Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[Põhja Konn]

I am a bit torn about the prospect of Nairo doing the big double. On one hand I would really like the ambition behind such a move. Doing that would mean he and his team see the elusive double as a realistic target. If not on the first attempt, then at least in near future. Considering how he did in the Vuelta the last two years, I think the one extra week there is between the Giro and the Tour (compared to the time between Tour and Vuelta) could be crucial. Both times he built up a new peak for the second GT as opposed to carrying over the form from the previous one. Having an extra week to build that new peak could well be the decisive difference between being good (challenging for a podium) or great (contending for the win).

On the other hand, I would first like him to beat Froome in the Tour full stop. Doing it after racing (and winning) as tough and unpredictable GT as the Giro would define his entire career, but looks more like an impossible dream than a realistic prospect at the moment. I'm sick and tired of Sky and Froome getting things their own way at the Tour year after year, and would happily settle "only" for Nairo beating them in July.

As things stand right now, I only believe Nairo, and Froome for that matter, riding the Giro, when I actually see it. I hope they go to Italy in may, but certainly don't expect it.

 

[sir fly]

I'd wholeheartedly welcome Quintana's double attempt, nevertheless, there are numerous difficulties of various nature related to the effort.
For example, does Movi have got human resources required to carry out the two GTs? Or, how Quintana's training habits will fit in in schedule?
I think if they manage to keep him in Europe during June, he could start the Tour fully focused on a top result.

 

[gospina]

Contador was very open about doing all three GTs and wanted all other top riders to do the same. I believe all other top guys (Quintana, Froome, Nibali) agreed that it made sense in theory but that in reality sponsors/teams wanted to focus on one GT. It will only take one guy not to agree for the others to pull out of the idea. Froome, Quintana, Nibali, Contador. I don't think those four really fear Aru and Sanchez. Even less for Bardet, Uran, Valverde, Yates.

 

[portugal11]

Re:

Contador was very open about doing all three GTs and wanted all other top riders to do the same. I believe all other top guys (Quintana, Froome, Nibali) agreed that it made sense in theory but that in reality sponsors/teams wanted to focus on one GT. It will only take one guy not to agree for the others to pull out of the idea. Froome, Quintana, Nibali, Contador. I don't think those four really fear Aru and Sanchez. Even less for Bardet, Uran, Valverde, Yates.

Samu sanchez

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

Contador was very open about doing all three GTs and wanted all other top riders to do the same. I believe all other top guys (Quintana, Froome, Nibali) agreed that it made sense in theory but that in reality sponsors/teams wanted to focus on one GT. It will only take one guy not to agree for the others to pull out of the idea. Froome, Quintana, Nibali, Contador. I don't think those four really fear Aru and Sanchez. Even less for Bardet, Uran, Valverde, Yates.

Nibali declined iirc. He said that there are other more important things in life for him than cycling, like his family, so he didn't want to waste his whole year doing this stunt, constantly racing or at training camps.

 

[MatParker117]

Re:

I'd wholeheartedly welcome Quintana's double attempt, nevertheless, there are numerous difficulties of various nature related to the effort.
For example, does Movi have got human resources required to carry out the two GTs? Or, how Quintana's training habits will fit in in schedule?
I think if they manage to keep him in Europe during June, he could start the Tour fully focused on a top result.

Also there's the issue of the much stronger GC field compared to 2014 when he won it. Nibali, Aru (who's improved from 2014) & Pinot will make it a much more difficult race and we've seen with Contador what that can do.

 

[Ataraxus]

Re: Re:

I'd be surprised if Quintana fails to ride the TDF - I am not stressed about Quintana losing too much time in the ITT's to Froome, because we must remember that Froome's preparation for 2016 was also focused on the OLympics ITT - I'd expect some reduction in Froome's ITT performnces in 2017.

Absolutely, I expect him to TT like 2015.

I think he will be better. Consider the fact that Quintana lost 11 seconds in 2015 on 14k, that would transition to say, 25 seconds or so over 36k. I think thats pretty unrealistic.

Consider the fact that Quintana started early in that TT to avoid afternoon winds.
Had he started with the top guns at the end, he would have lost more.

 

[gospina]

Re: Re:

Contador was very open about doing all three GTs and wanted all other top riders to do the same. I believe all other top guys (Quintana, Froome, Nibali) agreed that it made sense in theory but that in reality sponsors/teams wanted to focus on one GT. It will only take one guy not to agree for the others to pull out of the idea. Froome, Quintana, Nibali, Contador. I don't think those four really fear Aru and Sanchez. Even less for Bardet, Uran, Valverde, Yates.

Samu sanchez

Doh! I meant Chavez. Fellow player from Bogota too. What is wrong with me? LOL

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

I'd be surprised if Quintana fails to ride the TDF - I am not stressed about Quintana losing too much time in the ITT's to Froome, because we must remember that Froome's preparation for 2016 was also focused on the OLympics ITT - I'd expect some reduction in Froome's ITT performnces in 2017.

