Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[Pantani_lives]

Okay, I officially support Nairo's quest for amarillo. I would love to see a pure climber like him turn everything upside down in the third week. Objectively I still think Froome is the favorite, but if the Colombian doesn't lose time in crashes or windy stages he does have a chance to take power in the Alps. Stage 17 and 19 are probably his best chances to attack. I think he has to take yellow before stage 20, because Froome will have support in the descent of the Joux-Plane.

In the beginning I thought he would be just another climber who can win a stage and make the top 5, but by now I'm convinced that he can win La Grande Boucle, hopefully already this year.

 

[AlexNYC]

Tomorrow is going to be very tough if it is as windy as predicted in some of the reports. I'm hopeful Movistar and Nairo learned their lesson from last year and will fight to be closer to the front of the peloton, but these types of stages are a very glaring team weakness.

Oh brother... I don't think I've ever looked forward to a race as much as this year's Tour Only a few hours to go.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Tomorrow is going to be very tough if it is as windy as predicted in some of the reports. I'm hopeful Movistar and Nairo learned their lesson from last year and will fight to be closer to the front of the peloton, but these types of stages are a very glaring team weakness.

Oh brother... I don't think I've ever looked forward to a race as much as this year's Tour Only a few hours to go.

Same.

The camera focuses a lot on our man today.

 

[AlexNYC]

Yes, he's clearly learned from last year. He has been at the front all day, even at the head of the peloton a couple of occasions

 

[Valv.Piti]

I like it, he seems super motivated and very well prepared, lets see how his explosiveness looks tomorrow.

 

[Fernandez]

This is gonna be a Quintana vs Froome Tour. I dont think Contador is at the level of these two.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

This is gonna be a Quintana vs Froome Tour. I dont think Contador is at the level of these two.

Especially not now that Contador has been down this hard. No matter what, it takes the top off.

Erviti, Oliveira, Herrada and Ion were amazing today. They were in the front the whole time. Very, very pleased with how the guys protected him. They really sent the signal that they are way more prepared this year than last year. Get to the Pyrenees without crashes and timelosses and I can't see him lose this one, I seriously can't.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Nairo looking good this year.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Before this Tour, I thought Froome would edge it. But quintana looks super determined, and seems to have learnt from his mistakes. Super attentive all day today, always towards the front, and if he's also prepared to throw caution to the wind and attack, he's going to be really dangerous. Let's face it, he's got nothing to lose. What's another podium in the TdF going to do his for palmares?

So yeah, I'm now also joining the 'Quintana will win this tour' bandwagon (even if I really hope either of AC or CF beats him )

Mountains should be utter carnage this year, Quintana Contador Froome and Nibali (Aru has the balls but will probably not consider it rational to risk a podium place if he finds himself there) will all be prepared to risk a high position for a shot at victory.

 

[nairoman]

I see a really focused nairo Yesterday hope he stay like that till the end and we will see a climbing showdown on Mount ventoux

 

[hrotha]

Re:

btw Naito has 29 victories at 26 , froome at the same age not even 5 so Nairo is clearly better and Froome has just good luck last year beating him

And Cavendish should beat them both easily.

 

[hrotha]

That's all fine and dandy, but the power of sheer hatred (and naïvety, I might add) won't make your wishes come true.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Dude, the point of the clinic is not that you must not use the word doping but that you must not talk about doping here. Don't write you dislike froome because of something you must not ride about. There is no difference between doing that and just saying you think he dopes.

 

[Red Rick]

Drop the clinic talk. Now.

 

[Escarabajo]

What clinic talk??

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

What clinic talk??

Posts have been deleted.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

What clinic talk??

It got deleted

 

[PremierAndrew]

Nairo right on Froome's wheel at the end today. He's super motivated not to give Froome a single second in the first week

 

[aarononymous]

Re:

Nairo right on Froome's wheel at the end today. He's super motivated not to give Froome a single second in the first week

Almost as impressive as him hanging on in the cobbled stage early in last years Tour

 

[hrotha]

Re: Re:

What clinic talk??

Posts have been deleted.

Including some that weren't at all about any Clinicky stuff, I might add.

 

[AlexNYC]

So the first batch of flatish stages is over and Nairo hasn't lost anytime with Froome. It's not a huge accomplishment on paper, but it's certainly a sign that he and the rest of Movistar have focused on overcoming some of their shortcomings from last year.

There is at least the possibility that Sky will try to test Nairo's form during tomorrow's stage. At least I'm hoping that's the case as it would make for a very interesting finale.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Looks like he is in absolute control so far. Gonna give Froome a run for his money, that's for sure

 

[Eclipse]

Movistar definitely making a more concerted effort this year to take their chances.

Put the hurt on Contador, as soon as Bardet attacked it was Valverde and Quintana who were ready to go with him etc

Good start

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Looks like he is in absolute control so far. Gonna give Froome a run for his money, that's for sure

He's gonna take time on Froome in the first proper mountain stage.

 

[RattaKuningas]

Quintana looks incredebly sharp and very confident (otherwise Movistar probably wouldn't have pushed such pace). When Bardet attacked on last climb Quintana and Valverde didn't even give him 1 meter while it took other contenders (including Froome) little bit time and effort to get back.

I wonder if today's effort was meant to wear down other contenders and Sky train so that they won't be able to response when Quintana eventually attacks.