It's Yer Vuelta a Espana in Preview, Part Tres: the Climbeurs, the Roleurs, and the Sprinteur(s)!

Okay, we got the course.  We got the crazy-!@#, anything-goes GC.  So who's *not* going for GC but *is* going for some mountains glory, the breaks, and the wholly out-of-place sprints?  These boys!

The Climbeurs: Yes, the Izagirres are there to shepherd Lopez.  But *damn*, can these brothers climb, and *geez*, do they deserve a shot of their own during the Basque Country stages 11-13.  Mikel Nieve, set to back wee Esteban Chaves but a Grand Tour stage winner in his own right and an oldie-but-goodie.  Euskadi-Murias is rightly all in for Oscar Rodriguez, who's had an incredible season and !@#dammit I don't want him poached by some sucky non-Basque squad next year!  Hey, anyone else seeing a distinctly Carrot-tinged theme here?  Damn straight, this is the Vuelta, pal! From Movistar, whichever two tines of the trident get their feelings hurt when Unzue declares them lunchmeat.  Maybe even the all-terrain Tejay, if the stars align. And Little Puma from Cofidis. Aupa Oscaaaaaaaaaaaaar!

The Roleurs: we ain't got that many breaks in this Vuelta, but dang, we've got some heavy hitters to ride 'em.  Quick-Step's last dance with Lotto-bound veteran Philippe Gilbert. Astana's LL Cool Sanchez, who seems to take a stage win in every Grand Tour he rides in.  Degenstache and Haagen-Dasz. Thomas De Gendt.  Dylan Teuns.    Might as well leave the Wolfpack on a high note, Gilbert!

The Sprinteur(s): Look, Sam Bennett and Fernando Gaviria, and possibly Jon Aberasturi aside, most of these guys have already run screaming home and are hiding behind their momma's skirts.  But there is some surprising additional firepower, mainly from Classics guys with the power to be fast on an uphill finish, who also coincide nicely with the Roleurs.  The mighty Degenstache.   Edvald Boassen Haagen-Dasz.  Luka Mezgec, a little Michelton-Scott diversion from the Chaves GC fight.  As for the rest of you studly braggart fast guys--well, there's not *too* much shame in cowering elsewhere til the Vuelta is over!

All right, I've thrown you all what bones I can, but we all know it's all about the Carrots, past and future.  No offense to darling little Chaves, but screw the GC you're working for--aupa grande Mikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel, and let's get to the mountains already!