Teams & Riders Nairo Quintana discussion thread

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Holy ***, you must be profoundly blind to not notice Kruijswijk is a monster in the 3rd week.

And to pick last years final mountain stage as example that he isn't is like the worst possible and dumbest way to prove the opposite, as he had a serious crash into a *** wall of snow leaving him battered and bruised.

Evidence to back it up?
Go watch Giro 2011, Giro 2014, Giro 2015. Please.

My word. Holy hell. Didn't think people like this excisted. Must have been completely oblivious?

Hell, you could even take the Tour, uhm, 2015 I believe? Or 2014, don't remember, as example. Where he was nowhere in the first mt stages and finished top 15 in the final ones.
Kruijswijk's main power lies in the 3rd week. It's a generally known and well back-upped fact.

Plus, have you actually really seen the Giro's at all if you claim that Kruijswijk doesn't have a stronger 3rd week then 2nd/1st?? I really do wonder.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Because just about all of Kruijswijks best results have come in the 3rd week of GTs or in a week race after a GT. Nothing to do with wishful thinking.

Now how good that level is compared to the Quintanas of this world, is another question.

Sure, I completely agree that Kruijswijk is at his personal best towards the end of a GT. I just don't think his level is that good. I haven't seen any evidence that he turns into some kind of monster who is going to comfortably limit the likes of Nibali and Quintana and then smash them in a TT on the last day.

In 2015 he was still getting dropped by Aru, Landa and Uran. In 2016 we'll never know how he would have gone against a rejuvinated Nibali without the crash, so jury is still out. And the only other shred of evidence is 2011 - where again, he was never the best climber or TTist.

I've seen a few mentions implying that if Kruijswijk is very close to Quintana or Nibali going into the final week, then it's his to lose. But I just don't see it.

Fwiw, I think Mollema is the best Dutch hope, and will outshine both Kruijswijk and Dumoulin to make the podium.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Yeah the 4 first stages have been pretty good for Quintana. Much better start than that of the Giro in 2014 with crashes all over the place, rain, a bit of timeloss.. right after the book this time I'd say.

I hope (and think) he will win on Blockhaus.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Holy ****, you must be profoundly blind to not notice Kruijswijk is a monster in the 3rd week.

And to pick last years final mountain stage as example that he isn't is like the worst possible and dumbest way to prove the opposite, as he had a serious crash into a **** wall of snow leaving him battered and bruised.

Evidence to back it up?
Go watch Giro 2011, Giro 2014, Giro 2015. Please.

My word. Holy hell. Didn't think people like this excisted. Must have been completely oblivious?

Hell, you could even take the Tour, uhm, 2015 I believe? Or 2014, don't remember, as example. Where he was nowhere in the first mt stages and finished top 15 in the final ones.
Kruijswijk's main power lies in the 3rd week. It's a generally known and well back-upped fact.

If Kruijswijk is a monster in the third week of a GT, then I'd be interested to know what words you would you describe Quintana or Nibali? You know, riders who have actually won numerous stages and GCs thanks to their third week dominance.

From what I've seen, Kruijswijk is just a 2nd or 3rd tier GC rider, who holds his form well throughout a GC and gets better results towards the end as less consistent riders tail off. The one possible 'monstrous' performance was last year. But we just don't know how it would have finished, given Nibali's renaissance, and the field up until Nibali's turn around was pretty weak.

 

[silvergrenade]

Re:

Yeah the 4 first stages have been pretty good for Quintana. Much better start than that of the Giro in 2014 with crashes all over the place, rain, a bit of timeloss.. right after the book this time I'd say.

I hope (and think) he will win on Blockhaus.

G to beat him.
Just to piss you off. :lol: :lol:
(I know he'll win there though)

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

Even if the form is there, there was no point to attack today anyway, mostly due to the headwind. Not for Nairo, not for anyone. Zakarin went all out and gained what, ten precious seconds? The ITT in Monza is also on the very last day, when recuperation plays a very, very big part in the race. We all know Nairo is head and shoulders above everyone in that regard, the time trialists are yet to show that.

so quintana will easily put 3 minutes into the other contenders in the mountains on aggregate once he needs it, won't he?

No reason to think he won't put 3 minutes into the time trialists in the last week. Five hard, consecutive stages to Bormio, Canazei, Ortisei, Piancavallo and Asiago. That's when Nairo is likely on his best and his advantage of having a much, much better recuperation than, say Thomas or Dumoulin, comes into play.

thomas and dimoulin are second tier favorites. nobody will be surprised if they completely crack and end up losing 10 minutes at one of the mountain stage. still quintana easily putting 3 minutes into nibali or landa in week 3 sounds like an exaggerration to me.

But I never mentioned nor referred to Nibali or Landa or Kruijswijk or Yates or Mollema. I referred to Thomas and Dumoulin as in 'the time trialists'.

 

[Escarabajo]

Now it seems that he is riding into form. Ok, that's understandable for him. What about his team? It looked subpar today. Can they ride into form as well or this is all he is going to get?

Because given the current circumstances of his team he won't do anything on Blockhaus as well.