Absolutely, I expect him to TT like 2015.

Doubtful, Froome knows that's a big advantage over Quintana for him. If he's within 90 seconds in Marseille then it's yellow number 4.

 

[Poursuivant]

What are the chances of him doing the Giro? I can't see it myself, and the course doesn't really suit him.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

What are the chances of him doing the Giro? I can't see it myself, and the course doesn't really suit him.

The course is fine for Quintana. Not super, but definitely fine.

But to answer your question, I don't see it. I don't know if I'd hope it either to be honest, but would definitely be pumped in May if he chooses to ride it.

 

[diego721]

Nairo is going to the Giro.
He said that the main goal is the Tour but, confirmed the double-attempt.
http://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/ciclismo/el-ciclista-nario-quintana-el-mejor-deportista-de-2016/16779353

 

[sir fly]

Good to see Quintana opting for the double. He's certainly one of the very few who can complete it.
The downsides of it are obvious. What kind of form he''l bring to the Tour and absence from Vuelta.

 

[May0maniac]

Re:

Nairo is going to the Giro.
He said that the main goal is the Tour but, confirmed the double-attempt.
http://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/ciclismo/el-ciclista-nario-quintana-el-mejor-deportista-de-2016/16779353

If his main target is the Tour he probably wont be at hi best at he Giro, h probably wants to replicate his Tour-Vuelta performace whn he was way stronger n the 2nd gt, with a hard Tour in his legs.
It's hard, but if he really manages to peak for the Tou than h deserves nothing but respect.
Of couse he could also take it easy durning the first 2 weeks of the Giro only to go full Sella in the 3rd week, but I don't think that he'll do that.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

Nairo is going to the Giro.
He said that the main goal is the Tour but, confirmed the double-attempt.
http://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/ciclismo/el-ciclista-nario-quintana-el-mejor-deportista-de-2016/16779353

That's right. it is settled.
But he was also clear in saying that the main objective is the Tour. Obviously, like other members have said it, he want's to replicate what happened last year. Some comments about it:

- Is he able to soft pedal? does he have the personality to do it?
- Giro is harder than Vuelta, so not sure if it is the same as last year. There is even more time between Vuelta and Tour than the Giro and Tour.
- There would be shorter altitude training this time. How would he perform?

Having said that I am excited that he is doing the Giro, even if he does not try to win it, but at least he could be a great animator.

 

[Gigs_98]

I usually like it when strong riders go to the giro but in this case I think it will only mean that Froome's chance in the tour will be even bigger. The giro could be great though. Quintana vs Nibali vs Aru vs Landa vs a few dutch guys should be great to watch especially because the route is relatively ITT heavy so Nibali who I think declined a bit in the last two years has an advantage over pure climbers like Quintana or Landa and Dumoulin has a chance to perform well even if he isn't one of the absolute best climbers.

 

[Poursuivant]

I am really surprised at this, it's a Tour with minimal TT, who is to say it will be that small amount of TT for a while?

 

[Poursuivant]

PS Merry Christmas everyone

 

[Escarabajo]

Thanks.

Merry Christmas to Quintana fans!

and everyone else!

 

[Jspear]

I wonder what type of form he really is going to come to the Giro with....I know he is saying the Tour is still the main thing, but that wouldn't be very smart. He could walk away with two GT podiums if he's only "okay" at the Giro. Perhaps he is going to really try at the Giro and just hope that he can sustain that form through the Tour.

 

[hrotha]

I'll believe it when I see him start the Giro. I think it makes zero sense for someone who has already won the Giro, but who has never won the Tour and who would be defending his title next year at the Vuelta.

 

[PremierAndrew]

The lure of Giro #100

 

[yaco]

My guess is Quintana will go flat chat to win the Giro - Probably also suggests he doesn't fancy his chances in the TDF.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

I'll believe it when I see him start the Giro. I think it makes zero sense for someone who has already won the Giro, but who has never won the Tour and who would be defending his title next year at the Vuelta.

It makes sense if you think about how well he rode the Vuelta after a hard Tour and a year when he was in shape pretty much all year. They are gonna dig deeper into that next year - I will be very surprised if he will be worse than this year in the Tour. The Vuelta is a bummer, but I'd imagine Valverde is pretty into it. Maybe he has had something to say.

He spoke about it in October and confirmed it now, its the 100th edition. I can't see why you wouldn't believe it.

 

[Põhja Konn]

After doing Tour and Vuelta back-to-back last two years Unzue and Nairo himself now know he has the physical abilities to at least seriously challenge the GT double, Completing the Giro-Tour double against Froome who is peaking for the latter may not be possible before Froome shows a clear decline (which, given his age, might not be so far away), but the ambition shown with the double attempt is what I like the most. Clearly, doing both doubles, is being seen as a realistic target worth pursuing within Movistar team.