-
The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
I'm so with you. I have no idea where the article got that idea. If he really wants to try it again wait til next year please. He needs to be ready for the Worlds this year. Plus I still want him to do the Giro/Vuelta double and skip the Tour. That would give him his best shot at another Vuelta title. (Yeah he's not retiring any time soon, he has too many races and race combos he still needs to try....including racing Flanders which I highly doubt he's racing this year. LOL)
I do have a feeling even though he said after 2016 the 3 GTs in one year was too much for even him, he was so close to top 10's in all three that I wouldn't put it past him wanting to attempt it again. Plus he's crazy enough to think that way and decide to try it again.
Yeah, I would also prefer him to skip the Tour and race those two races and then let Quintana and Landa battle it out in the Tour. Íts also some time ago he was really good in La Vuelta, in 2015 he was spent after his great Tour, in 2016 he was exhausted (lost most of the time Aubisque, if not for that he is top-5 and no Vuelta in 2017 obviously. Apart from F-W, La Vuelta is the race that defines Valv..
I agree with you. Maybe we should be the ones doing the scheduling for the team. He's also said a few times la Vuelta is his favorite race of the year and something about the only way he'll miss it is if he's injured or sick. You can't keep out of it without outside issues.
Re:
this annoys me as fu##. a guy who didn't win a stage, was sucking wheels all the time, following a non win contender like contador in every move, even with 50 km to the finish line, he had a teammate capable of winning the whole thing but he still didn't attack to help quintana... we (true fans of cycling and show) don't need this type of riders AND fans in cycling.Valv.Piti said:
Re: Re:
What annoys me is comments like this!
First, the guy finished 3rd at Le Tour. This is big achievement by any criteria. Had he sucked thousand wheels (which was not the case btw, I will write about it right below), it would still be quite an achievement.
Second, he attacked multiple times, I don't know what race did you watched?! He tried at Plateau de Beille, he attacked multiple times at Croix de Fer, he attacked at Alpe d'Huez as well. Not bad for a wheelsucker if you ask me
Third, he was following Contador you say (which is by the way the main reason for your dislike of his ride at this particular Tour, am I right?). This is called tactics! It's cycling basic. Team holds spots 2 and 3 in the overall, No.4 is on the attack, no.3 follows and protects his and teams interests by not allowing him to gain serious time. Who you think would do the chasing if Contador gained 1-2 minutes? Movistar of course, and very likely Valverde himself cause others are dropped already. Also by following Contador he puts pressure to No.1 overall, his team or he himself must chase if they gain significant time. So it's basic tactics. A true cycling fan, as you called yourself, should've know that.
And fourth, you're calling yourself a true cycling fan, while not appreciating one of the very best riders of this Century?! I don't think so. I rather think you're just Contador fan-boy.
portugal11 said:
What annoys me is comments like this!
First, the guy finished 3rd at Le Tour. This is big achievement by any criteria. Had he sucked thousand wheels (which was not the case btw, I will write about it right below), it would still be quite an achievement.
Second, he attacked multiple times, I don't know what race did you watched?! He tried at Plateau de Beille, he attacked multiple times at Croix de Fer, he attacked at Alpe d'Huez as well. Not bad for a wheelsucker if you ask me
Third, he was following Contador you say (which is by the way the main reason for your dislike of his ride at this particular Tour, am I right?). This is called tactics! It's cycling basic. Team holds spots 2 and 3 in the overall, No.4 is on the attack, no.3 follows and protects his and teams interests by not allowing him to gain serious time. Who you think would do the chasing if Contador gained 1-2 minutes? Movistar of course, and very likely Valverde himself cause others are dropped already. Also by following Contador he puts pressure to No.1 overall, his team or he himself must chase if they gain significant time. So it's basic tactics. A true cycling fan, as you called yourself, should've know that.
And fourth, you're calling yourself a true cycling fan, while not appreciating one of the very best riders of this Century?! I don't think so. I rather think you're just Contador fan-boy.
