Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2017 – Overall Preview
By David Hunter
This race returned to the pro peloton in 2016, there hadn’t been an edition since 2008. It was a welcome return, as many riders want to be here, an area they know well from winter training. Last year the weather was good, as was the racing. This year should be another cracker of a race.
Route
The organisers have decided to introduce a 37.9km TTT, to get the race going. The route isn’t easy either, with a cat 3 climb coming after 11km. Such a long TT will be very important for the overall classification. This stage will shape the race for the coming week.
The second stage starts with a series of cat 3 climbs, making it a good start for the breakaway. It ends with a lap circuit featuring the cat 3 climb, Alto de Montgo. The final ascent of the climb crests with 6km remaining. Perfect for a late escape, especially the final 2.2km is at 6%. The finish will be a little complicated for some of the sprinters.
The third stage is one for the sprinters, especially as we don’t have any classified climbs. The last kilometre does contain some interesting corners and rises at 2%.
The fourth stage is the one for the climbers. There is plenty of early climbing before the cat 1 finish. The final climb is incredible and still fresh in the mind from the Vuelta. This is the brutal wall where Mathias Frank took a win on stage 17. The hill is is 3.8km at 12.5%, but the final two kilometres is nearly at 20%. Coming so early in the season, this is going to be fun!
The race finishes with a short sprint stage in Valencia. Sprinters beware, this is where Stijn Vandenbergh mugged the field in 2016.
Contenders
The winner of this race has to come from a team that can post a good time in the TTT, but they require great climbing legs too.
Thibaut Pinot – started the season well in GP la Marseillaise. He played a big part in helping Vichot winning the race and now turns his attention to Spain. Pinot is an incredibly consistent performer and it seems certain he’ll finish in the top 5 here. His exact final position will obviously be helped by a good performance in the TTT. FDJ are the most improved team in this discipline and will be confident of challenging for the podium. Pinot will certainly hope to finish on the overall podium.
Nairo Quintana – the Colombian starts the race as the big favourite. Movistar always do a good TTT on home soil and Nairo is the best GC rider in the field. He blew the cobwebs away in Mallorca and will be looking forward to getting his teeth into his first properly competitive race. He raced in seven stage races in 2016, his worst position was 3rd. In fact, in the last three years, he’s only finished outside the top 5 in stage races on one occasion, Romandie in 2015, where he was 8th. When Quintana races, he races to win.
Wout Poels – the winner here in 2016, after a top class performance. Team Sky will be a little concerned about the TTT, if they drop time there it will be very hard for them to make it back. Poels rarely gets the chance to lead, that means he rarely wastes an opportunity. I would expect to see him battling for the podium.
Steven Kruijswijk – the Dutch star has slightly tweaked his training schedule, we’ll have to see if it helps him to hit form a little earlier than usual. Jumbo will be confident of doing a good TTT and setting Kruijswijk up for a good crack at the GC.
Dan Martin – it helps that he rides for Etixx! Dan Martin used to fear races with TTTs, but his Cannondale days are long gone. With Lampaert, Stybar and Terpstra behind him, the Irishman should be confident of securing a good overall result. He won a stage here last year, and the length of the final climb is music to his ears, as is the gradient. Like a few others, he has a decent shot at the podium.
Nico Roche – I had to include a BMC rider in this section. They are bound to secure a brilliant TTT result and put Roche into a strong position. He was 2nd in the Abu Dhabi tour at the end of 2016, I wonder if he’s been able to carry that form into 2017. If he has a lead of 30seconds over his rivals, it won’t be easy to get the jersey off him.
Video Preview
Here’s is my video preview with Oliver Naesen.
Prediction Time
Given that it’s in Spain, I just can’t see past Movistar and Quintana. They will post a good time in the TTT and Quintana will take the glory in the Queen stage.
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