 

[Gigs_98]

Not sure if a stage like todays is good or bad for Quintana. It's true that Quintana's shape will probably be better in week three but he will still need to gain a lot of time on the strong TT'ers at some point. Contador probably made the mistake in his double attempts to spend too much energy but at least he never was really close to lose the races. Quintana's main goal might be the tdf but not winning the giro would be absolutely catastrophic since his chances for the tour had become worse for absolutely nothing.

He should attack on Blockhaus and he should better gain time on guys like Dumoulin or Thomas, otherwise this could end bad for him.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Now it seems that he is riding into form. Ok, that's understandable for him. What about his team? It looked subpar today. Can they ride into form as well or this is all he is going to get?

Because given the current circumstances of his team he won't do anything on Blockhaus as well.

http://movistarteam.com/news/2017-5-9/all-gc-contenders-together-atop-etna
"The lack of racing days really has an effect on me at this point of the race - I'm yet to reach the fitness level of my main rivals. It was the first serious contact with big mountains since I got back from Colombia, and also a day to see where I stood in the Giro fight. These opening stages and what's left before the Blockhaus on Sunday will surely be good for my good to continue to improve; I think I should be better at the next mountain stage."

Amador 22, same time as Nairo
Izagirre 28
Anacona 36
Jose Herrada 37
De La Parte 46

Not too bad at all. Its take it toll to keep Nairo out of the wind, he basically haven't sniffed it so far.

 

[Cookster15]

Didn't see the stage but it seems the GC kept their power dry with Nibali just testing the waters. Probably a bit of a letdown after the fireworks let off by Contador on Etna in 2011. I am encouraged that some think Kruijswijk can challenge in the 3rd week I would love to see him put the hurt on Nibs after last year's injustice. Quintana probably holding back with his TdF ambitions, the other GC teams need to put the hurt on him this Giro or else they will pay the price in the TdF.

 

[Escarabajo]

In an interview after the stage confirmed the strong headwind. He also noted that he is a bit out of rhythm and that Andrey Amador is being used to mark attacks. He is trying to survive the first week and gain more form as the race continues on.

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/ruta/23120-giro-100-todos-me-dan-como-favorito-pero-no-hay-que-subestimar-al-resto-porque-se-han-preparado-muy-bien-nairo-quintana.html

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

In an interview after the stage confirmed the strong headwind. He also noted that he is a bit out of rhythm and that Andrey Amador is being used to mark attacks. He is trying to survive the first week and gain more form as the race continues on.

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/ruta/23120-giro-100-todos-me-dan-como-favorito-pero-no-hay-que-subestimar-al-resto-porque-se-han-preparado-muy-bien-nairo-quintana.html

Its from the Movistarteam-page, the link I posted a few posts above this one. They have reactions after meaningful stages.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

In an interview after the stage confirmed the strong headwind. He also noted that he is a bit out of rhythm and that Andrey Amador is being used to mark attacks. He is trying to survive the first week and gain more form as the race continues on.

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/ruta/23120-giro-100-todos-me-dan-como-favorito-pero-no-hay-que-subestimar-al-resto-porque-se-han-preparado-muy-bien-nairo-quintana.html

Its from the Movistarteam-page, the link I posted a few posts above this one. They have reactions after meaningful stages.

Nairo with some mind games I think; keeping his cards close to his chest. I think Blockhaus will reveal his true form a lot morel - it's the perfect gradients for him and not so easy to follow wheels. No way Movistar would want the MR this early in the race, even if Quintana would have the strength to go for it.

 

[Escarabajo]

Valv-Piti,
The major media outlets in Colombia have people at the Giro. They all get the same thing. Goga, RCN, ESPN, Señal Colombia.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

In an interview after the stage confirmed the strong headwind. He also noted that he is a bit out of rhythm and that Andrey Amador is being used to mark attacks. He is trying to survive the first week and gain more form as the race continues on.

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/ruta/23120-giro-100-todos-me-dan-como-favorito-pero-no-hay-que-subestimar-al-resto-porque-se-han-preparado-muy-bien-nairo-quintana.html

Its from the Movistarteam-page, the link I posted a few posts above this one. They have reactions after meaningful stages.

Nairo with some mind games I think; keeping his cards close to his chest. I think Blockhaus will reveal his true form a lot morel - it's the perfect gradients for him and not so easy to follow wheels. No way Movistar would want the MR this early in the race, even if Quintana would have the strength to go for it.

Funny thing is he says he really feels the lack of racing days, yet this is basically the same-old prep for a GT for Nairo, just switch out Asturias with Sud. So this really any different, apart from the fact he maybe is 95% from the start of a TdF, where as he is 85-90% at the start of this Giro.

But regardless of headwind, it was always the plan just to follow wheels today. Smart. Hopefully, guns blazing on Blockhaus!

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

In an interview after the stage confirmed the strong headwind. He also noted that he is a bit out of rhythm and that Andrey Amador is being used to mark attacks. He is trying to survive the first week and gain more form as the race continues on.

