Purito - Joaquim Rodriguez thread

[Valv.Piti]

Very sad indeed, but its a hard situation, somewhat similar to when Sagan won at stage 2. In hindsight, it was stupid, but had Kristoff won, I doubt they'd cared much about 1 minute and it would definitely had been worth it.

But you are right on the money about respect. Rodriguez was the best rider in the peloton for at least 1 year and made them a respectable squad.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Very sad indeed, but its a hard situation, somewhat similar to when Sagan won at stage 2. In hindsight, it was stupid, but had Kristoff won, I doubt they'd cared much about 1 minute and it would definitely had been worth it.

But you are right on the money about respect. Rodriguez was the best rider in the peloton for at least 1 year and made them a respectable squad.

Without Purito they would have been one of the worst WT-teams for consecutive 4 years (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013). And even in the following two years he brought the team important victories/placings.

But let's hope this gives him more motivation to win a stage/finish as high as possible in GC.

 

[Arredondo]

And for sure i understand why they worked for Kristoff. But he had 4 teammates left in the final. They should have dropped one of them to help Purito. He was all alone.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Very sad indeed, but its a hard situation, somewhat similar to when Sagan won at stage 2. In hindsight, it was stupid, but had Kristoff won, I doubt they'd cared much about 1 minute and it would definitely had been worth it.

But you are right on the money about respect. Rodriguez was the best rider in the peloton for at least 1 year and made them a respectable squad.

Without Purito they would have been one of the worst WT-teams for consecutive 4 years (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013). And even in the following two years he brought the team important victories/placings.

But let's hope this gives him more motivation to win a stage/finish as high as possible in GC.

Yeah, thats what I said, he made them respectable. They would really have been horrible without him.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: Re:

Very sad indeed, but its a hard situation, somewhat similar to when Sagan won at stage 2. In hindsight, it was stupid, but had Kristoff won, I doubt they'd cared much about 1 minute and it would definitely had been worth it.

But you are right on the money about respect. Rodriguez was the best rider in the peloton for at least 1 year and made them a respectable squad.

Without Purito they would have been one of the worst WT-teams for consecutive 4 years (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013). And even in the following two years he brought the team important victories/placings.

But let's hope this gives him more motivation to win a stage/finish as high as possible in GC.

Does an anonymous 9th or something actually mean anything at this point in his career? Those are important for guys who want team leader contracts at teams without a potential GC winner. But for a rider who is retiring and who already has better minor GT GC placings? Now that he's announced his retirement and is behind way too many guys to dream of the podium I'd prefer him to ditch time and go all out for a stage.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Very sad indeed, but its a hard situation, somewhat similar to when Sagan won at stage 2. In hindsight, it was stupid, but had Kristoff won, I doubt they'd cared much about 1 minute and it would definitely had been worth it.

But you are right on the money about respect. Rodriguez was the best rider in the peloton for at least 1 year and made them a respectable squad.

Without Purito they would have been one of the worst WT-teams for consecutive 4 years (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013). And even in the following two years he brought the team important victories/placings.

But let's hope this gives him more motivation to win a stage/finish as high as possible in GC.

Does an anonymous 9th or something actually mean anything at this point in his career? Those are important for guys who want team leader contracts at teams without a potential GC winner. But for a rider who is retiring and who already has better minor GT GC placings? Now that he's announced his retirement and is behind way too many guys to dream of the podium I'd prefer him to ditch time and go all out for a stage.

Now yes. And he's in the position to attack from afar, and maybe manage to pull out a surprise.

But before the stage, he was placed very well, and he could dream of a podium. Especially because guys like Martin, Porte and Yates are not that experienced in riding a good GC.

But now it's become way more difficult.

 

[Kokoso]

I'm gutter for him because he seems very likeable but it was both team's and his fault. He should position himself better.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

And for sure i understand why they worked for Kristoff. But he had 4 teammates left in the final. They should have dropped one of them to help Purito. He was all alone.

Maybe they just think Purito no longer has what it takes to podium anyway.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

And for sure i understand why they worked for Kristoff. But he had 4 teammates left in the final. They should have dropped one of them to help Purito. He was all alone.

Maybe they just think Purito no longer has what it takes to podium anyway.

Riding top-5 is still better then some minor sprint places with Kristoff.

