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. (Slideshow route/profile)

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

Nr Date Favourites Length Type
1 Sa 23-8 Orica GreenEdge or Omega Pharma? 12.6 km TTT
2 Su 24-8 Perfect day for sprinters 174,4 km flat
3 Mo 25-8 Sprinters with punch 189,8 km hilly
4 Tu 26-8 Sagan and Degenkolb territory 173.4 km hilly
5 We 27-8 Bouhanni vs Degenkolb/Sagan combination 180.0 km flat
6 Th 28-8 Climbers… on your mark, get set, go! 167.1 km mountains
7 Fr 29-8 Up to the puncheurs 169.0 km hilly
8 Sa 30-8 A sprinter’s dream 207.0 km flat
9 Su 31-8 Break away boys or GC battle?  185.0 km mountains
Mo 1-9 rest day
10 Tu 2-9 Is it Tony Martin-time, Spartacus? 36.2 km ITT
11 We 3-9 Break away with strong climbers to succeed 153.4 km mountains
12 Th 4-9 Back to the fast men 165.4 km flat
13 Fr 5-9 Wanted: escapee with puncheur’s legs 188.7 km hilly
14 Sa 6-9 Climbers par excellence 200.8 km mountains
15 Su 7-9 ‘Especial’ finish requires special climbers 152.2 km mountains
16 Mo 8-9 El Pistolero to detonate the fireworks? 160.5 km mountains
Tu 9-9 rest day
17 We 10-9 Sprinter’s last chance, or escapees 190.7 km flat
18 Th 11-9 Break away day! 161.0 km hilly
19 Fr 12-9 Escape to victory 180.5 km mountains
20 Sa 13-9 Climber’s alert 185.7 km mountains
21 Su 14-9 GC men to battle it out in short ITT 9.7 km ITT

Vuelta 2014: Images and more

Click on the images to zoom


Vuelta a España 2014 Profile stage 6: Benalmadena - La Zubia - source lavuelta.comStage 6

Vuelta a España 2014 Profile stage 9: Carboneras de Guadazaón - Aramón Valdelinares - source lavuelta.comStage 9

Vuelta a España 2014 Profile stage 11: Pamplona - Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar - source lavuelta.comStage 11

Vuelta a España 2014 Profile stage 14: Santander - La Camperona. Valle de Sábero - source lavuelta.comStage 14

Vuelta a España 2014 Profile stage 15: Oviedo / Lagos de Covadonga - source lavuelta.comStage 15

Vuelta a España 2014 Profile stage 16: San Martín del Rey Aurelio - La Farrapona. Lago de Somiedo - source lavuelta.comStage 16

Vuelta a España 2014 Profile stage 19: Salvaterra do Miño / Cangas do Morrazo - source lavuelta.comStage 19

Vuelta a España 2014 Profile stage 20: Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil - Puerto de Ancares - source lavuelta.comStage 20

Vuelta 2014: All stages - source: www.ciclo21.comAll stages

Vuelta 2014: All stages - source: lavuelta.comAll stages

Vuelta 2014: The route


The route

More about the Vuelta a España


Vuelta 2014: Start times TTT

Watch the highlights of recent races here:

Vuelta 2014: Favourites

Chris FroomeIt’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.
Read more »

Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 1 - Flat TTT

omegaSaturday, 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?
Read more »

Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 2 - Perfect day for sprinters

Nacer BouhanniSunday, 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.
Read more »

Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 3 - Sprinters with punch

peter saganIn 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.
Read more »

Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 4 - Sagan and Degenkolb territory

John DegenkolbThe 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.
Read more »
More articlesVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 5 - Bouhanni vs Degenkolb/Sagan combinationVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 6 - Climbers... on your mark, get set, go!Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 7 - Up to the puncheursVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 8 - A sprinter's dreamVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 9 - Break away boys or GC battle?Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 10 - Is it Tony Martin-time, Spartacus?Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 11 - Break away with strong climbers to succeedVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 12 - Back to the fast menVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 13 - Wanted: escapee with puncheur's legsVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 14 - Climbers par excellenceVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 15 - 'Especial' finish requires special climbersVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 16 - El Pistolero to detonate the fireworks?Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 17 - Sprinters last chance, or... classics specialistsVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 18 - Break away day!Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 19 - Escape to victoryVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 20 - Climber's alertVuelta 2014: Favourites stage 21 - GC men to battle it out in short ITT