Vuelta 2014: Favourites

At the age of 41, Chris Horner´s victory in the 2013 Vuelta came totally unexpected. Horner was not able to defend his title in 2014, which would have been a hell of a job anyway, since there was formidable competition by the likes of Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador.

Read about the overall contenders contenders and click links in the table below for favourites per stage. Obviously, all these articles were written before the start of the race.

Vuelta 2014: Favourites per stage

Vuelta 2014: Images and more

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Stage 6##45

Stage 9##30

Stage 11##15

Stage 14##0

Stage 15##45

Stage 16##30

Stage 19##15

Stage 20##0

All stages##45

All stages##30




The route##15

Favourites

It’s at Saturday Augustus 23rd edition 69 of La Vuelta a España opens for what should be a spectacle featuring world class riders. At the start are the podium of the 2013 Tour (Froome, Quintana, Rodríguez) and the podium of the 2014 Giro (Quintana, Uran, Aru), whilst Grand Tour winners like Alberto Contador, Cadel Evans and Ryder Hesjedal are competing also. Cyclingstage.com gives you the most prominent GC favourites.

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Favourites stage 1 - Flat TTT

Saturday, Agust 23rd - The 2014 Vuelta opens with a flat team time trial. It is not unlikely an Omega Pharma rider will receive the first leader's jersey. Or maybe someone from Orica? The two teams are the best in the world and are evenly matched. Heads or tales?

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Favourites stage 2 - Perfect day for sprinters

Sunday, August 24th - The 2nd stage of the 2014 Vuelta suits the sprinters with 174 flat kilometres between Algeciras and San Fernando. Just one climb at the very beginning of the stage, so riders like Bouhanni and Guardini will be pleased, whilst Sagan and Degenkolb will be eyeing up this one as well.

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Favourites stage 3 - Sprinters with punch

In stage 3 of the 2014 Vuelta riders are to crest four 3rd category hills and the deep finale goes up by a 4.5% grade for 1.5 kilometres. Punchy sprinters like Peter Sagan, John Degenkolb and Michael Matthews are eyeing up this one.

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Favourites stage 4 - Sagan and Degenkolb territory

The 4th stage of the 2014 Vuelta heads to Córdoba to finish on a local circuit of 40 kilometres with a short 14% climb. The final 800 metres are a false flat up, so that's Sagan and Degenkolb territory one would assume.

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