The Vuelta never disappoints
Tue, August 30, 2022 
Of the three Grand Tours, I often feel that the Vuelta a Espana is the most entertaining. Coming off one of the best Tour de France events in recent years, I wondered if this was likely this year, but after just over a week of racing, I have to say, “Possibly.”
What makes any sporting event entertaining and exiting is the unknown, the unexpected outcome. Prior to this year’s TDF I thought Tadej Podacar was unbeatable, but he proved to be human after all. Or it could be argued that the strongest team won, not necessarily the strongest individual.
The Vuelta always has the unknown element because it is such a tough race, with more climbing than the other Grand Tours. This year has the added unknown of so many new riders entering the sport at young ages, (In their early twenties.) previously unheard of.
Looking at the start list before the race, I was struck by the number of new names, most I had not previously heard of. One notable exception to this was Remco Evenepoel. So much has been written about this 22-year-old Belgian rider during the last year, along with the speculation that he is the new Eddy Merckx.
I can’t help but feel what a tremendous and unnecessary burden this is to place on such a young athlete, but sadly this is what the press and media do. They build people up only to knock them down again when they fail.
Cycle racing has to be one of the toughest sports out there, both physically and mentally. The constant steam of new-comers to the sport keeps it fresh and interesting, but entering the sport, especially Grand Tours, at such a young age I expect to see shorter careers than we have seen in the past.
What are your views?
Reader Comments (4)
Unfortunately, I can't get the Vuelta on TV as I have past years. There's always such a sense of - I don't know, decompression? - after the Tour and people really are racing for the love of it as they are off the "big stage" of the TDF. These late-summer/autumn races - such as the Tour of Lombardy - are some of my favorites when I can see them. That sense of the cycle of the seasons, and so forth.
I won't watch cycling. It's not the hidden doping problems, nor the possibility of "mechanical doping", nor even the long stages that I used to enjoy watching if only for the travelogue aspect. It is the insanity of the governing bodies. Apoplectic Covid reaction, specifically.
Halfway through the Vuelta and 21 riders have been forced to leave the race? That’s an average of two a day.
For comparison, the Baja 400 is coming up, you know, off-road racing in Baja California, Mexico. The race has no Covid protocols, no restrictions. That’s Mexico, free of those silly restrictions that have caused so much damage. I won’t watch riders on the podium wearing masks. I don't like athletes kicked out of their sport just because of a positive Covid test.
The “Pandemic” is over.
For decades the sport of cycling has been a punching bag for all the problems in professional sports: Doping, cheating, lying, and general lack of sportsmanship. But when organizers cling to mistakes starting in 2020 (what are they hiding, or worse, didn’t they learn?), I will not give my time to it.
For years my wife and I looked forward to the Tours. Not anymore. What does a sport have left when they piss off the fans?
In the TdF having two strong teams banging away at each other, made for
good racing. Roche said this year they're not racing "robot" style, limited
to one attack 10k or less from the end. Rider have more freedom to attack.
The next Eddy is like the music curse of "The Next Bob Dylan"
a sure sign of a future in the food service industry.
I think that the career of these younger riders will depend greatly on their schedule.
If they race a limited amount and keep a good mix of shorter and longer races, and have luck to avoid major injury then they should have long careers. If they really go all in then they will be done before they peak.
And the VaE continues to surprise us with new names challenging and plenty of action. After all it is the end of the season and if you want to make a mark it needs to be now.