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

[The Hitch]

Where would you rate a Tour/Veulta podium? Would have to be one of the best achievements of the last 10 years

I don't know about the Tour/ Vuelta on its own, but taking into account the Ardennes domination and all the other podiums and smaller wins, add a Vuelta win on top and you have the best season since the 80's.

 

[Red Rick]

Where would you rate a Tour/Veulta podium? Would have to be one of the best achievements of the last 10 years

I don't know about the Tour/ Vuelta on its own, but taking into account the Ardennes domination and all the other podiums and smaller wins, add a Vuelta win on top and you have the best season since the 80's.

And you'd have the July fans still barely knowing who he is, cuz he didn't win anything at the Tour

 

[elfed68]

The guy's pretty amazing, closest we've got to the do it all pre 20 years ago riders who rode everything, he deserves the rainbow stripes this year!

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re:

I expect him to fight for podium/win in this Vuelta and also in Lombardia. I dont know about the Worlds this year. And about to be dissapointed with him, its something that happen sometimes with him, because he is so talented that you are always expecting him to win everything.

He has won 2 hilly classics & podiumed the tdf, one of which is enough for a lot of the top riders like Martin, Kwia, Gerrans,

 

[Arredondo]

He will not win this bike race.

 

[Carols]

I never thought he could.....the last time he won was in 2009 and he's had a Long and productive season. I'll be happy with the podium.

 

[roundabout]

He crashed today, it's possible that it might have affected him.

 

[DBotero]

Well it's not gonna be.No way he's gonna win this,he's doesn't have it at the moment.I hope he'll prove me wrong but i think he'll keep fading.It will be a hard mission to even reach the podium.

 

[Flamin]

Valverde is awaiting x-rays at the moment. Badly hurt his shoulder/collarbone.

 

[Arredondo]

He has nothing broken. Only a contusion of his left shoulder.

 

[Flamin]

Missed the update. Very likely bothered him today though.

 

[joe_papp]

Re:

The guy's pretty amazing, closest we've got to the do it all pre 20 years ago riders who rode everything, he deserves the rainbow stripes this year!

He's amazing!! He actually reminds me of King Kelly, but w/ gorgeous position on the bike and a Ferrari instead of a Citroën AX (not sure where Bala ranks his wife, though... http://www.thebikecomesfirst.com/the-bike-comes-first-the-story-behind-the-name/ ).

PS. Nice to see Roche maintaining top-10 through the first week. Good for him.

 

[DBotero]

Valverde was lucky yesterday to escape so easy.Massive crash
On board camera videohttps://twitter.com/Movistar_Team/status/638227212521467904

 

[DBotero]

He wasn't bluffing that he was injured so no surprise he suffered today.His chances to even podium this are very low maybe he should try to add more stage wins to his tally.

 

[Valv.Piti]

He wasn't bluffing that he was injured so no surprise he suffered today.His chances to even podium this are very low maybe he should try to add more stage wins to his tally.

I'd still say podium. We dont really know how much the crash affected him, he really only knows, but if its gone come stage 14 and onwards (and even if it isnt, Valv will still try to hang on), he should totally still aim for the podium which still is possible. I wouldnt say very low since Dumoulin STILL is a joker and Purito and Chaves are poor against the clock compared to Valv. Okay, compared to most. And then there's still the last 3 days, I havent studied them yet, but opportunities.

Ship has most likely sailed for the overall, but you never know. We have had one real mountain stage so far.

 

[Arredondo]

He wasn't bluffing that he was injured so no surprise he suffered today.His chances to even podium this are very low maybe he should try to add more stage wins to his tally.

I'd still say podium. We dont really know how much the crash affected him, he really only knows, but if its gone come stage 14 and onwards (and even if it isnt, Valv will still try to hang on), he should totally still aim for the podium which still is possible. I wouldnt say very low since Dumoulin STILL is a joker and Purito and Chaves are poor against the clock compared to Valv. Okay, compared to most. And then there's still the last 3 days, I havent studied them yet, but opportunities.

Ship has most likely sailed for the overall, but you never know. We have had one real mountain stage so far.

Be realistic. Bala himself isn't a great TT'er on a flat course. Purito will not lose more then 1 minute on him in Burgos. And in the mountains, Valverde struggles more. I don't see any massive improvement.

And apart from that, he already rode a long and tough year. He was already up there in january. He says he's tired, and i believe him. This year he went deeper then ever to reach that podium spot at the Tour. So he doesn't have the body/legs anymore to be on the podium of the Vuelta.

If i would be Bala, i would already start thinking of the Worlds. He won't podium anymore in the Vuelta.

 

[Velolover2]

I agree with Arredondo. I don't even think Valverde bother to podium even though he is able to do so. He is satisfied. He got his top 3 in the Tour and a stage win in the Vuelta. He has his eyes on the Worlds and perhaps Lombardia which he still has to win. He is having one of the best seasons of his life. A WC or another would make it the best season ever.

I'm hoping to see some attacks from Quintana however. He had a bad day but I'm sure he will try something in the coming stages.

 

[Carols]

The man had a bad crash. He is tired from a long successful season and hurting from the crash. If possible another stage win would be good .

 

[KyoGrey]

Alejandro trying to get a smile of a sulky Quintana after the disastrous Andorra stage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdb6BxaevB4

 

[Valv.Piti]

He wasn't bluffing that he was injured so no surprise he suffered today.His chances to even podium this are very low maybe he should try to add more stage wins to his tally.

