Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[Põhja Konn]

Re:

In 2010, before the ban was announced, he said his target was to win all GTs in the same year, after having won the Tour the last three times he had ridden it. In other ways, he risked a certain Tour win, when he planned to ride the Giro in 2011. He actually had something to lose. What does Nairo have to lose now? A 2nd place... That's the difference.

Nice story, but not true unfortunately. By the time planning and preparation for the 2011 season started, Contador already had a spectre of a possible upcoming ban looming over his head. He couldn't even be sure he was gonna be able to ride the Tour. No point talking about throwing away a near-certain Tour win under such circumstances.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

In 2010, before the ban was announced, he said his target was to win all GTs in the same year, after having won the Tour the last three times he had ridden it. In other ways, he risked a certain Tour win, when he planned to ride the Giro in 2011. He actually had something to lose. What does Nairo have to lose now? A 2nd place... That's the difference.

Nice story, but not true unfortunately. By the time planning and preparation for the 2011 season started, Contador already had a spectre of a possible upcoming ban looming over his head. He couldn't even be sure he was gonna be able to ride the Tour. No point talking about throwing away a near-certain Tour win under such circumstances.

Exactly. Its not about 2011 tho, it was about 2015. Contador had everything to prove in the Tour after two bad performances in 2011 and 2013 + his crash from 2014 (where he was as strong as Froome), yet chose, to paraphrase the critics of Quintana's decision, 'the easy way out' at the Giro. Then he at least had that one before getting beat up by Froome in France.. or does that only hold true for Quintana, not for Contador?

Ill say it again: it's all about the bias.

 

[Red Rick]

It's great he's doing it. Very sensible as well. Contador trying it in 2011 was also sensible. 2015 didn't make much sense and we'll probably never know how much of that decision was Contador's and how much was Tinkov's.

 

[staubsauger]

While it's certainly too early to draw any conclusions, that was impressive. If todays display gave any indication regarding the Giro he has to be the outright favorite!

Of course his challengers were kinda mediocre. So it's nothing like 99 Pantani at Murcia. But still impressive!

 

[Mr.White]

Kruijswijk, Dan Martin and Poels are not mediocre challengers on this sort of climb, yet Nairo crushed them. Scary form already!

 

[staubsauger]

Kruijswijk prefers multiple mountain stages and never performs at this time of the year. Regarding Martin and Poels you're right, though. This reminds one to Contador and Froome at Hazallanas. He really was a clear step above anybody else.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Kruijswijk prefers multiple mountain stages and never performs at this time of the year. Regarding Martin and Poels you're right, though. This reminds one to Contador and Froome at Hazallanas. He really was a clear step above anybody else.

Agree on Kruijswijk, he did better than expected on this climb. It doesn't really make it less impressive tho!

It reminds me off Contador on Verbier and Montagne de Lure in 2009, Froome on Ax3-Domaines in 2013 and on PSM in 2015. Just miles ahead everyone else. Now its Quintana's turn, this is gonna be his your. Im sure he still can improve quite a lot towards the big goals, his base level is just Valverde-esque.

 

[portugal11]

Re: Re:

Kruijswijk prefers multiple mountain stages and never performs at this time of the year. Regarding Martin and Poels you're right, though. This reminds one to Contador and Froome at Hazallanas. He really was a clear step above anybody else.

Agree on Kruijswijk, he did better than expected on this climb. It doesn't really make it less impressive tho!

It reminds me off Contador on Verbier and Montagne de Lure in 2009, Froome on Ax3-Domaines in 2013 and on PSM in 2015. Just miles ahead everyone else. Now its Quintana's turn, this is gonna be his your. Im sure he still can improve quite a lot towards the big goals, his base level is just Valverde-esque.

Calm down, don't start the hype train yet. Let's wait and see how he performs in tirreno. But he looks strong and I'm really hoping to see how he will deliver in giro-tour. From what i see, i think he will demolish his opponents like contador did in giro 2011

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Kruijswijk prefers multiple mountain stages and never performs at this time of the year. Regarding Martin and Poels you're right, though. This reminds one to Contador and Froome at Hazallanas. He really was a clear step above anybody else.

Agree on Kruijswijk, he did better than expected on this climb. It doesn't really make it less impressive tho!

It reminds me off Contador on Verbier and Montagne de Lure in 2009, Froome on Ax3-Domaines in 2013 and on PSM in 2015. Just miles ahead everyone else. Now its Quintana's turn, this is gonna be his your. Im sure he still can improve quite a lot towards the big goals, his base level is just Valverde-esque.

Calm down, don't start the hype train yet. Let's wait and see how he performs in tirreno. But he looks strong and I'm really hoping to see how he will deliver in giro-tour. From what i see, i think he will demolish his opponents like contador did in giro 2011

The hype-train has started BROH, all aboard!

 

[Cookster15]

Re: Re:

In 2010, before the ban was announced, he said his target was to win all GTs in the same year, after having won the Tour the last three times he had ridden it. In other ways, he risked a certain Tour win, when he planned to ride the Giro in 2011. He actually had something to lose. What does Nairo have to lose now? A 2nd place... That's the difference.

Nice story, but not true unfortunately. By the time planning and preparation for the 2011 season started, Contador already had a spectre of a possible upcoming ban looming over his head. He couldn't even be sure he was gonna be able to ride the Tour. No point talking about throwing away a near-certain Tour win under such circumstances.

Exactly. Its not about 2011 tho, it was about 2015. Contador had everything to prove in the Tour after two bad performances in 2011 and 2013 + his crash from 2014 (where he was as strong as Froome), yet chose, to paraphrase the critics of Quintana's decision, 'the easy way out' at the Giro. Then he at least had that one before getting beat up by Froome in France.. or does that only hold true for Quintana, not for Contador?

Ill say it again: it's all about the bias.

Agree with this post. For whatever reason Contador didn't seem confident targeting the Tour after he returned from his ban so targeted consolation races of the Giro and Vuelta. Nobody is at the same physical level at these secondary GTs for two reasons - sponsors and money which is why the Giro/Tour double is way harder than the Tour/Vuelta double. The 2nd GT is always much harder to perform at obviously.

Quintana is looking good but its only February. Last season he was looking good in June at the Route de Sud but that didn't translate into Tour crushing form, he would have been off the podium if Porte didn't crash. Lets see this is all conjecture at this early time. I think he could win the Giro but again fall short at the Tour where Froome will be 100%.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

In 2010, before the ban was announced, he said his target was to win all GTs in the same year, after having won the Tour the last three times he had ridden it. In other ways, he risked a certain Tour win, when he planned to ride the Giro in 2011. He actually had something to lose. What does Nairo have to lose now? A 2nd place... That's the difference.

Nice story, but not true unfortunately. By the time planning and preparation for the 2011 season started, Contador already had a spectre of a possible upcoming ban looming over his head. He couldn't even be sure he was gonna be able to ride the Tour. No point talking about throwing away a near-certain Tour win under such circumstances.

Exactly. Its not about 2011 tho, it was about 2015. Contador had everything to prove in the Tour after two bad performances in 2011 and 2013 + his crash from 2014 (where he was as strong as Froome), yet chose, to paraphrase the critics of Quintana's decision, 'the easy way out' at the Giro. Then he at least had that one before getting beat up by Froome in France.. or does that only hold true for Quintana, not for Contador?

Ill say it again: it's all about the bias.

Agree with this post. For whatever reason Contador didn't seem confident targeting the Tour after he returned from his ban so targeted consolation races of the Giro and Vuelta. Nobody is at the same physical level at these secondary GTs for two reasons - sponsors and money which is why the Giro/Tour double is way harder than the Tour/Vuelta double. The 2nd GT is always much harder to perform at obviously.

Quintana is looking good but its only February. Last season he was looking good in June at the Route de Sud but that didn't translate into Tour crushing form, he would have been off the podium if Porte didn't crash. Lets see this is all conjecture at this early time. I think he could win the Giro but again fall short at the Tour where Froome will be 100%.

Agree. That's why I am not hyping myself too much.

 

[sir fly]

Living from dusk till dawn these days, thus missing all the day's action...
According to the results, Quintana's starting from higher level than previous seasons. Also, his ride in the group behind Martin a couple of days ago was telling he wants an early victory to confirm the form and make himself confident before big season's goals.

His result stands out equally as Porte's..

