Points Classification Favourites La Vuelta 2023
It's usually the case that the points classification favourites will be either a sprinter who can climb decently well, or a strong rouleur who's not afraid of being in the break a bunch and can potentially steal a stage or two. It's not always the case though. Especially with the GC action that's going to occur this year (read on). But that's where we'll start our search.
We also have to deduce mentality. Who wants it? Who will be going for it?
Sprinters
There's an incredibly weak field of sprinters at this years' tour. Likely because the race starts so damn hard. We could see Molano from UAE, Van Poppel from Bora, or Menten from Lotto taking some names here and carying it to the finish line. Dainese isn't a bad shout either and could potentially be given longer odds because of how horrid Team DSM have been lately. Still we think a rouleur likely has a better shot.As for the sprinters you got Sam Bennett who won the green jersey at the Tour de France in 2020. Half decent climber compared to the rest and you've also go him ending his contract with BORA at the end of 2023. He'll be wanting to make a name for himself to nab a bountiful deal on his next contract. Recently coming off winning the green jersey at Sibiu Cycling Tour in July and looking in decent form at the Tour of Poland.
Long Shots
Potentially a Marijn van den Berg from EF. He'll be given freedom by EF and has a solid sprint (not Bennett level) and can climb quite well. We could see him winning a few intermediate sprints from the break too. Recently he won the points classification at La Route d'Occitanie and Pays de la Loire. Only dot one races though.
Rouleurs
If Mads Pedersen shows up we think he might take it. He took it last year over Fred Wright and he looked liked he was climbing extremely well in the Tour this year, finishing second in the points classification.
Long Shots
Romain Grégoire from Groupama - FDJ we are still big fans of. We're not sure this young twenty year old, who has never raced a grand tour will be able to hold out for the full three weeks - but definitely could be worth a small bet.
Pro Cycling Bets
Another youngster - but two years older, Kévin Vauquelin from Arkéa might take a shot. Once again though. Doesn't have a grand tour in the legs.
Pro Cycling Bets
Enough with the youngsters though - how about trusty ol' Bauke Mollema. He took the points classification at La Vuelta in 2011, and hey it may be more than 10 years later but we still feel he's got something in those legs of his.
Mollema hasn't looked super in form recently though, given that prior to 2023, of the ten times he had ridden San Sebastian he had always placed in the top ten. Alas not this year.
General Classification Contenders
GC contenders always have the possibility of stealing the rug from under an avid competitor for the green jersey. Enric Mas finished third in the rankings last year, just ahead of Evenepoel - both GC contenders for that year's race.
Now you don't just have Evenepoel and Mas, but you also have Roglič, Ayuso and Vingegaard. They'll be fighting for every bonus second, and that often means the points that come along with those intermediate sprints (occassionally given bonus seconds) and winning stages.
It's highly likely that this year the green jersey won't be going to an actual competitor for it, but instead one of those big five who are showing up.
But hopefully we're wrong, it's a little bit more exciting then when there's multiple stories occurring.
