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Vuelta: Who’s Gonna Be the Winner?

By Christopher Ashley

2016’s Vuelta couldn’t be going any better for the race organisers!

WeLoveCycling.com predicted back in August that Quintana may make the most of his fresh legs – his lacklustre performance in the Tour de France and the Olympics may have been a long-term strategy to take at least one Grand Tour victory this year.

Sky's British cyclist Chris Froome crosses the finish line during the10th stage of the 71st edition of "La Vuelta" Tour of Spain, a 188,7km route between Lugones to Lagos de Covadonga on August 29, 2016.
Sky’s  Chris Froome crosses the finish line during the10th stage of the 71st edition of “La Vuelta” Tour of Spain, a 188,7km route between Lugones to Lagos de Covadonga on August 29, 2016.

But Froome is closing fast, his monumental effort to win stage 11 put him in 3rd place and within a minute of Quintana, thanks the bonus seconds he was awarded. Froome has a half decent chance to win a 2nd Grand Tour, and Froome likes a chance to play against the odds.

I wouldn’t bet against Quintana, though, look at the gap he opened on stage 10 following 12km straight of climbing. A lot of people wrote Quintana off this year, but if he wins the Vuelta, it’s a clear signal of intent that Movistar have given him the green light to go for Le Tour victory in 2017.

Colombian Nairo Quintana of Movistar Team celebrates on the podium after the eleventh stage of the 71st edition of the Vuelta cycling race, 168,6 km from Colunga to Pena Cabarga, Spain.
Colombian Nairo Quintana of Movistar Team celebrates on the podium after the eleventh stage of the 71st edition of the Vuelta cycling race, 168,6 km from Colunga to Pena Cabarga, Spain.

A lot can happen between now and the closing stage in Madrid on September the 11th, but it’s a brave man who predicts the result that’s so finely balanced – but I can’t help but feel the cycling community would love to see Quintana take the Red Jersey.