Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[SeriousSam]

One thing all the haters can't say anymore, that:
a) Nairo doesn't do anything from far out
b) Nairo doesn't do anything on the 1st week, just sits on wheels.
c) Nairo doesn't attack.

Haters, please find new things to say about Nairo, he proved you wrong permanently on these 3 items today.

He rides with confidence, knowing the others aren't on his level, that he's the top dog. It's when the dawg is there that he becomes hesitant, rightfully so.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

Valv.Piti, let's not celebrate yet please. A lot of racing left. Including the medium mountain stages where anything can happen. It is still too early. I don't deny that he is in the driving position.

And I warn people who are under estimating Quintana's TT abilities. He is not that bad and he has been training quite a bit on that discipline. Last year at the Tour he was bad physically so he was bad in the TT as well.

Lool...and the vulta's time trial? What is the excuse?
Big tom will put 3 minutes on quintana if he shows something similar to his 2016 time trials

Ok. I have no excuse.
Let's wait for Tuesday then.

 

[dacooley]

Re:

LOL, this was a single climb stage and Quintana tore apart the field, imagine what can he do in a monster multiclimb stage like the ones in third week. And people speaking about Dumoulin..., Ok hes a very good time trialist, but hes gonna loose serious minutes in the third week.

typical euphoria based on hype around quintana. let the race judge the riders.

 

[bambino]

Re: Re:

LOL, this was a single climb stage and Quintana tore apart the field, imagine what can he do in a monster multiclimb stage like the ones in third week. And people speaking about Dumoulin..., Ok hes a very good time trialist, but hes gonna loose serious minutes in the third week.

typical euphoria based on hype around quintana. let the race judge the riders.

Agree. It is a looooong race still ahead. Dumoulin will probably fade a bit in mountains, but around 3 minutes is a lot (that is roughly what Nairo needs to make on him).

And everyone here seems to forget Nibali's karma to other riders which seems to be working in full steam already. I just hope it won't also decide easy 4th tdf for Froome...

 

[dacooley]

when reading the threads, it often seems once multimountain stages on third week come in any gt, quintana mockingly easily puts 1-2 minutes into the whole field in any mountain day, leaving his opponents eating the dust. for sure nairo is by far the best climber in the race but I'd definetely look up to dimoulin who possibly really improved his climbing even compared to the 2015 vuelta level.

 

[Fernandez]

Except Dumoulin has become Indurain lately, he will crack (Movistar will make him crack) in one or more of the third week stages.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I think all he needs to do right now is ride a good TT, don't lose time until Bormio and just go all out from the bottom of Umbrailpass which is extremely similar to Blockhaus stats wise (13,4 km @ 8,4% vs 13,2 km @ 8,6% for Umbrailpass) which is coming after a much harder stage this time and basically in 1000 metres higher altitude. I doubt we will see much happening on Oropa, but he did say that Italy was looking for the next Pantani and here he was, so maybe he also wants to win on Oropa. Doesn't take a whole lot from Movistar to control the break on that day since its basically ban plat 120 km leading up to the climb.

Then he can reassess and if Dumo still is in the jersey or if he only leads with 1 minute and under, obviously needs to go very hard on at least one of the remaining 3 mountain stages on stage 18, 19 and 20. Piancavallo being the most obvious, but Dumoulin have decent chances of cracking a bit on stage 18 if raced hard as he have on double Stelvio.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The thing is people still thinking this is Vuelta Dumoulin. Which it isn't. It's a totally different one. Vuelta Dumoulin would never stay within 24 seconds on Blockhaus.
So Quintana needs to do much better than what Aru/Astana did in the Vuelta to actually crack him. I do think it's possible, but it will not be as easy as in the Navaccerada stage in the Vuelta 2015.

It's simply not the same Dumoulin

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

The thing is people still thinking this is Vuelta Dumoulin. Which it isn't. It's a totally different one. Vuelta Dumoulin would never stay within 24 seconds on Blockhaus.
So Quintana needs to do much better than what Aru/Astana did in the Vuelta to actually crack him. I do think it's possible, but it will not be as easy as in the Navaccerada stage in the Vuelta 2015.

It's simply not the same Dumoulin

I don't think we do, if we did, I'd say he was no contender at all as Quintana simply is riding on a much higher level than his competitors in 2015. Which was a a pretty poor field in terms of performances uphill.