Re: Re:
blinded fan spotted... I didn't say he wasn't one of the best riders in this century, for me he is probably the most talented rider since jalabert but that DOESN'T MEAN that he is a great rider to watch because he isn't, he is boring as fu##. Second, sky would never let contador gain 2 minutes so wtf are you talking about? it was a great tour because he made his beloved podium, am I wrong? in terms of show, he was a tremendous louis meintjes.Blanco said:portugal11 said:
What annoys me is comments like this!
First, the guy finished 3rd at Le Tour. This is big achievement by any criteria. Had he sucked thousand wheels (which was not the case btw, I will write about it right below), it would still be quite an achievement.
Second, he attacked multiple times, I don't know what race did you watched?! He tried at Plateau de Beille, he attacked multiple times at Croix de Fer, he attacked at Alpe d'Huez as well. Not bad for a wheelsucker if you ask me
Third, he was following Contador you say (which is by the way the main reason for your dislike of his ride at this particular Tour, am I right?). This is called tactics! It's cycling basic. Team holds spots 2 and 3 in the overall, No.4 is on the attack, no.3 follows and protects his and teams interests by not allowing him to gain serious time. Who you think would do the chasing if Contador gained 1-2 minutes? Movistar of course, and very likely Valverde himself cause others are dropped already. Also by following Contador he puts pressure to No.1 overall, his team or he himself must chase if they gain significant time. So it's basic tactics. A true cycling fan, as you called yourself, should've know that.
And fourth, you're calling yourself a true cycling fan, while not appreciating one of the very best riders of this Century?! I don't think so. I rather think you're just Contador fan-boy.
Re: Re:
For someone he's great to watch, for someone he isn't, but let me quote you: "We, true fans of cycling and show, don't need this type of riders in cycling".
So I'm not a true cycling fan then, because I like Valverde?!
And you are? :surprised: Because you don't like him, and his place isn't in cycling by your humble opinion! And you like the show. Go to circus then! Plenty of show there.
Cycling is a sport, not a damn show, if you don't know that you certainly aren't a true fan. And true fan should respect biggest riders in his beloved sport, despite he doesn't like some of them!
I don't like Cancellara for example, but I would never say that Cancellara isn't truly great rider, a legend, let alone to say that cycling doesn't need him.
And I'm a blind fan! :lol: What are you then?
portugal11 said:blinded fan spotted... I didn't say he wasn't one of the best riders in this century, for me he is probably the most talented rider since jalabert but that DOESN'T MEAN that he is a great rider to watch because he isn't, he is boring as fu##. Second, sky would never let contador gain 2 minutes so wtf are you talking about? it was a great tour because he made his beloved podium, am I wrong? in terms of show, he was a tremendous louis meintjes.Blanco said:portugal11 said:
What annoys me is comments like this!
First, the guy finished 3rd at Le Tour. This is big achievement by any criteria. Had he sucked thousand wheels (which was not the case btw, I will write about it right below), it would still be quite an achievement.
Second, he attacked multiple times, I don't know what race did you watched?! He tried at Plateau de Beille, he attacked multiple times at Croix de Fer, he attacked at Alpe d'Huez as well. Not bad for a wheelsucker if you ask me
Third, he was following Contador you say (which is by the way the main reason for your dislike of his ride at this particular Tour, am I right?). This is called tactics! It's cycling basic. Team holds spots 2 and 3 in the overall, No.4 is on the attack, no.3 follows and protects his and teams interests by not allowing him to gain serious time. Who you think would do the chasing if Contador gained 1-2 minutes? Movistar of course, and very likely Valverde himself cause others are dropped already. Also by following Contador he puts pressure to No.1 overall, his team or he himself must chase if they gain significant time. So it's basic tactics. A true cycling fan, as you called yourself, should've know that.
And fourth, you're calling yourself a true cycling fan, while not appreciating one of the very best riders of this Century?! I don't think so. I rather think you're just Contador fan-boy.
For someone he's great to watch, for someone he isn't, but let me quote you: "We, true fans of cycling and show, don't need this type of riders in cycling".
So I'm not a true cycling fan then, because I like Valverde?!
And you are? :surprised: Because you don't like him, and his place isn't in cycling by your humble opinion! And you like the show. Go to circus then! Plenty of show there.
