Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[Angliru]

Re:

Quintana at his peak is still the best climber in the world, and at 95% he's also the best climber if everyone is at 95%. However, he's not that reliable in peaking for a GT, and he often has a few minor issues during GTs.

For a man who's the beste climber of the world in his prime, losing this Giro would be a hard loss no doubt. Especially against a rider who's the same age, miles better in the TT and who seems to match him uphill until now.

For a rider who's reign in GTs seemed imminent, this one is gonna hurt if he doesn't turn it around. His conversion rate in GTs isn't high enough if he is to be one of the greatest stage racers of all time. A lot of that is outside his influence though, and tides can turn around quickly in this sport.

This was unexplored territory for Quintana. He has never attempted purposely to race for the gc in consecutive grand tours, and especially not the Giro and then the Tour. Also Dumoulin has obviously improved in the mountains making what seemed to be an advantage and opportunity to gain time on him almost non-existent, even with Dumoulin's weak team. Unless he just blows up in spectacular fashion there isn't much that can be done or could've been done. Quintana does seem less potent in mountains since Blockhaus though.

 

[trucido]

You would think he would focus on winning just the TdF first before thinking about any consecutive GT challenge.

 

[portugal11]

Do you think nairo peaked too soon?

 

[DNP-Old]

Day after day he's showing he isn't good enough, yet still in pink after 19. Says a lot about the rest if anything.

 

[Gigs_98]

I really think the crash affected him. He went from dominating on Blockhaus to being something like the 5th strongest climber.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well, looks like he's going to win it after all. The double is still possible, if this is him at 90%.

 

[portugal11]

Re:

Well, looks like he's going to win it after all. The double is still possible, if this is him at 90%.

Why? Pinot and nibali can put 1 minute on him in the time trial. Quintana is spent

 

[RattaKuningas]

I really think the crash affected him. He went from dominating on Blockhaus to being something like the 5th strongest climber.

I think it might have been this Oropa climb. He went into red and exploded in the end. Maybe this has something to do with it.

 

[Matteo.]

I really do not understand his behavior today. Okay, it's clear that you do not have legs ... but I guess, at least one acceleration in the last flat kilometres. Come on nairo!

 

[Vroome.exe]

I think today he lost this Giro. With the last time trial he is in 4th-5th position right now, no way he gaps all contenders tomorrow with that flat finish.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Well, looks like he's going to win it after all. The double is still possible, if this is him at 90%.

Why? Pinot and nibali can put 1 minute on him in the time trial. Quintana is spent

They're all spent. I wouldn't bet on them gaining more than 30s.

 

[portugal11]

I can't see fire on him!!! I'm not sure if he is really focus on winning this giro. He was drinking champagne on the podium. I never saw froome or contador doing this

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

I really do not understand his behavior today. Okay, it's clear that you do not have legs ... but I guess, at least one acceleration in the last flat kilometres. Come on nairo!

If he doesn't have the legs he could crack. It would be pointless. He wasn't close to being the best climber today.

 

[lenric]

Re:

I can't see fire on him!!! I'm not sure if he is really focus on winning this giro. He was drinking champagne on the podium. I never saw froome or contador doing this

Biblical non-sense comparison.

 

[Red Rick]

An important factor could be that the leader doesn't wear his own custom made TT suit in the final TT. Could hamper Quintana should he still lead. I think 43s is just a bit too much to make up.

 

[Matteo.]

Re: Re:

I really do not understand his behavior today. Okay, it's clear that you do not have legs ... but I guess, at least one acceleration in the last flat kilometres. Come on nairo!

If he doesn't have the legs he could crack. It would be pointless. He wasn't close to being the best climber today.

In fact, i don't see many legs today, pinot too ( at the end he gained few seconds after attacking from far). Anyway everyone did a try...except him

 

[SeriousSam]

I wonder where the Quintana of the 2015 Tour is. Of the Big 4, it seems only Froome has the ability to consistently show up with dominant form at the GT he targets

 

[AlexNYC]

Re:

I can't see fire on him!!! I'm not sure if he is really focus on winning this giro. He was drinking champagne on the podium. I never saw froome or contador doing this

This made me LOL for some reason

 

[gospina]

He will win this Giro with his head, not his legs. Today was a good example. Everyone was shocked when he got dropped by Nibali & Co in the last climb but he did the Domoulin move and just churned himself back. Smart. He does need to put another 10 seconds to be safe. No more is needed. The descent at the end is dangerous, good descenders here.

 

[Valv.Piti]

This would be the most underwhelming GT-victory since Hesjedal, if he pulls it off, me thinks. Hasn't looked good at all, but has rode very, very smart and under control. Such a weird Giro, anything can still happen! Stoked for tomorrow!

Whops, I forgot Aru. Thats still the high point of underwhelming GT-winnings performances.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Serious question: has Nairo regressed as a climber or has he stayed at the same level while what was previously the tier beneath him has improved?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Serious question: has Nairo regressed as a climber or has he stayed at the same level while what was previously the tier beneath him has improved?

He has had problem with recovering lately, in the Tour 2016 and this year's Giro for whatever reasons (allergies last year, maybe, crash this year, maybe), but no reason to think he has regressed IMO.

 

[Matteo.]

Re:

He will win this Giro with his head, not his legs. Today was a good example. Everyone was shocked when he got dropped by Nibali & Co in the last climb but he did the Domoulin move and just churned himself back. Smart. He does need to put another 10 seconds to be safe. No more is needed. The descent at the end is dangerous, good descenders here.

Taking for granted that Tom is done but I'm not so sure.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Serious question: has Nairo regressed as a climber or has he stayed at the same level while what was previously the tier beneath him has improved?

He has had problem with recovering lately, in the Tour 2016 and this year's Giro for whatever reasons (allergies last year, maybe, crash this year, maybe), but no reason to think he has regressed IMO.

Yeah, according to the data, he put out career best numbers at the Vuelta last year. It's clear he's just below top form right now - maybe the crash damaged him more than he's letting on. Or he just came in under-raced.

 

[SeriousSam]

That bodes well for the Tour.