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I'm wondering if that's because they lack a leader or because they lack riders able to protect their leaderKoronin said:I read today that they (Movistar) are planning on going with no leader/no protected rider and like last year's Vuelta each rider can race it as he sees fit for himself.
I read sowehere that they were going for GC with Carapaz and Betancur. Maybe they knew something we didn't.ice&fire said:I'm wondering if that's because they lack a leader or because they lack riders able to protect their leaderKoronin said:I read today that they (Movistar) are planning on going with no leader/no protected rider and like last year's Vuelta each rider can race it as he sees fit for himself.
Ryo took over Gigs profile!!!Gigs_98 said:I think it's now quite obvious that the real reason why Valverde, Landa and Quintana are all going to the tour is that Betancur told the team he wants to be the sole leader of the gt he enters. Moreover the three probably didn't want to ride with Betancur either. They want a chance to win after all.
Looks like you all have been joking for a few hours.Blanco said:Looks like he was hiding his form, even from his own teammates
Escarabajo said:Ryo took over Gigs profile!!!Gigs_98 said:I think it's now quite obvious that the real reason why Valverde, Landa and Quintana are all going to the tour is that Betancur told the team he wants to be the sole leader of the gt he enters. Moreover the three probably didn't want to ride with Betancur either. They want a chance to win after all.
Thats probably the most likely scenario.gospina said:Escarabajo said:Ryo took over Gigs profile!!!Gigs_98 said:I think it's now quite obvious that the real reason why Valverde, Landa and Quintana are all going to the tour is that Betancur told the team he wants to be the sole leader of the gt he enters. Moreover the three probably didn't want to ride with Betancur either. They want a chance to win after all.
Valverde: I can go for combative jersey
Carlos: NO, I am going for that jersey.
Nairo: I can go for the mountain jersey.
Carlos: NO, I am going for that jersey too.
Landa: I can..
Carlos: NO, don't need you in my team! Strictly team players.
Unzue: Carlos, we have to share in this team.
Carlos: FINE, I will play you best of 3 8-ball games for it.
Unzue: Not fair, you have been practicing for years on that.
Carlos: Beer chugging contest then. You four vs me. I win, I lead!
Unzue: No chance there either. Nairo, Landa, Alejandro, get ready for the Tour. La Ronca has spoken.
Valv.Piti said:Betancur has just used the otherwise minor and inferior races like Flèche Wallone, Liege and Romandie as the preparation races they are. What a nice strategy, but I think he should have waited a little longer to show his hand. Unless of course he just went out on 80%. guy is a real tactician after all!
What a legend. Could maybe sneak a stage victory on Sicily?!
Preach!Popchu said:And suddenly, everyone is very optimistic about Betancur. I don't know if a 12 minute effort is representative for the rest of the Giro, but still, very good ITT!
The only thing that is worrisome is the fact he was really bad in the Ardennes and Romandie. I don't think he was hiding, Valverde really needed everyone in Flèche and Liège and Betancur was nowhere to be seen. Valverde is his idol, so he really does everything he can for him. Maybe it was just fatigue, because he was non-stop racing for two months or so.
However, I would like to point out that Betancur is really back on track since more than a year. He had a decent Tour, his form was really great in the Vuelta (I have a feeling a lot of people forgot about his crash) and this year he started his season quite late, but that was because of his injury, no weight issues!
If he's really at his best now (like Giro 2013, which I still doubt to be honest), a stage win and top 10 in GC should be the target. The Sicilia-stages, Montevergine, ... are fantastic opportunities for him, since he's one of the best puncheurs in the field here.
Popchu said:Very hard to rate his performance yesterday since positioning was very import on a finish like that and he was nowhere to be seen the last kilometers.
Sending a team with 8 climbers isn't the brightest idea if Betancur and/or Carapaz go for the GC.