I'm not normally a Vuelta fan but this year is looking good! The return of El Pistolero and he's gunning for Froome, quite a few other promising GC guys too. A cursory glance at he profiles show some interesting summit finishes.

interesting finishes is a understatement, 10 hill top finishes. one with 2.5 km of 1 in 4 goat track . often seen has the poor relative of the other grand tour,s , but bugger the route looks hard. lets hope froome can do it,but contador will be on a mission

Poor relative indeed, no one wants to ride it with all the Spanish skulduggery. I feel sorry for Froome, from last years Vuelta to this he has been outstanding and in any other year he would be lauded as Britain's greatest cyclist, just that Wiggins is casting an awfully big shadow! Unfortunately I don't think even a Vuelta win will let him step out of it.

Did you know that ITV4 are showing highlights all week.

Starting tonight at 9.00pm, and at 7.00 pm for the rest of the race.

As for Froome, has anyone even seen an interview since his bronze medal? Perhaps he prefers it that way.

No sign (yet) of the much speculated move.

ITV4 to the rescue again.

These guys really deserve plaudits for their cycling coverage.

Looking forward to it.

I like his wheels

well they are off,come on froome.and i am not sure froome will be leaving,he has a 3 year contract with sky.and cycling contracts are not like football which seem all about money.i think a lot will hinge on the tour route for 2013

let's hope the Spanish junkie doesn't win, and I don't buy the poisoned meat excuse.

Apparently he's been going well in training; but training and racing are very different things.

I didn't think for a minute that Froome was going to move, but his form this year will have done his negotiating position / value no harm at all.

Interesting start; didn't the Rabobank boys look.... upset

So has anyone been watching? What a GT!! Sensational stuff and some truly epic finishes and climbing. Contador has been a joy to watch, relentlessly attacking and J-Rod countering. Le Tour next year should be a corker.

It's been good to watch.....Contador is really trying everything to get the red jersey, his tac tics have smashed Chris Froome and Team Sky

It's been must watch telly every evening.

Last nights finishing climb was eye watering. I do think that Purito has the measure of Contador... so far.

It may be the way he's running it, but I do feel for Chris Froome, he is just not getting the same degree of support that Brad got in the tour. Still an impressive ride though, especially given his season.

Froome pointed out that he has a lot to learn from the explosive attacking riders in this years Vuelta......and Team Skys approach to the Tour was spot on but I don't think they will have it so easy again.

That stage finish today was just evil. Horrible surface, narrow and wickedly steep. Amazing to see top riders get over the line and virtually stop dead and need pushed to stop them toppling.

And seeing Contador and Froome crack on a climb!!