El Pistolero said:
Valv.Piti said:
I like how so many people have come around to Valverde recently. I think its a mixture of many things, but mainly just that people are in awe of how well he is doing despite his advanced age now also the injury. He has also (kinda) lost his reputation of just being a wheesucker, as many know, he is much more than simply just that. In fact, he is the one that animates many of them at this point apart from the Ardennes where he knows he is the fastest and doesn't need to. Then you obviously also have the clinic stuff which is now 6-8 years ago.
Its the first test this year where we really get to see his true level, I think. The climb is very suited to Valverde and I think and hope he will give it his all not just to win GC, but also this stage.
Valverde has never animated a big race. Just these smaller races nobody gives a **** about.
As for the clinic stuff, not the place to discuss here, but one must be very naive to think much has improved since then, just look at Froome.
Well I guess that depends on what you mean by animate and big race. Sure, he doesn't have the swash buckling panache of Alberto in the GTs, or the Mars like battle rage in the classics of Bettini, but he's just as devestating in being 100% aware of his incredible (increasingly considering his age) physical capabilities to get him in the position to win, usually among less than a handfull of survivors, to finish them off with his devestating kick to the finish line. What more can you ask from a guy his age? He doesn't need to, nor should he, race any other way. Arguably he's got the best class in the peloton, at 37!
Seeing him doing so well, makes me wonder if Alberto could have given it a go for a another year.