The first mandatory event of the CT calendar is also its longest, the Vuelta al Tachira. The Venezuelan CT GTM race takes the peloton on quite the tour over the course of its nine stages, with a route incorporating four days in the high mountains and two individual time-trials.
The Route:
The course opens with two pan-flat sprint stages. Stage 1 is a 124.8km route around Umuquena, while Stage 2 takes on the 116.8km Abejales Circuit. They are followed by two more stages that should still end with some form of bunch kick, but which will demand far more from the sprinters along the way. The 124.6km Stage 3 incorporates a hilly loop before a slightly uphill kick to line, while competing for the podium on Stage 4 should require a true versatile sprint. The 173.2km parcours incorporates a double ascent of a proper climb in the first half of the stage, followed by a notable incline for much of the run in to the finish.
The race then takes to the high mountains for four straight days. The first of those is Stage 5, a 23.2km mountain ITT with just enough flat at the start and finish to give the better time-trialists of the GC contenders an advantage over the purer climbers. Stage 6 is a near-unipuerto over 165.6km, with a bumpy start followed by a long flat drag into the last section of the race: an immense climb to a summit finish, interrupted only by a short dip midway up the mountain.
Next a brutal Stage 7 takes the peloton over 161.5km, dominated by a sawtooth of four sharp and substantive climbs supplemented by a number of other short steep kicks, including a final ramp up to the finish line itself. The climbing ends with Stage 8, where over the course of 127.0km a rolling first half leads into a pair of leg-sappers, before a massive, unyielding ascent to the finish at the highest point of the entire Vuelta.
The route concludes with another ITT for Stage 9, but this time of only 16.5km over mostly flat terrain. And while it may not be the most challenging of conclusions, nevertheless it might very well be a decisive one.
The Favorites:
Rider
MT
MM
TT
ST
RS
RC
Cras
80
76
73
78
77
77
Schlegel
79
78
65
71
74
76
Burke
77
77
69
75
74
80
Galta
79
75
71
75
76
72
Stüssi
78
75
74
75
71
76
Shikai
79
74
74
71
73
73
Fernandes
75
73
77
78
77
76
Osorio
78
75
72
73
72
74
The startlist for the race is almost the cream of the CT. The demand of a 9 RD commitment for only a C2-level points return means divisional superstar Neilson Powless has stayed home. But the best-of-the-rest GC men are all in attendance.
DeNA Roadstars has brought along the clear overall favorite, Cras. His main challengers are the two-headed IESE monster of Schlegel and Fernandes, the all-around excellence of IncaLine’s Burke, regional favorite Osorio of SEE Turtles, and the veteran savvy of Galta of Billstedt-Horn, Stüssi of JEWA Tirol, and Shikai of Karthago.
Rider
MT
MM
TT
ST
RS
RC
Azman
76
77
63
69
72
73
Pira
80
76
65
68
71
73
Carcueva
77
77
64
72
72
73
Masnada
76
76
72
75
74
71
Berthet
77
77
60
70
75
67
Jele
79
73
52
75
76
73
Cort Nielsen
77
75
71
75
74
72
Rohendi
75
75
70
73
75
74
Beltran
77
77
64
70
72
71
Smith
77
76
67
70
72
73
Rachid
77
74
74
73
73
76
Andriafenomananiaina
76
74
74
74
74
76
Petelin
78
76
62
70
71
71
Ciccone
77
75
71
70
70
73
Rochas
77
76
61
70
70
73
Gonzalez
77
75
61
71
73
66
Schleck
77
75
53
71
71
78
Also in the mix are a deep group of secondary favorites, who may consider the podium within reach even if victory itself may seem to be a step or two too far. This group includes Rachid of Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh, Masnada of Fincantieri - Grand Seiko, Berthet of Euskotren - Pays Basque, Cort Nielsen of Air New Zealand - Prada, Beltran of Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie, Ciccone of Parmalat - Croatia, Andriafenomananiaina of THE ONE - Fox God, and Gonzalez of the Brandt Cycling Team.
