Two Americans among Vuelta contendors + more racing news

Americans Tyler Farrar and Chris Horner could make a strong showing at the Vuelta a Espana, starting tomorrow in Assen, The Netherlands. Also, more contract renewals, US Pro info and more bicycle racing news.

• With the entire Tour de France podium as well as last year’s winner taking a pass on the Vuelta a Espana this year, the slate of possible winners is quite large. Some are saying that this could be the year for Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne), who is, in some way, seeking vindication for the doping accusations from Italy and not being able to race in this year’s Tour. Samuel Sanchez, Ivan Basso and Cadel Evans would are in the hunt as well. Garmin-Slipstream’s Tyler Farrar, who has been having a successful close to the season, has also been mentioned as a contendor.
• Astana’s DS for the Vuelta, Sean Yates, says that they will be trying to position Chris Horner for a podium placing. Yates feels that Horner is back on form after a couple of hard falls and thinks his strength may prove decisive in the difficult closing week of the race.
• The US Pro championships also take place this weekend in Greenville, South Carolina. Much of the U.S. domestic pros will try their chances against a select group of Pro Tour riders with the goal of earning the coveted stars and stripes jersey. Hometown favorite George Hincapie will be riding solo, while defending champion Tyler Hamilton will be watching from the sidelines (if at all), due to a doping conviction earlier this year. Weather forecasters say that it will either be hot and muggy or that the region may be inundated with showers from Hurricane Danny, which is approaching the Carolina coast.
• Alexander Vinokourov has said that keeping Alberto Contador as the indisputable leader of Astana is his number one goal. He is ready to pledge himself to Contador’s service.
• Denmark has named an all Saxo Bank squad for the World Championships. Matti Breschel, Nicki Sorensen, Lars Bak, Chris Sorensen and Jakob Fuglsang will all head to Mendrisio to contest for the rainbow jersey.
• Troy Wells (Clif Bar), Barry Wicks (Kona-FSA) and Dee Dee Winfield (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) have joined U.S. National Champion Ryan Trebon in committing to compete at the three-day, $27,000 Cincinnati UCI3 Cyclocross Festival October 9-11.
• Heinrich Haussler will close out his season at the Tour of Missouri, but he is alreadt thinking about next season, with a focus on the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix.
• Sébastien Minard has extended with Cofidis for another year. He has been a pro since 2005.
• Slovenian Tadej Valjavec has renewed with AG2R-La Mondiale for 2010.
• Matteo Bono has re-upped with Lampre-NGC for next season.

Results:

• German Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo) won the fifth and final stage of the Tour du Poitou Charentes, but overall victory went to Gustav Larsson of Saxo Bank.

Tags: alberto contador, Alejandro Valverde, alexander vinokourov, cadel evans, Caisse d'Epargne, Chris Horner, George Hincapie, Heinrich Haussler, Ivan Basso, lampre-ngc, Matti Breschel, Nicki Sorensen, ryan trebon, Saxo Bank, Sébastien Minard, Tour of Flanders, Tour of Missouri, Tyler Farrar, Tyler Hamilton, Vuelta a Espana, World Championships