Ninja of the Tour

[No_Balls]

Re:

Pay attention to Vedrafjord. Despite prospering efforts from the up n comers in the dojo of Zubeldia shifu Haimar steps up once again and pull off something unbeliavable. What was the big news today? Big crash involving Cancellara and not even his dentist came as close as the viewers did on him today. Massive TV-coverage. Yet somehow word on the rues is that Zubeldia may have pulled him and yet the general complaint is that Canc was alone.

Our reigning escape artist are sailing off in the distance.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Again: What about Morabito? 53-40-67 first three stages... and yet he places very good at 39th, 3.52 down...

He is never mentioned during GTs (leave alone TV coverage) but finished 51-49-35-34-35-25 in all GTs he did (+ one DNF). Not just in TdF & some Vueltas. Thus a true "ninja". Really De Greef like proportions...

 

[Anderis]

My first thought was Vuillermoz. Not sure how justified guess that is. Perhaps that's the first rider who I expect to finish somewhere between 12th and 18th that came to my mind.

Already proven wrong.

 

[Squirbos_19]

Morabito is a good pick, but I'm sure he'll get caught on camera with Pinot in the mountains.

Edit: he was mentioned a few times in 2013 tdF when Cadel and Tejay were struggling and he was the best climber of the team.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Re:

Morabito is a good pick, but I'm sure he'll get caught on camera with Pinot in the mountains.

Edit: he was mentioned a few times in 2013 tdF when Cadel and Tejay were struggling and he was the best climber of the team.

Almost no chance this year. TV on Froome, Porte, etc, Morabito in front of a struggling Pinot at the start of final mountains, before being dropped...

But, even if not, AFAIR, the op post asked who won´t finish T-10 in any stages but being highest of those in the final CG... I see no better option than him. Thus he is my bet.

 

[joe_papp]

Re:

This is how ninja-like Zubeldia is: when he was pacing Cancellara back, there were people asking where Trek's domestiques were and why Cancellara was being allowed fend for himself.

This is absolutely hilarious.

Best thread I've read in awhile.

Bravo.

 

[BigMac]

Zubeldia actually gets mentioned a few times on Portuguese Eurosport, though followed or preceded by some *** declaration from one of the commentators.

Anyway, my understanding of the OP is that Ninja is the better finishing rider in spite of a low profile during the race, and not the rider who misses on TV shots,

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re: Re:

This is how ninja-like Zubeldia is: when he was pacing Cancellara back, there were people asking where Trek's domestiques were and why Cancellara was being allowed fend for himself.

This is absolutely hilarious.

Best thread I've read in awhile.

Bravo.

Yep. Epic thread.

Ninja Of The Tour. AKA the anti Thomas Voeckler

 

[thequestionmark]

What do you think of Dominik Nerz?

 

[batchuba]

Re:

Anyway, my understanding of the OP is that Ninja is the better finishing rider in spite of a low profile during the race, and not the rider who misses on TV shots,

Indeed; but managing to stay off camera is surely worth some bonus Ninja points.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I guess Morabito is out of competition then ... He was shown on TV after crashing today.

 

[MikeTichondrius]

First stage without a top 20 finish (or should I say, 11-20 finish) today, but still kicking it in the overall top 10 with no real attention so far...Our current Maillot Invisible, Rigoberto Uran is still kicking it. I honestly haven't heard his name yet, and he's 3rd among the climbers behind Froomey and TJVG. I'd say he looks solid for a top 10 ATM.

Will he ninja it or ruin it with a top 10 finish in the mountains?

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

First stage without a top 20 finish (or should I say, 11-20 finish) today, but still kicking it in the overall top 10 with no real attention so far...Our current Maillot Invisible, Rigoberto Uran is still kicking it. I honestly haven't heard his name yet, and he's 3rd among the climbers behind Froomey and TJVG. I'd say he looks solid for a top 10 ATM.

Will he ninja it or ruin it with a top 10 finish in the mountains?

This is a good shout, when comparing time between GC riders after yesterdays cobbles I had to do a double take as I couldn't believe how Uran was in that position.

 

[Carl0880]

This is so awesome to read, and its funny because even in jest, it could seem to be true. Not only has Zubeldia not been seen, doesnt anyone every seen his signature? Notice when show signs ins, you never see him or even his signature on the big board they display in tv shots.

I got an outsider for this competition that I haven't seen mentioned, Romain Sicard. RIght age to start hitting his peak, rides for a team that all the press goes for Rolland failing and Voeckler being Voeckler. Does have a 14th place finish in the Vuelta last year that I don't remember seeing him in.

