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

[Moviestar]

And how could you be so sure? He looked pretty sharp to me in his last three races. I would say only two or three guys maybe have a better form, but just maybe...

According to me we agree that Valverde can obtain a good result in Fleche and LBL. The only difference i guess is that you think he can obtain the highest spot on the podium in those races.

Apart from the form there are also other factors that can play a big factor in those kind of races. In Fleche it all comes down on a good positioning at the final climb. Ask Dan Martin how many times he had good legs, but due to bad positioning he blew his chances. Before his winning streak in Huy, i have also seen Valverde badly placed multiple times. There were times then i'd think he would never win in Huy again.

In Fleche he has the biggest chance i think. Liege will be more difficult, as i think he will be isolated very soon. In the prime years he could rely on a Rodriguez, Visconti, Izagirre in the final. For now he needs to adjust his race to that of teams who want to control the race, so that he can sprint to a topposition at the end.

 

[Sciatic]

According to me we agree that Valverde can obtain a good result in Fleche and LBL. The only difference i guess is that you think he can obtain the highest spot on the podium in those races.

Apart from the form there are also other factors that can play a big factor in those kind of races. In Fleche it all comes down on a good positioning at the final climb. Ask Dan Martin how many times he had good legs, but due to bad positioning he blew his chances. Before his winning streak in Huy, i have also seen Valverde badly placed multiple times. There were times then i'd think he would never win in Huy again.

In Fleche he has the biggest chance i think. Liege will be more difficult, as i think he will be isolated very soon. In the prime years he could rely on a Rodriguez, Visconti, Izagirre in the final. For now he needs to adjust his race to that of teams who want to control the race, so that he can sprint to a topposition at the end.

Dan Martin is such an outlier re:his positioning at the bottom of the Mur de Huy that he is not allowed to be used as an example or representative of other riders

 

[yaco]

Doubt the parcours for this edition of Amstel Gold suits Valverde but he is still good enough to achieve a decent result - How he performs in Fleche will be a true reflection of his form.

 

[RedheadDane]

Doubt the parcours for this edition of Amstel Gold suits Valverde but he is still good enough to achieve a decent result - How he performs in Fleche will be a true reflection of his form.

But he made a PROMISE to Valencia!
You know... that "terrible little race, nobody cares about".

 

[Salvarani]

Cortina is much better suited to this Amstel course than Valverde is. Valverde has no chance to win or even podium on this Amstel course. No reason for him to race it at all. Actually I'd say Matteo Jorgenson has a better chance to get a decent result on this Amstel course than Valverde has. Also in his current form Valverde is not going to win Fletcher or LBL. There is no way to make going to Amstel make any sense. Not only that he has skipped Amstel for stage races in the past then gone to Fletcher and LBL.

With all due respect. I wholeheartedly disagree.

 

[Salvarani]

Doubt the parcours for this edition of Amstel Gold suits Valverde but he is still good enough to achieve a decent result - How he performs in Fleche will be a true reflection of his form.

A top 10 shouldnt be too far-fetched in Amstel and would be a good race before main objectives in Fleche and LBL.

 

[Fernandez]

There could be many explanations. Maybe Valencia is just too much for a good preparation for Ardenes. Maybe the same Valverde wants to say farewell to all Ardenes clasics. You know Valverde is probably the best Ardenes rider ever, where he really earned his legend.
But who knows, maybe he really has a chance. I say a top ten is posible, a podium very dificult and a win almost imposible.

 

[Asero831]

He just needs the kilometers of a classic race. He will be guns blazing come LBL

 

[Blanco]

There could be many explanations. Maybe Valencia is just too much for a good preparation for Ardenes. Maybe the same Valverde wants to say farewell to all Ardenes clasics. You know Valverde is probably the best Ardenes rider ever, where he really earned his legend.
But who knows, maybe he really has a chance. I say a top ten is posible, a podium very dificult and a win almost imposible.

I'd say top ten is a reality, a podium is possible, and a win difficult but not impossible.

 

[Koronin]

There could be many explanations. Maybe Valencia is just too much for a good preparation for Ardenes. Maybe the same Valverde wants to say farewell to all Ardenes clasics. You know Valverde is probably the best Ardenes rider ever, where he really earned his legend.
But who knows, maybe he really has a chance. I say a top ten is posible, a podium very dificult and a win almost imposible.

