As seems to be usual at the Vuelta, we start with a team TT, it's only 12.6km so time differences are unlikely to be major.
The bookies have Trek as the favourites which i'm quite surprised about as was expecting Omega Pharma to be at the head of the betting.
So the 3/1 available for OmegaPQ looks big to me and rates a strong bet. They always go well in the TT's, currently the world champs, and the y have the TT monster that is Tony Martin to drive them along. This is probably not their strongest squad, but i'm sure Uran will be trying to gain every second he can here over his gc rivals, so expect Martin to put in some huge turns on the front.
It will be very difficult for anyone to beat OPQ here, the Trek angle must be to do with Cancellara and Sergeant but Cancellara isn't in the same TT league as Martin this year, and i'm not comvinced they will even podium in this. I think the biggest dangers will be Movistar who have an all round strong team and will want to get Quintana off to a flyer, and Orica who don't look on paper to have the strongest of teams but always seem to perform well in the team TT's.
Wow hats off to Movistar, i said they and Orica would go well! and as i thought Trek wouldnt podium but like you say MC i would never have predicted Cannondale being up there in a million years. And very disappointed with OPQS, looked like Martin was a bit off form, maybe suffering from his exertions at the tour. No really great time differences but an interesting start all the same.
Wow hats off to Movistar, i said they and Orica would go well! and as i thought Trek wouldnt podium but like you say MC i would never have predicted Cannondale being up there in a million years. And very disappointed with OPQS, looked like Martin was