But don't you think Quintana still is better on multi mountain stages compared to mono climb stages compared to Dumoulin? I'd still say there are fair chances he will lose quite a bit on either stage 16 or 18, as in 2-5 minutes. Kelderman is also kind of a big blow.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re: Re:

The thing is people still thinking this is Vuelta Dumoulin. Which it isn't. It's a totally different one. Vuelta Dumoulin would never stay within 24 seconds on Blockhaus.
So Quintana needs to do much better than what Aru/Astana did in the Vuelta to actually crack him. I do think it's possible, but it will not be as easy as in the Navaccerada stage in the Vuelta 2015.

It's simply not the same Dumoulin

I don't think we do, if we did, I'd say he was no contender at all as Quintana simply is riding on a much higher level than his competitors in 2015. Which was a a pretty poor field in terms of performances uphill.

But don't you think Quintana still is better on multi mountain stages compared to mono climb stages compared to Dumoulin? I'd still say there are fair chances he will lose quite a bit on either stage 16 or 18, as in 2-5 minutes. Kelderman is also kind of a big blow.

Quintana is the best climber in the world and has the strongest team in this Giro. Major Tom might have evolved into a much better version of Wiggo but there is no way he can not loose many minutes to an early Nairo attack on a multi mountain stage with a few Movi riders up the road.

 

[DFA123]

One thing all the haters can't say anymore, that:
a) Nairo doesn't do anything from far out
b) Nairo doesn't do anything on the 1st week, just sits on wheels.
c) Nairo doesn't attack.

Haters, please find new things to say about Nairo, he proved you wrong permanently on these 3 items today.

He rides with confidence, knowing the others aren't on his level, that he's the top dog. It's when the dawg is there that he becomes hesitant, rightfully so.

Will be interesting to see if he is still hesitant against Froome when they next meet. Dismantling Froome on most of the climbs in the Vuelta last year might have put that final mental hurdle behind him.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

The thing is people still thinking this is Vuelta Dumoulin. Which it isn't. It's a totally different one. Vuelta Dumoulin would never stay within 24 seconds on Blockhaus.
So Quintana needs to do much better than what Aru/Astana did in the Vuelta to actually crack him. I do think it's possible, but it will not be as easy as in the Navaccerada stage in the Vuelta 2015.

It's simply not the same Dumoulin

I don't think we do, if we did, I'd say he was no contender at all as Quintana simply is riding on a much higher level than his competitors in 2015. Which was a a pretty poor field in terms of performances uphill.

But don't you think Quintana still is better on multi mountain stages compared to mono climb stages compared to Dumoulin? I'd still say there are fair chances he will lose quite a bit on either stage 16 or 18, as in 2-5 minutes. Kelderman is also kind of a big blow.

Quintana is the best climber in the world and has the strongest team in this Giro. Major Tom might have evolved into a much better version of Wiggo but there is no way he can not loose many minutes to an early Nairo attack on a multi mountain stage with a few Movi riders up the road.

Yes, its very hard to see this not happening.

 

[portugal11]

Of course nairo isn't contador (who is by far the most entertaining rider of the last 30 years, only pantani is similar to him), he is very clinical in his attacks and he only attacks when he knows that he is the strongest climber in the stage but he attacks more than 80% of the climbers in the race.
The only negative point is that he normally adopts a conservative way of racing when he is racing against froome. And that's really annoying because he has to gain time on froome in the mountains. He has to attack in every mountain stage, trying put froome in trouble because we all know he is limited in windy stages or time trials. Sometimes (against froome) he rides like 2012 basso (always waiting for stelvio). But is a myth that he doesn't attack

 

[Valv.Piti]

When he is on his a-game, he has an uncanny ability to wear his opponents out gradually with one attack after another (opponent who aren't Froome at least). I think the 4th time was the charm yesterday, that was too much for Nibs and Pinot, they couldn't respond anymore.

Edit: Compare that to Contador who most times goes super hard one time and if you can follow there, you'll be able to follow him to the top pretty much. Harder effort which often wears himself out. Nairo's attack are softer, but there's more to them afterwards as he will continuously go and when he drops them, is able to hold the tempo to the line.

 

[hfer07]

for some reason, I do believe Quintanita will be able to conquer the double this year, given the current state of his contenders i.e. Froome looked to me off track a bit, whereas Contador is fading......

