardinian feels particularly comfortable in the mountains. The few time trial kilometers also come in handy. It will be difficult for the podium, a top 5 place seems to be the more realistic goal. Fabio Aru wants to save his season at the Vuelta © Dario Belingheri

Dangerous outsiders Rigoberto Uran (EF-Drapac) already has two podium finishes (2nd Tour 2017, 2nd Giro 2014) in Grand Tours. The 31-year-old Colombian is definitely one to watch and with a little luck he could even end up on the podium.

The lightweight George Bennett (LottoNL-Jumbo) recently showed great form at the Tour of Poland. If he can show this in Spain over three weeks, a top-5 result is also possible for him.

Richard Carapaz (Movistar) could be a big surprise. After the sensational fourth place in the Giro, the 25-year-old Colombian wants to show his potential again. If everything goes according to plan, he will finish in the top ten. However, if he outgrows himself, Carapaz could become a really big sensation. Vicenzo Nibali is the big question mark in the field © ANSA / KIM LUDBROOK

The big unknown is Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida). The “Shark of Messina” is coming out of rehab after his spinal surgery at the beginning of the month and will certainly not be in top shape. The 33-year-old says he doesn't want to concentrate on the overall standings. However, if he finds his form over the course of the tour, a top place is also possible for the winner of all three Grand Tours. Nibali's remaining goal for the season is clearly the World Championship race on September 30th in Innsbruck.

Giro winner Chris Froome and Tour champion Geraint Thomas (both Sky) are not at the start. Some other top stars like Mikel Landa (Movistar) had to cancel the start due to injuries.

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Major attack by the losers

The 73rd Vuelta a España starts in Malaga on Saturday. The last of the three Grand Tours takes place from Saturday to September 16th. Many top stars who have disappointed so far are looking for redemption in Spain.

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