Ilnur Zakarin Discussion thread

[markene2]

Grande Zaka, really agresive racing this Giro and animated the race. He can be proud!

 

[Breh]

5th is great! Would've signed for that before the Giro.

He rode very aggressive which is great. When the road goes upwards, he's right up there with the very best this giro. Whilst 5th is great, especially after what happened last year, I feel like there is still room for improvement.

Weed out bad days like on Blockhaus, don't lose 20seconds in stage 2, don't lose 30seconds after Umbrail, work on these TT's,... It feels like there is room for improvement, I don't get the feeling this 5th place is his ceiling. He can aim higher next year.

 

[Breh]

Extended his contract with Katusha. Good idea probably. He's guaranteed to lead a GT, russian staff, more than reasonable support,...


Tour de Pologne and Vuelta are up next. He coped well with the good weather in italy, let's hope he'll manage the Spanish weather.

 

[Breh]

Not very good. Should've always been with Nibali's group.

Let's hope he just needs some time to adapt to this race and these circumstances. Still plenty more to come.

 

[portugal11]

He doesn't like the heat but hopefully it was just a bad day like he had in the giro

 

[markene2]

Re:

He doesn't like the heat but hopefully it was just a bad day like he had in the giro

Yeah, hope that was his one bad day, he will likely be much better as the race progresses.

 

[SafeBet]

Don't jump to conclusions. Remember Blockhaus. Plus, most of the riders who were at the Giro didn't look very sharp today. They will improve as the race goes on.

 

[liamito]

Re:

He doesn't like the heat but hopefully it was just a bad day like he had in the giro

Is the heat thing a fact? I mean he lives in Cyprus and did a very good Tour de France last year considering his Giro crash.

 

[portugal11]

Re: Re:

He doesn't like the heat but hopefully it was just a bad day like he had in the giro

Is the heat thing a fact? I mean he lives in Cyprus and did a very good Tour de France last year considering his Giro crash.

He wasn't racing for gc so he had time to rest during le tour. He rides better in cold weather

 

[fauniera]

Re: Re:

He rides better in cold weather

Not sure that's true. Evidence?

 

[Breh]

This years Giro had pretty good weather.

If this was his Blockhaus, then I am very satisfied. I just hope he'll find the legs to attack.

 

[Kafviar]

Re:

He doesn't like the heat but hopefully it was just a bad day like he had in the giro

I hear this everywhere but is it really true though? I feel like it's just a thing because he's russian and used to a colder climate.

 

[Breh]

Well, Tatarstan has a pretty continental climate. Cold winters, searing hot summers.

 

[movingtarget]

Or maybe he just had an off day..........

 

[The_Beach]

Better today. Expect him to become stronger day by day.

 

[Breh]

He had to let Froome, Nibali, Contador and Chaves go. Thats pretty solid. Another top5 and a stagewin should still be possible.

 

[SafeBet]

His shape is on the rise, I told you there was nothing to worry about.
Come the third week, he'll be among the strongest, if not the strongest overall.

 

[yaco]

Safe Bet summed it up - My only query is whether he can perform after 2 or 3 weeks of enduring hot conditions.

 

[The Barb]

Really like the way he is coming along this Vuelta ... thinking he can podium.

 

[fauniera]

Getting better and better. Let's hope it doesn't rain tomorrow, Zaki doesn't like rainy descents.

 

[SafeBet]

Podium is a long shot, I think, unless Froome fades badly. There's going to be some aggressive racing and I fear he is going to lose time in some descents.

 

[fauniera]

Well, top 4 should definitely be possible (if he doesn't crash). Apart from Froome, Nibali and Chaves i don't see who would beat him. Roche and van Garderen will fade, Aru is not in top form.

 

[pink_jersey]

Well, top 4 should definitely be possible (if he doesn't crash). Apart from Froome, Nibali and Chaves i don't see who would beat him. Roche and van Garderen will fade, Aru is not in top form.

Hmm..Contador?
I think he'll finish somewhere between 5th and 8th. Froome, Nibali, Chaves and Contador to secure top 4, and then the likes of Zakarin, Aru, Tejay, Roche, Kelderman and De la Cruz to finish on the remaining top 10 spots. Adam Yates will sacrifice himself for Chaves and Woods will lose a lot in the big mountains ant ITT.

 

[fauniera]

We'll see on Wednesday if Contador can perform at longer climbs as well as on muritos. I doubt it.

 

[Breh]

Apart from the Andorra stage, he has always finished with or in front of Nibali. 3rd, 4th or 5th should be possible imo.

I'm glad he managed the muritos ok'ish. I think he'll race a tad more agressive now unless the Sky train really hurts him.