Cycling Betting & Discussion.

[Tonji]

OPQS go fastest, but looks more open than originally thought with NetApp sitting in second at the moment.

[Tonji]

Astana, RadioShack, OPQS 

[Tonji]

On to Stage 2, & going up hill.



Already with time gaps, Movistar & Katusha are likely to control the peleton to the final climb. The bookies have the usual suspects in Valverde & Rodriguez as favourites, but its too early in race to assess form, I think. A day for in running opportunities for me.

Betancur was dropped in the TTT, looks overweight & has said in the media that he is rebuilding his race form over the next three weeks for the Worlds.

http://www.oddschecker.com/cycling/vuelta-a-espana/carlos-betancur-v-roman-kreuziger/stage-match-bets

Hills are wrong at making them even in the match bet. 17/20 Kreuziger is more than decent imo. 365 are about right.

[Tonji]

That was quick, Betancur v Kreuziger now taken down 

[cheapwetsuit]

Don't have a Hills account, so can't get on the very obvious palp of Moreno at 8/1 vs Uran

[Tonji]

Plenty of cycling today.

The US Pro Challenge finishes, but TJ has that in the bag.

Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg. A sprint battle, Griepel & Demare are strong shouts here.

Vuelta, stage 2. No value in the favourites, a wait & see day to how the race builds to the final climb.

[Tonji]

1.Nicolas Roche,Saxo-Tinkoff. 2.Daniel Moreno,Katusha Team. 3.Domenico Pozzovivo, AG2R.

I think Roche was available at around 200/1 pre stage!

[Tonji]

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Stage 3. It's all about the final kick up at the end. A classic one day type finish. Similar but shorter than today's stage finish. This will possibly bring in to contention the uphill sprinters like Meersman.

I'll be avoiding Gilbert, not won all year plus has a damaged knee from the Enco Tour.

I've counted a good 12 riders a case could be made for. But plumped for Stybar 11/1 FTW, should still have the great form from winning the Enco Tour, will need his team to drill it at the bottom of the climb to set him up, he has speed & power to finish fast on the line. Looks a stage OPQS will have pencilled in, with Meersman & Stybar in mind.

Same can also be said for OGE (in fact the next few stages look to be OGE territory). Options in Gerrans & Matthews. I like the Matthews option. A young rider, very fast, & confidence should be sky high after two wins in Utah. If the team can get him in the right position for the last climb, he should be one of the fastest guys at the finish. Obviously young & inexperienced but at 50/1 EW a decent bet imo before he gets fatigued.

[Tonji]

The road with about 1km to go, so narrow that positioning is vital.

[Tonji]

Don't discount Roche repeating the win. With the 10 second time bonus on the stage he could move in to the red jersey.

[Tonji]

The back stage pass is back...

[Tonji]

Movistar, backstage pass Spanish style!

[Tonji]

hmmm, my picks for today could well be off the mark, general views from the media seem to suggest that the final climb is a real climbers finish, but some mixed views out there. Oh well...all a matter of backing your opinion.

Matthews price has shortened to around 20/1, Stybar has drifted out to 18/1.

Interesting stage...

[Tonji]

Crashes & crosswinds split the peloton, marvelous

[Tonji]

Old man wins bike race!