- Feb 23, 2014
- 8,827
- 254
- 17,880
Re:
Bad luck or tactics are the only major threats imo. Of course riders like Martin and Alaphilipe have a chance in FW, but I don't see anyone beating him. LBL is harder to control so even though he's the strongest, I could see him losing. But still....man he's strong right now.
Valv.Piti said:
Bad luck or tactics are the only major threats imo. Of course riders like Martin and Alaphilipe have a chance in FW, but I don't see anyone beating him. LBL is harder to control so even though he's the strongest, I could see him losing. But still....man he's strong right now.
Movistar has a great team too... is not like is valverde against all quickstep riders and skyborgs. Moreno and maybe betancur(?) will be very useful
- With his overall win Valverde finally wins a WT stage race again, the last.... Vuelta 2009 (!)
- His level in Catalunya usually corresponds with his Ardennes campaign.
2012: abandoned in Catalunya, followed by a bad Ardennes campaign.
2013: yet again abandoned in Catalunya and empty-handed in the classics.
2015: three stage-wins, followed by the double ( Fleche and LBL)
- His level in Catalunya usually corresponds with his Ardennes campaign.
2012: abandoned in Catalunya, followed by a bad Ardennes campaign.
2013: yet again abandoned in Catalunya and empty-handed in the classics.
2015: three stage-wins, followed by the double ( Fleche and LBL)
In this shape, he should give The Ronde a shot. People say you need experience, but this man is the definition of experience. I think he could top 10 without having raced it.
Pais Vasco seems like too many racing days.
Pais Vasco seems like too many racing days.
- Apr 12, 2015
- 7,060
- 1,204
- 20,680
Re:
Contador used to be one of the best mur climbers, but he isn't good on them these days.
Henao is a bigger treat for Valverde than Contador.Valv.Piti said:
Contador used to be one of the best mur climbers, but he isn't good on them these days.
- Apr 12, 2015
- 7,060
- 1,204
- 20,680
I don't think Kwito can survive the harder mountain stages and Roglic is more of a diesel.
Henao is the man to beat. He is fine in a hilly TT.
Henao is the man to beat. He is fine in a hilly TT.
- Mar 13, 2015
- 2,637
- 0
- 0
Re: Re:
Yeah, but it's not the same thing if you do P-N + Catalunya or Itzulia, as doing Catalunya + Itzulia. The latter is a much more tougher combo for a rider who peaks for Ardennes, you simply haven't got time to recover properly. Actually I think Bala never did that combo in his career, he either did Catalunya or Pais Vasco. I would be more than happy if he can win Itzulia and I think he has the form to do it, but that wouldn't be a smart move. Smart thing to do is rest, then ride GP Indurain and Amorebieta, and then bring on the Ardennes.
Valv.Piti said:
Yeah, but it's not the same thing if you do P-N + Catalunya or Itzulia, as doing Catalunya + Itzulia. The latter is a much more tougher combo for a rider who peaks for Ardennes, you simply haven't got time to recover properly. Actually I think Bala never did that combo in his career, he either did Catalunya or Pais Vasco. I would be more than happy if he can win Itzulia and I think he has the form to do it, but that wouldn't be a smart move. Smart thing to do is rest, then ride GP Indurain and Amorebieta, and then bring on the Ardennes.
- Aug 3, 2015
- 22,743
- 10,688
- 28,180
Re: Re:
And obviously gotta get that 3/3 against Contador in spanish stage races.
Yes, overall I agree, but I really, really just hope he will ride Pais Vasco. I was so disappointed when he didn't ride P-N, I just wan't to watch this legend race.Mr.White said:
And obviously gotta get that 3/3 against Contador in spanish stage races.
Re:
I don't see why not. Especially if he has a lucky stage where a crash or crosswinds break apart the field, where Froome and a few other key GC riders lose a lot of time. I think this year's TDF has an especially high chance of being decided in part by an unexpected event like 1999's Passage du Gois (spelling).
Valv.Piti said:
I don't see why not. Especially if he has a lucky stage where a crash or crosswinds break apart the field, where Froome and a few other key GC riders lose a lot of time. I think this year's TDF has an especially high chance of being decided in part by an unexpected event like 1999's Passage du Gois (spelling).
- Jun 27, 2013
- 5,217
- 9
- 17,495
Re:
Yes, you are.
As always he was great in 1 climb stages or stages finishing in a short punch like La Molina. This year so far has been no different.
Valv.Piti said:
Yes, you are.
As always he was great in 1 climb stages or stages finishing in a short punch like La Molina. This year so far has been no different.
Re:
if you said how are they going to beat him in the upcoming Ardenne races I would agree in this sort of form. Martin is also looking good. I still think at the Tour he has to be a podium chance but it won't be easy. I would say that he has as good a chance of a podium as Contador. Froome will be a different proposition in July as usual but second and third will be hard fought like last year. I am starting to think that Porte might finally get his elusive podium at the Tour after his usual dramas last year cost him once again.
Valv.Piti said:
if you said how are they going to beat him in the upcoming Ardenne races I would agree in this sort of form. Martin is also looking good. I still think at the Tour he has to be a podium chance but it won't be easy. I would say that he has as good a chance of a podium as Contador. Froome will be a different proposition in July as usual but second and third will be hard fought like last year. I am starting to think that Porte might finally get his elusive podium at the Tour after his usual dramas last year cost him once again.
- Aug 16, 2013
- 7,620
- 2
- 0
Re:
As much as i like you, yes: you're out of your mind
Bala was impressive, but as already said, he still won a 200 meter sprint at La Molina and only a 4 km fight on a single mountain stage. That's not comparable to a Tour at all.
Froome is a class above him when it comes to racing three weeks at a consistent level. He has a chance to podium it, but not a single rider in history has won the Tour at 37 years of age. Especially not a rider who's not an absolutely born GT-rider.
Don't expect miracles
Valv.Piti said:
As much as i like you, yes: you're out of your mind
Bala was impressive, but as already said, he still won a 200 meter sprint at La Molina and only a 4 km fight on a single mountain stage. That's not comparable to a Tour at all.
Froome is a class above him when it comes to racing three weeks at a consistent level. He has a chance to podium it, but not a single rider in history has won the Tour at 37 years of age. Especially not a rider who's not an absolutely born GT-rider.
Don't expect miracles
I feel there's always going to be that one bad day where he will lose a lot of time on the Tour, when the lips go chalk white. A podium in July would be a great achievement, but anything more? I can't see it. Would be fun though.
- Aug 3, 2015
- 22,743
- 10,688
- 28,180
Re: Re:
No, you are out of your mind!
To be fair my reasoning is the following: If Froome crashes or gets sick, then he might have a chance considering Quintana is riding Il Giro and Contador is getting older and I would be on Valverde against Bardet, Chaves and Porte in top shape any day of the week as it stands right now.
I know, long shot, but you never know.....
Arredondo said:Valv.Piti said:
As much as i like you, yes: you're out of your mind
Bala was impressive, but as already said, he still won a 200 meter sprint at La Molina and only a 4 km fight on a single mountain stage. That's not comparable to a Tour at all.
Froome is a class above him when it comes to racing three weeks at a consistent level. He has a chance to podium it, but not a single rider in history has won the Tour at 37 years of age. Especially not a rider who's not an absolutely born GT-rider.
Don't expect miracles
No, you are out of your mind!
To be fair my reasoning is the following: If Froome crashes or gets sick, then he might have a chance considering Quintana is riding Il Giro and Contador is getting older and I would be on Valverde against Bardet, Chaves and Porte in top shape any day of the week as it stands right now.
I know, long shot, but you never know.....
TRENDING THREADS
-
World Championship 2025: Men’s RR, September 28- Started by Berniece
- Replies: 2K
-
Teams & Riders The Remco Evenepoel is the next Eddy Merckx thread- Started by DNP-Old
- Replies: 35K
-
Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread- Started by Lequack
- Replies: 41K
-
Il Lombardia 2025, monument, October 11- Started by Krzysztof_O
- Replies: 792
-
Teams & Riders The Great Big Cycling Transfers, Extensions, and Rumours Thread- Started by RedheadDane
- Replies: 13K
-
European Championship 2025: Men’s RR, October 5- Started by Berniece
- Replies: 854
-
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram