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

[Arredondo]

Re:

I really, really hope he will bonk hard one of the coming stages.

Would be spectacle, but it looks he's just as solid as in 2013.

 

[ray j willings]

He rode today like he doesn't want to be Bertie's Bit5h.
Froome must be laughing is egghead off.

 

[nobilis]

Re:

I really, really hope he will bonk hard one of the coming stages.

Always showing good sportsmanship

 

[Miburo]

What he did saterday was completely understandable, chasing after Contador today was ***.

 

[jaylew]

Re: Re:

I think when you are a legendary allrounder with many talents, having a palmares that reflects that would be great, which is why I think I'd prefer 3rd Tour and 1st Lombardia to 1st Vuelta. Just one of those vs 1st Vuelta is still difficult. Worlds is a no brainer, trumps everything for a rider like Valverde (other than 1st Tour of course).

If he were a k GC only specialist, things are different. As many Tours as possible would make for the greatest palmares then.

There isn't a former TDF podium finisher (2nd or 3rd) in the peloton, past or present, who wouldn't trade that podium spot in the Tour for an overall win in the Vuelta.

I think you are really underestimating the achievement of a Tour de France podium. I would definitely rank it above winning the Vuelta a Espana.

No way. You're going to tell me Pinot's podium last year was a bigger deal than Contador's Vuelta victory? Hell, I had to think about it for a second before I even remembered which of the 3 Frenchies wound up on the podium last year. Even someone like TJ who comes from a country that only follows the Tour would take a Vuelta or Giro win over a TdF podium

In my opinion, yes. A Tour de France podium is a better career achievement than winning the Vuelta a Espana. And I really don't think it's close.

Seriously? I'll be honest, I find this to be one of the most puzzling comments I've read from a long time forum member. I really don't think it's close either but in the other direction. I can go back several years and name Giro and Vuelta winners but I don't think I could do the same for Tour podium finishers

Anyway, this is a Bala thread and he's looking really good for the podium which is great news.

 

[SafeBet]

Re:

I really, really hope he will bonk hard one of the coming stages.

Why?
Unzue or whoever is in the car is the one to blame for me.

 

[SeriousSam]

Valverde's relentless pursuit of glory has led to resentment for close to a decade now. I'm unsurprised many people wish misfortune upon him.

 

[SeriousSam]

Valverde looks like he's on the limit. That doesn't bode well. Would be aweful if Thomas or Contador managed to get third.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Valverde looks like he's on the limit. That doesn't bode well. Would be aweful if Thomas or Contador managed to get third.

I think that will be the case. Then it's really nothing this Tour.

 

[Squirbos_19]

Didn't look too good today, if Nibali and Contador keep attacking and Thomas is let off the leash slightly, Valverde is going to lose his podium.

On a side note I got his water bottle in the neutral zone today

 

[46&twoWheels]

his 3rd place looks shaky

 

[DBotero]

Hopefully today was Valverde's bad day.If not he'll be under big pressure to defend the podium.

 

[ice&fire]

Hopefully today was Valverde's bad day.If not he'll be under big pressure to defend the podium.

Last year he was worsening a bit as MTFs went by (Chamrousse, Risoul, Pla d'Adet) until he dropped big time in Hautacam and finished with a horrible ITT. I'm afraid he won't get better.

 

[Red Rick]

If Froome wins the Tour by less than 2 minutes, he owes it 100% to this man

 

[Moviefan1203]

Re:

his 3rd place looks shaky

We see how he looks the next two days, but he is pretty fortunate that Van Garderen got sick. He has a bit of a buffer now.

 

[bala v]

Re:

If Froome wins the Tour by less than 2 minutes, he owes it 100% to this man

How exactly?

 

[DBotero]

Re: Re:

If Froome wins the Tour by less than 2 minutes, he owes it 100% to this man

How exactly?

Contador fan logic

 

[SeriousSam]

The underlying assumption is apparently that if Froome loses 1 minute from now, regardless of circumstances, it must have meant that he was weak since stage 10 and Quintana could have pulverized him if only Valverde had launched a few blistering attacks from 100km out at various stages.

 

[46&twoWheels]

Quintana and Valverde don't have the balls to do anything apart responding to AC or VN attacks.They've psychologically surrendered to Froome
Like gesink or like tejay was, good shape but not hungry

Pity that those with some balls, Contador and Nibali, are not "healthy"

 

[bala v]

Re:

The underlying assumption is apparently that if Froome loses 1 minute from now, regardless of circumstances, it must have meant that he was weak since stage 10 and Quintana could have pulverized him if only Valverde had launched a few blistering attacks from 100km out at various stages.

Maybe even from 150k , in fact he should attack until he die, i suppose..

 

[ray j willings]

Re:

Quintana and Valverde don't have the balls to do anything apart responding to AC or VN attacks.They've psychologically surrendered to Froome
Like gesink or like tejay was, good shape but not hungry

Pity that those with some balls, Contador and Nibali, are not "healthy"

Well said.. Is DB charge of Movies tatics
WTF are they doing. PATHETIC

 

[Carols]

Re:

Didn't look too good today, if Nibali and Contador keep attacking and Thomas is let off the leash slightly, Valverde is going to lose his podium.

On a side note I got his water bottle in the neutral zone today

Totally Cool!!!!

 

[Fernandez]

He said in an interview after the stage that when he lost ground at the end of the Glandon was because he was a little bit breathless and he knew the climb was over and he was gonna take the group in the descend, so he took those last meters of the climb to to take some breath. He said he wasnt bad at all. And it must be true because he was clearly in control in the last climb of the day that was a three hard kms long. I think the man is gonna take his podium finally. But anyway, im not liking at all the way Movistar is riding these last stages, I expected more from Quintana.

 

[Squirbos_19]

Re: Re:

Didn't look too good today, if Nibali and Contador keep attacking and Thomas is let off the leash slightly, Valverde is going to lose his podium.

On a side note I got his water bottle in the neutral zone today

Totally Cool!!!!

I might post photos of him throwing it later as proof it's his, but I'm on my phone and it takes a bit of time to adjust the photo sizes.

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

He said in an interview after the stage that when he lost ground at the end of the Glandon was because he was a little bit breathless and he knew the climb was over and he was gonna take the group in the descend, so he took those last meters of the climb to to take some breath. He said he wasnt bad at all. And it must be true because he was clearly in control in the last climb of the day that was a three hard kms long. I think the man is gonna take his podium finally. But anyway, im not liking at all the way Movistar is riding these last stages, I expected more from Quintana.

He might be lying though...