Teams & Riders He's coming home!!!! Alejandro Valverde comeback thread.

[Nirvana]

Cassani said he was very near to catch Nibali before Scarponi was stopped.
Could be different if he was in Nibali wheels on the start of Risoul climb, a finish with or near Chaves i presume and so less than a minute to maglia rosa.

 

[Arredondo]

It's gonna be an ugly podium. But i think it's going to be a podium.

Tomorrow he will have even more problem to follow Nibali and Chaves. If Kruijswijk is decent, he will even lose time on him in his current state.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

It's gonna be an ugly podium. But i think it's going to be a podium.

Tomorrow he will have even more problem to follow Nibali and Chaves. If Kruijswijk is decent, he will even lose time on him in his current state.

An ugly podium... what does that even mean. LOL.

He got his stage win. He was never going to be a superman in these kinda stages, even tho I had my hopes up, obviously, since the start. I don't really know what you really are on about. Yes, Kruijswijk crashed, but thats about as important or even more important at this point than being able to time trial - descending, staying on your bike. Its not something you should neglect, its a real ability and Valverde is one of the best at that.

I think you have been overly pessimistic and negative in this Giro. I like you and respect you, but I would like to see you a little more positive. Valverde is no superman and you know it. Don't demand too much,

 

[Red Rick]

Well, a podium would fit Valverde. He hasn't been in the fight a GT win till the very end for a very, very long time

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

It's gonna be an ugly podium. But i think it's going to be a podium.

Tomorrow he will have even more problem to follow Nibali and Chaves. If Kruijswijk is decent, he will even lose time on him in his current state.

An ugly podium... what does that even mean. LOL.

He got his stage win. He was never going to be a superman in these kinda stages, even tho I had my hopes up, obviously, since the start. I don't really know what you really are on about. Yes, Kruijswijk crashed, but thats about as important or even more important at this point than being able to time trial - descending, staying on your bike. Its not something you should neglect, its a real ability and Valverde is one of the best at that.

I think you have been overly pessimistic and negative in this Giro. I like you and respect you, but I would like to see you a little more positive. Valverde is no superman and you know it. Don't demand too much,

I'm just pissed of because of Kruijswijk. I'm not even a fan of him, but it would be such a fairytale: the first Dutch GT-winner since Joop Zoetemelk. And he was the best guy in this race, which makes his stupid mistake hard to accept

But descending is also part of the sport. And we all know his weakness is downhill. So it was his own fault. But Kruijswijk deserves at least a podium spot. That's why i would be disappointed if Bala takes the podium. Despite the fact he rode well in most part of the Giro.

An ugly podium is ofcourse too harsh. Because he rode too over 3000 kilometers and made the race. But you know what i mean, right?

 

[Fernandez]

Valverde has spent his whole career trying to make podiums in GTs, not wins. He has never been a GT winner material; a second tier in these races. Its a pity that he hadnt someone clever at his side when he started his career that guided him in accordance with his abilities. He could have won dozens of GT stages, classics and one week races, instead of hanging on in the top 5 or 10 in every single GT he has raced.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I got you. Sorry for coming off harsh.

If Kruiswijk already is in trouble on Vars, he will have a great time. Majka shouldn't be able to go past him and he will look for an opportunity if anything present itself like he's always done. I doubt he will force anything, but I would be glad to be wrong.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

I got you. Sorry for coming off harsh.

If Kruiswijk already is in trouble on Vars, he will have a great time. Majka shouldn't be able to go past him and he will look for an opportunity if anything present itself like he's always done. I doubt he will force anything, but I would be glad to be wrong.

No problem. When the dust is gone, we all will be reasonable again. Correction: i will be reasonable again

 

[Carols]

Steve K. is demoralized. Bala you can take that podium!

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Valverde has spent his whole career trying to make podiums in GTs, not wins. He has never been a GT winner material; a second tier in these races. Its a pity that he hadnt someone clever at his side when he started his career that guided him in accordance with his abilities. He could have won dozens of GT stages, classics and one week races, instead of hanging on in the top 5 or 10 in every single GT he has raced.

Didn't he win the Vuelta in 2009 ? Still the most versatile rider of his generation. Name a rider who would not like his win record ? The only thing missing is a win at the Worlds and he podiumed a couple.

 

[jens_attacks]

a podium with an asterisk

he will get it if stevie abandons or cracks completely.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Valverde has spent his whole career trying to make podiums in GTs, not wins. He has never been a GT winner material; a second tier in these races. Its a pity that he hadnt someone clever at his side when he started his career that guided him in accordance with his abilities. He could have won dozens of GT stages, classics and one week races, instead of hanging on in the top 5 or 10 in every single GT he has raced.

