Vuelta a España 2024: The Contenders Looking to End UAE Team Emirates’ and Jumbo-Visma’s Dominance
The Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s most grueling and unpredictable Grand Tours, returns in 2024 with a highly competitive field of riders all vying for the prestigious red jersey. Over the past few years, the race has been dominated by two powerhouse teams: UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma. With their rosters packed with talent, these teams have consistently been at the forefront of the competition, leaving little room for others to challenge their supremacy. However, 2024 brings new hope for a cadre of contenders eager to dethrone the reigning giants and etch their names in the annals of cycling history.
Before delving into the challengers, it’s essential to understand the formidable nature of the teams they aim to surpass. UAE Team Emirates, led by the indomitable Tadej Pogačar, has become synonymous with Grand Tour success. Pogačar, a two-time Tour de France winner, has established himself as one of the most versatile and resilient riders of his generation. His ability to dominate in the mountains, time trials, and even sprint finishes makes him a perennial favorite in any race he enters.
Jumbo-Visma, on the other hand, has built a reputation as a well-oiled machine, consistently placing multiple riders in contention across the Grand Tours. With stars like Primož Roglič, a three-time Vuelta winner, and Jonas Vingegaard, who won the Tour de France twice, Jumbo-Visma has a wealth of experience and tactical acumen. Their depth allows them to execute complex race strategies, often overwhelming their competitors with sheer numbers and teamwork.
Both teams have honed their rosters for the 2024 Vuelta, aiming to continue their dominance. UAE Team Emirates will likely focus on Pogačar, supported by a strong contingent of climbers and all-rounders, while Jumbo-Visma could employ a dual-leadership strategy with Roglič and Vingegaard. However, despite their dominance, the Vuelta’s challenging terrain and unpredictable nature mean that anything can happen, opening the door for other riders to challenge the status quo.
Several riders and teams have positioned themselves as serious threats to UAE Team Emirates’ and Jumbo-Visma’s dominance. These riders bring a mix of youth, experience, and raw talent, each with a unique set of skills that could see them emerge victorious in the 2024 edition of the Vuelta a España.
Remco Evenepoel is perhaps the most exciting prospect in the peloton when it comes to challenging the dominance of UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma. The young Belgian phenom has been a revelation in the cycling world, with his aggressive racing style and fearless approach to stage races. After winning the 2022 Vuelta, Evenepoel has proven that he can compete with the very best, and his form in 2024 suggests that he is once again a serious contender.
Evenepoel’s strengths lie in his exceptional time-trialling abilities and his explosive climbing. Unlike many pure climbers, Evenepoel can gain time on his rivals in the individual time trials, giving him a significant advantage in a race like the Vuelta, which often includes several crucial time trial stages. Additionally, his willingness to attack from distance makes him a wildcard, capable of turning the race on its head with a single audacious move.
However, Evenepoel’s success will depend on his ability to manage the grueling three-week challenge of the Vuelta. His team, Soudal Quick-Step, will need to provide strong support, particularly in the high mountains, where UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma traditionally excel. If Evenepoel can maintain his form and avoid the pitfalls of fatigue and injury, he could well be the man to disrupt the established order.
Egan Bernal, the Colombian prodigy who won the 2019 Tour de France, has faced a challenging road in recent years, primarily due to a serious crash that nearly ended his career. However, 2024 has seen Bernal return to something approaching his best form, and he arrives at the Vuelta a España with a point to prove.
Bernal’s climbing prowess is well-known, and when at his peak, he is one of the most formidable riders in the mountains. The high-altitude stages of the Vuelta should suit him perfectly, and if he can recapture the form that saw him dominate the Tour de France in 2019, he will be a serious contender for the red jersey.
The key for Bernal will be his ability to sustain his challenge over the three weeks. The Vuelta is notorious for its punishing stages, and Bernal’s recent injury history may raise concerns about his endurance. However, INEOS Grenadiers are known for their meticulous preparation and tactical expertise, and with the right support, Bernal could once again find himself in the mix for overall victory.
João Almeida is an intriguing figure in this year’s Vuelta, primarily because he rides for UAE Team Emirates, the team that also fields Tadej Pogačar. Almeida has consistently demonstrated his potential as a Grand Tour contender, with strong performances in the Giro d’Italia over the past few years.
Almeida’s greatest asset is his consistency. He may not be as explosive as some of his rivals, but he rarely has a bad day, which is crucial in a race as unpredictable as the Vuelta. His climbing ability, combined with a solid time trial, makes him a well-rounded threat.
The question for Almeida is whether he will be given the freedom to challenge for overall victory or if he will be required to support Pogačar. UAE Team Emirates have previously shown a willingness to back multiple leaders, and if Almeida is given the opportunity to race for himself, he could emerge as a genuine contender.
Richard Carapaz, the 2019 Giro d’Italia winner and a proven Grand Tour contender, is another rider who could pose a serious threat in the 2024 Vuelta a España. Carapaz is known for his tenacity and ability to perform under pressure, qualities that are essential for success in a race as unpredictable as the Vuelta.
Carapaz has shown that he can match the best climbers in the world, and his aggressive racing style often puts his rivals on the back foot. After moving to EF Education-EasyPost, Carapaz has been given the freedom to lead the team, and he will undoubtedly be looking to add another Grand Tour title to his palmarès.
The key for Carapaz will be his ability to maintain consistency throughout the race. The Vuelta is known for its brutal climbs and unpredictable weather, and any weakness can be quickly exploited by the likes of Pogačar or Roglič. However, Carapaz’s experience and resilience make him a formidable opponent, and he could be the man to end the dominance of UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma.
Mikel Landa is another rider with the potential to challenge for the Vuelta title. The Basque climber has long been considered one of the most talented riders in the peloton, but he has often been hampered by bad luck and inconsistent form. However, when on song, Landa is one of the best pure climbers in the world, and the Vuelta’s mountainous terrain plays to his strengths.
Landa’s challenge will be maintaining his form over the three weeks of racing. In previous Grand Tours, he has shown flashes of brilliance, only to fade in the latter stages. However, with the backing of a strong Bahrain Victorious team, Landa could be a dark horse for the red jersey. The Vuelta’s unpredictable nature means that a rider like Landa, who is willing to take risks and attack when least expected, could well find himself in contention as the race heads into its decisive stages.
The Wildcards
In addition to the established contenders, the 2024 Vuelta a España could also see a number of wildcard riders emerge as serious threats. Young talents like Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS Grenadiers) and Gino Mäder (Bahrain Victorious) have the potential to shake up the race, particularly if they are given the freedom to ride for themselves.
Rodríguez, a rising star in Spanish cycling, has shown his potential in one-week stage races and could use the Vuelta as a platform to announce himself as a future Grand Tour contender. Mäder, who had a breakthrough performance in the 2021 Giro d’Italia, has the climbing ability to match the best and could be a surprise package if he can maintain consistency throughout the race.
A Battle for the Ages
The 2024 Vuelta a España promises to be one of the most competitive editions in recent memory. While UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma will undoubtedly start as favorites, the depth of talent in the peloton means that their dominance is far from assured. Riders like Remco Evenepoel, Egan Bernal, João Almeida, Richard Carapaz, and Mikel Landa all have the potential to challenge for the red jersey, and the race’s unpredictable nature means that surprises are always possible.
As the riders tackle the brutal climbs, treacherous descents, and unpredictable weather of the Vuelta, cycling fans around the world will be treated to a thrilling battle for supremacy. Whether the established giants will maintain their hold on the race, or if a new champion will emerge
Leave a Reply