Other riders of special note include a trio of elite, if one-dimensional, climbers for whom Tachira is the optimal course to contest a GC: Pira from Tafjord Kraft, Jele also of Banco Vaticano, and Petelin also of THE ONE - Fox God.
The superdomestique ranks are deep as well, composed of a cadre of riders who may provide decisive support or find valuable results of their own: this set includes the defending champion Smith of Fincantieri, Azman of Simba Cement, Carcueva of DeNA, Rohendi of IncaLine, Rochas of Euskotren, and Schleck of Billstedt, all joined by far too many other 75+ MO riders to name each individually.
Favorites on the Day:
Rider
FL
TT
PR
ST
RS
RC
Politt
73
78
76
70
73
72
Marryatt
71
77
77
67
74
67
Nyoni
69
77
77
67
72
69
Vanderpool
68
77
76
63
65
61
Paillot
66
76
76
69
68
59
Jungels
70
76
76
71
72
64
Howson
68
77
77
68
69
67
--- --- ---
Rider
FL
HI
SP
AC
ST
RS
Sureda
73
71
77
79
71
69
Tivani
70
67
77
78
68
78
Korosec
70
74
74
76
72
69
Losch
72
64
77
77
70
66
Russo
73
73
76
78
73
73
Baterdene
74
61
76
77
72
70
Kelly
74
69
75
77
69
73
Marin
74
65
75
75
70
73
Alaphilippe
70
71
75
74
71
66
Barbari
70
62
75
77
68
67
Hayakawa
70
62
76
74
70
63
Of course, the GC contenders will only be the favorites of the day for less than half of the Vuelta. On paper, the final day’s time-trial lines up Politt of Euskotren as the main man to beat, but he’ll face some stiff competition. Fernandes of IESE may be trying to ride his way onto the podium, while SEE Turtles and Simba Cement bring no fewer than three strong contenders for the day each: Marryatt, Nyoni, and Howson for the former, and Vanderpool, Paillot, and Jungels for the latter.
As for the sprints, the fastest finishes belong to Tivani of IncaLine, Sureda and Baterdene of Simba Cement, Losch of JEWA Tirol, Russo of Deustche WindGuard, and Hayakawa of Fincantieri.
While less favored on pure speed, Kelly of Brandt, Barbari of Air New Zealand, the defending green jersey and stage winner Marin of Karthago, Alaphilippe of IncaLine, and Korosec of the Z2Z Dev Team will also all look to mix it up in the bunch kicks.
Sureda, Russo, Kelly, Alaphilippe, and Korosec may be particularly strong choices on the harder Stage 3 and Stage 4 sprint days, given their greater demonstrated capabilities in the hills.
Spoiler
Barbari
Adel
Air New Zealand-Prada
Ruiz
Robinson Steven
Air New Zealand-Prada
Reddish
Nick
Air New Zealand-Prada
Toneatti
Davide
Air New Zealand-Prada
Piganzoli
Davide
Air New Zealand-Prada
Nunes
Hugo
Air New Zealand-Prada
Rodriguez
Juan Felipe
Air New Zealand-Prada
Cort Nielsen
Magnus
Air New Zealand-Prada
Prieto
Jose Juan
Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie
Vermaerke
Kevin
Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie
Scalco
Matteo
Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie
Beltran
Guillermo Andres
Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie
Emisci
Ferhat
Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie
Staune-Mittet
Johannes
Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie
Munoz
Daniel
Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie
Jele
Kwanele
Banco Vaticano-Valkyrie
Wright
Paul
BikeNZ - Limonaad
Plamondon
Joel
BikeNZ - Limonaad
Khadbaatar
Temuulen
BikeNZ - Limonaad
Bruttomesso
Alberto
BikeNZ - Limonaad
