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

[Arredondo]

Should Bala risk his chances in the Ardennes classics with riding Flanders?

To be honest, he can do well there, but winning or podium is out of the question imo. If he would have focused on the cobbles classics at age 27/28, he could have potentially winning one.

But at age 35?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Should Bala risk his chances in the Ardennes classics with riding Flanders?

To be honest, he can do well there, but winning or podium is out of the question imo. If he would have focused on the cobbles classics at age 27/28, he could have potentially winning one.

But at age 35?

Well, you dont necessarily risk the ardennes when riding Flanders, I would say he has the stamina and resistance to do both. He doesnt need to be 100% either, to podium yes, but if nothing else just to ride it without expectations, maybe even just as build up and see what happens. This guy can do it all, I mean, why not?

I would understand both. What could be even more interesting tho is the Giro which is a thought I have played with a lot the last year, chances are probably higher of him doing Flanders, but it would be great to see him in the Giro. Especially with 70+ of ITT against the likes of Landa and Chaves

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Should Bala risk his chances in the Ardennes classics with riding Flanders?

To be honest, he can do well there, but winning or podium is out of the question imo. If he would have focused on the cobbles classics at age 27/28, he could have potentially winning one.

But at age 35?

Well, you dont necessarily risk the ardennes when riding Flanders, I would say he has the stamina and resistance to do both. He doesnt need to be 100% either, to podium yes, but if nothing else just to ride it without expectations, maybe even just as build up and see what happens. This guy can do it all, I mean, why not?

I would understand both. What could be even more interesting tho is the Giro which is a thought I have played with a lot the last year, chances are probably higher of him doing Flanders, but it would be great to see him in the Giro. Especially with 70+ of ITT against the likes of Landa and Chaves

Perhaps Valverde is afraid of the quick temperature drops which are quite common in the Giro. That's the only thing Bala can't handle really well. And perhaps the really steep long climbs are a bit too much compare to Landa. Although i don't think the Tour suits him that much more then a Giro. He should do well too in the Giro.

He could definitely try. It would be fun. But for Purito and Bala it perhaps would be better if only one of them starts in Italy

 

[WheelofGear]

Re:

Should Bala risk his chances in the Ardennes classics with riding Flanders?

To be honest, he can do well there, but winning or podium is out of the question imo. If he would have focused on the cobbles classics at age 27/28, he could have potentially winning one.

But at age 35?

Flanders and Roubaix are old man's races. Why not giving it a try?

He would only risk his chances if he crashes which is less likely than in Roubaix. And he has the endurance and power to do so. One super-peak in the spring and one later in the autumn.

If they can get rid off Kristoff, Sagan and Degenkolb, I think he has a chance of winning. He can outsprint (the current) Boonen, Vanmarcke, Terpstra, Thomas, Canc and Boom. And his is about equal to GVA and Stybar.

 

[Billie]

If Bala had started to attempt (and really care about it) to win Flanders in 05 on the old route, I'm confident he would've been in contention to win one many times by now.

now on the new route i don't think so. Weight is too important on Kwaremont

 

[orangerider]

Yea, I'd say the Giro is out of the question. Why risk a painful 3 weeks on new turf in relatively cold weather when you're at that age. Not the time to try new things that chew up a huge amount of time and commitment.

 

[jaylew]

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.

Well, it was 2 minutes in the end, but I'd have rather it hadn't been since I like Purito and I really wanted to see him win the Vuelta. Truthfully, I didn't expect Valverde to go that well.

In other news, Bala was the only one who chose to stay with his team rather than take the helicopter offered to top 10 GC from Ermita de Alba. He seems to really just be having fun this Vuelta and not getting too stressed about anything. Don't know that he would have made that choice had it been the last week of this year's Tour instead.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I would love to see Valverde go ballistic next year. He's getting old and it would be fun to see him do RVV and the Giro.

 

[nobilis]

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.

Well, it was 2 minutes in the end, but I'd have rather it hadn't been since I like Purito and I really wanted to see him win the Vuelta. Truthfully, I didn't expect Valverde to go that well.

