Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d<\/a> as a fine example here. The three-time Vuelta champion will be back on the grid in Utrecht in a bid for a record-breaking fourth successive win after personal disappointment yet again at the Tour de France. The likeable Slovenian will have a point to prove and a mighty team to back him up.<\/p>\nSo, who will be there to challenge him? At the time of writing, the field has not yet been fully finalised but there are numerous key riders who I think could pose a serious threat or at least vie for a podium spot. Let\u2019s take a look:<\/p>\n
Movistar<\/strong> are perilously close to the World Tour drop zone so they\u2019ll be hoping that last year’s Vuelta runner-up Enric Mas can recreate that form after a difficult Tour de France. Maybe the presence of Alejandro Valverde in the squad, riding his last-ever Grand Tour, will inspire Mas to greatness.<\/p>\nBORA – Hansgrohe<\/strong> bring along revelatory Australian Jai Hindley, this year’s Giro D\u2019Italia winner, whose ability on the steeper, longer climbs strongly suggests he\u2019ll figure. Another young Aussie to conjure with is Ben O\u2019Connor of AG2R Citroen who will be eager to put behind him a disappointing Tour de France after finishing 4th in the 2021 Tour and winning a stage.<\/p>\nArkea – Samsic<\/strong> field 2016 Vuelta winner Nairo Quintana, fresh off the back of a very respectable 6th overall at the Tour, whilst Bike Exchange Jayco also bring another previous Vuelta champion in Simon Yates, who looked sharp as ever in the Giro with two stage wins, until a knee injury saw him withdraw on stage 17. He missed the Tour so will be fresh and focused with an increased capacity against the clock (see his Giro TT win) that should serve him well.<\/p>\nIneos Grenadiers<\/strong> will be relying on Olympic Road Champion and 2018 Giro winner Richard Carapaz to hopefully take the final red jersey in Madrid. The Ecuadorian was Vuelta runner-up in 2020 and is backed by the likes of recent Vuelta Burgos winner Pavel Sivakov and 21-year-old Spanish Road Champion Carlos Rodriguez. I was chatting to two-time Vuelta Champion Alberto Contador at the Tour and he is tipping out this youngster for greatness, so watch out for him in his Vuelta debut.<\/p>\nOther notable contenders include Astana\u2019s in-form Miguel Angel Lopez; Mikel Linda and Jack Haig of Bahrain Victorious, the latter placing 3rd last year; Brandon McNulty of UAE Team Emirates who may get a leadership role after an impressive TDF, plus they have Joao Almeida as an option too; the duo of Esteban Chavez and Hugh Carthy of EF Education Easy Post if in form could prove very disruptive, with the British climber having placed on the podium here in 2020 and the experienced Colombian back in 2016.<\/p>\n
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