I wouldn't change a bit this season. This guy is incredibly talented and tireless. I didn't like him as much before this season, but because of the races and the way he rode them I like him much better. Chapeau Don Alejandro.
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joe_papp said:4th overall in the World Tour rankings, too, for what that's worth.
I've never met him, but he seems like more than just the consummate professional - he seems to genuinely enjoy racing. I liked the fact that he never stabbed Quintana in the back this year, either. Good balance, going for his own trophies but also at least giving the appearance of supporting his teammate.
Did he ever explain what happened in Rio? I don't recall. Was he just on a bad day, or already fatigued from the Tour?
He won't win because bertie will be thereValv.Piti said:Valverde will easily be able to top-5 in TdF with his old schedule and all the riders (I assume) who are racing Il Giro. The closest to real hard mountain stage is the one to Chevalier and its not overly hard.
However, the biggest goal should be to win another Liege. A 4th Flèche in a row would't be too bad either. I don't know about De Ronde, he can't win it, so I wouldn't bother too much. With Izagirre out and Quintana maybe racing Il Giro, Pais Vasco should be another season goal. I still can't believe he hasn't won that yet.
Says the races he still wants to win the most are Amstel, Lombardia and ofcourse the WorldsMr.White said:Bala back to his old schedule, according to him. If he hits peak form we should expect one more good Ardennes campaigne, Tour is also good for him, it's going to be interesting how Movistar will approach the race, will Quintana do the double... In Vuelta he should be very good, given the fact that he is usually better in his 2nd GT. He could be contender in WC also, it's not tailor-made for him, but he could do well. I just really hope that he'll try De Ronde, it would be interesting
Think Movistar said he was doing Paris-Nice instead this year. Kind of a shame, but the renewed focus on stage races early on suggests he might have something big planned for the Ardennes or later in the year.Asero831 said:Will he ride Strade Bianche ?
DFA123 said:Think Movistar said he was doing Paris-Nice instead this year. Kind of a shame, but the renewed focus on stage races early on suggests he might have something big planned for the Ardennes or later in the year.Asero831 said:Will he ride Strade Bianche ?
Think that would be a mistake. There is literally about 18 hours between the end of Strade Bianche and the start of Paris-Nice. To compete at the sharp end of SB, do all post race and doping controls, get to an airport, fly 1200km, get to a hotel in Paris, a good nights sleep and be immediately ready for a week long stage race is a tough ask and seems a bit unnecessary in early March, even for a rider like Valverde. Can't imagine he'll win Paris-Nice with a hard classic in his legs.Mr.White said:DFA123 said:Think Movistar said he was doing Paris-Nice instead this year. Kind of a shame, but the renewed focus on stage races early on suggests he might have something big planned for the Ardennes or later in the year.Asero831 said:Will he ride Strade Bianche ?
I think he'll do both
Hugo Koblet said:Once again showing that he's one of the most agressive riders in the peloton. Chapeau!
It's almost as if he chooses the best tactic depending on the field and particular race. Struggling to recall many hilly classics won recently with a 70km solo break. Aggressive doesn't mean suicidal.El Pistolero said:Hugo Koblet said:Once again showing that he's one of the most agressive riders in the peloton. Chapeau!
Except in the races that truly matter, he sits in someone else's wheel all day then.
DFA123 said:It's almost as if he chooses the best tactic depending on the field and particular race. Struggling to recall many hilly classics won recently with a 70km solo break. Aggressive doesn't mean suicidal.El Pistolero said:Hugo Koblet said:Once again showing that he's one of the most agressive riders in the peloton. Chapeau!
Except in the races that truly matter, he sits in someone else's wheel all day then.
It's early february; it's going to be a long old year if you're starting this already.El Pistolero said:DFA123 said:It's almost as if he chooses the best tactic depending on the field and particular race. Struggling to recall many hilly classics won recently with a 70km solo break. Aggressive doesn't mean suicidal.El Pistolero said:Hugo Koblet said:Once again showing that he's one of the most agressive riders in the peloton. Chapeau!
Except in the races that truly matter, he sits in someone else's wheel all day then.
His tactics in those hilly classics have often made him lose actually. The only hilly race he keeps winning is the one where tactics don't play any role (and it is therefor the least prestigious one by far).
Anyway, the best hilly riders don't ride LBL or aren't in top shape then (Sagan, Van Avermaet and Nibali).
DFA123 said:It's early february; it's going to be a long old year if you're starting this already.El Pistolero said:DFA123 said:It's almost as if he chooses the best tactic depending on the field and particular race. Struggling to recall many hilly classics won recently with a 70km solo break. Aggressive doesn't mean suicidal.El Pistolero said:Hugo Koblet said:Once again showing that he's one of the most agressive riders in the peloton. Chapeau!
Except in the races that truly matter, he sits in someone else's wheel all day then.
His tactics in those hilly classics have often made him lose actually. The only hilly race he keeps winning is the one where tactics don't play any role (and it is therefor the least prestigious one by far).
Anyway, the best hilly riders don't ride LBL or aren't in top shape then (Sagan, Van Avermaet and Nibali).