Official Valverde thread.

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I've actually gotten to like Piti over the last few years, but c'mon, today wasn't exactly a normal day for him.

If his power output was really through the roof ... then yeah, but that isn't clear yet. Could have been the favorable wind conditions.

What we know is that he was a bit better than Froome today, who's building form at the moment, while Contador went all out at P-N. I don't think Contador has fully recovered from that.

Also only 25 seconds better than Soler - who was at the front for a long time. And only a minute better than Gaudu and Carthy.

I doubt there is anyone in the clinic would claim Valverde is riding clean, but this is hardly Armstrong or Pantani like levels. Perhaps if he had done it in the third week of a GT at the end of a multi-mountain stage. But this was just a single climb stage in an easyish stage race, and was raced hard from start to bottom - no cat and mouse. Talk of a motor or a new doping programme is a bit premature I think.

 

[Zypherov]

http://www.climbing-records.com/

Lo Port-Mont Caro

2017:8,4 km@8,9%---24:04---average speed 20.94 km/h(Alejandro Valverde)
1991:8,4 km@8,9%---26:38---average speed 18.92 km/h(Luis Herrera)

Luis Herrera won the 158.2 km 6th stage from Salou to Mont Caro in the 1991 Volta a Catalunya as above.

 

[Red Rick]

This performance is likely only partially Valverde and partially the flavour of the season

 

[rick james]

http://www.climbing-records.com/

Lo Port-Mont Caro

2017:8,4 km@8,9%---24:04---average speed 20.94 km/h(Alejandro Valverde)
1991:8,4 km@8,9%---26:38---average speed 18.92 km/h(Luis Herrera)

Luis Herrera won the 158.2 km 6th stage from Salou to Mont Caro in the 1991 Volta a Catalunya as above.

Again taking one climb without context tells us nothing.

 

[tukabel]

What's going on?

Piti riding as this was his last season (or?) and the world ends in November.

All that on top of his usual "top form all year round" trick (small stage races, classics, GTs). Also the whole Movi drilling it as if they were the new ES POSTAL. And then... BUMM, they are brutally punished for few pushes - quite a ridiculous "crime" that gave him basically no advantage... and all that IN SPAIN, when they clearly go for victory (anyone can name at least TEN much worse "crimes" that went unpunished).

And only then our ValvPiti goes full ***, blows the whole peloton away and wins anyway!

I know, Vroom/Bertie are far from top and not really interested, but they are not the only in the bunch. I'm not a fan of Piti, rather the opposite, but have a strange feeling... conspiracy? Double conspiracy?

Maybe Alejandro just wants to cash in whatever possible in spring and then take it easy, we'll see whether he'll go for GC in Grand Tours. Another possibility: just building up for his FullHorner year.

 

[Benotti69]

Spanish police intercepted Valverde's TdF supply............

1 million hGH doses seized.

Scratching the surface http://www.sportstarlive.com/other-sports/spain-arrests-14-seizes-large-doping-stash/article17618989.ece …

 

[TeflonDub]

The new marginal gains are going to be front wings to provide enough downforce to combat the kind of understeer Piti suffered at the last hairpin today. Had to lift off the gas for a long time to steer safely up the mountain.
https://youtu.be/_q7a5ZO8nmE

 

[silvergrenade]

Re:

The new marginal gains are going to be front wings to provide enough downforce to combat the kind of oversteer Piti suffered at the last hairpin today. Had to lift off the gas for a long time to steer safely up the mountain.
https://youtu.be/_q7a5ZO8nmE

Missing F1?

 

[Random Direction]

Re:

The new marginal gains are going to be front wings to provide enough downforce to combat the kind of oversteer Piti suffered at the last hairpin today. Had to lift off the gas for a long time to steer safely up the mountain.
https://youtu.be/_q7a5ZO8nmE

The engineering crew for Movistar has improved the engine technology.

 

[meat puppet]

Yeah. Clearly a tailwind.