Didn't he win the Vuelta in 2009 ? Still the most versatile rider of his generation. Name a rider who would not like his win record ? The only thing missing is a win at the Worlds and he podiumed a couple.

I'm pretty sure Froome, Nibali and Contador wouldn't prefer Piti's palmares over their own.

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Valverde has spent his whole career trying to make podiums in GTs, not wins. He has never been a GT winner material; a second tier in these races. Its a pity that he hadnt someone clever at his side when he started his career that guided him in accordance with his abilities. He could have won dozens of GT stages, classics and one week races, instead of hanging on in the top 5 or 10 in every single GT he has raced.

Didn't he win the Vuelta in 2009 ? Still the most versatile rider of his generation. Name a rider who would not like his win record ? The only thing missing is a win at the Worlds and he podiumed a couple.

I'm pretty sure Froome, Nibali and Contador wouldn't prefer Piti's palmares over their own.

So Froome and Nibali have better palmares than Valverde? Get real!

 

[damian13ster]

Re: Re:

Valverde has spent his whole career trying to make podiums in GTs, not wins. He has never been a GT winner material; a second tier in these races. Its a pity that he hadnt someone clever at his side when he started his career that guided him in accordance with his abilities. He could have won dozens of GT stages, classics and one week races, instead of hanging on in the top 5 or 10 in every single GT he has raced.

Didn't he win the Vuelta in 2009 ? Still the most versatile rider of his generation. Name a rider who would not like his win record ? The only thing missing is a win at the Worlds and he podiumed a couple.

I'm pretty sure Froome, Nibali and Contador wouldn't prefer Piti's palmares over their own.

So Froome and Nibali have better palmares than Valverde? Get real!

Nibali has arguably the best palmares among active riders. All GTs + a monument, national championship. Really, he is just missing the worlds (came close)/olympics

 

[Brullnux]

They don't, but Nibali comes fairly close and for what they are specialised in it is much better for them.

Anyway, Piti just needs a WC and Lombardia, and maybe an Amstel to add to his palmares. Maybe Bergen next year gives him a chance, if Spain find allies and ride it hard.

 

[Mr.White]

As for palmares, the best one is Contador's among active riders. Then Boonen, Cancellara and Valverde. After that three comes Nibali. The rest are behind

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Valverde has spent his whole career trying to make podiums in GTs, not wins. He has never been a GT winner material; a second tier in these races. Its a pity that he hadnt someone clever at his side when he started his career that guided him in accordance with his abilities. He could have won dozens of GT stages, classics and one week races, instead of hanging on in the top 5 or 10 in every single GT he has raced.

Didn't he win the Vuelta in 2009 ? Still the most versatile rider of his generation. Name a rider who would not like his win record ? The only thing missing is a win at the Worlds and he podiumed a couple.

I'm pretty sure Froome, Nibali and Contador wouldn't prefer Piti's palmares over their own.

I am talking about versatility not GTs. No rider comes close to Valverde's ability across all types of races as far as the current riders go.

 

[Fernandez]

What I mean is that Valverde has underachieved by far his cycling abilities/posibilities. He shouldnt have focused so obsessively in GT podiums. He could have won 2 stages in every GT he has ridden and even have gotten a top ten, instead of fighting for the podium and barely winning few stages.

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

What I mean is that Valverde has underachieved by far his cycling abilities/posibilities. He shouldnt have focused so obsessively in GT podiums. He could have won 2 stages in every GT he has ridden and even have gotten a top ten, instead of fighting for the podium and barely winning few stages.

Podium might worth more than 2 stages

 

[KyoGrey]

Another precious mark on his legendary palmares.

¡Que grande eres Valverde!

 

[SeriousSam]

Won a stage in every GT, been on the podium of each, won once.
Dominated the Ardennes classics.
Most ever Worlds medals.

 

[Breh]

So happy for him!

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

As for palmares, the best one is Contador's among active riders. Then Boonen, Cancellara and Valverde. After that three comes Nibali. The rest are behind

Well, it seems Nibali is closing...
Great ride from Vincenzo, he has a champion's heart. As Bala concerns, great ride from him too, and a good Giro. If not for that altitude problems, who knows.. He has a podium and stage wins in all three GT's. It will certainly look good on his palmares.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Very happy with the result.

Superb performance in high altitude today. Him losing 3 minutes in Corvara wasn't only down to the altitude, but a bad day as well. At the end of the day, he only lost the Giro with freakin 1.17. Despite never being in the race since Corvara, he actually was rather close.

 

[jaylew]

I would have loved to see him win it but the chance of that was always going to be a bit slim.

Anyway, stage and podium. Mission accomplished!