2010 Veluta(gasp a thread not about doping)
 

The start lists are begging to announced with the race starting August 28.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...ana-start-list


Who looks good, who wont finish(do to the WC? Will sastre do well in his third GT this year?


I think the Cervelo team is the strongest for sprints. My bet for winning overall is LL Sanchez or maybe Frank Schlek. I doubt Cav, Farrier, Boonen, and Cancellara will finish. Sastre will get top 20.

I love the route, but that's often the case with Vuelta and it can mean nothing. But on paper some climbing stages look evil, so yeah, I also won't be surprised if Cav, Cancellara etc. don't finish. I'm looking forward to night TT in Sevilla as well, should be pretty cool.

About favourites- I agree that Lulu Sanchez looks quite strong lately and he may be among the ones especially hungry for success, as I think he was a bit dissappointed with his TdF performance, not to mention that he's one of the strongest Spaniards (though guys like Anton or Mosquera may be equally dangerous, being fresh and all; and Lulu's teammate Arroyo had a good season so far) and probably has the strongest team. But my types are Nibali and Frank Schleck- both didn't have a chance to prove themselves at TdF though they really wanted to and seem to believe they could do well, and both were in good form this year (I'm not sure if it's still the case though, didn't see Frank for quite a while).
I also think Menchov may surprise again- he said his main target was TdF and he's satisfied, and at Vuelta he'll take it easy and see what happens. But it looks like a perfect situation for him to have a great GT, he's just the type of rider who'll find his chances to come out of nowhere few times and who knows if it won't take him to the very top.
I was also considering Rodriguez as one of the main candidates for podium, but he said he will be more after stage wins than GC. He's probably too tired, which's a shame, because the route seems to suit him.

As for Sastre, I think he may even finish top 10, it's the only GT this year for which he can prepare properly (and I think the fact that it's his 3rd GT this year will affect him less than it normally does, he still raced less this year than for example Menchov).

If L.L. Sanchez wins, it's because no serious contenders showed up ready to give it their best. This has been the main factor that has suppressed my enthusiasm for following the race in most recent years.

It seems like some guys are going all out because its pretty much the end of the season. And others seem like they're just trying to get through it because its the end of the season. Then some are taking it easy because of the worlds. Its hard to predict.

It's too soon after the Tour, that's their problem.

i'm excited anyway. too soon for the riders maybe, but not soon enough for this fan!

I'm going with The Silent Assassin.