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

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

We don't know how Quintana will be after the Giro, but if he feels OK, it would be incredibly shortsighted for Movistar to rely on Valverde as their main rider for the Tour. What makes you think that at 37 he will suddenly transform himself into a Tour contender? Even with this year's route, it only takes one hard high-mountain stage for him to lose minutes to the best climbers, and the Izoard stage is plenty hard.

I wouldn't be surprised if Quintana won't do the Tour. If he "gets sick" or something before the start.

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

We don't know how Quintana will be after the Giro, but if he feels OK, it would be incredibly shortsighted for Movistar to rely on Valverde as their main rider for the Tour. What makes you think that at 37 he will suddenly transform himself into a Tour contender? Even with this year's route, it only takes one hard high-mountain stage for him to lose minutes to the best climbers, and the Izoard stage is plenty hard.

Well, I would suggest that his performances this year speak for themselves, what with him being the best of the GC contenders at time trialing and climbing...

And regarding him losing minutes, I only see that as a real risk on the Izoard stage (and I did write that that could be problematic).

I'm not calling him the favorite but he has a much bigger chance than usually, if he can keep his level. And he is definitely not guaranteed to have an off-day.

Edit: And I don't know if you've checked the parcours but a big part of the reason for my belief in Valverde can be explained by doing that. It's a different route this year, much suited to Valverde's characteristics.

 

[Velolover2]

He should target the WC time trial this year. Don't think he can win it, but a podium is possible. He has a better chance for a good result than in the road race.

He has been better than ever in mid-length time trials this year and the climb of the road race is tailor-made for him. Very steep and irregular.

And the funny thing is, he actually gained time on Contador and co. on the flat. He is underrated as a rouleur.

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

We don't know how Quintana will be after the Giro, but if he feels OK, it would be incredibly shortsighted for Movistar to rely on Valverde as their main rider for the Tour. What makes you think that at 37 he will suddenly transform himself into a Tour contender? Even with this year's route, it only takes one hard high-mountain stage for him to lose minutes to the best climbers, and the Izoard stage is plenty hard.

Well, I would suggest that his performances this year speak for themselves, what with him being the best of the GC contenders at time trialing and climbing...

And regarding him losing minutes, I only see that as a real risk on the Izoard stage (and I did write that that could be problematic).

I'm not calling him the favorite but he has a much bigger chance than usually, if he can keep his level. And he is definitely not guaranteed to have an off-day.

Edit: And I don't know if you've checked the parcours but a big part of the reason for my belief in Valverde can be explained by doing that. It's a different route this year, much suited to Valverde's characteristics.

The Izoard stage isn't the only time they go high, stage 17 they climb both the Croix de Fer and the Galibier. He could also have issues with stage 12 if they decide to go on the Peyresourde but in saying all this the way they have been racing the Tour in the last few years then I doubt anyone will be putting pressure on early which would suit Valverde perfectly.

 

[Nirvana]

With the Tour riding style of last years there isn't a stage where he is likely to crack if he doesn't have problems.
Stations des Rousses is perfect for him to grab time bonuses.
Chambery stage it's likely to finish with a no contest between the GC guys like Culoz stage last year.
Peyragudes finale it's the same of Vuelta 2013 where he was with Nibali, Horner and Rodriguez.
Foix it'a a joke of a mountain stage.
Galibier could be a problem for the altitude but i don't think they'll put the hammer down like Orica at the Giro on the Agnello and if he lose 30''/1'00'' there are 30 kms to the finish to close the gap.
And on the Izoard i don't think he will have problems, last years at the Giro on the Lombarda at similar altitude was the second strongest after Nibali.

 

[WheelofGear]

Izoard is much much better for Valverde than Telegraphe+Galibier.. Steeper and less high cadence and marathon-like.

Luckily for him, he is one of the best descenders in the peloton, so I can gain some time back.

 

[ice&fire]

Re:

Izoard is much much better for Valverde than Telegraphe+Galibier.. Steeper and less high cadence and marathon-like.

Luckily for him, he is one of the best descenders in the peloton, so I can gain some time back.

One of the best descenders in the peloton... who lost his chance to wear the yellow jersey last year in the descent of Peyresourde. He needs to improve his attentiveness and learn to pedal like Froome

 

[WheelofGear]

Re: Re:

Izoard is much much better for Valverde than Telegraphe+Galibier.. Steeper and less high cadence and marathon-like.

Luckily for him, he is one of the best descenders in the peloton, so I can gain some time back.

One of the best descenders in the peloton... who lost his chance to wear the yellow jersey last year in the descent of Peyresourde. He needs to improve his attentiveness and learn to pedal like Froome

True, but I don't think Valverde was to blame there. He was way back. Quintana who was supposed to mark him and sit on his wheel was sleeping too. He thought it could be an easy reduced sprint to the finish but Froome attacked while he was receiving a bottle. Quintana got trolled big time. :lol:

 

[jens_attacks]

Re: Re:

Izoard is much much better for Valverde than Telegraphe+Galibier.. Steeper and less high cadence and marathon-like.

Luckily for him, he is one of the best descenders in the peloton, so I can gain some time back.

One of the best descenders in the peloton... who lost his chance to wear the yellow jersey last year in the descent of Peyresourde. He needs to improve his attentiveness and learn to pedal like Froome

that was a descent for power not technical at all. also he had nairo to babysitt

yep i think this is the year. valverde to win le tour, podium vuelta and win worlds and lombardia.

it will be awesome.

