Nibali at the same level as Froome/Contador?

[LaFlorecita]

Nibali would've kicked Contador and Froome's asses in this Tour.

Contador will never win another Tour de France. Hopefully Froome won't win a GT again too.

The wish is father to the thought, is what we say in NL. Not sure if it's an English expression but it's self-explanatory.

 

[escheator]

Yeah, riding based on emotions means AC isn't intelligent sheesh

I didn't say that, you did

Anyway, emotions are, more often than not, an obstacle to intelligent and rational behaviour.

 

[Rollthedice]

Nibali would've kicked Contador and Froome's asses in this Tour.

Contador will never win another Tour de France. Hopefully Froome won't win a GT again too.

Astana showed some worrying signs in the Alps, not that Nibali needed them in the end stages but with Oleg's boys looking stronger and with Bertie in the race it could have been harder for Nibs. I kind of think that Froome will be the first to fade away.

 

[xanadu]

In the past Froome and Contador have both proved themselves a notch or two above Nibbles but there is no doubting that the Italian has looked nothing short of majestic in this years tour. The only climb of note where the 3 riders slugged it out on this years tour was the ascent of Jenkins road on day two; and although we should be cautious in reading too much into this one short climb it was Nibali who triumphed.
In the past Nibali has failed to match Allberto and Skybot one. Now however, the Astana rider sports the Italian flag on his jersey and has worn the yellow fleece with both authority and panache. If he can carry it to Paris then next year he will be defending champ, a man who knows how to win and win well, a man who believes in himself and a above all a man who has tasted victoiry at the peak of his profession and wants more.

 

[LaFlorecita]

If he can carry it to Paris then next year he will be defending champ, a man who knows how to win and win well, a man who believes in himself and a above all a man who has tasted victoiry at the peak of his profession and wants more.

And he'll struggle to finish podium

 

[Netserk]

Just basing it on the fact that DBertie will be 32 at next years TDF. There haven't been that many guys who've been 32(or older) and won the Tour.

EDIT: I can think of 4 guys since 1980 who've been 32 or older and won the TdF.

2012: Wiggins 32
2011: Evans 34
2008: Sastre 33
(2007: Rasmussen 33)
2005: Armstrong 33
2004: Armstrong 32

 

[LaFlorecita]

2012: Wiggins 32
2011: Evans 34
2008: Sastre 33
(2007: Rasmussen 33)
2005: Armstrong 33
2004: Armstrong 32

Yeah but how many of those had their first good result in a GT at the age of 24

 

[Netserk]

Yeah but how many of those had their first good result in a GT at the age of 24

The world is constantly changing. I think currently riders will be able to have long careers with a high level. Valverde had his first GT podium in 2003 and will probably also podium the Vuelta next year. He did the fastest Huy ascent ever this year.

 

[Miburo]

Yea exactly, it seems riders have longer careers now. Also contador was always careful to not race too much.

Armstrong was like 37 when he podium'd the tour. And look at Horner and purito.

 

[LaFlorecita]

The world is constantly changing. I think currently riders will be able to have long careers with a high level. Valverde had his first GT podium in 2003 and will probably also podium the Vuelta next year. He did the fastest Huy ascent ever this year.

We will see. I think BYOP might be right. And I think Alberto thinks so too, why else would he want to retire at the end of 2016.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yea exactly, it seems riders have longer careers now. Also contador was always careful to not race too much.

Armstrong was like 37 when he podium'd the tour. And look at Horner and purito.

You can't compare Horner and Purito with Contador.

We need Carols with her fire analogy here. I think it was something like, the earlier and the brighter the fire burns, the earlier it goes out.

 

[Netserk]

You can't compare Horner and Purito with Contador.

We need Carols with her fire analogy here. I think it was something like, the earlier and the brighter the fire burns, the earlier it goes out.

Yeah and she already dismissed Berto last year...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yeah and she already dismissed Berto last year...

And she admitted she was wrong and wrote him off too soon.

Doesn't mean the overall idea behind the analogy is wrong.

 

[Carols]

Yeah and she already dismissed Berto last year...

No I Cried for the lose of a great and hoped I was wrong. I was wrong!!! That is what happens when emotions overtake judgement

 

[Netserk]

Well given Berto has shined brighter than ever(?) this year, I can't see why he shouldn't have a very good chance to win next year.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well given Berto has shined brighter than ever(?) this year, I can't see why he shouldn't have a very good chance to win next year.

Again, we will see. Can't say anything about that just yet. His injury is a serious one and no one knows how he'll recover, especially if he rides la Vuelta.

 

[Carols]

And she admitted she was wrong and wrote him off too soon.

Doesn't mean the overall idea behind the analogy is wrong.

Correct, I mistook his poor performance for 'the fade' considering his age and his early success. In reality he never peaked! He defied the history of other greats by his form this year. But than training, nutrition, equipment etc have changed since LeMond, the last one I would but in the same 'talent' catagory as Alberto, so the bar has moved.

Back to Nibali and where he fits in. He doesn't have the talent of Alberto but compensates in other ways and is undoubtedly a bike racer of enormous quality. Froome, well I just can't figure him out, but I think his best is already behind him. But hat is probably hope and emotion speaking LOL!

 

[Netserk]

Again, we will see. Can't say anything about that just yet. His injury is a serious one and no one knows how he'll recover, especially if he rides la Vuelta.

Only short term. If anything he was 'lucky' with the fracture. If I understand things correctly, it's mostly the wound(s) that is stopping him from training atm.

 

[whittashau]

The big concern about taking a big fall is often confidence. Do not be surprised if AC isn't nearly as confident on descents once he comes back.

 

[ILovecycling]

Only short term. If anything he was 'lucky' with the fracture. If I understand things correctly, it's mostly the wound(s) that is stopping him from training atm.

Correct.

10ch

 

[LaFlorecita]

Only short term. If anything he was 'lucky' with the fracture. If I understand things correctly, it's mostly the wound(s) that is stopping him from training atm.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1249872-overview

Early detection and appropriate treatment of these fractures are critical in minimizing patient disability and reducing the risk of documented complications, particularly posttraumatic arthritis.

 

[xanadu]

All this talk of Skybot 1, Nibbles, and 'berto is all very well, but the youngsters have been strutting their stuff on the steeps this year to good effect. If they return for the 2015 tour a year older and a year better then it could well be game on. Pinot, Bardet,Tejay and Quitana could yet spoil the party.


(note to self, June 2015 start thread "Is this the year the old guard cracks.")

 

[Miburo]

Tejay will never be even close. Although if he's lucky (favorites crashing out and such) he can win a tour.

But tejay will never win a tour when all the best are there.

 

[whittashau]

All this talk of Skybot 1, Nibbles, and 'berto is all very well, but the youngsters have been strutting their stuff on the steeps this year to good effect. If they return for the 2015 tour a year older and a year better then it could well be game on. Pinot, Bardet,Tejay and Quitana could yet spoil the party.


(note to self, June 2015 start thread "Is this the year the old guard cracks.")

Aren't you forgetting Aru?

 

[Netbalp]

Tejay will never be even close. Although if he's lucky (favorites crashing out and such) he can win a tour.

But tejay will never win a tour when all the best are there.

If he won't become the best on his own.

The same could be easily said about Nibali a few years ago.