how do you guys think valverde is going to do this Tour de france? there are quite some stages where he could get a good placement. His GC ambitions i am unsure about, i think he is meant to help quintana but don't know if he will?
-
The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
Re:
He's definitely going for the GC, in all his interviews i read he always tried to convince himself he can win it and i don't think that willl ever change.
He can win a lot of stages, many are suited for him.
gerundium said:
He's definitely going for the GC, in all his interviews i read he always tried to convince himself he can win it and i don't think that willl ever change.
He can win a lot of stages, many are suited for him.
Valverde will likely have a great first (and a half or so) week to crumble after. Lot of finishes in that first week that work well for him, when it gets steeper though he'll definitely crack soon enough.
Will probably win at least 1 stage (preferably Mur de Huy or Mur de Bretagne) and end in the low top-10.
My fantasy of course would be him trying to win the Green Jersey ala Jalabert 95, but with the current point system, that favours flat stage finishers, it is impossible.
My fantasy of course would be him trying to win the Green Jersey ala Jalabert 95, but with the current point system, that favours flat stage finishers, it is impossible.
I don't know what level of form he will bring to the Tour, he didn't look so good in the Dauphine. He will try to win some stages in the first week for sure, but after that, I don't know... If form is there he'll try to be up there in the GC, to be a double threat with Quintana, try to attack while Nairo follows. Or maybe he's building slowly trying to peak at the Vuelta, we'll see...
Re:
There are a lot of ways to help...it is good to have 2 captains. In a Tour where there are several tactic stages: Cauterets, Lacets, ...to play with 2 cards will be very important.gerundium said:
Re: Re:
I agree, I think that will be a huge advantage for Movistar. In the end I think Valverde will benefit more from it than Quintana. Of course it can also cause internal problems but I think in this race because there are four main favourites it won't be an issue.
Taxus4a said:
I agree, I think that will be a huge advantage for Movistar. In the end I think Valverde will benefit more from it than Quintana. Of course it can also cause internal problems but I think in this race because there are four main favourites it won't be an issue.
I'm not so sure Valverde will have a great first week. He was way below par in Dauphiné. So he will likely not be 100% in the first Tour week either. Good luck on the Mur against Purito, Dan Martin, Kwiatkowski and some other guys.
He wants to be in top shape for La Vuelta, so i don't expect him to have a fantastic Tour.
He wants to be in top shape for La Vuelta, so i don't expect him to have a fantastic Tour.
This is my fear. I want him to boss the Mur de Huy once again for an iconic stage victory but the Dauphine didn't exactly fill me with confidence.
He does love the heat. Hard to say whether this victory is a sign of good form though as he didn't compete against other big names. Will be good to see him don the Spanish jersey in the tour.
Let's hope that this year Movistar goes for a better design of the national jersey.
Terrible heat in Spain, over 40ºC in the shadow now (10 a.m.)
Terrible heat in Spain, over 40ºC in the shadow now (10 a.m.)
He apparently wanted to gift this to Herrada, but was afraid that Barbero would take it, so he went full speed
Re:
Well a victory is a victory and it surely as hell is not a sign of going backwards at least. Besides, Balaverde doesnt have to be on top of his game to own Mur.
He has it in his pockets unless he doesnt mess up.
Well a victory is a victory and it surely as hell is not a sign of going backwards at least. Besides, Balaverde doesnt have to be on top of his game to own Mur.
He has it in his pockets unless he doesnt mess up.
Re: Re:
Yes he needs to be on the top of his game to win on the Mur. With a good Purito and Dan Martin, he needs to be in top shape. Come on, he lost plenty of times on the Muy in his prime days.
No_Balls said:
Yes he needs to be on the top of his game to win on the Mur. With a good Purito and Dan Martin, he needs to be in top shape. Come on, he lost plenty of times on the Muy in his prime days.
Re: Re:
And he won it the last 2 years, destroying purito. Let's not be biased shall we? He's the clear favorite.
Arredondo said:
And he won it the last 2 years, destroying purito. Let's not be biased shall we? He's the clear favorite.
Re: Re:
You don't read? I say he will not win if he is not in top shape. Not that's he not going to win if he's in shape
.
He only beated Purito this year. Fair and square. But it will be a lot closer this Tour, mark my words.
Miburo said:
You don't read? I say he will not win if he is not in top shape. Not that's he not going to win if he's in shape
. He only beated Purito this year. Fair and square. But it will be a lot closer this Tour, mark my words.
Re: Re:
Valverde has won 3 FW and Purito 1. Thats fair and square.Arredondo said:Miburo said:
You don't read? I say he will not win if he is not in top shape. Not that's he not going to win if he's in shape
He only beated Purito this year. Fair and square. But it will be a lot closer this Tour, mark my words.
Re: Re:
What "Miburo" said more or less. Sure, not on his absolute best was perhaps exaggregated but it was more a reflection over Pitis season in relation to his closests competitors. It generally feels as if he's sharper, more focused and overall dominant then ever. He has stepped up his game and could the same be said with Purito?
It will be hard to look past Bala here.
What "Miburo" said more or less. Sure, not on his absolute best was perhaps exaggregated but it was more a reflection over Pitis season in relation to his closests competitors. It generally feels as if he's sharper, more focused and overall dominant then ever. He has stepped up his game and could the same be said with Purito?
It will be hard to look past Bala here.
TRENDING THREADS
-
-
Paris - Roubaix 2024, one day monument, April 7- Started by Dreginald
- Replies: 2K
-
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2024 (March 18-24)- Started by Devil's Elbow
- Replies: 2K
-
-
De Ronde van Vlaanderen (270.8 km), 2024 March 31 (Sunday)- Started by Netserk
- Replies: 1K
-
Amstel is Gold, Jerry, Gold! Men's Classic One-Day Race, April 14, 2024- Started by red_flanders
- Replies: 708
-
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram