Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[Vino attacks everyone]

so so strong

 

[sir fly]

Re:

so so strong

Yeah. While everybody else were wrestling with the gradients, he looked like reeling in the road underneath him.

 

[Pantani_lives]

If he wins this Vuelta that would make him the cyclist of the year, in spite of all the ignorant criticism he received. However he's still a long way from the final victory. Today was a climb that suited him ideally, and there's that time trial. Well, his chances have certainly improved after today.

 

[hfer07]

well, I don't see all the Nairito haters saying a thing ........ where are they?

 

[damian13ster]

Why do you call people that criticize Quintana when he deserves to be criticised and don't criticize him when he doesn't deserve to be criticised haters? Its just reasonable people. Dont think I ever saw Quintana hater here

 

[hrotha]

Re:

well, I don't see all the Nairito haters saying a thing ........ where are they?

I'll say we saw some Premium Quintana today when he only responded to Froome's attack and couldn't even conceive of taking the initiative, when he explained that he was indeed waiting for Froome to move and when he said that now he'll focus on the defense.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

well, I don't see all the Nairito haters saying a thing ........ where are they?

Do you want people to criticise him when he does well as well?

I mean yea he didn't take initiative, but a Froome attack today was inevitable, so waiting for that was smart if anything

 

[Thepirateisgood]

I think most of "cycling experts" say this climb does not suit him, too steep.

Good for Nairo, a couple of riders really pulled their pants down moonshining the critics today.

He's a modern rider anyways, almost never in red I think. A sniper.

 

[yaco]

A class above his rivals today.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Good performance, he is the big favorite now. In a very good position. But he'll have a fight on his hands still.

 

[Richeypen]

Re:

If he wins this Vuelta that would make him the cyclist of the year, in spite of all the ignorant criticism he received. However he's still a long way from the final victory. Today was a climb that suited him ideally, and there's that time trial. Well, his chances have certainly improved after today.

How do you figure?

 

[hfer07]

Re: Re:

well, I don't see all the Nairito haters saying a thing ........ where are they?

Do you want people to criticise him when he does well as well?

I mean yea he didn't take initiative, but a Froome attack today was inevitable, so waiting for that was smart if anything

You just did

 

[dastott]

Although I am rooting for Froome to do the double, that was magical watching Q float up those steep gradients. A pure climber practicing his art. Steep gradients don't suit Nairo? Surely that's wrong...

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

well, I don't see all the Nairito haters saying a thing ........ where are they?

I'll say we saw some Premium Quintana today when he only responded to Froome's attack and couldn't even conceive of taking the initiative, when he explained that he was indeed waiting for Froome to move and when he said that now he'll focus on the defense.

What a glorious rider!

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

Good performance, he is the big favorite now. In a very good position. But he'll have a fight on his hands still.

Once again, wouldn't be so sure about that. He wasn't exactly softpedalling around France

 

[Valv.Piti]

What a performance today! Vuelta favourite now, most definitely. He should really look to gain some time tomorrow or on Covadonga, Froome isn't super strong, Chaves is struggling and Contador might feel the pain of his crash the following days. Now is the time to strike, IMO.

So glad. Unfortunately, he didn't get to win the stage.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Re: Re:

If he wins this Vuelta that would make him the cyclist of the year, in spite of all the ignorant criticism he received. However he's still a long way from the final victory. Today was a climb that suited him ideally, and there's that time trial. Well, his chances have certainly improved after today.

How do you figure?

Let's say he would be one of the three top riders of the year, next to Froome and Sagan. It's always hard to make comparisons like that.

I think in spite of today Froome remains his biggest rival. After all he had bronze at the Olympics, so Quintana might lose between one and two minutes in the time trial.

 

[Valv.Piti]

He would definitely make a case for himself with Catalunya, Romandie and Vuelta + podiums in Pais Vasco and TdF, but I have a hard time putting him over Sagan, but lets see.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

What a performance today! Vuelta favourite now, most definitely. He should really look to gain some time tomorrow or on Covadonga, Froome isn't super strong, Chaves is struggling and Contador might feel the pain of his crash the following days. Now is the time to strike, IMO.

So glad. Unfortunately, he didn't get to win the stage.

Let's hope Movistar bring the break back on Monday. He'll be favourite for the stage for sure

 

[Valv.Piti]

I actually just realised how much time he put into Contador and Froome on just 1 km. He is in monster shape right now.

 

[Red Rick]

I'm not that sure. He hung on for dear life for three weeks in the Tour, so I'm a little skeptical about him being as good as in the 2015 Tour for example. The climbing time was the same as Froome in 2014, and that was a harder stage that came later in the Vuelta. He's definitely the big favourite for now, and if Contador has to get worse before he gets better, Quintana may have it already. Today should've been perfect for Froome, and he blew up completely, so I doubt he's bouncing back. Chaves disappointed today, but he could bounce back. Valverde is his own teammate. That's about it.

If I were Quintana, I'd go for it tomorrow and on Lagos de Covadonga. Better to try and bury Contador before he can strike back.

 

[filipepc]

Re:

I actually just realised how much time he put into Contador and Froome on just 1 km. He is in monster shape right now.

I think that is being too much optimistic. But the race is going to tell us. What it looks by now is that none of the contenders are in top shape, and i don´t know how Quintana can be in top shape after a tour where he wasn´t superb, but where he did the 3 weeks, and did a good result in the end, even if not what all expected.

I prefer that Quintana loose, sure, because i want Contador to win, but i´m with Rick, if he let Contador recover i don´t know... He should attack until the rest day, or it can not be enough the time he has... But he looks ok, strong, at least very solid and so, chapeau to him. He´s a great rider.

 

[Escarabajo]

It is too early to draw any conclusions about the main four contenders. Anything can happen at this point. Red Rick you have to pick a day. It is either tomorrow or Monday. If you spend a lot of energy trying to put time on Contador on a soft climb you might find yourself lacking on Monday. So I believe they will let tomorrow go and try hard on Lagos. IMHO.

 

[Billie]

Re:

I actually just realised how much time he put into Contador and Froome on just 1 km. He is in monster shape right now.

Yes they went at it for 4 minutes and he gained half a minute. Very impressive

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Good performance, he is the big favorite now. In a very good position. But he'll have a fight on his hands still.

Once again, wouldn't be so sure about that. He wasn't exactly softpedalling around France

No, but I don't see him fading much. His performance is always very consistent.