Cycling is a sport, not a damn show, if you don't know that you certainly aren't a true fan. And true fan should respect biggest riders in his beloved sport, despite he doesn't like some of them!
I don't like Cancellara for example, but I would never say that Cancellara isn't truly great rider, a legend, let alone to say that cycling doesn't need him.
And I'm a blind fan! :lol: What are you then?
There should be no problem with admiring both Contador and Valverde at the same time as they are both cycling all time greats on their own.
Contador as the most exciting rider of the last 20 years and Valverde as the best legs of this century.
Contador as the most exciting rider of the last 20 years and Valverde as the best legs of this century.
You do realize you can like both Contador and Valverde. They are two of the all-time greats. They also are very different. Contador is/was a Grand Tour specialist, while Valverde is a classics specialist who just happens to be good enough at everything to compete for GC in all types of races and even mix it up with the sprinters on occasion...a true all-rounder. They also have very different styles. Contador will attack from anywhere. Valverde is a much more conservative rider, but will attack IF he thinks it will work. One of the big reasons he doesn't attack as much or as often is because he's more than happy to rely on his sprinting abilities. It's been said (and is true) Valverde can out climb anyone who can out sprint him and he can out sprint anyone who can out climb him. To win a stage or one day race he doesn't have to attack, because he has a great sprint. (Which from all accounts this injury has not effected).
All issues that can't be discussed aside, I enjoy watching both riders. I agree with the call on Valverde too, he doesn't launch the long range attacks, because that is a losing strategy for him. So why would he? The goal is to win the race, if you can wait until the last 200m to do it, that's your business. They all get paid to win races.
Bettini lost a lot of classics where he was the stronger attacking far away from the finish, i remember some Liege where he attacked on every côte in the last 70/80 kms and then was spent in the finale.
For sure was one of the best to see (even if in the 00s Ardennes where almost always a way more entartaining to watch) but with a more conservative style of racing he could have won a lot more giving also how fast he was.
For sure was one of the best to see (even if in the 00s Ardennes where almost always a way more entartaining to watch) but with a more conservative style of racing he could have won a lot more giving also how fast he was.
Re:
2006. Won by Valverde.
Bettini was exciting, but yes he lost results by being too attacking when he was by a long way the best sprinter in the race and not good at keeping a high pace alone for a long time.
Nirvana said:
2006. Won by Valverde.
Bettini was exciting, but yes he lost results by being too attacking when he was by a long way the best sprinter in the race and not good at keeping a high pace alone for a long time.
https://twitter.com/Valverde_Team
The teacher and his students out on a nice ride. I wonder who managed to hang on....
The teacher and his students out on a nice ride. I wonder who managed to hang on....
Valv.Piti said:
He looks really good in the new kit and his jawbreaker. He is gonna smash the spring campaign!
Valv.Piti said:
What a great opportunity those kids have to learn from him. It's always nice to see him take his Junior team out for a nice ride.
Valverde will carry on till at least age 40. The Vuelta is one of his main goals, so i guess he will work for Landa/Quintana in July and will hit a peak then.
https://as.com/ciclismo/2018/01/03/mas_ciclismo/1515002050_379951.html
https://as.com/ciclismo/2018/01/03/mas_ciclismo/1515002050_379951.html
Im okay with that, but I would have preferred a Giro + Vuelta if Landa isn't riding the Giro.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Teams & Riders The Remco Evenepoel is the next Eddy Merckx thread- Started by DNP-Old
- Replies: 29K
-
Teams & Riders The Great Big Cycling Transfers, Extensions, and Rumours Thread- Started by RedheadDane
- Replies: 11K
-
Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread- Started by LaFlorecita
- Replies: 51K
-
Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread- Started by Lequack
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Teams & Riders Everybody needs a little bit of Roglstomp in their lives- Started by johnymax
- Replies: 19K
-
Teams & Riders Chris Froome Discussion Thread.- Started by Miburo
- Replies: 21K
Latest posts
-
-
-
Teams & Riders The Remco Evenepoel is the next Eddy Merckx thread
- Latest: Eddy Evenepoel
-
-
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram