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

[Squire]

Re: Re:

I think he was stronger than this result suggested. He only seemed interested in Nibali and Landa at the end and followed them for too long.

I don't really think he was. He would've eaten the likes of Majka, Chaves and Urán on such a finish and he seemed to go deep there. The rain, the cold weather might have had an impact, but as I said earlier, its a fine result.. the Giro won't be decided here.

I agree. He has bigger fish to fry than the annual Bart De Clercq MTF.

 

[DBotero]

"I expect it to be a complicated day that could cause some damage. The weather forecasts are predicting rain and that make it even worse and durn the dirt roads to mud," he warned.
"I've seen the stage and I like it alot. It's one of the most interesting stages of this year's Giro d'Italia."
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/val...lead-the-enemy-with-his-giro-ditalia-tactics/

It looks like he has some interest on tomorrow stage.Let's see if he can deliver.

 

[ice&fire]

Bad weather is not playing in his favour. I can see him out of contention after catching either a cold or a jacket.

 

[yaco]

Valverde and cold weather - How has Valverde won Fleche Wallone and LBL ? These events are always in cool to cold weather.

 

[Mr.White]

Valverde don't like very cold weather and heavy rain, and he is not at his best in these conditions. Anything else, he's fine

 

[yaco]

Re:

Valverde don't like very cold weather and heavy rain, and he is not at his best in these conditions. Anything else, he's fine

Yeah - Never been cold weather or rain at the Ardennes Classics.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Valverde don't like very cold weather and heavy rain, and he is not at his best in these conditions. Anything else, he's fine

Yeah - Never been cold weather or rain at the Ardennes Classics.

He's never won them in really bad weather no. And considering how well he's done in those races in normal weather, it is really subpar.

 

[Fernandez]

Re: Re:

Valverde don't like very cold weather and heavy rain, and he is not at his best in these conditions. Anything else, he's fine

Yeah - Never been cold weather or rain at the Ardennes Classics.

He's never won them in really bad weather no. And considering how well he's done in those races in normal weather, it is really subpar.

If the Ardennes classics were ridden in the typical Murcia summer hot Valverde would have won the double that he has got.

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Valverde don't like very cold weather and heavy rain, and he is not at his best in these conditions. Anything else, he's fine

Yeah - Never been cold weather or rain at the Ardennes Classics.

Yeah they were in Liege this year, and you saw how Valverde did in that race. He said numerous times that he's not at his best at really cold weather

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Valverde don't like very cold weather and heavy rain, and he is not at his best in these conditions. Anything else, he's fine

Yeah - Never been cold weather or rain at the Ardennes Classics.

He's never won them in really bad weather no. And considering how well he's done in those races in normal weather, it is really subpar.

Really bad weather, like what, snow, storms, hails?

He won in 2015 in bad weather. 10 degrees and rain. That should be enough to be categorised as bad weather.

 

[Brullnux]

Re: Re:

Valverde don't like very cold weather and heavy rain, and he is not at his best in these conditions. Anything else, he's fine

Yeah - Never been cold weather or rain at the Ardennes Classics.

He's never won them in really bad weather no. And considering how well he's done in those races in normal weather, it is really subpar.

Really bad weather, like what, snow, storms, hails?

He won in 2015 in bad weather. 10 degrees and rain. That should be enough to be categorised as bad weather.

2015 was drizzling at best.

 

[Taxus4a]

Valverde just can win in bad weather if he was to show a big superiority in good weather.

If tomorrow is raining, I dont expect him to win.. to be with the best, yes.

 

[Arredondo]

He's not the best in bad weather. Anyone knows that right? Especially when it's really cold.

Liege this year, La Gallina Vuelta 2013, Amstel 2012...

No surprise really.

 

[portugal11]

And he didn't go to any training camp at altitude

 

[Arredondo]

Great stage by Alejandro! Super agressive: i like it.

But, Chaves, Zakarin, Kruiswijk, Majka and Nibali all followed without any problems. Sure, they were on the limit, but they could follow. Landa recovered too.

8 guys look at the same level this Giro. The TT tomorrow will be vital.

But congrats for today's ride.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

And he didn't go to any training camp at altitude

I hear he took a flight to the start in Apeldoorn.

 

[Red Rick]

Great showing from Bala. Has taken a more yolo approach compared to other GT's.

 

[Carols]

Bala making the selection from 24km out and riding hard all the way in. Grande ride from him! I'm hoping he saved something for tomorrow. If he remains as strong as he showed today he could have a big say in this race .

 

[AlexNYC]

Re:

Great stage by Alejandro! Super agressive: i like it.

But, Chaves, Zakarin, Kruiswijk, Majka and Nibali all followed without any problems. Sure, they were on the limit, but they could follow. Landa recovered too.

8 guys look at the same level this Giro. The TT tomorrow will be vital.

But congrats for today's ride.

I don't think Chaves was on the limit at all. He and Valverde looked the strongest today.

I'm really curious to see how Valverde does tomorrow. If any of the other contenders had taken a pull today, they could have inflicted some serious damage on some of those that were hanging on for dear life.

 

[Fernandez]

Re: Re:

Great stage by Alejandro! Super agressive: i like it.

But, Chaves, Zakarin, Kruiswijk, Majka and Nibali all followed without any problems. Sure, they were on the limit, but they could follow. Landa recovered too.

8 guys look at the same level this Giro. The TT tomorrow will be vital.

But congrats for today's ride.

I don't think Chaves was on the limit at all. He and Valverde looked the strongest today.

I'm really curious to see how Valverde does tomorrow. If any of the other contenders had taken a pull today, they could have inflicted some serious damage on some of those that were hanging on for dear life.

Sorry but its not the same to do all the work and still win the sprint than being wheelsucked all the way to the finish. Valverdes ride today was much stronger than anyones else.

 

[gunara]

I really hope today's effort is a sign for something good to come, and not otherwise. not something he has to pay later.

 

[Mr.White]

Good ride. He hits good shape just in time

 

[Valv.Piti]

Balaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Pretty in pink tomorrow. Lets go!

 

[KyoGrey]

He rode today like an absolute capo.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Valverde don't like very cold weather and heavy rain, and he is not at his best in these conditions. Anything else, he's fine

Yeah - Never been cold weather or rain at the Ardennes Classics.

Yeah they were in Liege this year, and you saw how Valverde did in that race. He said numerous times that he's not at his best at really cold weather

The temperature struggles to get above 10 to 12c in the Ardennes - That is cold weather.