Vuelta a España – Velogames Preview

Now that the final roster has been confirmed and the game has been updated with the final start list and values, it’s time to assess the options in the never ending quest to perfect a grand tour fantasy game at velogames.com. You’ve read the route guides; seen the previews; looked up the bookies favourites, but this is the big one. Here I’ll give a run down on the overall contenders; the best options for the sprints; who are the breakaway favourites; and are they all value for money. The is all in my humble opinion, so it could all be total crap, and I’ll possibly miss the mark completely. This is only a guide, so use it as such. (Make sure you check out the Velogames guide as well for how it all works if you’re unsure).

The General Classification Contenders

Movistar – I’m not putting a single rider as the out-and-out leader of Movistar because they’re being very quiet on who the leader is. Knowing Movistar and with what we’ve learned over the past few grand tours, is that they’ll attempt to win the teams classification and try and get as many blokes in the top 10 as possible. With that in mind, you have Alejandro Valverde – All Rounder – 16 Credits; Nairo Quintana – Climber – 14 Credits; Richard Carapaz – Climber – 18 Credits. Valverde is nearly always good in this race, and I’d say 16 is worth it for him. Same for Quintana, in fact, 14 is a bit of a bargain, it just all depends on which version of Quintana will turn up. Carapaz is fresh off a win at the Giro d’Italia in May, which justifies the price tag. Both he and Quintana are moving on from Movistar next year. Do either of them feel loyalty to the team or will they ride for themselves?

Primož Roglič – All Rounder – 24 Credits. The favourite according to the bookies, but this is his first Vuelta and his first year of double grand tours. His record of racing in Spain is a little patchy as well. He had a great Itzulia Basque Country in 2018, but that route lacked any of the long and brutally steep climbs that the Vuelta is known for. I think he’s too expensive, but his team is absolutely incredible. Also something to consider, what is Steven Kruijswijk’s role here? (All Rounder – 16 Credits) He’s coming off the back of a tough Tour, but he was 4th here last year.

Miguel Angel Lopez – All Rounder – 20 Credits. Still only 25 and already a podium finisher at the Giro and the Vuelta. He’s had a fairly quiet year by his standards, but if he’s feeling good, then this course suits him. Backed by a really strong team, and if they work together, then a podium is the minimum target. Depending how you structure your team, he can be affordable.

Rigoberto Uran – All Rounder – 12 Credits. The team say the GC is the main target and I don’t see why he can’t aim high. EF are bringing a really strong team and Uran is in pretty good form and was 7th last year. Enticing prospect at only 12 credits.

Esteban Chaves – Climber – 12 Credits. He hasn’t had the best couple of years, hampered by illness, but a stage win at this year’s Giro could mean he’s getting back to his best. Mitchelton Scott are sending him here with the GC in mind and I really want to see him succeed. I mean who can resist that wonderful smile??

Team Ineos: Wout Poels and Tao Geoghegan Hart – All Rounders – both 12 Credits. Joint leadership for the Ineos boys. This race should suit Poels quite well and Hart is here for his 3rd grand tour. It should be a valuable learning experience for the latter and I fancy them both to have decent races. That doesn’t necessarily translate into points though, so it could be a risk picking either.

Other names to consider:

Pierre Latour – Climber – 10 Credits. Outside bet.
Wilco Kelderman – All Rouder – 10 Credits. Has done well here before, disjointed season.
Rafal Majka – Climber – 12 Credits. Could be a good shout, decent performance at the Giro this year.
Fabio Aru – Climber – 10 Credits. It’s been a while since he’s properly contended a grand tour, but he had a fairly solid Tour, maybe it’s time again.

Sprinters

On paper this looks like a two up scrap between Sam Bennett – 14 Credits and Fernando Gaviria – 12 Credits. Both have grand tour pedigree and come into this race in good form. Sam is in arguably better form after three stage wins at the BinckBank Tour hence his higher price tag. However, if there are only four or five sprints, then it’s worth thinking about those guys who are likely to contest the sprints and fight for the breakaway. So here are some other names to consider:

Fabio Jakobsen – 10 Credits. Young prospect at his first grand tour, probably won’t go for the breaks.
Luka Mezgec – 8 Credits. Also in great form after two stage wins in Poland, beating Gaviria and Ackermann in the process. Might fancy a breakaway or two.
Max Walscheid – 6 Credits. Sunweb’s designated sprinter.
Marc Sarreau – 6 Credits. Had an okay Vuelta last year, another cheaper option.
John Degenkolb – 8 Credits and Edward Theuns – 6 Credits. Trek’s sprinters. Not quite as fast as the favourites, but might try for the break.

So there is potential for saving some cash here. The climbers are nearly always more important for the Vuelta, so only spend bigger money on a sprinter if it makes sense is my advice.

Breakaway and Stage Hunters

Here it gets a little tricky. Nobody can truly predict who’s going to fight the hardest for a stage win, or try to be in multiple breaks. So I’ll give a short list of who I’ve spotted lurking in the start list who might be a bit of a bargain.

All rounders: Dylan Teuns – 10; Felix Großschartner – 8; Hugh Carthy – 10.
Climbers: Oscar Rodriguez – 6; Ben King – 6; Tadej Pogačar – 12; Gianluca Brambilla – 6; Mikel Nieve – 8; Sergio Higuita – 10; Valerio Conti – 8.
Unclassed: Thomas de Gendt – 8; Philippe Gilbert – 8; Enrico Battaglin – 8; James Knox – 6; Niklas Eg – 6; Patrick Bevin – 6; Victor de la Parte – 6; Tosh Van Der Sande – 6; Mark Padun – 6; Carl Fredrik Hagen – 6; Benjamin Thomas – 4; Tomasz Marczyński – 4

Plenty of options there for saving budget to spend on the favourites. I’d say, if you hit one from the unclassed category who scores over 400, you’ve done well. Two scoring over 400 is a great result. It’s a huge challenge to find the hidden gems. Last year, Ben King scored two stage wins and more than 800 in game points. That’s a huge return, and it’ll really boost you’re overall score if you can strike it lucky.

So that’s a whistle stop tour of all things Velogames Vuelta. Which strategy will win out? Who are you secretly backing? It’s time to get planning.

EDIT!

Two major revisions to the start list today that should alter some fantasy plans. For Movistar, Richard Carapaz has apparently crashed at a criterium race and has been replaced by Jose Joaquim Rojas. And for Team Ineos, David De La Cruz has replaced Kenny Elissonde. Rojas comes in as an 8 credit sprinter and De La Cruz is a 10 credit climber. So to guys who you might not immediately think to get in, but one guy who will definitely need taking out. It actually might make things easier in a way.