Rate the '26 Vuelta: Live for Tadej or Movistar Mas-terclass

[wakemalcolm]

Enjoyed that but beyond the refreshing absence of 'the big 3' from the eventual GC and the uncertainty that brought, the leaders jersey only changed hands once and most of the non climby stages were a Visma carve up.

With the exception of the groundhog sprints in week 3, I thought they nailed the course and avoided the hockey stick ennui that the race (and Rog) had become associated with.

 

[CarbonClem]

I enjoyed it. Pog sadly crashing out opened it up, but agree that it quickly stagnated from a GC perspective. Rog was never going to take it. Visma dominated the flatter stages but it was good racing. Despite the neutralisation fury, I really enjoyed the final stage, following on from this years final TDF stage, I suggest its the way forward. Wonder if Ineos are disappointed with Onley? I feel he was a bit of a damp squib after last years TDF result. Hope he has a good run in to next season.

 

[TakeTheHighRoad]

I watched more than I did last year, and carried on watching after Pog crashed out, so I gave it a 7

 

[Pblakeney]

I was on holiday so missed a week which will have affected my perception.
Stangely Pog crashing out made little difference other than the name once Mas took the lead, and Visma simply replaced UAE.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

I was on holiday so missed a week which will have affected my perception.
Stangely Pog crashing out made little difference other than the name once Mas took the lead, and Visma simply replaced UAE.

I was on holiday too and funnily enough feel exactly the same. It was a better course, but would have preferred a few less, low gradient climbs and the addition of a couple of walls. Not that it would have made any difference to the way they would have raced. Hardly the most swashbuckling bunch of GC riders.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Jonas not competing was a huge loss to the tour from the start.

Pog crashing was an even bigger loss and I stopped watching thereafter. Completely spoilt it for me.

 

[MadMalx]

Agree with many of the above, and a solid 7 for me. Very enjoyable (except of course the crash-out) but little changed despite good racing and excellent parcours.
Riders seem to be much better at managing efforts and avoiding collapse now.

 

[mididoctors]

7

Weird wasn't it. Loved movistar old skool racing . There was a fair number of too predictive days . But also two excellent mountain stages . The one Mas won and stage 20 . I enjoyed the race but felt exhausted by it in the third somewhat.

Interesting parcours produced a lot of active racing .all of which seemed to change nothing..lol

 

[Pblakeney]

Interesting parcours produced a lot of active racing .all of which seemed to change nothing..lol

Well put. 👏👏👏

 

[mididoctors]

Jonas not competing was a huge loss to the tour from the start.

Pog crashing was an even bigger loss and I stopped watching thereafter. Completely spoilt it for me.

Weren't you curious how it was going to pan out without him?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Weren't you curious how it was going to pan out without him?

Tbh, no.

 

[mididoctors]

Tbh, no.

Takes alsorts to make a world 🌎

 

[mrushton]

Odd that it wasn't more exciting given people complain that Pog makes the sport boring. Wout showed why he can shape a race and good to see Mas come to the fore.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Odd that it wasn't more exciting given people complain that Pog makes the sport boring. Wout showed why he can shape a race and good to see Mas come to the fore.

Has cycling become too 'perfected' when we can guess the outcome of a mountain top finish from what we know about w/kg of each rider; when we know that the reaction to a Carapaz hail Mary is to sit in the wheels and gradually winch him back knowing that he's gone beyond his known limitations?

Sounds like the often suggested solution of a grand tour mostly made up of medium mountain stages is becoming more credible.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Interesting that after Pog was out, UAE did not have any up and coming GC contenders, with their best placed being 29th. Almost like they either gave up, or it is Pog or nothing. Visma having a depth of talent even without Vinegaard.