He had no intention on racing the Ardennes at all when the season started. Again on the Amstel course he has no chance to do anything at all.

 

[tobydawq]

He had no intention on racing the Ardennes at all when the season started. Again on the Amstel course he has no chance to do anything at all.

Then suddenly he found his best level and of course he takes the consequence of that and targets the most important/his favourite races.

Also, you repeating over and over and over and over that he has no chance in Amstel doesn't make it true.

 

[Koronin]

Then suddenly he found his best level and of course he takes the consequence of that and targets the most important/his favourite races.

Also, you repeating over and over and over and over that he has no chance in Amstel doesn't make it true.

The course is very bad for him. It's not complicated to understand that. Saying he can win doesn't make it true.
It's very likely the best level he's going to have this year and I don't believe it is close to good enough.
His favorite races are Murcia and la Vuelta. He's said that multiple times.

 

[tobydawq]

So the Ardennes classics where he has the second most victories in history mean nothing to him?

Edit: And I'm not saying he for sure will win Amstel and if he doesn't you can't come and say that that proves you were right, unless he gets trounced like last time.

 

[Koronin]

So the Ardennes classics where he has the second most victories in history mean nothing to him?

Edit: And I'm not saying he for sure will win Amstel and if he doesn't you can't come and say that that proves you were right, unless he gets trounced like last time.

I just said they aren't his favorite races, because they aren't. About 2 years ago he was asked about the Ardennes and his comment was I race them because they have been good to me. I couldn't read how much he actually cares about the Ardennes on that comment.

 

[Asero831]

The race changes everytime MvDP lines up. For sure he will attack 50 km out from Cauberg and only a few can respond to him. Then it will be free for all.

 

[Fantastico]

I just said they aren't his favorite races, because they aren't. About 2 years ago he was asked about the Ardennes and his comment was I race them because they have been good to me. I couldn't read how much he actually cares about the Ardennes on that comment.

I guess that's most likely the problem. You often try to read way too much out of what he is saying despite not knowing how he thinks or feels at all.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Valverde could have easily won Amstel in 2015.

 

[Fernandez]

If the best Valverde couldnt win the race... And now the parcours doesnt fit him the same as Cauberg finish, and the competition is stronger I think.
I bet for a top ten.

 

[Publiuszam]

I guess that's most likely the problem. You often try to read way too much out of what he is saying despite not knowing how he thinks or feels at all.

I agree and spanish cyclists are no Gracian.

 

[Blanco]

The course is very bad for him. It's not complicated to understand that. Saying he can win doesn't make it true.
It's very likely the best level he's going to have this year and I don't believe it is close to good enough.
His favorite races are Murcia and la Vuelta. He's said that multiple times.

For God's sake let the man race what he wants! He feels competitive, he wants to ride top races against top opposition. He'll do Olympics and Vuelta, but don't be surprised if he does the Worlds, or even Lombardia, if he holds this level of form. Hell don't be surprised if he rides another season, man is a born racer and he wants to ride with the best. Stop being bitter because he won't do your silly "Tour of Spanish races only".

 

[Pinot's goat]

For God's sake let the man race what he wants!

Valverde does not read the cycling news forum.

 

[Blanco]

Valverde does not read the cycling news forum.

I didn't mean literally..

 

[yaco]

It is obvious from Unzue's comments in the media that Valverde was switched to AG because of his good form - So in Unzue's mind this is more important than a minor Spanish race.

 

[Salvarani]

It is obvious from Unzue's comments in the media that Valverde was switched to AG because of his good form - So in Unzue's mind this is more important than a minor Spanish race.

Exactly, he is most likely their best chance for a good result in his current form. A good result could be a top 10 or more.

And if he has a "bad" race or it just ending up being a training ride for Fleche and LBL, then so be it.

In before the "I told you so. He never should have gone to the race" posts.

 

[Blanco]

It is obvious from Unzue's comments in the media that Valverde was switched to AG because of his good form - So in Unzue's mind this is more important than a minor Spanish race.

I really doubt Unzue could force Valverde to do a race that he doesn't want at this stage of his career. Simply Valverde saw that he's good already, he didn't need another 5 days of racing with continental teams.