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

[Koronin]

Impressive as the record is, suppose it's the best he can do if he knows he would never be in with a chance of winning. Suppose it's better than being a dom for a team mate.

He's being a helper for Mas. His role for this Tour is to be Mas' last man standing, guide, helper, coach, teacher. Mas has said Valverde has already given him lesson #1 in how to minimize your losses 101. For the Tour a top 10 may be the best he can do, but it's also what Mas needs as he's there to help Mas improve. La Vuelta is whole other story. One other thing, if you read comments from Mas, Mas wants Valverde there with him fighting for the top 10 as well. Before the Tour Mas said he and Valverde should have good enough form that they'll both be fighting for top 10 spots.

 

[Scarponi]

Its the perfect tour to get into shape with, its legit been hard tempo riding the whole time. Never really had to ride alone up a mountain just staying in the group.

 

[joe_papp]

Looks like Valverde is going for the coveted Zubeldia award this edition

Explain this again, please? I vaguely recall it's for the rider who places highest on GC w/ the least amount of TV time?

 

[Blanco]

. Maybe he wants to put that GT top 10 record so far out there that we'll never see anyone come close to it again in our lifetime?

This record and that one for WC medals will stand very, very long time...

 

[Moviestar]

This record and that one for WC medals will stand very, very long time...

If it wasn't for Freire in Verona, he could have easily grabbed one medal more.

 

[Blanco]

If it wasn't for Freire in Verona, he could have easily grabbed one medal more.

No worries, he'll get one in two weeks..

 

[Koronin]

This record and that one for WC medals will stand very, very long time...

I agree. I will be surprised if we see anyone approach these records in our life time. Both are really crazy if you think about it.

 

[Blanco]

And another top 10 is on horizon (that's 20 ). Icing on the cake would be if he can somehow sneak into break on Cormet de Roselend. I have a feeling he could have some space, as no one would chase immediately. Strong teams (Jumbo, Astana) will have more important things to do, and those who will be in danger for their spots either have no teams or will be tired from previous day (Bahrain).

 

[perico]

Thibaut Pinot... Buchmann... Bernal... Carapaz... Chavez... Nairo... Dan Martin... all trendy Top 10 picks pre-Tour...

Valverde be like “y’all watch this old man go to work.”

 

[Escarabajo]

This is very impressive my the old man. But what is new?
Great performance by Valverde!

 

[Koronin]

And another top 10 is on horizon (that's 20 ). Icing on the cake would be if he can somehow sneak into break on Cormet de Roselend. I have a feeling he could have some space, as no one would chase immediately. Strong teams (Jumbo, Astana) will have more important things to do, and those who will be in danger for their spots either have no teams or will be tired from previous day (Bahrain).

I would love to see him sneak into the break, but with comments he's made I think he feels he needs to be at Mas' side for as long as he can to offer any assistance he can to Mas even if it's just advice. He seems more interested to getting Mas the highest possible place he can, than he does about his own GC placing.

This is very impressive my the old man. But what is new?
Great performance by Valverde!

It's typical Valverde. We're all looking at it as impressive because he's had an off year and he's 40. It is an impressive performance. Otherwise we'd be going, oh this is typical. On the other hand, him being right around the top 10 is typical, so there's that as well. Plus he seems to be enjoying himself more and more as the Tour has continued, which is also a good sign.

 

[Red Rick]

He turning into Zubeldia?

 

[lenric]

Now it would be fun if he pulls a Landis tomorrow.

 

[skippo12]

Even worse than MAL in the final TT. I guess a 12th place is better than any of us expected prior to the Tour. Another Vuelta top 5 is possible based on the fact that he usually performs better in his 2nd GT of the year.

 

[lenric]

Oh well, not good today. I hope he recovers in the Vuelta.

 

[Asero831]

When he got passed by Dumuolin in the 15th km, he simply gave up and did not tried to follow Tom's. Obviously he is tired but this is not new to him.

I would say he is the favorite for the Worlds as i do not think Fuglsang is in his top form. Plus, WvA will focus on the TT

 

[DFA123]

Did he crash today? If not, that is a really shocking performance.

 

[movingtarget]

Did he crash today? If not, that is a really shocking performance.

Yes he and Lopez were very bad. Caruso rode a great TT to move into 10th.

 

[Koronin]

He was horrible today. This is not a good sign for the la Vuelta and an even worse sign for the Worlds.

 

[lenric]

One has to wonder whether today was just an abnormality. Because if it wasn't and both the Vuelta and the Worlds don't run smooth he'll probably think about retirement.

 

[Red Rick]

I can imagine for a 10th place when you're losing it anyway you kind of mentally check out when you have to push through all that fatigue.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Tranquillo amigos, we will get to see him fly in the Worlds and the Vuelta, especially the ladder one. This was just a bad performance, it happens. I have no doubt in my mind that he will show a lot higher level this in the coming races, this was all prep.

 

[Blanco]

So what will going to be on Sunday? First, before the Tour, his form was crap. Then during the Tour he was improving day-by-day, it looked like he perfectly timed his form for the Worlds. And then that TT happened... On top of that it could rain all day on Sunday, which is not to his favor.
Nevertheless, I'm still optimist. I think we shall see a good Bala on Sunday, fighting for the win.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I don't think he has shown much so far to say he could be in contention at the worlds or Vuelta. Unless he is bluffing big style as he more or less wheel sucked his way around the Tour (mentoring Mas?) to get some prep in,. The last ITT was just weird. Hope he is honest with his doms if his form is off for the Vuelta and doesn't make them suffer for him to get a top 10 rather than go for stage wins, which I think would go down better than struggling in GC. Do they have a backup if he is struggling or is it all or nothing?

 

[Koronin]

I don't think he has shown much so far to say he could be in contention at the worlds or Vuelta. Unless he is bluffing big style as he more or less wheel sucked his way around the Tour (mentoring Mas?) to get some prep in,. The last ITT was just weird. Hope he is honest with his doms if his form is off for the Vuelta and doesn't make them suffer for him to get a top 10 rather than go for stage wins, which I think would go down better than struggling in GC. Do they have a backup if he is struggling or is it all or nothing?

For la Vuelta the back up plan is Mas for GC. Before the TT I thought his form was improving and looking better and thought he'd be alright for the Worlds and good for la Vuelta, but then the TT happened. One of the worst of his entire career. If the forecast weather for the Worlds is accurate I'll be surprised if he doesn't abandon the race very early and then just skip the Ardennes entirely.

So what will going to be on Sunday? First, before the Tour, his form was crap. Then during the Tour he was improving day-by-day, it looked like he perfectly timed his form for the Worlds. And then that TT happened... On top of that it could rain all day on Sunday, which is not to his favor.
Nevertheless, I'm still optimist. I think we shall see a good Bala on Sunday, fighting for the win.

Between the TT which was just weird and the cold and rain for the Worlds I don't actually expect him to even finish the race. Landa is co leader for the Worlds anyway and I wouldn't be shocked if it's cold and raining before the start he transfers full leadership to Landa and climbs off early.