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

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

If it wasn't obvious before the Tour this was his race to win, it definitely is after the race. Every argument we used to argue his case proved to be right, probably even more than we could have imagined. It just sucks. It just sucks so hard........

Valverde could have won this Tour. No doubt. Won the Matthews murito and the Bardet's stage. Just wasn't meant to be.

You are obviously forgetting Valverde"s last experience with the Gallibier.Froome &co would have shelled him out with the rest and you don't concede seconds there, only minutes.

Correct me If Im wrong, but that was 2007 and he did very well.

No It was me who got my facts wrong.I should have said Stage15 2013 Valverde conceded 2.32 to Froome on the
Ventoux.The point I wished to make is that Valverde is liable to struggle on long high altitude Alpine Stages

Ventoux isn't really high altitude, nor is it in the Alps... I understand what you mean tho, but needless to say I do not agree with it.

 

[dutchdescent]

Re: Re:

Tonton"]

If it wasn't obvious before the Tour this was his race to win, it definitely is after the race. Every argument we used to argue his case proved to be right, probably even more than we could have imagined. It just sucks. It just sucks so hard........

Valverde could have won this Tour. No doubt. Won the Matthews murito and the Bardet's stage. Just wasn't meant to be.[/quote]
You are obviously forgetting Valverde"s last experience with the Gallibier.Froome &co would have shelled him out with the rest and you don't concede seconds there, only minutes.[/quote]
Correct me If Im wrong, but that was 2007 and he did very well.[/quote]
No It was me who got my facts wrong.I should have said Stage15 2013 Valverde conceded 2.32 to Froome on the
Ventoux.The point I wished to make is that Valverde is liable to struggle on long high altitude Alpine Stages[/quote]
Ventoux isn't really high altitude, nor is it in the Alps... I understand what you mean tho, but needless to say I do not agree with it.[/quote]


Check your facts. From Wikipedia: Mont Ventoux, although geologically part of the Alps, is often considered to be separate from them, due to the lack of mountains of a similar height nearby.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Ventoux

 

[Valv.Piti]

Thats literally what I am saying. Ventoux is not an Alpine climb.

 

[dercuforever]

This could have a been one of the best season ever ... but sadly it's cycling, let's hope he recovers well and keep a similar level next year ! (will he ever age ?)

 

[Blanco]

Re:

Kump had a higher win rate in '15, I think.

Much lower level of races. Not comparable at all.

 

[DNP-Old]

http://www.elperiodico.com/es/ciclismo/20170819/valverde-vuelve-a-subir-a-la-bici-y-ya-quiere-competir-este-ano-6232772

Lol, he's already back on his bike and wants to make his comeback in October.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Was just about to post that. Remember what I said, that rider is simply amazing. He will probably win his first race. Lol.

 

[Jspear]

Wow! And it was a break in his leg right?

 

[portugal11]

Valverde is such a animal. Valverde will have a hard time to replace him when he retire. I'm not really a fan of him but I have to admire his passion for cycling. I would love to see him in the giro next year and miss the tour to do la vuelta (and he could possibly have a chance of winning it)

 

[Valv.Piti]

Yeah, that definitely isn't happening especially now Landa is on board.

 

[Movitrain]

What an athlete!! He's living and breathing cycling like few (if any) others. Can't wait to see him back out there!!! This really made my day.

 

[portugal11]

Re:

Yeah, that definitely isn't happening especially now Landa is on board.

I know

 

[tobydawq]

If he can refind his level, next year will be his final very big opportunity to become World Champion with that very hard parcours in Austria. I hope he is going to single that race out.

 

[Axis]

This really made my day.

Same !

 

[Red Rick]

Don't know about Valverde being a favorite for the 2018 Worlds.

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

Don't know about Valverde being a favorite for the 2018 Worlds.

It's impossible to know now of course. But if it's the same Valverde as in the first half of this season, he definitely will be.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Don't know about Valverde being a favorite for the 2018 Worlds.

It's impossible to know now of course. But if it's the same Valverde as in the first half of this season, he definitely will be.

Valverde has always had his problems in one day races which aren't decided at the very end. He was also called the favorite in last years ORR (which probably had a very similar route to the WC next year) but disappointed, he never managed to win Il Lombardia, and even in the Ardennes he usually only wins races when he is still a big group coming to an uphill finish. Ofc he has a good chance but in races like that he often performs worse than expected.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Don't know about Valverde being a favorite for the 2018 Worlds.

It's impossible to know now of course. But if it's the same Valverde as in the first half of this season, he definitely will be.

Valverde has always had his problems in one day races which aren't decided at the very end. He was also called the favorite in last years ORR (which probably had a very similar route to the WC next year) but disappointed, he never managed to win Il Lombardia, and even in the Ardennes he usually only wins races when he is still a big group coming to an uphill finish. Ofc he has a good chance but in races like that he often performs worse than expected.

There is a big difference between being the favourite and being likely to win though. Valverde will certainly be the favourite if he can return to the form he had this year - but probably only at odds of about 5/1, so he would still be unlikely to win. Hilly classics which aren't decided at the very end are by far the toughest race for a favourite to win - just too difficult to control when you weigh 60kg and can't rouleur your way solo to victory from far out like the cobbled riders can.

 

[Blanco]

Re: Re:

Don't know about Valverde being a favorite for the 2018 Worlds.

It's impossible to know now of course. But if it's the same Valverde as in the first half of this season, he definitely will be.

Valverde has always had his problems in one day races which aren't decided at the very end. He was also called the favorite in last years ORR (which probably had a very similar route to the WC next year) but disappointed, he never managed to win Il Lombardia, and even in the Ardennes he usually only wins races when he is still a big group coming to an uphill finish. Ofc he has a good chance but in races like that he often performs worse than expected.

Not quite, remember Liege 2008 and San Sebastian 2014. In Olympics he was clearly below his level, and as far as Lombardia concerns i think only twice he came in shape to contest the victory, 2013 and 2014. And in 2014 he
would probably won it, but made a big mistake at the very end for not following Dan Martin immediately. In 2015 and 2016 he was clearly cooked due to a very long season, and before that he didn't rode it for 5-6 years.

 

[mariposa]

Article in El Periodico says Valverde given all clear to get back on his bike on the road. He wants to take part in the Tour of Guanxi in October!


http://www.elperiodico.com/es/ciclismo/20170819/valverde-vuelve-a-subir-a-la-bici-y-ya-quiere-competir-este-ano-6232772

 

[Valv.Piti]

He also posted a picture on Twitter: relax. I assume thats after a great training (prob not on the bike...)

He will be giving it to them in late October!

 

[Forever The Best]

Even though I am neutral against him, I am amazed at his dedication and love for cycling.

 

[Red Rick]

"Oh ***, Alberto is quitting early, gotta make Spanish cycling great again"

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Even though I am neutral against him, I am amazed at his dedication and love for cycling.

I figured most either love or hate this rider (strong word, lets say dislike) due to clinic stuff and sometimes conservative tactics in the biggest races. Not many neutrals...Altho i think a lot of people who disliked him in the past has come to respect him recently. Same with Contador.

And how can you not, this is next level stuff.

 

[Red Rick]

For me Valverde is hard to love and easy to respect.

Funnily enough I used to be a fan of Valverde back when I started watching other races than the Tour.