 

[Jspear]

He wasn't even puffing when he reached the finish line. I know he has a good poker face, but his body didn't even look tired. Impressive regardless of the competition (or lack thereof.)

 

[Tonton]

For an early season snapshot, Quintana looked better today than Contador on Malhao last year. Impressive ride. I bet that Vincenzo took notice.

Too early in the season to draw conclusions, but still, Nairito put the hammer down big time. Bravo to him.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

this was awesome!! he didnt even "attack", just rode away from everybody.
ok, too early. But wow!! Very confident. Almost a 1min on Poels and every body else in 4km with 0 help..
btw, liked Kudus determination, initiative..

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Agree with this post. For whatever reason Contador didn't seem confident targeting the Tour after he returned from his ban so targeted consolation races of the Giro and Vuelta.

When did Contador ever target the Vuelta instead of the Tour unless he had no other choice?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Agree with this post. For whatever reason Contador didn't seem confident targeting the Tour after he returned from his ban so targeted consolation races of the Giro and Vuelta.

When did Contador ever target the Vuelta instead of the Tour unless he had no other choice?

Never, but the argument was why Contador received so much praise for doing the double while Nairo didn't. You know that.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Re:

Living from dusk till dawn these days, thus missing all the day's action...
According to the results, Quintana's starting from higher level than previous seasons. Also, his ride in the group behind Martin a couple of days ago was telling he wants an early victory to confirm the form and make himself confident before big season's goals.

His result stands out equally as Porte's..

Agreed, so far it's Quintana and Porte who stand out. Froome is in very good shape also, although unlike them he doesn't have the early season result to back that up. Looks very fit, though.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Agree with this post. For whatever reason Contador didn't seem confident targeting the Tour after he returned from his ban so targeted consolation races of the Giro and Vuelta.

When did Contador ever target the Vuelta instead of the Tour unless he had no other choice?

Never, but the argument was why Contador received so much praise for doing the double while Nairo didn't. You know that.

No, I don't really follow the discussions in this thread.

 

[yaco]

Why are some expressing surprise that Quintano is favorite for the Giro - He is the second best GC rider after Froome - In saying that the Giro will probably have a more loaded GC field than the TDF.

 

[Red Rick]

Field strength depends a lot on in which form Quintana and Contador show up. If both show up in good shape it's likely the Tour has a stronger field at the top end of the GC, whereas the Giro field is likely to be have more depth. If Quintana or Contador suck, it's Froome and one other guy in a depleted field.

 

[portugal11]

Re: Re:

Agree with this post. For whatever reason Contador didn't seem confident targeting the Tour after he returned from his ban so targeted consolation races of the Giro and Vuelta.

When did Contador ever target the Vuelta instead of the Tour unless he had no other choice?

Never, but the argument was why Contador received so much praise for doing the double while Nairo didn't. You know that.

Contador won le tour multiple times while quintana has zero wins... it's completly different

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Contador won le tour multiple times while quintana has zero wins... it's completly different[/quote]

How is it different ? Contador never won a Tour after a Giro, he never even podiumed after winning a Giro. Quintana still has the possibility of winning a Tour but it won't be this year and Contador will never win another Tour, it's been seven years since he made the podium. I think Quintana has a good shot at winning the Giro but I think he will probably miss the podium at the Tour. Contador has some chance of making the podium at the Tour if he can stay upright and not lose time in the first week but it still won't be a sure thing. Bardet, Chaves, Porte and others are hungry after last year's Tour. His Vuelta ride was not encouraging especially as Froome and Quintana completed the Tour and Chaves also did the Giro but I think there was still probably some doubt about Contador's injuries from the Tour but it's apparent that his climbing isn't feared as much as it used to be but his spur of the moment attacks often catch out some of the other GC riders and it's something he will have to continue to do if he wants to make it to the podium. The least you can say is that even when he misses the podium he still enlivens the races.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think you missed the point... the question was "Why is Quintana not praised as much for attempting the double as Contador was" portugal11's answer is "because Contador won the Tour multiple times and Quintana not once". I don't really see the connection to your post which is about Quintana and Contador's chance to make the podium at the TDF.

 

[dacooley]

it's all down to bias, tour has nothing to do with that. ac's and quintana's fanbases are incomparable hence nairo attempting the double doesn't get so much praise and hype.