Alejandro Valverde Discussion Thread

[wheels of fire]

Spanish team indeed did a very poor ride.

They spend one of the most powerful guys, "Flecha" for pulling Contadors silly move.

Contador then rode at the wrong section instead of waiting for final climb. I am dissapointed with him since he played for TV show, not for his team.

Valverde obviously didnt have legs to match gilbert so he attacked too late and he couldnt make Gilbert's wheel at first. Should have waited.

 

[cineteq]

I think that it would have been nice if Freire had retired gracefully without complaining about his team mates some of whom have worked their socks off for him in the past. He was no where near the front when Gilbert attacked and would have been unlikely to have got back to him. Valverde probably did the best he could in difficult circumstances.

You're right.

The Spanish DS said the his team was working for Freire, and that Valverde did the right thing.

De Santos (DS): “Han estado todos con él, arropándole y colocándole. ¿Solo? Han sido 300 metros. Ya no hay nadie en ese momento. Samuel ha hecho su trabajo, Purito también para Óscar, todos han hecho su trabajo para Óscar. Si se han quedado, ¿quién va a estar con él? El único que hubiera podido estar haber estado era Alejandro pero se estaba jugando las medallas, y no hubiera tenido gas para coger a Gilbert”.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=55828

 

[Descender]

You're right.

The Spanish DS said the his team was working for Freire, and that Valverde did the right thing.

De Santos (DS): “Han estado todos con él, arropándole y colocándole. ¿Solo? Han sido 300 metros. Ya no hay nadie en ese momento. Samuel ha hecho su trabajo, Purito también para Óscar, todos han hecho su trabajo para Óscar. Si se han quedado, ¿quién va a estar con él? El único que hubiera podido estar haber estado era Alejandro pero se estaba jugando las medallas, y no hubiera tenido gas para coger a Gilbert”.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=55828

Jesus Christ... where's that "epic facepalm" picture when you need it.

 

[ILovecycling]

Is Oscar really serious?Chase back Phil was impossible,Alejandro did right thing,they have got bronze,thats not perfect but its good.Freire is just selfish little *******

 

[ILovecycling]

Freire shouldn't forget that Valverde led him out to victory in 2004.

Ye,he is sick

Valverde must be sick of always missing the big prize though.

Four podiums without a win

Poor Valverde

Its really shame,but rather I wish him perfect Tour 2013

 

[cineteq]

Its really shame,but rather I wish him perfect Tour 2013

Cheers!

 

[jens_attacks]

if the italians will come again next year with their B team, valverde will finally get his rainbow jersey. that one will be too tough for phil

 

[echelon]

Its safe to say Alejandro is pretty much back to his best form , able to be competitive over 250+ km and still have the punch at the end , which he didn't have for the Ardenne classics. I would like to see him ride the Giro Di Lombardia as he is perfectly suited to this race.

 

[the asian]

if the italians will come again next year with their B team, valverde will finally get his rainbow jersey. that one will be too tough for phil

Should be an Interesting battle with Nibali.

 

[webvan]

I think that it would have been nice if Freire had retired gracefully without complaining about his team mates some of whom have worked their socks off for him in the past. He was no where near the front when Gilbert attacked and would have been unlikely to have got back to him. Valverde probably did the best he could in difficult circumstances.

Yes, Freire hasn't been in contention for major wins for years so it's time he retired anyway and what is he on with this "Valverde should have waited for me" story? Valverde couldn't bridge to Gilbert without waiting so how could he have brought back Freire if he had waited ?! Ridiculous as was his "if I don't win I'll retire" whining.

 

[LaFlorecita]

if the italians will come again next year with their B team, valverde will finally get his rainbow jersey. that one will be too tough for phil

Fingers crossed, he deserves one

 

[Panda Claws]

if the italians will come again next year with their B team, valverde will finally get his rainbow jersey. that one will be too tough for phil

I highly doubt that, but we'll see of course.

 

[TheEnoculator]

I'm also with Valverde on his decision, it was the right move and he might have contended for gold if he had chased sooner.

Oscar, just retire already. You are overdue and the peloton won't miss you.

 

[Parrulo]

I highly doubt that, but we'll see of course.

well it certainly won't be as favorable as this year route which was as good as it could ever get for gilbert. next year the route will be tougher then LBL so if they push the tempo really hard on that 5k climb i wouldn't be surprised to see gilbert struggling on the last couple of laps.

 

[orangerider]

Disappointing to see Freire whine and complain instead of congratulating Valverde on his bronze. Freire had no chance whatsoever of taking on Gilbert with his viscous acceleration - obviously nobody had any chance. Even Freire in his prime had no chance, and he's certainly not getting any better. Freire, just quit.

 

[pedromartins]

I'm also with Valverde on his decision, it was the right move and he might have contended for gold if he had chased sooner.

Oscar, just retire already. You are overdue and the peloton won't miss you.

Freire is a legend, an inspiration for those that love cycling as an whole and not only the tour of boredom. He is a great rider.

When he leaves, we will miss him. Amazing cyclist with unique talent and personality.

 

[blutto]

Freire is a legend, an inspiration for those that love cycling as an whole and not only the tour of boredom. He is a great rider.

When he leaves, we will miss him. Amazing cyclist with unique talent and personality.

...yep...one of the greatest cyclists of my time following cycling ( which spans 4 decades )....his panache will be sorely missed by the cycling world...

Cheers

blutto

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I highly doubt that, but we'll see of course.

Agree. Gilbert is the number one favorite for the Worlds next year.

 

[Netserk]

Crossed the 2000 cq point barrier in his first year after the ban, even though he was nowhere to be seen in the Spring classics

 

[Richeypen]

Freire is a legend,
When he leaves, we will miss him. Amazing cyclist with unique talent and personality.

This. Amazing rider. Wa past his best but still deserves respect.

 

[No_Balls]

Spanish team indeed did a very poor ride.

They spend one of the most powerful guys, "Flecha" for pulling Contadors silly move.

Contador then rode at the wrong section instead of waiting for final climb. I am dissapointed with him since he played for TV show, not for his team.

Valverde obviously didnt have legs to match gilbert so he attacked too late and he couldnt make Gilbert's wheel at first. Should have waited.

Yeah, it was indeed a poor ride. I have no idea what went on in the spanish team but it was not pretty. Scrolling around with 6 and more riders in the final 10 kilometers to go, close to the front, and not pulling once is a shame beyond human imagination. And this when the covered 240 kilometers was of the same order. Wouldnt have made any difference anyway given the easy route, but still....

Dont agree with the bolded part. Contador obviously decided to hammer since he figured that no one whatsoever in the spanish camp pulled (but babysitted Freire) so enough was enough. Had he looked after the TV-show he´done that on Cauberg.

 

[Descender]

Agree. Gilbert is the number one favorite for the Worlds next year.

I guess if all nations decide to soft-pedal the Fiesole every single lap then Gilbert could have a chance... but as I highly doubt that, I'd give Gilbert next to no chances of defending his title.

 

[Angliru]

Spanish team indeed did a very poor ride.

They spend one of the most powerful guys, "Flecha" for pulling Contadors silly move.

Contador then rode at the wrong section instead of waiting for final climb. I am dissapointed with him since he played for TV show, not for his team.

Valverde obviously didnt have legs to match gilbert so he attacked too late and he couldnt make Gilbert's wheel at first. Should have waited.

Apparently he hesitated, likely waiting for Freire, when he saw Gilbert building a gap there was no option but to go. No way that had he waited for Freire that he could've reeled Gilbert in.

 

[Angliru]

I'm also with Valverde on his decision, it was the right move and he might have contended for gold if he had chased sooner.

Oscar, just retire already. You are overdue and the peloton won't miss you.

He'll be missed, trust me. He's highly respected among his peers.

 

[cineteq]

In the end, everybody was happy Valverde was able to get a medal.
Although Freire was making sure he wasn't near Valverde