Before his crash, I would have considered Giampaolo Caruso. Heck he is so anonymous, that when Jrod was being paced on the cobbles yeseterday, they called him Damiano Caruso instead.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

The named already, add in Taaramae, Sepulveda, Machado, Wellens, Gautier... and so many more.
The real problem isn´t being a "ninja". Those finishing high but never seen is the side-effect of media sensationalism. They (media) only hounour "the winner takes it all" and then a (very) few co-runners.
Actually, 20th is just 20-30 mins down on the winner after 3 weeks, 85 hour in the saddle, 3.500 km, 21 days, three times a year. In reality, it´s sad a "ninja" thread is needed... The anonymous are just "0.1 % worse" than the "TV-faces" of AC, Froome, Nibali, etc...

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

This is so awesome to read, and its funny because even in jest, it could seem to be true. Not only has Zubeldia not been seen, doesnt anyone every seen his signature? Notice when show signs ins, you never see him or even his signature on the big board they display in tv shots.

I got an outsider for this competition that I haven't seen mentioned, Romain Sicard. RIght age to start hitting his peak, rides for a team that all the press goes for Rolland failing and Voeckler being Voeckler. Does have a 14th place finish in the Vuelta last year that I don't remember seeing him in.

Before his crash, I would have considered Giampaolo Caruso. Heck he is so anonymous, that when Jrod was being paced on the cobbles yeseterday, they called him Damiano Caruso instead.

Were you listening to Phil and Paul? If so, that was probably the Burgundy speaking

 

[Lauritz]

Surprised no one has mentioned Robert Gesink, currently sitting comfortably in 14th position barely two minutes off Martin

 

[MikeTichondrius]

Re:

Surprised no one has mentioned Robert Gesink, currently sitting comfortably in 14th position barely two minutes off Martin

Bobby G, King of the Invisible Dutchies was our first competition leader after the TT. He's been suitably inconspicuous so far, however beaten by the South American ninja Uran who has scored yet ANOTHER 10th-20th placing at Le Havre. Even I'm started to get a bit freaked out by his sheer reliavisibility.

 

[TMP402]

Re:

Again: What about Morabito? 53-40-67 first three stages... and yet he places very good at 39th, 3.52 down...

He is never mentioned during GTs (leave alone TV coverage) but finished 51-49-35-34-35-25 in all GTs he did (+ one DNF). Not just in TdF & some Vueltas. Thus a true "ninja". Really De Greef like proportions...

Sorry to ruin the Morabito party but I've heard his name on at least three stages, pretty much every third time Pinot is shown.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re: Re:

Surprised no one has mentioned Robert Gesink, currently sitting comfortably in 14th position barely two minutes off Martin

Bobby G, King of the Invisible Dutchies was our first competition leader after the TT. He's been suitably inconspicuous so far, however beaten by the South American ninja Uran who has scored yet ANOTHER 10th-20th placing at Le Havre. Even I'm started to get a bit freaked out by his sheer reliavisibility.

Gesink has now finished every stage in the top 30. Only one other accomplished that, Peto Sagan

 

[No_Balls]

Re: Re:

Gesink is doing a pretty solid job i must say. It came to my attention yesterday that he was lauded by dutch commentators as the favorite for the stage win to Le Havre and that is the kind of attention you dont want when going for the Maillot l´invisible.

Shifu Z aint impressed.

 

[Bushman]

Re: Re:

Gesink is doing a pretty solid job i must say. It came to my attention yesterday that he was lauded by dutch commentators as the favorite for the stage win to Le Havre and that is the kind of attention you dont want when going for the Maillot l´invisible.

Shifu Z aint impressed.

Thats just typical Dutch overhyping. Nobody in their right mind would name Gesink the favourite.

 

[pablohidalgo7]

Re: Re:

Gesink is doing a pretty solid job i must say. It came to my attention yesterday that he was lauded by dutch commentators as the favorite for the stage win to Le Havre and that is the kind of attention you dont want when going for the Maillot l´invisible.

Shifu Z aint impressed.

Thats just typical Dutch overhyping. Nobody in their right mind would name Gesink the favourite.

It was bram tankink who pick up gesink as a favourite for the stage, because of the finish was similar to GP Quebec, but of course the parcour of Quebec was harder.

 

[No_Balls]

Re: Re:

Gesinks ninja-bid suffered a severe blow yesterday when crashing with none less then Alberto Contador in the neutralized zone. But as he apparently is in 10th place, and none saw it happened, he should be in the fight at least.

Grand master himself seems to sails out of contention and hovers around 70th place. Still invincible as ever though and picks up other ninja points here and there.

 

[MikeTichondrius]

Re: Re:

Gesinks ninja-bid suffered a severe blow yesterday when crashing with none less then Alberto Contador in the neutralited zone. But as he apparently is in 10th place, and none saw it happened, he should be in the fight at least.

Grand master himself seems to sails out of contention and hovers around 70th place. Still invincible as ever though and picks up other ninja points here and there.

Sensei Haimaru-Z would rather commit sepukku than be in contention for the official Ninja competition.