In other news, Bala was the only one who chose to stay with his team rather than take the helicopter offered to top 10 GC from Ermita de Alba. He seems to really just be having fun this Vuelta and not getting too stressed about anything. Don't know that he would have made that choice had it been the last week of this year's Tour instead.

No mention of Quintana regarding the Heli. Did he take it or decided to stay with the team like Bala?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Rest of the top-10 went, including Nairo.

 

[nobilis]

Concerning Bala's TT's position on the bike, you can compare photos from few years back and now and see how much aero his position became. He's much more compact on the bike now.

 

[Metabolol]

I hope he targets the Giro next year. I don't expect it to happen but it would be interesting.

 

[Carols]

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.

Well, it was 2 minutes in the end, but I'd have rather it hadn't been since I like Purito and I really wanted to see him win the Vuelta. Truthfully, I didn't expect Valverde to go that well.

In other news, Bala was the only one who chose to stay with his team rather than take the helicopter offered to top 10 GC from Ermita de Alba. He seems to really just be having fun this Vuelta and not getting too stressed about anything. Don't know that he would have made that choice had it been the last week of this year's Tour instead.

I saw that, guess he is having more fun with the boys on the team!

 

[Velolover2]

Again he proves why he is my favorite rider. He looks so good on a bike. Best stylist out there.

 

[Mr.White]

Quite a show today! His form improved a lot in last few days, he'll be ok for the Worlds and Lombardia

 

[SafeBet]

He could go for the stage tomorrow. He had some legs today.

 

[Fernandez]

Finishing Vuelta really strong. The man has incredible endurance.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Finishing Vuelta really strong. The man has incredible endurance.

Recovery, resistance, endurance, yup. He is unique in this day and age, thats for sure. What he did today tho was unnecessary, I would have preferred him to go all out tomorrow and safe it today, but he didnt went deep either.

He probably has 2 shots at Worlds and Lombardia. Hopefully one of them this year, preferably Worlds, but imma wait till I see the route. Would LOVE to see him in stripes.

 

[Fernandez]

Re: Re:

Finishing Vuelta really strong. The man has incredible endurance.

Recovery, resistance, endurance, yup. He is unique in this day and age, thats for sure. What he did today tho was unnecessary, I would have preferred him to go all out tomorrow and safe it today, but he didnt went deep either.

He probably has 2 shots at Worlds and Lombardia. Hopefully one of them this year, preferably Worlds, but imma wait till I see the route. Would LOVE to see him in stripes.

Valverde winning The World Championships it would be one of the most deserved wins in cycling history.

 

[Rollthedice]

He never finished below 5th place in Vuelta. He has one more stage to do it again this year.

 

[Moviestar]

Re:

He never finished below 5th place in Vuelta. He has one more stage to do it again this year.

Don't think that will bother him much. He already has the podiums and the win. Full focus on Richmond and Lombardia.

 

[jaylew]

Re: Re:

Finishing Vuelta really strong. The man has incredible endurance.

Recovery, resistance, endurance, yup. He is unique in this day and age, thats for sure. What he did today tho was unnecessary, I would have preferred him to go all out tomorrow and safe it today, but he didnt went deep either.

He probably has 2 shots at Worlds and Lombardia. Hopefully one of them this year, preferably Worlds, but imma wait till I see the route. Would LOVE to see him in stripes.

I'd love to see it but it's unlikely. He's got a shot in Richmond but there are other riders who will be bigger favorites on that course and 2016 will likely be for sprinters. He's got a much better shot at Lombardia but I just wonder how sharp he'll be at that point.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I'd say we wait to we see the actual route, but if he is in shape and not too burned out - which he doesnt seem to be, at all - he can win in a reduced sprint, pretty much against everyone after 260 kilometers. And I dont think Valv is bad at cobbles either considering he has got sublime technique and can do everything on a bike.

Sucks about 2016 Worlds not, not necessarily because Valv cant win, but because there isnt anything more anticlimatic than a sprinters Worlds. I live in Denmark, but 2011 was a disgrace

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Where is Worlds 2016? I really hope that Valverde will retire with a WC under his belt. A rider of his class deserves it.

 

[roundabout]

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