Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 21

David Etxebarria:

I think Peter Sagan will win this last stage. He has been saving energies the last couple of days and should be the fastest in a sprint. Do doubt that Juanjo Cobo will win the Vuelta.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 20

David Etxebarria:

It’s the penultimate stage and not much will change in the GC. Team Sky still has to block the race and fight for the bonus seconds. My big favorite for today is Peter Sagan. It could be a break away like yesterday but there is still so many kilometers after the last climb that it easily could end up in a sprint between 25-35 riders.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 19

David Etxebarria:

I still think that this is the only day left where the GC can be changed in the top. Froome needs the bonus seconds and therefore Team Sky has to keep the peloton together at the last climb. My Favorit is Vincenzo Nibali and I really don’t think the red jersey will change shoulders.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 18

David Etxebarria:

Today it has to be a rider from Euskaltel. They are motivated and they need it! Igor Antón is the logical choice, but Mikel Nieve has also shown his is very strong now. It will be interesting to see if Team Sky wants to block the race and race for the bonus seconds. It could be the last day for take the jersey – or not! This is cycling gentlemen!

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 17

David Etxebarria:

My favorite for today is Igor Antón, for more or less sentimental reasons. Last year he lost the Vuelta on this stage and today he can take revenge. He was already a lot better on Angliru and maybe even stronger today. The bonus seconds are important today for the GC so I wouldn’t be surprised if Cobo took more time on his rivals, not much but maybe 10-15 seconds.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 16

David Etxebarria:

Today’s stage in Haro in very complicated to predict. Usually it will end with in a bunch sprint, but it’s not easy for the teams to control the race in the third week. I don’t think the whole peloton will arrive together and if so my pick today is John Degenkolb. If a breakaway makes it, I think it will be a rider from Radioshack. Sergio Paulinho is one who could do it, but it’s never easy to pick a winner on a day like today.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 15

David Etxebarria:

Today I will say the same two names as yesterday, but this time my favorite is Juanjo Cobo, because of his amazing performances the last days and then Joaquim Rodriguez because he wants to get revenge from yesterday. If it rains it can change a lot about how they will climb Angliru and that will really benefit Wiggins because he doesn’t stand in the pedals while climbing.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 14

David Etxebarria:

For today’s stage there is one clear favorite, Joaquim Rodriguez. First of all because he needs to take back time and secondly because the course is great for him. Look out for Juanjo Cobo as well, he has been riding very well. It’s also a decisive day for Bauke Mollema and Bradley Wiggins. The first one to see if he can stay in top3 and for Wiggins if he still can win the race. I don’t think Nibali be attacking today.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 13

David Etxebarria:

My favorite for today is Rein Taaramae, but it’s also a good day for Pablo Lastras. It’s a short and nervous stage and it’s going to be difficult for the leader’s team to control the pack. Attention to the time limit as well, a lot of riders will have a hard day!

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 12

David Etxebarria:

Even though the terrain looks flat, there is no such thing in Galicia! I don’t believe that any of the sprinter teams can control it this terrain and therefore I think a breakaway will make it again. Meaning we are back to the usual suspects in Luisle [Sanchez], Lastras, De la Fuente etc. My pick for the stage win will be Luis Angel Maté.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 11

David Etxebarria:

The rest day is over and the Vuelta is back. My favorite for today is Jaoaquim Rodriguez who needs to win back time NOW. He knows that the last climb won’t give much, so he needs to attack right from the bottom and take some risks. Euskaltel is another team who has changed their objectives and Katusha can benefit from that if the make an alliance again.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 10

David Etxebarria:

I see two big favorites today. Bradley Wiggins because of his recent performances and of course Fabian Cancellara. Cancellara is the specialist and he has been thinking about this time trial the whole week. It’s also a very important day for all the climbers in this Vuelta. We will see who manage to minimize the loss the best and who need to take risks later on.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 9

David Etxebarria:

It’s a very important day for the favorites today and my pick is Michele Scarponi. Another good one is Igor Antón who has the advantage that he has already lost some time in GC. Therefore the favorites won’t follow him if they are all together and Igor attacks on Covatilla. If Menchov loses time again his Vuelta is over.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 8

David Etxebarria:

Well, finally I’m starting to hit my picks! Tomorrow is a day for a break away and I will give it a 90% chance of staying away. My favorite is David De la Fuente, but I have seen what Lastras is capable of, so count him in as well. Also Oroz and Txurruka from Euskaltel. There are so many candidates it’s difficult to pick one…

NB - Don't forget to see my own preview of today's stage to El Escorial right here

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 7

David Etxebarria:

Today is a day for the sprinters. It will be very difficult for a break away to stay away. My favorite today is Marcel Kittel, but remember to pay attention to the cross wind as well. We could end up getting a big show!

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 6

David Etxebarria:

The level of Katusha has really impressed me in this Vuelta. The whole team is strong, not only Joaquim and one of the veterans. Today it’s a difficult stage to predict. It could be a break away. My pick is Luis Angel Maté, but also look out for Lastras who already knows what it takes to win a stage in this Vuelta.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 5

David Etxebarria:

Great win for Dani yesterday. Today I pick Joaquim once again :) Scarponi and Nibali with options as well. Also a very important day for one of the pre-favorites, Igor Antón. After yesterday’s result we will now see if he still has chances of winning the Vuelta or if he is already out.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 4

David Etxebarria:

I am still surprised with the differences made on the category 3 climbs - I guess it’s the because of the heat. For stage 4 to Sierra Nevada my favorite is Joaquim Rodriguez for the stage win and Vincenzo Nibali to take over the leader’s jersey. It’s the first big test in the mountains and we will see who is not going to win the Vuelta.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 3

David Etxebarria:

After Peter Sagan surprisingly enough didn't sprint yesterday, my favorite is now Marcel Kittel, even though I think Sagan in fact will sprint today - and I see him with good chances! Another rider for today is Tom Boonen, who looked very strong yesterday, but be aware of attacks on the last category 3 climb, Alto de la Santa, which could give us another surprising winner.

Vuelta Expert Preview: Stage 2

David Etxebarria:
A day for the sprinters. I see 3 big favorites in Cavendish, Sagan and Kittel. Cavendish is the fastest, Kittel the one “in-shape” but Sagan rides with the motivation of getting the leader’s jersey in his first Grand Tour. I pick Sagan to win but all of those 3 guys have good chances.