Il Lombardia 2022, one day monument, October 8, farewell to Nibali and Valverde

[Red Rick]

I will be most disappointed if this thread doesn't become an orgy of Nibali vs. Valverde debate pre race.

Nibali clearly

 

[Lequack]

I always though of Valverde as Mr. Consistency, much like prime Roglic. He could turn up to any race and win it throughout the season, and was in form for most of the season. He was number one by points for a lot of years.

Whereas Nibali seemed to target specific races, mostly GTs obviously, of which he won all of them. But compared to Valverde he had a lot of peaks in forms, so in some races he wasn't as consistent, or only did them as training.

 

[postmanhat]

Eurosport/GCN showing the race live from 1100 CET.

I think Valverde has handed Mas the chalice of eternal success, and he will cement his week-old reputation as the best one-day rider in the world*

*Or Movistar realise they'll be relegated without Bala's points, so the other riders have to put a shift in.

 

[Lequack]

Something nice to read:
Why the Muro di Sormano is Il Lombardia’s crown jewel

Why the Muro di Sormano is Il Lombardia’s crown jewel

With an average gradient of 17% and a maximum spike of 27%, you don’t so much ride the Wall of Sormano as survive it

www.cyclist.co.uk

 

[Rollthedice]

Civiglio descent, 2015. This particular moment was crazy.

 

[Escarabajo]

Something nice to read:
Why the Muro di Sormano is Il Lombardia’s crown jewel

Why the Muro di Sormano is Il Lombardia’s crown jewel

With an average gradient of 17% and a maximum spike of 27%, you don’t so much ride the Wall of Sormano as survive it

www.cyclist.co.uk

They are not doing the Muro di Sormano this year, aren't they?
I hope I am wrong and I read the wrong profile.

 

[Lequack]

They are not unfortunately.

Also a podcast preview about the race, I suggest giving it a watch

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yNpjHDlNCo

 

[Sciatic]

His palmarès certainly doesn't contain all his values.

Two of the those GT wins were monster queen stages ( when we had real queen stages) that were among the most amazing one day mountain exploits I can remember.

 

[Sciatic]

Voodoo beyond doubt.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that one in the memes that will eventually be retired along with Valverde and Nibali. Although I’m sure folks will occassionally toss out “borrowed some Nibali voodoo” in years to come.

 

[Red Rick]

I fear for TGBM Civiglio record

It will be a fraudulent record though, considering they did not climb Muro di Sormano beforehand.

 

[Sciatic]

Simon Yates should win the prize of the most unlucky rider of the year. The two stage wins at the Giro ended up saving his season

That Dauphin Paris-Nice stage win in the cold and rain (the day Roglic blew up) was his most impressive of the year.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Nibali clearly

I don't know, I can only see a blizzard.

But I think I can just make out the shape of a rider arriving at this FINish.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that one in the memes that will eventually be retired along with Valverde and Nibali. Although I’m sure folks will occassionally toss out “borrowed some Nibali voodoo” in years to come.

The Vino/Voodoo option?

 

[Mayomaniac]

Civiglio descent, 2015. This particular moment was crazy.

Craziest Lombardia descent since Bettini in 2006...

 

[ice&fire]

They are not unfortunately.

Also a podcast preview about the race, I suggest giving it a watch

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yNpjHDlNCo

They couldn't find a picture of Mas without road rash. If they had put him between Pog and Vingo two months ago I'd still be ROTFL.

 

[Forever The Best]

I don't even in particular look forward to the race this year. Sigh.

I hope I will find the right mood in time for when the race is on.

Similar, really falling out of love with cycling. This year I only watched a few stages of TdF and that was it.
On another note, it is baffling how Valverde has never won this race.

 

[Blanco]

On another note, it is baffling how Valverde has never won this race.

It's not over till it's over

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Craziest Lombardia descent since Bettini in 2006...

De Plus and Remco probably got that covered.

 

[ashhutch1997]

It's such ashame that they aren't doing the Muro di Sormano, that stretch along lake Como after is one of the most beautiful stretches of road used in pro cycling.

 

[Mayomaniac]

De Plus and Remco probably got that covered.

I should have said craziest competent and successful descent...

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

Are there any forum dwellers who plan to be on the route? I could use a recommendation for the best spot.

 

[Netserk]

Are there any forum dwellers who plan to be on the route? I could use a recommendation for the best spot.

I'd pick San Fermo if I was in the area. I assume you'll have a livestream on the phone.

There's not much space on the climb, so either stand near the end or one of the few good spots midway: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.8096619,9.0605727,3a,73.7y,48.89h,77.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2P2wIYiEGyI1WJgiEYlhMQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

 

[Cassirer]

Could you start doing the ***-thingy? Not much of an idea what happened in cycling since vuelta and who is in what kind of shape.

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

I'd pick San Fermo if I was in the area. I assume you'll have a livestream on the phone.

There's not much space on the climb, so either stand near the end or one of the few good spots midway: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.8096619,9.0605727,3a,73.7y,48.89h,77.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2P2wIYiEGyI1WJgiEYlhMQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Nice touch picking the spot near Casa Mas

 

[Lequack]

Valverde and Nibali are both 5 stars.