2012 TDF climber showdown: Evans v. Nibali

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Neither of them is a natural climber, but who will out climb who? Evans has the better record, but isn't getting any younger. Place your bets.

This is only about selective stages with HC and / or 1st category climbs, sans stage 8. The Col de la Croix is simply too short for this comparison.

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah, the Canibali FTW he has one vote (mine) and cuddles none

 

[jens_attacks]

Yeah, the Canibali FTW he has one vote (mine) and cuddles none

not anymore

cadel will be better on the climbs than nibali.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Nibali will outclimb Evans, but not by much.
Evans job is to stay/help the SKY train on the mountains and try and take a bit of time against Wiggins in a dash to the line. In the end the TT'ers will battle each other for the title. Nibali will not factor here.

 

[vcampbell]

In form I think Nibali is a bit better, but overall Evans will own the italian.

 

[karlboss]

Nibali over Evans on the climbs, if nothing else, because he has to.

 

[Ferminal]

Nibali last serious GT got outclimbed regularly.

Evans last GT lost zero time to anyone he cared about.

Only time they have gone H2H probably a tie, or Evans slightly (Zoncolan, Kronplatz, Tonale v Grappa, Mortirolo).

Historically Evans has had quite bad days climbing, historically Nibali has never been able to climb amongst the best.

Both have been impressive on an MTF this season.

Nibali has looked better so far this year than any season previously, so it's hard to say that he will revert back to his normal position in the bunch when it gets serious.

 

[theyoungest]

The Oldie from the Outback beats the Shark. Both on the longer climbs and the short explosive stuff he's better.

 

[karlboss]

Nibali last serious GT got outclimbed regularly.

Evans last GT lost zero time to anyone he cared about.

Only time they have gone H2H probably a tie, or Evans slightly (Zoncolan, Kronplatz, Tonale v Grappa, Mortirolo).

Historically Evans has had quite bad days climbing, historically Nibali has never been able to climb amongst the best.

Both have been impressive on an MTF this season.

Nibali has looked better so far this year than any season previously, so it's hard to say that he will revert back to his normal position in the bunch when it gets serious.

I looked at the giro too, Nibali had reason to ride zoncolan slow in 2010, but not 2011, in 2011 he was quicker than Evans in 2010.

 

[Ferminal]

I looked at the giro too, Nibali had reason to ride zoncolan slow in 2010, but not 2011, in 2011 he was quicker than Evans in 2010.

Evans cracked quite badly in 2010, in any case the stage was 25% longer.

 

[maltiv]

Nibali last serious GT got outclimbed regularly.

Evans last GT lost zero time to anyone he cared about.

Yes, but come on, if not for a silly mistake Voeckler (+about 12 others) wouldn't have lost any time either. The TDF last year was a joke. Evans wouldn't have been any closer to Contador in Giro 2011 than Nibali was.

 

[theyoungest]

Yes, but come on, if not for a silly mistake Voeckler (+about 12 others) wouldn't have lost any time either. The TDF last year was a joke. Evans wouldn't have been any closer to Contador in Giro 2011 than Nibali was.

Evans wouldn't get dropped in the final stages by guys like Gadret and Kruijswijk, I don't think.

 

[Ferminal]

Yes, but come on, if not for a silly mistake Voeckler (+about 12 others) wouldn't have lost any time either. The TDF last year was a joke. Evans wouldn't have been any closer to Contador in Giro 2011 than Nibali was.

Evans in the Giro not having a bad day (same as the Tour) would have climbed at least 1-2 minutes better than Nibali who had a couple of bad days. It's Nibali who has to improve to win this matchup, not Evans.

 

[austy37]

what about wet decending, didnt evans get out decended in 2010 giro?
go evans go however

 

[burning]

what about wet decending, didnt evans get out decended in 2010 giro?
go evans go however

I'm totally sick of "Nibali best descender" attitude here, and in that Giro, Arroyo showed much more crazy stuff in Mortirolo to be honest and nobody mentions about him at all (I know thread is not about Arroyo but Nibali is totally overrated as descending)

 

[webbie146]

Nibali will outclimb Evans if he's on top form.

 

[karlboss]

Evans in the Giro not having a bad day (same as the Tour) would have climbed at least 1-2 minutes better than Nibali who had a couple of bad days. It's Nibali who has to improve to win this matchup, not Evans.

But he was never put under pressure at the tour.
Strength 50/50 between the 2, Form i'll give a slight nod to NIbs, tactics that'll be employed another slight nod to nibs.

 

[cineteq]

Close call, right now I'd give the edge to Nibali...but not by far.

 

[Panda Claws]

what about wet decending, didnt evans get out decended in 2010 giro?
go evans go however

Evans is a great descender too, after all he is an ex-mtb WC if I remember correctly.

He also outdescended Contador + S. Sanchez at last years tour.

 

[theyoungest]

Evans is a great descender too, after all he is an ex-mtb WC if I remember correctly.

He also outdescended Contador + S. Sanchez at last years tour.

You mean when Contador and Sanchez rode away from him together on a descent?

 

[maltiv]

Evans wouldn't get dropped in the final stages by guys like Gadret and Kruijswijk, I don't think.

In the 2010 Giro d'Italia Evans was also getting dropped by the likes of Sastre and Gadret in the final week.

 

[theyoungest]

In the 2010 Giro d'Italia Evans was also getting dropped by the likes of Sastre and Gadret in the final week.

I don't think he was, but even if that's true, he was sick then, and I haven't read any reports about Nibali being sick in the Giro last year.

 

[airstream]

What's the use of numerous comparisons which contradict each other? It is the question with no correct answer.. But I think Evans will be stronger in the high mountains.

 

[Eshnar]

What's the use of numerous comparisons which contradict each other? It is the question with no correct answer.. But I think Evans will be stronger in the high mountains.

This must be the first time ever that I agree with a whole Airstream's post

 

[Panda Claws]

You mean when Contador and Sanchez rode away from him together on a descent?

WTF are you talking about? The stage that Hushovd won in front of EBH in TDF 2011 is where Evans clearly outdescended them both.