 

[hfer07]

Re:

be honest Valverde will be a super help for Nairo no more

It all comes down to what shape Nairito arrives into the Tour after winning Il Giro and well knowing this year's parcours is much more suitable to Valverde than Nairito due to the lack of high mountains & less ITT kms, so I tend to agree with you, IF Nairo falters....

 

[tobydawq]

A new oracle has come to town.

 

[Jspear]

well i used to bet and i have very important help in doing this .

Who? ...please help me, a mere mortal.

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

Izoard is much much better for Valverde than Telegraphe+Galibier.. Steeper and less high cadence and marathon-like.

Luckily for him, he is one of the best descenders in the peloton, so I can gain some time back.

One of the best descenders in the peloton... who lost his chance to wear the yellow jersey last year in the descent of Peyresourde. He needs to improve his attentiveness and learn to pedal like Froome

that was a descent for power not technical at all. also he had nairo to babysitt

yep i think this is the year. valverde to win le tour, podium vuelta and win worlds and lombardia.

it will be awesome.

Totally unlike the Galibier descent in question

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

He should target the WC time trial this year. Don't think he can win it, but a podium is possible. He has a better chance for a good result than in the road race.

He has been better than ever in mid-length time trials this year and the climb of the road race is tailor-made for him. Very steep and irregular.

And the funny thing is, he actually gained time on Contador and co. on the flat. He is underrated as a rouleur.

Come on, we've been over this before with other climbers that can TT decently. A WC ITT is different than a TT in a stage race. When push comes to shove, the specialists end up on top.
PS. Contador is hardly a good rouleur so not really the best measuring stick

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

He should target the WC time trial this year. Don't think he can win it, but a podium is possible. He has a better chance for a good result than in the road race.

He has been better than ever in mid-length time trials this year and the climb of the road race is tailor-made for him. Very steep and irregular.

And the funny thing is, he actually gained time on Contador and co. on the flat. He is underrated as a rouleur.

Come on, we've been over this before with other climbers that can TT decently. A WC ITT is different than a TT in a stage race. When push comes to shove, the specialists end up on top.
PS. Contador is hardly a good rouleur so not really the best measuring stick

Yeah, I don't think he would win either, but can you honestly say that you see Tony Martin going faster than Valverde on a route like that? With 3 km at 9 percent?

I can't but Martin is of course one of the worse climbers of the good rouleurs - riders like Dumoulin, Castroviejo, Roglic and especially Dennis and Froome stand out as bigger favorites than Valverde in my opinion.

But it could be interesting to see him try as he has been pretty impressive in his time trials this season (two second places behind Campenaerts and Roglic).

 

[portugal11]

These days contador isn't a good time trialist. In his prime he was in the top 5 of best time trialists in the world

 

[Cookster15]

Re:

These days contador isn't a good time trialist. In his prime he was in the top 5 of best time trialists in the world

Correct. Two examples that come to my mind are beating Fabian in 2009 at Annecy and losing only a minute to Evans in Grenoble in 2011 despite the Giro and crashes. But AC hasn't shown that TT strength since he returned from his ban. On the other hand "old man" Valverde seems to be as strong as ever and since he isn't doing the Giro this year like 2016 he must be considered a serious contender for Le Tour.

 

[portugal11]

Re: Re:

These days contador isn't a good time trialist. In his prime he was in the top 5 of best time trialists in the world

Correct. Two examples that come to my mind are beating Fabian in 2009 at Annecy and losing only a minute to Evans in Grenoble in 2011 despite the Giro and crashes. But AC hasn't shown that TT strength since he returned from his ban. On the other hand "old man" Valverde seems to be as strong as ever and since he isn't doing the Giro this year like 2016 he must be considered a serious contender for Le Tour.

In flat time trials, only the 2015 giro's time trial comes to my mind.

 

[Valv.Piti]

100% naturaleza.

I suppose he will ride Dauphine after the long break where he probably will be mediocre as he always is Suisse/Dauphine (which is totally understandable after his spring program). Im so excited to see how good he will be in Tour de France!

 

[Netserk]

Surely, he should have ridden and won Romandie as well. Or is he just lazy?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Surely, he should have ridden and won Romandie as well. Or is he just lazy?

Could have won the two MTFs så let som storken snupper en frø.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Re: Re:

Surely, he should have ridden and won Romandie as well. Or is he just lazy?

Could have won the two MTFs så let som storken snupper en frø.

No Norwegian, please. This is an english language forum.

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

Surely, he should have ridden and won Romandie as well. Or is he just lazy?

Could have won the two MTFs så let som storken snupper en frø.

No Norwegian, please. This is an english language forum.

I'm sure you wrote that just to tease

 

[portugal11]

Re:

100% naturaleza.

I suppose he will ride Dauphine after the long break where he probably will be mediocre as he always is Suisse/Dauphine (which is totally understandable after his spring program). Im so excited to see how good he will be in Tour de France!

You shouldn't be... the last time bala's fans were too excited, we all know what happened

 

[GuyIncognito]

Re: Re:

Surely, he should have ridden and won Romandie as well. Or is he just lazy?

Could have won the two MTFs så let som storken snupper en frø.

No Norwegian, please. This is an english language forum.

I'm sure you wrote that just to tease

"German" would've been too obvious
But you have to admit it would be a plausible mistake. After all, only norwegian and swedish have the ø. Or is it in estonian too?