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

[SeriousSam]

GOAT Base level.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

GOAT Base level.

Indeed.

Unbelievable rider

 

[portugal11]

Calm down, is just stage 3... let's waiting for lagos de covadonga to know how is his shape

 

[Pricey_sky]

Please keep all clinic references in the clinic.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Calm down, is just stage 3... let's waiting for lagos de covadonga to know how is his shape

No need for any waiting to assert his shape, its good as it always is. Probably not Vuelta-winner good, but after his schedule so far, you really can't make these performances up.

However, it is not surprising that you and especially El Pistolero comes and plays it down, especially El Pisti who out of the blue begins to rumble about clinic stuff.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Re:

GOAT Base level.

The Anti-Schleck

 

[silvergrenade]

How good is this guy?
Amazing ride yesterday.
I think he can definitely win the Vuelta.

 

[Lexman]

Afaik the route of 2017 will be relatively easy. If he really wants to win the WC he probably has to ride until 2018.

I heard on Sporza he's going to ride till his 39 years...

 

[Lexman]

I never really liked Valverde but when he returned from his suspension he has shown some real consistency all year long and winning races all year long as well

chapeau...

 

[Moviestar]

http://chroniqueduvelo.fr/valverde-pour-la-legende/

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

Calm down, is just stage 3... let's waiting for lagos de covadonga to know how is his shape

No need for any waiting to assert his shape, its good as it always is. Probably not Vuelta-winner good, but after his schedule so far, you really can't make these performances up.

However, it is not surprising that you and especially El Pistolero comes and plays it down, especially El Pisti who out of the blue begins to rumble about clinic stuff.

If we want to be honest and compare Valverde pre-ban and post-ban we can conclude that the meds were slowing him down!

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Calm down, is just stage 3... let's waiting for lagos de covadonga to know how is his shape

No need for any waiting to assert his shape, its good as it always is. Probably not Vuelta-winner good, but after his schedule so far, you really can't make these performances up.

However, it is not surprising that you and especially El Pistolero comes and plays it down, especially El Pisti who out of the blue begins to rumble about clinic stuff.

If we want to be honest and compare Valverde pre-ban and post-ban we can conclude that the meds were slowing him down!

He's like a wind up doll. Turn the key and let him go !

 

[Brullnux]

Afaik the route of 2017 will be relatively easy. If he really wants to win the WC he probably has to ride until 2018.

It will be harder than it looks IMO. Kristoff will be good, so I expect something slightly easier than Ponferrada. In other words, nothing Valverde can't do well in.

http://bergen2017.no/courses/road-race/elite-men/
The circuit will be 3200m of elevation overall roughly, I imagine there'll be another 200-300 at the start so 3500m of elevation over 277km could prove quite hard for many sprinters of normal ability. Valverde has a shot at a podium IMO. Maybe a win, if everything goes perfectly.

 

[Netserk]

Roughly, the average elevation gain per km for the final circuit is 13,7m in Bergen, while it was 17,6m in Ponferrada. While Bergen is 23km longer, I don't think any of the rolling 'hills' in the last 10km are steeper than 5%, so it will almost certainly be some kind of bunch sprint.

 

[Thepirateisgood]

For Bergen, at late september wind may well be in play (even in the laps, for sure). Shitty weather is almost given.

Valverde has nothing to do there(to win). Matthews, GvA, Sagan territory. If there is a sprint of less than 20, there must have been some kind of party the day before with the whole peoton.

Technical ascent/descent of Ulriken though, percentage is sorta misguiding. There is also real cobbles in city center(I hope they don't do a Rio)

Not a particular fan, but there is no denying he must really love cycling with the amount of competitions he does (or is he paid by the km?)

 

[robin440]

geelong type of course. so matthews will probably win ahead of degenkolb

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

geelong type of course. so matthews will probably win ahead of degenkolb

There's this guy called Sagan.

 

[Brullnux]

Guys Valverde came 5th last year in Richmond. He can podium on this course. Not saying he will, but he definitely can.

 

[Red Rick]

With a huge chance of *** weather? I doubt it.

 

[No_Balls]

Re:

Bala´s ridicoulus,

Third GT for the year and the man does not only show up but are honoring his home race as always.

Gotta love the man.

 

[robin440]

Re: Re:

geelong type of course. so matthews will probably win ahead of degenkolb

There's this guy called Sagan.

yeah just kidding because in geelong in the U23 race matthews was first and degenkolb second

 

[CheckMyPecs]

At what point should we expect the sheer number of racing days this season to hurt his legs?

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

At what point should we expect the sheer number of racing days this season to hurt his legs?

Tbf, a Valverde in decent shape always gets a top-5 in these kind of Vuelta finals, and especially when the field is not that great and there's a crash behind him.

But he will drop some places. But apart from Quintana, Froome, Chaves, i can't see a lot of guys finish ahead of him in GC. Contador looks out. Maybe Sammy or Talansky/Atapuma can do it.

But a top-5 looks very much possible at this point.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Incredible bike handler, our Valverde. But then the guy takes on classics and often performs, so its not a surprise.

 

[Cookster15]

I must say we seem to be witnessing an amazing demonstration of longevity from Valverde. Not just his career but maintaining GC competitive form for all 3 GT's this season at 36 years of age. In fact I am as interested to see how Valverde lasts this Vuelta as who fills the final podium spots.

If he does not blow and lose minutes on one stage it will be very impressive indeed. We should also remember Valverde turned pro in 2002 at 22/23 years of age - 14 years ago! Yes, perhaps his ban extended his career a little but it seems like he's been around forever and is still competitive!

Never my favourite but I have to admit he has been a beast of a bike rider.