Does the stage with multiple peaks around the 2000m mark hamper Valverde at all? Or will he be okay with this altitude?
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Generally Valverde isn't great at altitude, and he has a larger chance of cracking, but it's not like he's guaranteed to be bad on high altitude stages and the Andorra stage isn't all that high. He's done some good stages at high altitude as well, like the last Giro mountain stage of 2016, but he's definitely a bit more inconsistent.hammerthaim said:Does the stage with multiple peaks around the 2000m mark hamper Valverde at all? Or will he be okay with this altitude?
Red Rick said:Generally Valverde isn't great at altitude, and he has a larger chance of cracking, but it's not like he's guaranteed to be bad on high altitude stages and the Andorra stage isn't all that high. He's done some good stages at high altitude as well, like the last Giro mountain stage of 2016, but he's definitely a bit more inconsistent.hammerthaim said:Does the stage with multiple peaks around the 2000m mark hamper Valverde at all? Or will he be okay with this altitude?
I think the bigger problem for him is that he's getting dropped on almost every MTF rather than altitude.
In my opinion his problem is more a mixture of factor, not only altitude but also the lenght of the stage and the number of climbs, last stage of Giro 2016 where he did well was pretty short whereas he cracked in the 200+ kms dolomitic marathon with six passes.Red Rick said:Generally Valverde isn't great at altitude, and he has a larger chance of cracking, but it's not like he's guaranteed to be bad on high altitude stages and the Andorra stage isn't all that high. He's done some good stages at high altitude as well, like the last Giro mountain stage of 2016, but he's definitely a bit more inconsistent.hammerthaim said:Does the stage with multiple peaks around the 2000m mark hamper Valverde at all? Or will he be okay with this altitude?
I think the bigger problem for him is that he's getting dropped on almost every MTF rather than altitude.
Agree. I actually think Monte Oiz will be the most problmatic stage for Valverde, the Andorra stages arent that hard honestly and he has a good team for the last one to La Gallina, both to defend a potential jersey or attack. They are finally acknowledging that Valverde is co-cåptain now, not that it probably chances too much.Nirvana said:In my opinion his problem is more a mixture of factor, not only altitude but also the lenght of the stage and the number of climbs, last stage of Giro 2016 where he did well was pretty short whereas he cracked in the 200+ kms dolomitic marathon with six passes.Red Rick said:Generally Valverde isn't great at altitude, and he has a larger chance of cracking, but it's not like he's guaranteed to be bad on high altitude stages and the Andorra stage isn't all that high. He's done some good stages at high altitude as well, like the last Giro mountain stage of 2016, but he's definitely a bit more inconsistent.hammerthaim said:Does the stage with multiple peaks around the 2000m mark hamper Valverde at all? Or will he be okay with this altitude?
I think the bigger problem for him is that he's getting dropped on almost every MTF rather than altitude.
A 100 kms stage i doubt will be a problem for him, the only problem could be if raced in a chaotic way because he use to wait when there are long range attack.
Anyway after that triptique of MTF the hype for him is sharply increasing even if the annoyng Quintana yesterday still acted as he was the only leader.
If he can still ride a TT at the pre injury level he'll gain at least 30"+ on everyone around him in the GC, there are Uran and Pinot that occasionally put out great TT but are already around two minutes down.
Valv.Piti said:Agree. I actually think Monte Oiz will be the most problmatic stage for Valverde, the Andorra stages arent that hard honestly and he has a good team for the last one to La Gallina, both to defend a potential jersey or attack. They are finally acknowledging that Valverde is co-cåptain now, not that it probably chances too much.Nirvana said:In my opinion his problem is more a mixture of factor, not only altitude but also the lenght of the stage and the number of climbs, last stage of Giro 2016 where he did well was pretty short whereas he cracked in the 200+ kms dolomitic marathon with six passes.Red Rick said:Generally Valverde isn't great at altitude, and he has a larger chance of cracking, but it's not like he's guaranteed to be bad on high altitude stages and the Andorra stage isn't all that high. He's done some good stages at high altitude as well, like the last Giro mountain stage of 2016, but he's definitely a bit more inconsistent.hammerthaim said:Does the stage with multiple peaks around the 2000m mark hamper Valverde at all? Or will he be okay with this altitude?
I think the bigger problem for him is that he's getting dropped on almost every MTF rather than altitude.
A 100 kms stage i doubt will be a problem for him, the only problem could be if raced in a chaotic way because he use to wait when there are long range attack.
Anyway after that triptique of MTF the hype for him is sharply increasing even if the annoyng Quintana yesterday still acted as he was the only leader.
If he can still ride a TT at the pre injury level he'll gain at least 30"+ on everyone around him in the GC, there are Uran and Pinot that occasionally put out great TT but are already around two minutes down.
Valv.Piti said:Absolutely no clue.
I can't remember I have looked so much forward to a TT like tomorrow...
I've actually gotten to a point where I can't take him seriously as an analyst anymore. Its so *** horrible. I really dislike him.tobydawq said:Valv.Piti said:Absolutely no clue.
I can't remember I have looked so much forward to a TT like tomorrow...
It's a good thing Valverde will start after Quintana and not the other way around, or Rolf would suggest that Valverde wait for Quintana, fivinf him a target to ride after.
Valv.Piti said:I've actually gotten to a point where I can't take him seriously as an analyst anymore. Its so **** horrible. I really dislike him.tobydawq said:Valv.Piti said:Absolutely no clue.
I can't remember I have looked so much forward to a TT like tomorrow...
It's a good thing Valverde will start after Quintana and not the other way around, or Rolf would suggest that Valverde wait for Quintana, fivinf him a target to ride after.
Valv.Piti said:I've actually gotten to a point where I can't take him seriously as an analyst anymore. Its so **** horrible. I really dislike him.tobydawq said:Valv.Piti said:Absolutely no clue.
I can't remember I have looked so much forward to a TT like tomorrow...
It's a good thing Valverde will start after Quintana and not the other way around, or Rolf would suggest that Valverde wait for Quintana, fivinf him a target to ride after.
dusty red roads said:Gosh, stay safe, it looks like a big one! I hope you're not in low lying areas.
Squire said:Unfortunately it looks like the story of his GT career post-ban continues. Heading for another podium without ever threatening to win.
You can say that, but he has been quite close a couple of times IMO. In the mythical 2012 Vuelta he lost +1 minute early on and could never recover, but overall he could've won just as easily as Purito and Contador. He was super strong. And I'd say he was pretty close in the Giro, all it took was 10 seconds more on the downhill from Agnello and Nibali wouldn't have dropped him on Risoul which equals win, most likely.Squire said:Unfortunately it looks like the story of his GT career post-ban continues. Heading for another podium without ever threatening to win.
18-Valve. (pithy) said:Squire said:Unfortunately it looks like the story of his GT career post-ban continues. Heading for another podium without ever threatening to win.
He's not going to podium this one.