Nairos fans are a funny breed.
There are certain rules fans set up. Contadors fans (not all of course) are the most pessimistic, anxious and sensitive for every sign of what Alberto may show. And likewise is the rule that his critics set up harsh and brutal: is he not winning a race in October? It will be difficult to beat (insert favorite rider) in the Tour 2015. Not winning a sprint? The form isnt there. Not contending a sprint? He is on decline. Not winning by six minutes on the first ever uphill? Questionable form. Not attacking on the first day in leaders jersey? Worst wheelsucker ever. Then we have a large gathering who still thinks its 2013 (Froome fans wave to the camera).
I'll skip Nibalis boys. There is a certain vibe going on.
But then we got Nairo. Good lord. Does the man have any pressures and demands to perform at least one inch of what his gang of ultra-nationalistic colombians are telling us? It's like: ok. He won barely Giro and is the greatest ever from now on and until eternity. No questions asked. Remember this Vuelta? Nairo barely beat a very below par Moreno in Burgos and CN forum was like: He'll drive home Vuelta with one leg. Or riding backwards.
Come Vuelta and the excuses started early. Did Nairo actually got dropped on the first ever uphill? No problem. He was "taking it cool" and was like: "Yo Alejandro. I'll let you handle this. Myself going to drop some 12 seconds to Christopher and Velasco because i am so damn good and dont have any pressure to perform". That was one theory. The other theory was that it was too warm and Nairo are born in a climate where he absolutely needs rain and temperatures around 12 degrees to be a ultra-badass. Lost huge chunk of time in the first split on a time-trial? No problemo. Assuming the spanish weather drops to 13 degrees of course. Crashing in the same time trial? No problemo. He'll handle these multiple GT-winners which he somehow is better than (but never needs to actually perform against to prove) because we just say so. And, of course, it must rain.
Give me a break.