 

[spiritualride]

http://www.climbing-records.com/

Lo Port-Mont Caro

2017:8,4 km@8,9%---24:04---average speed 20.94 km/h(Alejandro Valverde)
1991:8,4 km@8,9%---26:38---average speed 18.92 km/h(Luis Herrera)

Luis Herrera won the 158.2 km 6th stage from Salou to Mont Caro in the 1991 Volta a Catalunya as above.

Again taking one climb without context tells us nothing.

Why not?
+9% grade MTF climbs have well over 11% variation in their winning times depending on their racing contexts?
Would Rolland have beaten Pantani's record up l'Alpe in 2011 if only the context happened to be different?

 

[Robert5091]

I don't know what Movistar put on their Weetabix but I'd like some ...Geezus! Just saw the last 2 km and well ...

 

[TeflonDub]

Re: Re:

The new marginal gains are going to be front wings to provide enough downforce to combat the kind of oversteer Piti suffered at the last hairpin today. Had to lift off the gas for a long time to steer safely up the mountain.
https://youtu.be/_q7a5ZO8nmE

Missing F1?

I woke this morning to find a lot of other people missing F1, apparently, as the footage of that freewheeling around the final switchback is doing the rounds now.

 

[IndianCyclist]

The entire team is good as seen in the TTT not just Valverde. They got their Marginal gains/TUEs/Medical assists correct.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

The new marginal gains are going to be front wings to provide enough downforce to combat the kind of oversteer Piti suffered at the last hairpin today. Had to lift off the gas for a long time to steer safely up the mountain.
https://youtu.be/_q7a5ZO8nmE

Missing F1?

I woke this morning to find a lot of other people missing F1, apparently, as the footage of that freewheeling around the final switchback is doing the rounds now.

That wasn't oversteer. It was momentarilly stopping pedalling because there was some sand or gravel on the road. Of course, if he would have pedalled hard and skidded off on the poor surrface, I'm sure that would be sign of motor use as well.

 

[TeflonDub]

Re: Re:

The new marginal gains are going to be front wings to provide enough downforce to combat the kind of oversteer Piti suffered at the last hairpin today. Had to lift off the gas for a long time to steer safely up the mountain.
https://youtu.be/_q7a5ZO8nmE

Missing F1?

I woke this morning to find a lot of other people missing F1, apparently, as the footage of that freewheeling around the final switchback is doing the rounds now.

That wasn't oversteer. It was momentarilly stopping pedalling because there was some sand or gravel on the road. Of course, if he would have pedalled hard and skidded off on the poor surrface, I'm sure that would be sign of motor use as well.

Must have been the same bit of sand or gravel that eagle-eyed Froome spotted on the perfect tarmac of the first corner after his attack in the Dauphiné last year. https://youtu.be/0rUN0bo-CeI

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

The new marginal gains are going to be front wings to provide enough downforce to combat the kind of oversteer Piti suffered at the last hairpin today. Had to lift off the gas for a long time to steer safely up the mountain.
https://youtu.be/_q7a5ZO8nmE

Missing F1?

I woke this morning to find a lot of other people missing F1, apparently, as the footage of that freewheeling around the final switchback is doing the rounds now.

That wasn't oversteer. It was momentarilly stopping pedalling because there was some sand or gravel on the road. Of course, if he would have pedalled hard and skidded off on the poor surrface, I'm sure that would be sign of motor use as well.

Must have been the same bit of sand or gravel that eagle-eyed Froome spotted on the perfect tarmac of the first corner after his attack in the Dauphiné last year. https://youtu.be/0rUN0bo-CeI

Doubt it. Would have had to have been very strong winds to blow it 1000km across the Med.

 

[TeflonDub]

Re: Re:

That wasn't oversteer. It was momentarilly stopping pedalling because there was some sand or gravel on the road. Of course, if he would have pedalled hard and skidded off on the poor surrface, I'm sure that would be sign of motor use as well.

