Breaking the UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma Stranglehold: Contenders for the 2024 Vuelta a España
The 2024 Vuelta a España is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated editions in recent history. The Grand Tour has always been a race where the unexpected can happen, and where new stars can emerge while established ones look to assert their dominance. In recent years, the dominance of teams like UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma has made the race predictable in some aspects, with their riders often controlling the race from start to finish. However, the 2024 edition presents an opportunity for other teams and riders to challenge this hegemony and potentially break the stranglehold that these two powerhouse teams have had on the Vuelta and Grand Tours in general.
UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma have been the two standout teams in professional cycling over the past few seasons, particularly in Grand Tours. UAE Team Emirates, led by the phenomenal Tadej Pogačar, has made its mark with aggressive racing, intelligent team strategies, and the sheer talent of its riders. Pogačar’s dual victories in the Tour de France and his continued success in other stage races have cemented UAE Team Emirates as a dominant force.
Jumbo-Visma, on the other hand, has been characterized by its depth and versatility. With riders like Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard, Jumbo-Visma has consistently been at the front of Grand Tours. The team’s strength lies not just in their star riders but also in their collective strategy and teamwork, which have enabled them to control races effectively. Roglič’s three consecutive Vuelta victories from 2019 to 2021, coupled with Vingegaard’s Tour de France triumphs, underscore the team’s dominance.
However, 2024 presents a different landscape. Both teams are coming off intense seasons, and while they remain the teams to beat, several other contenders have emerged with legitimate claims to the Vuelta crown. These riders and their teams are eager to break the UAE and Jumbo-Visma stranglehold and take the fight to the heavyweights.
Remco Evenepoel is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young talents in the world of cycling. The 24-year-old Belgian phenom has been a sensation since turning professional, and 2024 could be the year he truly asserts himself as a Grand Tour winner. Evenepoel’s victory at the 2022 Vuelta a España was a breakthrough, demonstrating his ability to dominate in the mountains and against the clock.
Evenepoel’s time trialing prowess is unmatched by most of his competitors, which gives him a significant advantage in any Grand Tour. However, it’s his improved climbing ability that makes him a genuine contender for the Vuelta. With a team like Soudal Quick-Step behind him, which has been steadily improving its roster to support Evenepoel’s ambitions, he could be the one to dethrone the giants.
In 2024, Evenepoel’s preparation has been meticulously planned, focusing on key races that allow him to fine-tune his form without overextending himself. His recent performances in one-week stage races have been strong, and he’s shown that he can compete with and beat the likes of Pogačar and Vingegaard on his day. Evenepoel’s challenge will be maintaining consistency over three weeks, particularly in the high mountains where the Vuelta is often won or lost.
Enric Mas has been Movistar’s great hope for several years, and he continues to carry the weight of Spanish cycling on his shoulders. Mas has shown himself to be a consistent performer in Grand Tours, with multiple podium finishes at the Vuelta a España. The 2024 Vuelta presents another opportunity for Mas to challenge for the overall victory, and with the support of a rejuvenated Movistar team, he could be a significant threat.
Mas’s strengths lie in his climbing and his ability to ride consistently throughout a Grand Tour. While he may not have the explosive power of some of his rivals, his endurance and tactical acumen make him a formidable competitor in the mountains. In 2024, Mas will need to focus on minimizing his losses in time trials and seizing opportunities in the mountain stages, where his climbing prowess can make a difference.
Movistar has also bolstered its lineup with strong domestiques who can support Mas in the crucial stages of the race. The team’s experience in the Vuelta, combined with Mas’s growing maturity as a Grand Tour leader, could be the perfect combination for a serious challenge to the UAE and Jumbo-Visma dominance.
While Tadej Pogačar has been the undisputed leader of UAE Team Emirates, João Almeida has steadily emerged as a formidable contender in his own right. The Portuguese rider has consistently delivered strong performances in Grand Tours, particularly in the Giro d’Italia, where his resilience and time-trialing skills have made him a standout performer.
In 2024, Almeida’s role within UAE Team Emirates could be pivotal. If the team decides to split leadership responsibilities or if circumstances in the race dictate it, Almeida could find himself in a position to challenge for the overall title. His steady and consistent riding style is well-suited to the Vuelta’s challenging terrain, and he has the ability to stay with the best in the mountains while also gaining time in the race against the clock.
Almeida’s chances will largely depend on how UAE Team Emirates manages its resources during the race. With Pogačar likely to be the primary focus, Almeida could either play a supporting role or become the team’s leader if the situation arises. His versatility and strength make him a dark horse contender, especially if he’s given the freedom to race for himself.
Geraint Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France winner, remains one of the most experienced and savvy riders in the peloton. At 38, Thomas is entering the twilight of his career, but his performances in recent years suggest that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. His second-place finish at the 2023 Giro d’Italia was a testament to his enduring class and resilience.
INEOS Grenadiers, a team that has dominated Grand Tours in the past, has been in a period of transition, with younger riders coming through the ranks. However, Thomas’s leadership and experience could be crucial in the Vuelta, particularly if the team aims to challenge the likes of UAE and Jumbo-Visma.
Thomas’s ability to manage a three-week race, his tactical intelligence, and his time-trialing skills make him a contender for the Vuelta. While he may not be as explosive as the younger riders, his consistency and ability to perform in high-pressure situations could see him in the mix for the red jersey. INEOS Grenadiers’ depth also provides Thomas with a strong support system, which could be decisive in the critical stages of the race.
Simon Yates is another rider who has shown he has the capability to win a Grand Tour. The Briton, who won the 2018 Vuelta a España, has often been a contender in the mountains, with a riding style that is both aggressive and opportunistic. Yates’s ability to attack and gain time on his rivals in the mountains makes him a dangerous competitor, particularly in a race like the Vuelta where the route often favors climbers.
Yates’s form in 2024 has been encouraging, with solid performances in various stage races that suggest he is in good shape heading into the Vuelta. Team Jayco AlUla has built its squad around Yates, ensuring that he has the support he needs in both the mountains and on the flatter stages.
For Yates, the key to success will be consistency. In the past, he has been prone to occasional off days, which have cost him dearly in the overall standings. If he can avoid these pitfalls and maintain a high level throughout the three weeks, Yates has the talent and experience to challenge for his second Vuelta title.
While the aforementioned riders are among the top contenders, there are several other cyclists who could make a significant impact on the 2024 Vuelta a España.
Mikel Landa, the enigmatic Basque climber, has long been a favorite among cycling fans for his aggressive and fearless style. Although he has often been the nearly man in Grand Tours, finishing just outside the podium on multiple occasions, Landa’s ability to animate a race is undeniable. The Vuelta’s mountainous terrain suits him perfectly, and if everything falls into place, Landa could be a serious contender for the overall win.
David Gaudu has been steadily improving over the past few seasons, emerging as one of France’s brightest hopes in Grand Tours. Gaudu’s climbing abilities are well-suited to the Vuelta, and his recent performances in the Tour de France and other stage races suggest that he is ready to take on a leadership role. If Gaudu can navigate the challenges of a three-week race, he could be in contention for a podium finish.
Sepp Kuss has been one of the most reliable domestiques in the peloton, particularly in his support of Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard. However, Kuss has also shown that he has the potential to lead a team in his own right. If Jumbo-Visma decides to give Kuss a leadership role in the Vuelta
