Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for La Vuelta ciclista a España 2021
La Vuelta ciclista a España is the last of the three grand tours to be held, and one more year, cyclists who have not had the results they expected during the season are coming together to take this last opportunity to shine.
In addition, in Cycling Fantasy it will also be decisive, since there are many points at stake. An oversight can cost us the UWT season, and a hit can make us climb into the rankings for the annual laurel crowns.
Route
After seeing the 2020 edition reduced to 18 stages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this 2021 La Vuelta presents a complete route of 21 stages again. For yet another year, the organizers are faithful to the character they have instilled in it in recent years, and the route is once again full of impossible walls and uphill finales.
The first and last stages are time trials, and in between there are 8 flat stages (2 of them with an uphill finish), 4 medium mountain stages and 7 high mountain stages. A compensated route that guarantees showtime and will take us through some unprecedented climbs in the race, such as Picón Blanco (8.1 km at 9.1%, stage 3) or the Gamoniteiru (14.9 km at 9.7%, stage 18), combined with traditional ascents such as the Balcón de Alicante (3.8 km at 9.6%, stage 7) or the Lagos de Covadonga (12.2 km at 7%, stage 17).
Favorites
Primož Roglič (1200) has won the last two editions of the race and starts as the main favorite to get the third in a row. After having to leave the Tour due to a crash, Roglič is in good shape, as evidenced by the time trial Olympic gold medal he achieved 15 days ago in Tokyo.
Surely his main rivals will be the men of Ineos Grenadiers, who once again bring a very strong team to the race, with three leaders: Egan Bernal (1200), Richard Carapaz (1000) and Adam Yates (800). Other candidates to contest the General Classification are Alexander Vlasov (1000), Enric Mas (1000), Mikel Landa (800), Hugh John Carthy (600) or Rigoberto Urán (600). Maxiilian Schachmann (1000) or Alejandro Valverde (1200) will find it more difficult to get in the GC fight, but they are good candidates for stage victories in finals that require punch.
For the fast finishes, the startlist also includes sprinters who haven't fully shined in 2021. Caleb Ewan (1200) looks the fastest man on paper, but hasn't raced since breaking his collarbone on stage 3 of the Tour de France. Arnaud Demarre (1200) has not had his best year either, and without a doubt he will love to vindicate himself. On his side, Fabio Jakobsen (600) seems fully recovered from the injuries caused by the accident he suffered a year ago in Poland, and is progressing upward after his two stage victories on the Ethias Tour de Wallonie. Other fast men on the startlist are Matteo Trentin (600), Jon Aberasturi (600), Michael Matthews (800), Marc Sarreau (400) or Piet Allegaert (400), among others.
