Supposedly this year was his last Tour. I also suspect 2016 was his one and only Giro.
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Supposedly this year was his last Tour. I also suspect 2016 was his one and only Giro.
It appears at least some of the gearing issues were fixed during the lockdown with SRAM sending the correct gearing for the riders during that time. So at this point it's likely more of a general thing. Not sure you can fully go with under training during the lock down and post lock down before races started again being much of a factor at this point either for anyone, although my still play a small part.
Before the lockdown it was a gearing issue that had to be resolved before anything else could be sorted out.
We are also talking about someone who has never adapted well to change. So how much is that as well, who knows.
The more I think about it, the more I realize the Worlds was the best result of the year for Valverde.
Alaphilippe winning led to him opt out of F-W, which makes it increasingly harder for him to reach AV's record. And the start list is so weak that whoever wins it will be completely meaningless.
Alaphilippe winning led to him opt out of F-W, which makes it increasingly harder for him to reach AV's record. And the start list is so weak that whoever wins it will be completely meaningless.
I don't think Alaphilippe has a plan to conquer Valverde's Flèche record. He was not even supposed to ride MSR and Strade this year, as he already won those. I guess he's going to try to win as many different races as possible, not the same one again and again.
And although the start list is not as strong as it could be, there are still some great racers... completely meaningless... you're joking?
And although the start list is not as strong as it could be, there are still some great racers... completely meaningless... you're joking?
He'd said something about needing new challenges even though he hasn't yet won LBL. Where Valverde always prefered racing a similar calendar. Goes to show how very different their mentalities and personalities are.
Understandable about Alaphilippe. Few people can muster the courage to win the race 5 times.
I mean meaningless relating to threatening Valverde's F-W record. Of course, it will be very nice for whoever wins. It will be kind of like when Valverde felt bad that Purito completely lost the Worlds in Firenze so he let him win F-W in 2012.
I think there is a bit of a chronology issue there.
So Valverde now has time traveling abilities? I'm fairly sure this is going to be news to him. LMAO!!!
Only in sprints though.So Valverde now has time traveling abilities? I'm fairly sure this is going to be news to him. LMAO!!!
Still a one trick pony.
So Valverde now has time traveling abilities? I'm fairly sure this is going to be news to him. LMAO!!!
He hasn't actually achieved the power yet.
Without his explosiveness he is still good enough for some top 10s but he never was someone that could drop the best based on superior endurance alone. Maybe he can get one more big win based on good instincs and race tactics but that´s not going to work more than once or twice. Good example would be Nibali in San Remo. He won with a well timed attack that suprised better puncheurs. This year everyone knew what was going to happen.
No reason not to ride the Tour. Especially if he wants to be competitive in the ORR. He probably should give up on the GC but that´s simply not who he is. We have discussed it again and again but the reality remains the same. Valverde refuses to lose time on purpose.
What do you mean by "refuses" I thought he was physically incabable of doing so. Whenever he tries to drop from the favourites, his legs just start turning the pedals on their own accord!
He's spent his entire life relying on his sprint to win. If that's gone, he likely can't change the way he races. He is 40 after all.
It's not in his DNA to be able to just lose time. (Apparently unless it's a time trial.) His mentality just won't allow it in a regular stage.
It's not in his DNA to be able to just lose time. (Apparently unless it's a time trial.) His mentality just won't allow it in a regular stage.
His sprint was fine at the Worlds, he just lacks tiny percent of strength when the strongest guys put the hammer down on really hard climbs. We'll see how he goes on Roche this Sunday...
Movistar made it official today, Alejandro is not racing LBL. I said after his comments after the Worlds he wasn't going to the Ardennes.
So all in for Vuelta then... I hope he wins a stage there at least, but imo he should've ride Liege.
He said after the Worlds that if he didn't think he could win LBL he wasn't going. I hope so, but from comments he's made it almost sounds like he doesn't think he can do anything there either and that's he's only going because Mas needs him. He appears to have fully lost confidence in his ability to do anything.
So far, according to what has been seen, a top-5 in the Vuelta for Valverde would be a (very) good result.
I'd ask what another top 5 would mean, but then this is Valverde he can't help himself.
Would be good if he won a stage, but it's not gonna be easy.
Would be good if he won a stage, but it's not gonna be easy.
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