Re: Re:
You must have missed Alaphilippe's comments during the off season. He said a couple of times that he truly hoped Valverde would fully recover and be as good as before so that he would have more shots at beating him in the Ardennes. He said he wants to win there, but that he also WANTS a fully healthy Valverde there when he does because otherwise it won't mean nearly as much. He said I want to beat Valverde because he's the best.
El Pistolero said:Koronin said:El Pistolero said:Blanco said:hrotha said:I'm well aware. It's BS.
He didn't skipped Ronde to ride this race, he skipped it because he wants to be fresh as possible for Ardennes. Also he doesn't want to do Ronde like some kind of adventurist, he wants good preparation and strong, well prepared team to help him. He has neither right now. He wouldn't do anything in that race right now, and he knows it, that's why he didn't want to race it. Simple as that.
He's not good enough to win the Ronde, he found that out in Dwars door Vlaanderen. Valverde doesn't like a challenge, he only goes for easy to control races.
Nibali also wants to win LBL, yet he's still going to ride the Ronde tomorrow.
It's unlikely Nibali is going to win LBL as you have 3 teams who most definitely WANT a sprint finish in that race. It's not just Movistar, but Quickstep and UAE also want the same type of finish and at least Movistar and Quickstep will have strong teams surrounding Valverde and Alaphilippe.
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
If Alaphilippe and especially Dan Martin don't realize they're riding for second place in such a situation than they truly are braindead.
You must have missed Alaphilippe's comments during the off season. He said a couple of times that he truly hoped Valverde would fully recover and be as good as before so that he would have more shots at beating him in the Ardennes. He said he wants to win there, but that he also WANTS a fully healthy Valverde there when he does because otherwise it won't mean nearly as much. He said I want to beat Valverde because he's the best.