Must have been the same bit of sand or gravel that eagle-eyed Froome spotted on the perfect tarmac of the first corner after his attack in the Dauphiné last year. https://youtu.be/0rUN0bo-CeI

Doubt it. Would have had to have been very strong winds to blow it 1000km across the Med.

Super helpful, thanks. There was me thinking the Dauphine was held in Spain. Wow. Really, super helpful.

Now, any comment about Froome on perfect tarmac having to let up having already exited the corner? Looked awfully similar to Valverde's concern that he was carrying a bit too much speed uphill to safely make the turn.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

That wasn't oversteer. It was momentarilly stopping pedalling because there was some sand or gravel on the road. Of course, if he would have pedalled hard and skidded off on the poor surrface, I'm sure that would be sign of motor use as well.

Must have been the same bit of sand or gravel that eagle-eyed Froome spotted on the perfect tarmac of the first corner after his attack in the Dauphiné last year. https://youtu.be/0rUN0bo-CeI

Doubt it. Would have had to have been very strong winds to blow it 1000km across the Med.

Super helpful, thanks. There was me thinking the Dauphine was held in Spain. Wow. Really, super helpful.

Now, any comment about Froome on perfect tarmac having to let up having already exited the corner? Looked awfully similar to Valverde's concern that he was carrying a bit too much speed uphill to safely make the turn.

Not really sure where you're trying to go with this? I don't really care about what Froome did - maybe he was changing gear and didn't want to risk slipping, or maybe he just had too much pace from attacking and had to check his line. In Valverde's case though you can clear see some kind of sand or gravel on the road (OK, maybe not if you just watch on a stream, but on TV it was clear enough) - which would be a pretty simple explanation as to why he eased off the pedals for a moment.

 

[noddy69]

Re: Re:

That wasn't oversteer. It was momentarilly stopping pedalling because there was some sand or gravel on the road. Of course, if he would have pedalled hard and skidded off on the poor surrface, I'm sure that would be sign of motor use as well.

Must have been the same bit of sand or gravel that eagle-eyed Froome spotted on the perfect tarmac of the first corner after his attack in the Dauphiné last year. https://youtu.be/0rUN0bo-CeI

Doubt it. Would have had to have been very strong winds to blow it 1000km across the Med.

Super helpful, thanks. There was me thinking the Dauphine was held in Spain. Wow. Really, super helpful.

Now, any comment about Froome on perfect tarmac having to let up having already exited the corner? Looked awfully similar to Valverde's concern that he was carrying a bit too much speed uphill to safely make the turn.

Not really sure where you're trying to go with this? I don't really care about what Froome did - maybe he was changing gear and didn't want to risk slipping, or maybe he just had too much pace from attacking and had to check his line. In Valverde's case though you can clear see some kind of sand or gravel on the road (OK, maybe not if you just watch on a stream, but on TV it was clear enough) - which would be a pretty simple explanation as to why he eased off the pedals for a moment.

I watched it on TV and it was surreal. Cant believe how quick he was going and the speed kept through the corner after having to back off. It didn't look right and wasn't due to gravel that I could see in the playbacks I watched. Everytime it looked as if he overcooked which going up that gradient is ridiculous.

Unfortunately I now see motors where before I only saw drug cocktails due to the influence of the clinic !

 

[BYOP88]

Another stage win for Piti. Pretty sure he's won almost as many races/stages since he returned from his ban.

 

[meat puppet]

Nah, obviously Bala just lost the fat and been having constant tailwinds.

 

[Zypherov]

Valverde has amassed one of the most outstanding Palmares in the entire history of cycling. I'm sure we will see further victories from him.

 

[Valv.Piti]

To quote hrotha on the first stage, Tour de Fukushima this upcoming July. Valverde disappointed a few months after that comment suffering through the cold and rainy Tour of 2014 when he had all the chances in the world of grabbing stages and podium. Pretty sure he won't this year...

 

[Benotti69]

at this rate Valverde to win 5 TdFs in a row...............