Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[Cannibal72]

Re:

how can anyone be a fan of a rider who sits on a bike like froome does. it actually makes me physically aggressive watching him ride. it's a kick in the balls to all cycling fans and cyclists

Bobet, Merckx, and Hinault hardly had elegant riding styles, and yet cycling fans seem to regard all of them as greats. I can certainly see why you dislike Froome's riding style, but it's worth remembering that he's hardly unique or even distinctive in terms of how he rides, so it's pretty unfair to describe his unpleasing but effective and perfectly traditional style as a 'kick in the balls'.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

Ugh, the Nairo-hate.. and people are also clever enough on this forum to give Alejandro a bit as well, something which he surely hasn't deserved based on his last couple of years.

Quintana is smart. He doesn't spend energy on useless attacks like Contador sometimes does, sometimes it even seems like he races for his fans, but strikes when the opportunity is there and he feels he can actually drop the rest. Basically what SeriousSam noted.

I also do think its important to remember Quintana was one of the most aggressive in last year's Vuelta, despite not being too good. He basically tried every time he felt well, funny how these things have forgotten. Its also funny that he just left Contador in the dust 2 weeks earlier.

I certainly don't remember that. BTW, it's not like people were born Quintana-haters. I think it is fair to say that we all cycling fans were Quintana lovers and cheering the return of the quintaessential climber back to cycling in 2010-2013.

It's Quintana's actions and racing that made me change my opinion.

Some of the hate just grows with the love of other riders. So much is said about Gerrans also that I have never cared for. Or even Sep Vanmarcke. I don't see what other people are seeing just because I don't have a vested interest in other riders at that moment. I just want to watch the spectacle. And I liked it whether people were mad or not. It is up to the other to drop Gerrans on the climbs or be subjected to the consequences.

In last year Tour the Love for Contador and hate for Froome became very stupid. So stupid that they wanted Quintana to save the children of the world. Of course that is not going to happen. It wasn't his plan or his responsibility. So people took it against him because of not riding like Contador. Very stupid IMHO. You play to your strengths. Contador was weak last year and in compensation for that weakness he had to throw those worthless long range attacks. If he was strong there is no way he would have done that. But the easy route was to take it against Quintana and Valverde. People were even mad at Valverde for chasing and trying to defend his only freaking podium of his life in the Tour. Please that is huge for him and for his family. He does not give a sh!t what people on this forum think about that.

Proof that people did not know much about Quintana is that he used to attack more before he was the leading man (did it constantly if you follow him). Once he became the leader in the GT’s it was a different story. He had to save more energy. Besides defeating Froome in the mountains of the Tour is not small feast. He got burned twice by doing the long range attacks. Now he went the other way. Maybe he gets it right this time. At least he has gotten closer.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Re: Re:

how can anyone be a fan of a rider who sits on a bike like froome does. it actually makes me physically aggressive watching him ride. it's a kick in the balls to all cycling fans and cyclists

Bobet, Merckx, and Hinault hardly had elegant riding styles, and yet cycling fans seem to regard all of them as greats. I can certainly see why you dislike Froome's riding style, but it's worth remembering that he's hardly unique or even distinctive in terms of how he rides, so it's pretty unfair to describe his unpleasing but effective and perfectly traditional style as a 'kick in the balls'.

they looked like david millars on bikes compared to froome. I'm watching cycling religiously for over 20 years and froome is by margin 100/1 the worst I've ever seen. like I said it actually makes me mad watching him ride a bike.

 

[Miburo]

Makes me mad to see how quintana raced last years tour and his style isn't any nice anyways besides who cares that much about style? That's the most determing factor for you?

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re: Re:

how can anyone be a fan of a rider who sits on a bike like froome does. it actually makes me physically aggressive watching him ride. it's a kick in the balls to all cycling fans and cyclists

Bobet, Merckx, and Hinault hardly had elegant riding styles, and yet cycling fans seem to regard all of them as greats. I can certainly see why you dislike Froome's riding style, but it's worth remembering that he's hardly unique or even distinctive in terms of how he rides, so it's pretty unfair to describe his unpleasing but effective and perfectly traditional style as a 'kick in the balls'.

they looked like david millars on bikes compared to froome. I'm watching cycling religiously for over 20 years and froome is by margin 100/1 the worst I've ever seen. like I said it actually makes me mad watching him ride a bike.

Dont watch him then

Don't get how you can value position on a bike more than riding style

 

[Escarabajo]

Hinault had an elegant style IMHO. Very nice.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Re: Re:

how can anyone be a fan of a rider who sits on a bike like froome does. it actually makes me physically aggressive watching him ride. it's a kick in the balls to all cycling fans and cyclists

Bobet, Merckx, and Hinault hardly had elegant riding styles, and yet cycling fans seem to regard all of them as greats. I can certainly see why you dislike Froome's riding style, but it's worth remembering that he's hardly unique or even distinctive in terms of how he rides, so it's pretty unfair to describe his unpleasing but effective and perfectly traditional style as a 'kick in the balls'.

they looked like david millars on bikes compared to froome. I'm watching cycling religiously for over 20 years and froome is by margin 100/1 the worst I've ever seen. like I said it actually makes me mad watching him ride a bike.