Vosekalns
Andris
BikeNZ - Limonaad
Canty
Brendan
BikeNZ - Limonaad
Garzon
Oscar Santiago
BikeNZ - Limonaad
Berhane
Hebron
BikeNZ - Limonaad
Arndt
Nikias
Billstedt-Horn
Brenner
Marco
Billstedt-Horn
Kretschy
Moritz
Billstedt-Horn
Savino
Federico
Billstedt-Horn
Wilksch
Hannes
Billstedt-Horn
Galta
Fredrik Strand
Billstedt-Horn
Atkins
Josh
Billstedt-Horn
Schleck
Jordan
Billstedt-Horn
Kelly
Jacob
Brandt Cycling Team
Stolic
Mihajlo
Brandt Cycling Team
Bourgoyne
Lucas
Brandt Cycling Team
Ferreira
Ricardo
Brandt Cycling Team
Gonzalez
Abner
Brandt Cycling Team
Walton
Jonas
Brandt Cycling Team
Stroll
Lewis
Brandt Cycling Team
Mostov
Zeke
Brandt Cycling Team
Pesenti
Thomas
DeNA RoadStars
Yamamoto
Masaki
DeNA RoadStars
Camrda
Karel
DeNA RoadStars
Van Bekkum
Darren
DeNA RoadStars
Van Sintmaartensdijk
Roel
DeNA RoadStars
Carcueva
Jonel
DeNA RoadStars
Cras
Steff
DeNA RoadStars
Hashikawa
Jo
DeNA RoadStars
Russo
Clement
Deutsche WindGuard
Flynn
Sean
Deutsche WindGuard
Harper
Chris
Deutsche WindGuard
Bolor-Erdene
Enkhtaivan
Deutsche WindGuard
Herzog
Emil
Deutsche WindGuard
Loulergue
Victor
Deutsche WindGuard
Donaldson
Robert
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Darder
Sergi
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Weinstein
Domenic
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Kam
Chin Pok
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Berthet
Clement
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Rochas
Remy
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Politt
Nils
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Agirrebeitia
Mikel
Euskotren - Pays Basque
Hayakawa
Tomohiro
Fincantieri - Grand Seiko
Fiorelli
Filippo
Fincantieri - Grand Seiko
Aebi
Antoine
Fincantieri - Grand Seiko
Kaneko
Sohei
Fincantieri - Grand Seiko
Smith
Dion
Fincantieri - Grand Seiko
Masnada
Fausto
Fincantieri - Grand Seiko
Bais
Mattia
Fincantieri - Grand Seiko
Miyazaki
Taishi
Fincantieri - Grand Seiko
Toupalik
Adam
IESE ProCycling Team
Al Mutaiwei
Mohammad
IESE ProCycling Team
Tvedt
Ulrik
IESE ProCycling Team
Schlegel
Michal
IESE ProCycling Team
Fernandes
Jose
IESE ProCycling Team
Grozev
Gabriel
IESE ProCycling Team
Spanopoulos
Ioannis
IESE ProCycling Team
Holowesko
Liam
IESE ProCycling Team
Tivani
German Nicolas
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Alaphilippe
Julian
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Granados
Kevin
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Prado
Ignacio Jesus
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Rohendi
Teten
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Burke
Jack
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Tejada
Harold
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Gonzales
Charles
IncaLine Pro Cycling
Losch
Max
JEWA TIROL
Bayer
Tobias
JEWA TIROL
Stüssi
Colin
JEWA TIROL
Bellan
Juraj
JEWA TIROL
Kabas
Maximilian
JEWA TIROL
Grossschartner
Felix
JEWA TIROL
Potocki
Pavel
JEWA TIROL
Heymes
Gilles
JEWA TIROL
Marin
Gabriel
Karthago
Muhindo
Jimmy
Karthago
Pavlic
Marko
Karthago
Dellai
Mohamed Aziz
Karthago
Enggaard
Victor Grue
Karthago
Shikai
Chen
Karthago
Bergstrom Frisk
Hannes
Karthago
Kozhatayev
Bakhtiyar
Karthago
Doubey
Fabien
Le Creuset
Davis
Cole
Le Creuset
Tronchon
Bastien
Le Creuset
Morang
Mil
Le Creuset
Labrosse
Jordan
