If, like us, you’ve been feeling a little empty since the Tour de France ended, then you’re in luck. Grand Tour racing is coming back to our screens; the Vuelta a España is just around the corner. As is always the case, there are bound to be plenty of narratives that develop over the course of the next three weeks, all of which weave together to form a gripping operetta. Here are five things we’ll be keeping an eye on as the race snakes from Nîmes to Madrid:
Doing the double
This year’s Vuelta has the potential to be one of the more significant Grand Tours in recent history, and that’s largely down to the prospect of a Tour-Vuelta double for Chris Froome. Not achieved since Bernard Hinault’s double in 1978, long before the Vuelta moved to its August allocation in 1995, Froome has (covertly) built his entire season around achieving this historic milestone. Team Sky have used their considerable strength in depth to put a fresh and experienced team on the start line, but it will be up to Froome in the final week to dig deep into whatever energy reserves are left after an incredibly strenuous Tour de France if he is to win his first red jersey.
The British are coming
Froome aside, there is no shortage of British interest in this edition of the race. Orica-Scott have entered not one, but two Yates brothers into the Spanish Grand Tour, with Simon coming off a fantastic Tour de France that saw him replicate Adam’s white jersey win the year before. Having rarely raced together since the Tour de France 2015, it will be fascinating to see how Orica-Scott deploy their pair of GC contenders, especially when you throw a highly-motivated Esteban Chaves into the mix. Joining the Yates’ in Nîmes will be Adam Blythe and Mark Christian, part of Irish outfit Aqua Blue Sport’s wild card Grand Tour team, and Team Sky’s strongman Ian Stannard, who will mop up much camera time on the front of the peloton throughout the race.
Contador’s last hurrah
If a Froome victory in Madrid would be the most historic outcome, surely a Contador win would be the most sentimental? The Spaniard announced last week that the Vuelta would be his final professional race, and despite a largely lacklustre Tour de France, though not without trademark attacks, El Pistolero will no doubt leave it all out on the road in his curtain call. Whether he can upset the odds and win an unprecedented fourth Vuelta remains to be seen, but expect fireworks whenever the road kicks uphill towards one of the many summit finishes.
Contra reloj
As is the trend with modern Grand Tour racing, this year’s Vuelta features only two time trials, with the bulk of the distance coming on Stage 16’s 40.2km individual effort. Kicking off a brutal final week of racing in the northern hills, those who lose time will have a chance to go on the attack in the stages that follow. It will be a key indicator of who still has the legs as the race reaches its climax. If the likes of Rohan Dennis or Bob Jungels are still in touch with Froome going into the stage, this could decisive in the general classification battle.
Young guns
So often the setting for a breakout performance, this year’s Vuelta start list boasts several names that have been knocking on the door for some time, and could be about to take a marquee stage win. Expect to see the bunch sprints contested by the likes of Magnus Cort Nielsen and Lorrenzo Manzin, whilst Soren Kragh Andersen and Miguel Angel Lopez could be outside shots for a plucky breakaway victory.
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