Vuelta 2016: Favourites

Vuelta a España 2016The 2016 Vuelta a España was played out from August 20 to September 11 with major contenders Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana and Esteban Chaves. Eventually, Quintana took the win ahead of Froome and Chaves. (Slideshow route/profile)

In the table below you’ll find the favourites per stage. Obviously, the articles were written prior to the start.

Vuelta 2016: Favourites

Nr Date Favourites Type
1 Sa 20-8 Orica or BMC? TTT
2 Su 21-8 Rare chance for sprinters in La Vuelta flat
3 Mo 22-8 Up to the punchers! finish uphill
4 Tu 23-8 GC-riders or attackers finish uphill
5 We 24-8 Late attack or tough sprinter’s fest flat
6 Th 25-8 Versatile stage, versatile contenders hilly
7 Fr 26-8 For sprinting and/or descending escapees hilly
8 Sa 27-8 Punchers to strike at ‘Wall of La Camperona’ flat start, mountain finish
9 Su 28-8 Attackers versus GC-guys finish uphill
10 Mo 29-8 Win for eternity at Lagos de Covadonga mountain finish
Tu 30-8 Rest day
11 We 31-8 Attacker with puncher’s legs mountain finish
12 Th 1-9 Opportunity for good descenders hilly
13 Fr 2-9 Tough sprinters versus brave attackers hilly
14 Sa 3-9 The Aubisque – for elite breed climbers mountains
15 Su 4-9 For GC-riders with an appetite for the red jersey hilly, mountain finish
16 Mo 5-9 Reward for patient sprinters flat
Tu 6-9 Rest day
17 We 7-9 For (GC) attackers hilly, mountain finish
18 Th 8-9 Wanted: Fast men with stamina hilly, flat finish
19 Fr 9-9 For ITT specialists with big engines ITT
20 Sa 10-9 Last chance for GC guys mountains
21 Su 11-9 Last chance for fast men flat

Vuelta a España 2016: Route maps, height profiles, and more

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Vuelta 2016: Map with stages - source lavuelta.comMap with stages

Vuelta 2016: Map and schema with stagesSchema and map

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 1: source lavuelta.comProfile 1st stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 2: source lavuelta.comProfile 2nd stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 3: source lavuelta.comProfile 3rd stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 4: source lavuelta.comProfile 4th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 5: source lavuelta.comProfile 5th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 6: source lavuelta.comProfile 6th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 7: source lavuelta.comProfile 7th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 8: source lavuelta.comProfile 8th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 9: source lavuelta.comProfile 9th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 10: source lavuelta.comProfile 10th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 11: source lavuelta.comProfile 11th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 12: source lavuelta.comProfile 12th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 13: source lavuelta.comProfile 13th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 14: source lavuelta.comProfile 14th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 15: source lavuelta.comProfile 15th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 16: source lavuelta.comProfile 16th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 17: source lavuelta.comProfile 17th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 18: source lavuelta.comProfile 18th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 19: source lavuelta.comProfile 19th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 20: source lavuelta.comProfile 20th stage

Vuelta 2016 Profile stage 21: source lavuelta.comProfile 21st stage

Vuelta 2016: Start and finish at Google MapsStart and finish at Google Maps

Vuelta: Videos


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Vuelta 2015: Video with highlights


Video: 2015 highlights

More about the Vuelta a España


Vuelta 2016: GC Favourites

Watch the highlights of recent races here:

Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 1: Orica or BMC?

BMC vuelta favouriteAt 27.8 kilometres, stage 1 in the Vuelta a España is a team time trial on the shores of the artificial lake of Castrelo do Miño. Which team is going to take the first red leader's jersey?
Read more »

Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 2: Rare chance for sprinters in La Vuelta

Nikias ArndtTraditionally the Vuelta a España is not loaded with stage for the fast men. This edition is no different. Stage 2 is not entirely flat, yet the obstacles are doable. So chances for sprinters!
Read more »

Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 3: Up to the punchers!

philippe gilbert vuelta favouriteThe GC-riders will have to go full gas in stage 3 in the Vuelta a España. The second half of the race features two categorized climbs before the summit finish atop Mirador de Ezaro, an ascent of 2 kilometres with steepest sections at over 20%.
Read more »

Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 4: GC-riders or attackers

chris froome vuelta favouriteStage 4 of the 2016 Vuelta a España the brings a demanding finale. The last 12 kilometres is a two stage 2nd category climb. Who are the major contenders at the second summit finish in two days ?
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Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 5: Late attack or tough sprinters

fabio felline vuelta favouriteStage 5 in the Vuelta a España is marked by one categorised climb halfway, the rest of the race is mostly on flat to rolling terrain. Yet the finale comes with a short and harsh climb, which is perfect for a late attack. Otherwise it should be up to the fast men in Lugo.
Read more »
More articlesVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 6: Versatile stage, versatile contendersVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 7: For sprinting and/or descending escapeesVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 8: Punchers to strike at 'Wall of La Camperona'Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 9: Attackers versus GC-guysVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 10: Win for eternity at Lagos de CovadongaVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 11: Attacker with puncher's legsVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 12: Opportunity for good descendersVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 13: Tough sprinters versus brave attackersVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 14: The Aubisque - for elite breed climbersVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 15: For GC-riders with an appetite for the red jerseyVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 16: Reward for patient sprintersVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 17: For (GC) attackersVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 18: Wanted: Fast men with staminaVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 19: For ITT specialists with big enginesVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 20: Last chance for GC guysVuelta 2016 Favourites stage 21: Last chance for fast menVuelta 2016: GC Favourites