Cycling: In our first part of the Vuelta team presentation we have already briefly examined ten teams. Twelve left. For the most part, these twelve teams are all about the overall standings. While a handful of teams will concentrate fully on it, the other teams are guaranteed to take a multi-pronged approach. The desired success seems too uncertain and unpredictable. Nevertheless, the stronger teams are in the second and last part of our Vuelta team presentation.
I AM
Team IAM is on a farewell tour of Spain. It dissolves at the end of the season. Much of the focus will be on Switzerland's Mathias Frank, who finished eighth overall in the Tour de France last year but had to retire this season and hasn't been able to play much of a role until then. The rest of the team will support him. Should he not be able to deliver his performance, however, you will be in demand in the fight for stage successes.
Bg2R
The Ag2r team, as is usually the case, is relatively inconspicuous when it comes to a major national tour. Not infrequently, however, they were ultimately able to play an important role. This can almost be expected again this year, because alongside the experienced Jean-Christophe Peraud, the young Pierre Latour is also at the start. He is capable of a lot if he stays healthy and can get used to a Grand Tour quickly. A Christophe Riblon or a Jan Bakelants is always good for a stage win.
Astana
Even without Vincenzo Nibali and Fabio Aru, Team Astana is able to field a top squad. Among others, the winner of the Tour de Suisse can be found: Miguel Angel Lopez Moreno. The Colombian starts as a clear captain who should at least win the junior driver classification. But he can also do anything towards the podium. He is supported by strong helpers such as Dario Cataldo, Davide Malacarne, Luis Leon Sanchez Gil and Michele Scarponi. A top placing in the overall standings and a handful of stage wins wouldn't come as a surprise.
BMC
Team BMC will probably take a two-pronged approach. The squad is too strong to only serve Tejay Van Garderen. With Darwin Atapuma, Philippe Gilbert, Ben Hermans, Samuel Sanchez and Dylan Theuns, stage victories are almost firmly planned. If Tejay Van Garderen can finally exploit his potential for three full weeks, then a podium finish is also realistic.
Cannondale
Cannondale has a really strong team of tour drivers at the Vuelta. Joseph Lloyd Dombrowski, Davide Formolo, Pierre Rolland and Andrew Talansky can all finish in the top 10 with a perfect run. It will be exciting to see which of them turns out to be the strongest. In any case, Andrew Talansky is to be expected. With Simon Clarke, Moreno Moser and Davide Villela you also have three very strong stage hunters who could possibly also squint at the mountain jersey.
Giant-Alpecin
Team Giant-Alpecin will definitely take a multi-pronged approach. This team is too balanced. With the German Nikias Arndt you have perhaps the fastest sprinter in your own ranks. There are not many stages for him, but there he is definitely one of the favorites to win the day. For the overall standings, Giant-Alpecin has Warren Barguil, who rode a rather disappointing Tour de France and now wants to finish at the front in Spain. The remaining seven drivers will work well with these two captains on their respective terrain and provide them with excellent support. It cannot be ruled out that they will also be given freedom for a breakaway group.
Lampre Merida
Louis Meintjes is the star of the Lampre-Merida team. The South African is only 24 years old, but has made his first small breakthrough this season at the latest. He proved his great talent by finishing eighth in the Tour de France and seventh in the Olympic road race. Now he should also compete for the front ranks at the Vuelta. Also in the team: Mario Costa, brother of Rui Costa.
Orica Bike Exchange
The Australian team Orica-BikeExchange has always been known for very intensive teamwork and the hunt for stage wins. This has now shifted somewhat, because with the Yates brothers and the Colombian Chaves, you suddenly have classification drivers in the team. It will be exciting to see whether Simon Yates can repeat the successes of his brother Adam in the Tour de France, or whether he develops more in the direction of a classic hunter. In any case, Esteban Chaves, who finished second overall at the Giro d'Italia this year, will play an important role in the overall standings. In the sprints, keep an eye on Magnus Cort Nielsen. The Dane is considered one of the greatest sprinter talents in the entire field.
LottoNL Jumbo
Suddenly the Dutch have class riders again: Not only Tom Dumoulin from Team Giant-Alpecin showed this at the Vuelta last year, but also a man from LottoNL-Jumbo: Steven Kruijswijk wore the Maglia Rosa on some stages of the Giro d'Italia , but was even knocked off the podium by a fall. He has tasted blood and now wants to join the first ranks of the tour drivers. With Robert Gesink he also has a strong helper at his side. The rest of the team will be there to support them and will be able to join escape groups at one stage or another. Enrico Battaglin and George Bennett definitely have a chance of winning a stage, both of whom should not be underestimated in the sprint, especially on slightly undulating terrain.
Sky
Froome! Of course, Team Sky will also focus on Chris Froome at the Vuelta a Espana. He has now won the Tour de France for the third time, but has so far been unlucky at the Vuelta. In 2011, his star rose here when he unexpectedly finished second. He repeated this in 2014. Last year he broke his leg. Now the Double Tour/Vuelta is coming. However, it was obvious that he had his weaknesses at the Olympics. It is therefore questionable whether he can regain his top form for the Vuelta. His team will also be significantly weaker than at the Tour de France, even though they should still be among the best in the field. With Leopold König, Michal Kwiatkowski, David Lopez and Salvatore Puccio he has at least four very strong climbers at his side.
Tinkoff
On the 9th stage of the Tour de France, Alberto Contador climbed into the support vehicle and gave up the tour injured. After a few days break, however, he got back on his bike and trained for the Vuelta. As a preparatory race, he competed in the Vuelta a Burgos, which he was able to win directly, while many of his competitors went to Rio to hunt for medals. Team Tinkoff will be 100 percent at the service of its captain. There will be no other goals, as was the case with the Tour de France. His strongest helpers in the mountains will be Jesus Hernandez, Yury Trofimov and Robert Kiserlovski.
Movistar
The Movistar team can probably be described as the strongest team at this year's Vuelta a Espana. Last year they already won the team ranking and this time it should come to that as well. It would have to be hell if this weren't successful, because alone in the mountains you will usually be able to take an enormous amount of time from the competition. With Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde, they again have a double lead, whereby Quintana is already generally regarded as the better round driver. Daniel Moreno and Jose Herrada will give her strong support. Unlike the Tour de France, however, strong forces are also built on here in hilly and flat terrain. They also made provisions for the team time trial and took Jonathan Castroviejo with them. In the end, the goal should be to win the Tour with Quintana, put Valverde in the top 10 and retain the team classification in Spain.