Dont watch him then

Don't get how you can value position on a bike more than riding style

I obviously have to watch him because he's part of the peloton

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Re:

Makes me mad to see how quintana raced last years tour and his style isn't any nice anyways besides who cares that much about style? That's the most determing factor for you?

normally not. but in case of froome's style it has becoming the most determing factor. he's a joke on 2 wheels who I hope won't be riding a bike in the pro peloton for long

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

how can anyone be a fan of a rider who sits on a bike like froome does. it actually makes me physically aggressive watching him ride. it's a kick in the balls to all cycling fans and cyclists

Bobet, Merckx, and Hinault hardly had elegant riding styles, and yet cycling fans seem to regard all of them as greats. I can certainly see why you dislike Froome's riding style, but it's worth remembering that he's hardly unique or even distinctive in terms of how he rides, so it's pretty unfair to describe his unpleasing but effective and perfectly traditional style as a 'kick in the balls'.

they looked like david millars on bikes compared to froome. I'm watching cycling religiously for over 20 years and froome is by margin 100/1 the worst I've ever seen. like I said it actually makes me mad watching him ride a bike.

should we take the 2 TDF off him because you don't like his style? Style over substance...No thanks

 

[gospina]

Re: Re:

how can anyone be a fan of a rider who sits on a bike like froome does. it actually makes me physically aggressive watching him ride. it's a kick in the balls to all cycling fans and cyclists

Bobet, Merckx, and Hinault hardly had elegant riding styles, and yet cycling fans seem to regard all of them as greats. I can certainly see why you dislike Froome's riding style, but it's worth remembering that he's hardly unique or even distinctive in terms of how he rides, so it's pretty unfair to describe his unpleasing but effective and perfectly traditional style as a 'kick in the balls'.

they looked like david millars on bikes compared to froome. I'm watching cycling religiously for over 20 years and froome is by margin 100/1 the worst I've ever seen. like I said it actually makes me mad watching him ride a bike.

should we take the 2 TDF off him because you don't like his style? Style over substance...No thanks

I don't mind it. Riders with unique riding styles stand out. Sagan, Cancellara...smooth..Cadel's weird stand pedaling. Chavanel all over all are different. Regarding colombians, Gaviria isn't as smooth as, say, Avila. Bike is all over the place. Henao has a slower cadence similar to Cadel. Duarte and Nairo are very, very smooth. Uran has a unique style that you pinpoint right away...so did Fabio Parra. The worst, worst, worst that I can't stand, more annoying than anyone including Froome was Santiago Botero. Talk about upper body movement. The best style, someone that looks like they are dancing is Contador.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Climbing style techniques: Andy >> Rolland > Contador > Quintana

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Re:

Climbing style techniques: Andy >> Rolland > Contador > Quintana

as in most terrible I hope?

froome >>>>>>>>>> them all

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Climbing style techniques: Andy >> Rolland > Contador > Quintana

as in most terrible I hope?

froome >>>>>>>>>> them all

As in what I like the most, Andy was a joy to watch. Froome is only beaten by Mauke Bollema

 

[pink_jersey]

Andy is in the past. In terms of actual riders for me it's:
Rolland=Contador > Quintana. The worst are Froome, Aru(when it's suffering) and Mollema. Also, Pinot doesn't seem to me like an elegant climber.

 

[dacooley]

Re: Re:

how can anyone be a fan of a rider who sits on a bike like froome does. it actually makes me physically aggressive watching him ride. it's a kick in the balls to all cycling fans and cyclists

Bobet, Merckx, and Hinault hardly had elegant riding styles, and yet cycling fans seem to regard all of them as greats. I can certainly see why you dislike Froome's riding style, but it's worth remembering that he's hardly unique or even distinctive in terms of how he rides, so it's pretty unfair to describe his unpleasing but effective and perfectly traditional style as a 'kick in the balls'.

they looked like david millars on bikes compared to froome. I'm watching cycling religiously for over 20 years and froome is by margin 100/1 the worst I've ever seen. like I said it actually makes me mad watching him ride a bike.

should we take the 2 TDF off him because you don't like his style? Style over substance...No thanks

more like dislike over sport itself

 

[Isaak-Gabriel]

Ricco was not bad - just the style, the rest is disgusting. Pantani, Gaul and Bahamontes are the references, mention to Basso and Nibali for the charisma.

 

[Cannibal72]

Gimondi's always been considered an elegant bike rider, I believe.