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/ruta/23120-giro-100-todos-me-dan-como-favorito-pero-no-hay-que-subestimar-al-resto-porque-se-han-preparado-muy-bien-nairo-quintana.html

Its from the Movistarteam-page, the link I posted a few posts above this one. They have reactions after meaningful stages.

Nairo with some mind games I think; keeping his cards close to his chest. I think Blockhaus will reveal his true form a lot morel - it's the perfect gradients for him and not so easy to follow wheels. No way Movistar would want the MR this early in the race, even if Quintana would have the strength to go for it.

Funny thing is he says he really feels the lack of racing days, yet this is basically the same-old prep for a GT for Nairo, just switch out Asturias with Sud. So this really any different, apart from the fact he maybe is 95% from the start of a TdF, where as he is 85-90% at the start of this Giro.

But regardless of headwind, it was always the plan just to follow wheels today. Smart. Hopefully, guns blazing on Blockhaus!

Yeah, I don't buy it that he is massively undercooked at this stage. It's a way to try to put some of the pressure back on his rivals early in the race though; making out to be vulnerable and that he will make them pay in the third week if they don't take advantage. Not sure who exactly will fall for it though?

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

Now it seems that he is riding into form. Ok, that's understandable for him. What about his team? It looked subpar today. Can they ride into form as well or this is all he is going to get?

Because given the current circumstances of his team he won't do anything on Blockhaus as well.

His team was ok, I don't know what you expexcted? Amador closed Nibali and last to the very end, Anacona marked Nibali's men, Izagirre and Herrada finished close to favorites... Seemed ok to me. I think they're the strongest here

 

[AlexNYC]

Re: Re:

Funny thing is he says he really feels the lack of racing days, yet this is basically the same-old prep for a GT for Nairo, just switch out Asturias with Sud. So this really any different, apart from the fact he maybe is 95% from the start of a TdF, where as he is 85-90% at the start of this Giro.

Not even close. By the time he starts the TdF this year, he'll have approximately the same amount of race days as previous years. E.g., last year he did three WT one-week races prior to the Tour: Catalunya, Basque Country, and Romandie; this year, he's only raced Tirreno.

I think what he said is accurate. That's the only way he would be competitive at the Tour in my opinion.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Funny thing is he says he really feels the lack of racing days, yet this is basically the same-old prep for a GT for Nairo, just switch out Asturias with Sud. So this really any different, apart from the fact he maybe is 95% from the start of a TdF, where as he is 85-90% at the start of this Giro.

Not even close. By the time he starts the TdF this year, he'll have approximately the same amount of race days as previous years. E.g., last year he did three WT one-week races prior to the Tour: Catalunya, Basque Country, and Romandie; this year, he's only raced Tirreno.

I think what he said is accurate. That's the only way he would be competitive at the Tour in my opinion.

Thats certainly true, but i was talking about racing leading up to a GT where he obviously prefers a small race very close to the GT compared to Romandie and Trentino or Dauphine and Suisse.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

Now it seems that he is riding into form. Ok, that's understandable for him. What about his team? It looked subpar today. Can they ride into form as well or this is all he is going to get?

Because given the current circumstances of his team he won't do anything on Blockhaus as well.

His team was ok, I don't know what you expexcted? Amador closed Nibali and last to the very end, Anacona marked Nibali's men, Izagirre and Herrada finished close to favorites... Seemed ok to me. I think they're the strongest here

I guess I only saw the Amador marking. Missed the rest. I didn't see what you saw but I hope you are right.

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

In an interview after the stage confirmed the strong headwind. He also noted that he is a bit out of rhythm and that Andrey Amador is being used to mark attacks. He is trying to survive the first week and gain more form as the race continues on.

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/ruta/23120-giro-100-todos-me-dan-como-favorito-pero-no-hay-que-subestimar-al-resto-porque-se-han-preparado-muy-bien-nairo-quintana.html

Its from the Movistarteam-page, the link I posted a few posts above this one. They have reactions after meaningful stages.

Nairo with some mind games I think; keeping his cards close to his chest. I think Blockhaus will reveal his true form a lot morel - it's the perfect gradients for him and not so easy to follow wheels. No way Movistar would want the MR this early in the race, even if Quintana would have the strength to go for it.

Funny thing is he says he really feels the lack of racing days, yet this is basically the same-old prep for a GT for Nairo, just switch out Asturias with Sud. So this really any different, apart from the fact he maybe is 95% from the start of a TdF, where as he is 85-90% at the start of this Giro.

But regardless of headwind, it was always the plan just to follow wheels today. Smart. Hopefully, guns blazing on Blockhaus!

No, it's different this year, he had only 20 days of racing before Giro, he never had this little before GT

 

[Valv.Piti]

I refer to the post above where Alex pointed the exact same out.

 

[portugal11]

Quintana would win this giro even with one leg. Yates could be a big threat though

 

[vass45]

I think he's perfectly placed for an assault during the last week - we wont see the best of Nario until stage 14 or so. If he can limit time losses in the stage 10 time trial he should win with a leg in the air

 

[Valv.Piti]

How easy it has been so far. Astana 2015 wouldn't have allowed this.