Le Creuset
Boulahoite
Rayan
Le Creuset
Faure-Prost
Alexy
Le Creuset
Pinot
Thibaut
Le Creuset
Baksaas
Morthen Wang
Parmalat - Croatia
Conti
Valerio
Parmalat - Croatia
Tusveld
Martijn
Parmalat - Croatia
Fancellu
Alessandro
Parmalat - Croatia
Pita Hidrobo
Alejandro
Parmalat - Croatia
Lopez
Harold Martin
Parmalat - Croatia
Miholjevic
Fran
Parmalat - Croatia
Ciccone
Giulio
Parmalat - Croatia
Chiarucci
Andrea
Sauber Petronas Racing
Antonelli
Michael
Sauber Petronas Racing
Scarponi
Luca
Sauber Petronas Racing
Menicucci
Samuele
Sauber Petronas Racing
Maccagli
Andrea Enrico
Sauber Petronas Racing
Putti
Riccardo
Sauber Petronas Racing
Nyoni
Similo
SEE Turtles
Tuckwell
Luke
SEE Turtles
Main
Kent
SEE Turtles
Howson
Damien
SEE Turtles
Avila
Freddy Alejandro
SEE Turtles
Obando
Bryan Raul
SEE Turtles
Marryatt
Jake
SEE Turtles
Osorio
Alejandro
SEE Turtles
Sureda
Jaume
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Baterdene
Narankhuu
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Azman
Muhamad Zawawi
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Rachid
Elias Abou
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Jungels
Bob
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Vanderpool
Kristian
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Paillot
Yoann
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Kulindwa
Lameck Marco
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
Stehli
Felix
Tafjord Kraft
Blouwe
Louis
Tafjord Kraft
Svab
Jernej
Tafjord Kraft
Jasim Al-Ali
Abdulla
Tafjord Kraft
Majoral
Jordi
Tafjord Kraft
Bilyi
Maksym
Tafjord Kraft
Pira
Yesid Albeiro
Tafjord Kraft
Delbove
Joris
Tafjord Kraft
De Laat
Jasper
THE ONE - Fox God
Wai Chu
Tsun
THE ONE - Fox God
Shirota
Yamato
THE ONE - Fox God
Mendoza
Bryan Fernando
THE ONE - Fox God
Todome
Yuhi
THE ONE - Fox God
Raileanu
Cristian
THE ONE - Fox God
Petelin
Jan Drago
THE ONE - Fox God
Andriafenomananiaina
Zouzou
THE ONE - Fox God
Korosec
Rok
Z2Z Dev Team
Peters
Marvin
Z2Z Dev Team
Ramirez
Donovan
Z2Z Dev Team
Aliyev
Ruslan
Z2Z Dev Team
Pomorski
Michal
Z2Z Dev Team
Child
Orion
Z2Z Dev Team
Pridal
Tomas
Z2Z Dev Team
Foliforov
Alexander
Z2Z Dev Team
The 164-rider strong peloton has quite the enterprise ahead of them. We’ll see who stands on the top step come San Antonia del Tachira!
Hoping for a Masnada Top-10 and some scattered sprint return from Hayakawa. Turn that into a Top-5 and a podium respectively and I'd be absolutely thrilled.
Been thinking about this one for a while (sorry PT Triple) as embark on the inaugural Tour of the Continents!
Truly a shame how weak the sprint field is - I really thought someone would drpo in with a rockstar fastman, but alas this should be a relatively open field. Maybe we can grab the surprise win on the final TT as well - would like to think Kent Main might do well on the uphill one too. Osorio is obviously the GC choice while Obando might grab high youth points!
Super excited to see folks go after their longest race of the year! Cras is the clear favorite overall.
New finish for stage 7 that hopefully makes that stage more of a factor.
Cras the man to beat. Guess it is a sign that the sprinter quality has come down that the top guys are 77s. 4 sprint stages and a green jersey means nice points for someone.
Vuelta al Tachira 