I'd still say podium. We dont really know how much the crash affected him, he really only knows, but if its gone come stage 14 and onwards (and even if it isnt, Valv will still try to hang on), he should totally still aim for the podium which still is possible. I wouldnt say very low since Dumoulin STILL is a joker and Purito and Chaves are poor against the clock compared to Valv. Okay, compared to most. And then there's still the last 3 days, I havent studied them yet, but opportunities.

Ship has most likely sailed for the overall, but you never know. We have had one real mountain stage so far.

Be realistic. Bala himself isn't a great TT'er on a flat course. Purito will not lose more then 1 minute on him in Burgos. And in the mountains, Valverde struggles more. I don't see any massive improvement.

And apart from that, he already rode a long and tough year. He was already up there in january. He says he's tired, and i believe him. This year he went deeper then ever to reach that podium spot at the Tour. So he doesn't have the body/legs anymore to be on the podium of the Vuelta.

If i would be Bala, i would already start thinking of the Worlds. He won't podium anymore in the Vuelta.

I think that was pretty realistic. The poster's point was whether he should try for stages or the GC, and knowing Valverde, there is no way in hell he will give up just yet after just one stage in the mountains. My point was that's its still possible, altho it obviously wont be easy at all. He will be chasing the podium as always.

And Im pretty certain that he will put over 1 minute into Purito on that course

 

[Arredondo]

He wasn't bluffing that he was injured so no surprise he suffered today.His chances to even podium this are very low maybe he should try to add more stage wins to his tally.

I'd still say podium. We dont really know how much the crash affected him, he really only knows, but if its gone come stage 14 and onwards (and even if it isnt, Valv will still try to hang on), he should totally still aim for the podium which still is possible. I wouldnt say very low since Dumoulin STILL is a joker and Purito and Chaves are poor against the clock compared to Valv. Okay, compared to most. And then there's still the last 3 days, I havent studied them yet, but opportunities.

Ship has most likely sailed for the overall, but you never know. We have had one real mountain stage so far.

Be realistic. Bala himself isn't a great TT'er on a flat course. Purito will not lose more then 1 minute on him in Burgos. And in the mountains, Valverde struggles more. I don't see any massive improvement.

And apart from that, he already rode a long and tough year. He was already up there in january. He says he's tired, and i believe him. This year he went deeper then ever to reach that podium spot at the Tour. So he doesn't have the body/legs anymore to be on the podium of the Vuelta.

If i would be Bala, i would already start thinking of the Worlds. He won't podium anymore in the Vuelta.

I think that was pretty realistic. The poster's point was whether he should try for stages or the GC, and knowing Valverde, there is no way in hell he will give up just yet after just one stage in the mountains. My point was that's its still possible, altho it obviously wont be easy at all. He will be chasing the podium as always.

And Im pretty certain that he will put over 1 minute into Purito on that course

But we still have three mountain stages. I think Purito will put 1 extra minute on Bala in stage 15 and 16

 

[Valv.Piti]

He wasn't bluffing that he was injured so no surprise he suffered today.His chances to even podium this are very low maybe he should try to add more stage wins to his tally.

I'd still say podium. We dont really know how much the crash affected him, he really only knows, but if its gone come stage 14 and onwards (and even if it isnt, Valv will still try to hang on), he should totally still aim for the podium which still is possible. I wouldnt say very low since Dumoulin STILL is a joker and Purito and Chaves are poor against the clock compared to Valv. Okay, compared to most. And then there's still the last 3 days, I havent studied them yet, but opportunities.

Ship has most likely sailed for the overall, but you never know. We have had one real mountain stage so far.

Be realistic. Bala himself isn't a great TT'er on a flat course. Purito will not lose more then 1 minute on him in Burgos. And in the mountains, Valverde struggles more. I don't see any massive improvement.

And apart from that, he already rode a long and tough year. He was already up there in january. He says he's tired, and i believe him. This year he went deeper then ever to reach that podium spot at the Tour. So he doesn't have the body/legs anymore to be on the podium of the Vuelta.

If i would be Bala, i would already start thinking of the Worlds. He won't podium anymore in the Vuelta.

I think that was pretty realistic. The poster's point was whether he should try for stages or the GC, and knowing Valverde, there is no way in hell he will give up just yet after just one stage in the mountains. My point was that's its still possible, altho it obviously wont be easy at all. He will be chasing the podium as always.

And Im pretty certain that he will put over 1 minute into Purito on that course

But we still have three mountain stages. I think Purito will put 1 extra minute on Bala in stage 15 and 16

Who knows. As I stated, we dont know how much that crash has hurt him. Besides Purito, as I said, Chaves and Dumoulin are still relative jokers. Anyways, my point still stands no matter how much better you think Purito is: He has a stage win and will obviously pursue the podium as always.

 

[Fernandez]

Hahahahahaha, Arredondo and his crusade against Valverde. Dont forget that Valverde is better time trialist than the most of the guys in the top ten. If he can recover his climbing form he probably will be in the podium of the race.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Hahahahahaha, Arredondo and his crusade against Valverde. Dont forget that Valverde is better time trialist than the most of the guys in the top ten. If he can recover his climbing form he probably will be in the podium of the race.

It was just a joke. Take it easy.

Bala isn't that good in a real flat TT. And his form isn't really good. Not like previous years. There are better riders in the race, so top-5 would be a good perfomance.

He will lose more time on Ermita and Cabrales on Aru, Purito, Majka and maybe Moreno.

If i was Bala, i would already start holding something back for the Worlds.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Holding back for Worlds? Did you really say that? Holy ***, I dont even know what to say