At least I'm certain (barring a misfortune of course) Il Giro is already his, taking into account how the last week stages are tailor made for his climbing powers. Le Tour OTOH is going to be initially driven by Don Alejandro & then Nairito will do his show in the mountains.

 

[Pantani_lives]

I would compare Dumoulin to Olano. He's not as good as Ullrich, and certainly not as good as Indurain, but Olano seems a fair comparison: a great time trialist who can limit the damage in the mountains. Quintana in shape with a strong team around him should be able to crack him, but it's not a given. It still has to happen and we don't know yet how far he will be behind after the time trial. He'll also need enough of a lead to go safely into the final time trial.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

When he is on his a-game, he has an uncanny ability to wear his opponents out gradually with one attack after another (opponent who aren't Froome at least). I think the 4th time was the charm yesterday, that was too much for Nibs and Pinot, they couldn't respond anymore.

Edit: Compare that to Contador who most times goes super hard one time and if you can follow there, you'll be able to follow him to the top pretty much. Harder effort which often wears himself out. Nairo's attack are softer, but there's more to them afterwards as he will continuously go and when he drops them, is able to hold the tempo to the line.

He did that to Froome at the Vuelta 2016 as well. That was probably the reason why Froome was dead the following day. But he has to be in top form.

I think Tour 2015 was the exception.

 

[Põhja Konn]

I'm convinced he decided to do the double because he actually believes in being very competitive at both GT-s. He might end up winning neither, but is very likely to be seriously challenging in both.

 

[portugal11]

Re:

When he is on his a-game, he has an uncanny ability to wear his opponents out gradually with one attack after another (opponent who aren't Froome at least). I think the 4th time was the charm yesterday, that was too much for Nibs and Pinot, they couldn't respond anymore.

Edit: Compare that to Contador who most times goes super hard one time and if you can follow there, you'll be able to follow him to the top pretty much. Harder effort which often wears himself out. Nairo's attack are softer, but there's more to them afterwards as he will continuously go and when he drops them, is able to hold the tempo to the line.

Did you see 2007 peyresourde ?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

When he is on his a-game, he has an uncanny ability to wear his opponents out gradually with one attack after another (opponent who aren't Froome at least). I think the 4th time was the charm yesterday, that was too much for Nibs and Pinot, they couldn't respond anymore.

Edit: Compare that to Contador who most times goes super hard one time and if you can follow there, you'll be able to follow him to the top pretty much. Harder effort which often wears himself out. Nairo's attack are softer, but there's more to them afterwards as he will continuously go and when he drops them, is able to hold the tempo to the line.

Did you see 2007 peyresourde ?

I certainly did, but thats 10 years away now....

 

[Fernandez]

Nairo Quintana has the potencial to be one of the very best pure climbers in the history of the sport.

 

[dacooley]

One thing all the haters can't say anymore, that:
a) Nairo doesn't do anything from far out
b) Nairo doesn't do anything on the 1st week, just sits on wheels.
c) Nairo doesn't attack.

Haters, please find new things to say about Nairo, he proved you wrong permanently on these 3 items today.

hype, sympathy, willingness to see the beloved rider on the top of the podium make fans extremely touchy when it comes to critics adressed to their rider. either way be prepared for probable complaints about quintana being boring / being able attack only uphill / not being contador (pantani) or something. that's impossible to please anyone.

I think all he needs to do right now is ride a good TT, don't lose time until Bormio and just go all out from the bottom of Umbrailpass which is extremely similar to Blockhaus stats wise (13,4 km @ 8,4% vs 13,2 km @ 8,6% for Umbrailpass) which is coming after a much harder stage this time and basically in 1000 metres higher altitude.

based on your idea i'm assuming you predict nairo instantly dropping all the chief rivals at the bottom of Umbrail, distancing them by something about 1'30'' on the top and keeping up this margin on the descent to Bormio? How do you see it?

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Nairo Quintana has the potencial to be one of the very best pure climbers in the history of the sport.

I'd say he's already the best climber since Pantani.

 

[Fernandez]

Re: Re:

Nairo Quintana has the potencial to be one of the very best pure climbers in the history of the sport.

I'd say he's already the best climber since Pantani.

Never been a Pantani fan. If Nairo continues delivering these performances in the next years, his palmares could be monstrous. The guy is gifted as hell, his worst result in TdF is a 3rd!!!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Still, Pantani climbed a few minutes faster than Q.