Purito - Joaquim Rodriguez thread

[Pricey_sky]

I wouldn't be surprised if Purito just didn't want to work for Valverde. Remember what Alejandro did last year? Anyway, he didn't say much today, although his body language said much more => http://youtu.be/qcQYhBLtUSc

Yes this did cross my mind too.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Yeah, but it's kinda unusual to see Rodriguez practically explode within 40 seconds of starting the attack.

We will never know the motives, but J-Rod has not been strong this year. The attack yesterday looked very similar to some of the failed attempts in other races imo.

 

[Pentacycle]

We will never know the motives, but J-Rod has not been strong this year. The attack yesterday looked very similar to some of the failed attempts in other races imo.

Since Catalunya he has been a bit off, but it's not to be unexpected from a 35yo rider to have some decline in performance. 2012 and 2013 were his peak years.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Could be age, who knows, but I agree its broader than just the worlds performance. We shall see if he can bounce back next year.

 

[jens_attacks]

no above 15 % ramp, no glory. at least he tried.

 

[Netserk]

Yeah, but it's kinda unusual to see Rodriguez practically explode within 40 seconds of starting the attack.

The hill wasn't much harder than Cauberg. Two years ago he was nowhere on that hill. It just doesn't suit him.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

The hill wasn't much harder than Cauberg. Two years ago he was nowhere on that hill. It just doesn't suit him.

J-Rod was 2nd in AGR ('11):

1 GILBERT PhilippeOmega Pharma-Lotto 80225 6:30:44
2 RODRÍGUEZ JoaquimTeam Katusha 6015 00:02
3 GERRANS SimonSky Procycling5011 00:04
4 FUGLSANG JakobLeopard Trek409 00:05
5 KOLOBNEV AlexandrTeam Katusha 3080 ,,
6 FREIRE GOMEZ OscarRabobank Cycling Team2270 ,,
7 LEUKEMANS BjornVacansoleil - DCM146 00:07
8 HERMANS BenRadioShack105 00:18
9 GESINK RobertRabobank Cycling Team646 0:19

In form, he can definitely compete on a Cauberg type hill, but his form simply isn't great this year.

Lets see about the uphill sprint in Milano-Torino on Wednesday.

 

[Arredondo]

J-Rod was 2nd in AGR ('11):

1 GILBERT PhilippeOmega Pharma-Lotto 80225 6:30:44
2 RODRÍGUEZ JoaquimTeam Katusha 6015 00:02
3 GERRANS SimonSky Procycling5011 00:04
4 FUGLSANG JakobLeopard Trek409 00:05
5 KOLOBNEV AlexandrTeam Katusha 3080 ,,
6 FREIRE GOMEZ OscarRabobank Cycling Team2270 ,,
7 LEUKEMANS BjornVacansoleil - DCM146 00:07
8 HERMANS BenRadioShack105 00:18
9 GESINK RobertRabobank Cycling Team646 0:19

In form, he can definitely compete on a Cauberg type hill, but his form simply isn't great this year.

Lets see about the uphill sprint in Milano-Torino on Wednesday.

But mostly he's got problems with that kind of climbs. He's definitely not really dominant on them.

If he didn't attack first, he would have followed the likes of Gilbert, Valverde, Gerrans etc, and crushed the top in about 5th/6th position. I mean, that's just above average. Not bad, not really special.

In the Vuelta he still showed some flashes of his old self, so i expect him to do a good race in MT and Lombardia.

 

[deValtos]

Could be age, who knows, but I agree its broader than just the worlds performance. We shall see if he can bounce back next year.

I agree with the age concern, I think his legs are slowly starting to wind down and he's now past his best (only just though.) I could still see him picking up a classic like FW and some individual stages in the future but this was his last year for a GT win imo and it didn't happen.

 

[No_Balls]

I wouldn't be surprised if Purito just didn't want to work for Valverde. Remember what Alejandro did last year? Anyway, he didn't say much today, although his body language said much more => http://youtu.be/qcQYhBLtUSc

Doesnt sound overly disappointed:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/worlds-rodriguez-puts-past-behind-him-and-allies-with-valverde

 

[Arredondo]

I agree with the age concern, I think his legs are slowly starting to wind down and he's now past his best (only just though.) I could still see him picking up a classic like FW and some individual stages in the future but this was his last year for a GT win imo and it didn't happen.

Yeah of course. The Giro was his last chance. He had his chances in 2012. Unfortunately he didn't had the confidence in that Giro. That was his Giro to lose.

But i would be really happy if he can still win a classic and stages the next two years. Or just animate the races, and perhaps ride more relax and with freedom in GT's, without the pressure of riding of GC. I would love to see the Purito 2010 and earlier back.

 

[Arredondo]

Flawless today. 8th place. What can you say?

I really hope that a proper vacation and rest does him good for next season. Can he return at 100%?

 

[Netserk]

His old or his new 100%?

 

[Arredondo]

His old or his new 100%?

His 2012/2013 level

Fact is that the current final of Lombardia isn't as hard as he likes too.

 

[Netserk]

His 2012/2013 level

Fact is that the current final of Lombardia isn't as hard as he likes too.

That he won't. He will continue his decline.

 

[Arredondo]

That he won't. He will continue his decline.

Let's wait till April

 

[roundabout]

His 2012/2013 level

Fact is that the current final of Lombardia isn't as hard as he likes too.

Katusha could have figured that by watching some videos of the editions finishing in Bergamo.

And why do you think he was flawless? Maybe you should be asking why he was obviously below his past level.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Flawless? More like pointless in this race.

Chernetckii should have been in Italy today.

 

[Arredondo]

Katusha could have figured that by watching some videos of the editions finishing in Bergamo.

And why do you think he was flawless? Maybe you should be asking why he was obviously below his past level.

I don't know if he was obviously below his past level. He wasn't great, sure.

Even if he was at his level as last year, that climb is too short to ride away from the likes of Valverde and Gilbert. He also wasn't agressive enough on the climb itself, because he didn't start at the front. Could be a sign at riding at your limit.

If he was dropped on, let say, Villa Vergano by a couple of riders, you can 100% say he rode below his level.

 

[Netserk]

He had the team to make it hard on the real climbs, but chose not to. Hardly 'flawless'.

 

[Arredondo]

He had the team to make it hard on the real climbs, but chose not to. Hardly 'flawless'.

Moreno wasn't there all day. Caruso really disappointed, haven't seen him at all.

The only two riders who were decent where Losada and Kolobnev.

So yes, on paper they had the best team, but in reality, they had quite an off-day.

 

[King Boonen]

One final go at the Tour? He'll have to risk it from further out on the MTFs, but so few ITT's and time bonuses on the wall stages surely have him seriously thinking about it?

 

[LosBrolin]

He said at the interview that it would be a sin not to do this Tour. Don't know Katushas's plan though, but anyway, it would be awesome to see 2013 form Purito fighting there in July with other topboys

 

[Electress]

I like Purito. I'd like to see him have a crack at this Tour. He's one of those riders I'm always glad to see race.

 

[SDub_Vo2Max]

He's 35 years old. Him winning the Giro against AC and the likes seems far fetched. This course suits him more than any Tour course in recent memory. Since he is known for never winning A Big One (never mind THE Big One), he should be all in for this race.