 

[jens_attacks]

riccardo ricco, pantani and the schleck brothers for me

 

[Escarabajo]

Ricco was just trying to imitate Pantani's style!

 

[Valv.Piti]

Anyways, climbing aesthetics aside (boy, it makes me sad that Andy retired...), not a good showing today. Most had expected much more from Nairo today, but he obviously didn't have any left in the end after his good performance yesterday unfortunately. The stage played out the best for Quintana, the harder the better, but it seems he is still affected by that virus.

I hope for a top-3 tomorrow in the ITT, but he can't get better than 5th overall unless he is extraordinary. Romandie next.

 

[TomekA]

"Nairo Quintana: “It wasn’t only Arrate: the whole race was really hard today. Race conditions were tough as hell, and for some reason I can only blame myself about, I got too cold under the rain. That really hits hard in the decisive moments. I chose to follow my own pace when Contador and Henao attacked: I was already feeling a bit out of energy, and should have I followed their wheels, I knew I’d crack sooner or later. I could only keep my own rhythm to limit any losses. I hope to complete this race as strong as I can and keep fighting in tomorrow’s TT - that’s how we came here, with an aim to until the very end.”

I think it's first time when he has problems because of cold weather.

 

[ray j willings]

Today explains why Quintana needs a lot of luck to win over 3 weeks and why he needs to attack at every chance he gets. He has bad days. He need to let rip when feeling good. If he let rip at the tour last year he would have won it . He needs bigger ba££s

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

"Nairo Quintana: “It wasn’t only Arrate: the whole race was really hard today. Race conditions were tough as hell, and for some reason I can only blame myself about, I got too cold under the rain. That really hits hard in the decisive moments. I chose to follow my own pace when Contador and Henao attacked: I was already feeling a bit out of energy, and should have I followed their wheels, I knew I’d crack sooner or later. I could only keep my own rhythm to limit any losses. I hope to complete this race as strong as I can and keep fighting in tomorrow’s TT - that’s how we came here, with an aim to until the very end.”

I think it's first time when he has problems because of cold weather.

Yep, I read that, sounds like a bad excuse to me. He wasn't better, hopefully he will be able to do better in Romandie, but first and foremost tomorrow.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Today explains why Quintana needs a lot of luck to win over 3 weeks and why he needs to attack at every chance he gets. He has bad days. He need to let rip when feeling good. If he let rip at the tour last year he would have won it . He needs bigger ba££s

Pais Vasco can't really be compared to Tour de France, but it tells something about their current shape and other important stuff. I dont remember he had any bad days in either 2013 or 2015.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Ugh, the Nairo-hate.. and people are also clever enough on this forum to give Alejandro a bit as well, something which he surely hasn't deserved based on his last couple of years.

Quintana is smart. He doesn't spend energy on useless attacks like Contador sometimes does, sometimes it even seems like he races for his fans, but strikes when the opportunity is there and he feels he can actually drop the rest. Basically what SeriousSam noted.

I also do think its important to remember Quintana was one of the most aggressive in last year's Vuelta, despite not being too good. He basically tried every time he felt well, funny how these things have forgotten. Its also funny that he just left Contador in the dust 2 weeks earlier.

I certainly don't remember that. BTW, it's not like people were born Quintana-haters. I think it is fair to say that we all cycling fans were Quintana lovers and cheering the return of the quintaessential climber back to cycling in 2010-2013.

It's Quintana's actions and racing that made me change my opinion.

Some of the hate just grows with the love of other riders. So much is said about Gerrans also that I have never cared for. Or even Sep Vanmarcke. I don't see what other people are seeing just because I don't have a vested interest in other riders at that moment. I just want to watch the spectacle. And I liked it whether people were mad or not. It is up to the other to drop Gerrans on the climbs or be subjected to the consequences.

In last year Tour the Love for Contador and hate for Froome became very stupid. So stupid that they wanted Quintana to save the children of the world. Of course that is not going to happen. It wasn't his plan or his responsibility. So people took it against him because of not riding like Contador. Very stupid IMHO. You play to your strengths. Contador was weak last year and in compensation for that weakness he had to throw those worthless long range attacks. If he was strong there is no way he would have done that. But the easy route was to take it against Quintana and Valverde. People were even mad at Valverde for chasing and trying to defend his only freaking podium of his life in the Tour. Please that is huge for him and for his family. He does not give a **** what people on this forum think about that.

Proof that people did not know much about Quintana is that he used to attack more before he was the leading man (did it constantly if you follow him). Once he became the leader in the GT’s it was a different story. He had to save more energy. Besides defeating Froome in the mountains of the Tour is not small feast. He got burned twice by doing the long range attacks. Now he went the other way. Maybe he gets it right this time. At least he has gotten closer.

An excellent post. Far too good for this forum.