Purito is riding better this Tour then Kristoff for sure.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

Very sad indeed, but its a hard situation, somewhat similar to when Sagan won at stage 2. In hindsight, it was stupid, but had Kristoff won, I doubt they'd cared much about 1 minute and it would definitely had been worth it.

But you are right on the money about respect. Rodriguez was the best rider in the peloton for at least 1 year and made them a respectable squad.

Purito's best year was 2012, but that was also the year Boonen and Wiggins won everything they could win. So I don't think he ever was the best rider of the peloton.

 

[Carols]

Re:

I think it's the right moment to retire. I'm not really sad actually, because another year could only harm him.

But after watching his press conference, i had to wipe away some tears. It's the end of a period for me as a fan. That's always strange.

But i'm looking forward to his final races. I really hope he can win something big before he goes! Vamos Purito!

I understand! I have watched many whose rides made them my favorites. The day always comes when they retire, after all it is sport and age causes decline I've shed a tear for more than a few when the time came. The good news is some young buck jumps up and steals your heart again....repeat pattern for 50+ years....

Please Purito give us one more big show. The Olympics would be a grand way to go out!

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

I think it's the right moment to retire. I'm not really sad actually, because another year could only harm him.

But after watching his press conference, i had to wipe away some tears. It's the end of a period for me as a fan. That's always strange.

But i'm looking forward to his final races. I really hope he can win something big before he goes! Vamos Purito!

I understand! I have watched many whose rides made them my favorites. The day always comes when they retire, after all it is sport and age causes decline I've shed a tear for more than a few when the time came. The good news is some young buck jumps up and steals your heart again....repeat pattern for 50+ years....

Please Purito give us one more big show. The Olympics would be a grand way to go out!

For sure, but from now on they are only riders which i like, or dislike, but nothing more. That's actually pretty nice, because you can look more clean to cycling, instead of looking at one particulair rider all the time

 

[Arredondo]

Despite all the stupidity of today, a good showing from Purito. 8th on the Ventoux, and only Froome, Porte and Mollema were stronger.

And there's still a chance of the podium, because he will be the last rider who will crack. Just look at Dan Martin today. He's got the experience and toughness, so he will be stronger in the third week.

 

[Asero831]

How much time will he lose tomorrow?

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

How much time will he lose tomorrow?

1.30-2 minutes on Froome?

 

[DBotero]

Good climbing today but a hard battle in front of him to get on the podium.Considering the time lost yesterday he really needs a good TT.

 

[Arredondo]

Good climbing today but a hard battle in front of him to get on the podium.Considering the time lost yesterday he really needs a good TT.

He needs to get on the podium by attacking from afar. Azevedo said in an interview he will go on the attack in the Alps.

Then it's possible. Difficult, but possible.

 

[Arredondo]

Mark my words: He will be in the top-5 at the end of this Tour.

Strange things happen in de third week.

 

[DBotero]

After today TT i think the podium is impossible.He should just finish as high as possible and that's it.A stage win would be good though.Zakarin seems to recovered judging by the last 2 stages so he should provide some needed support.

 

[Arredondo]

After today TT i think the podium is impossible.He should just finish as high as possible and that's it.A stage win would be good though.Zakarin seems to recovered judging by the last 2 stages so he should provide some needed support.

In 2013, he was even more in arrears at this point of the race.

Be prepared

 

[Valv.Piti]

After today TT i think the podium is impossible.He should just finish as high as possible and that's it.A stage win would be good though.Zakarin seems to recovered judging by the last 2 stages so he should provide some needed support.

In 2013, he was even more in arrears at this point of the race.

Be prepared

In 2013, he came of his best climbing year by far. Was one of the best climbers in the peloton in 12-13, he isnt anymore

Its possible, but highly unlikely. A case of 1/15.

 

[Arredondo]

After today TT i think the podium is impossible.He should just finish as high as possible and that's it.A stage win would be good though.Zakarin seems to recovered judging by the last 2 stages so he should provide some needed support.

In 2013, he was even more in arrears at this point of the race.

Be prepared

In 2013, he came of his best climbing year by far. Was one of the best climbers in the peloton in 12-13, he isnt anymore

Its possible, but highly unlikely. A case of 1/15.

But he showed on Ventoux he's still extremely tough. He will not crack. Others will do.

Martin, Kreuziger, Meintjes, Valverde, Van Garderen, Yates will all finish behind him in GC. I'm convinced of that.

 

[Bardamu]

Re:

Mark my words: He will be in the top-5 at the end of this Tour.

Strange things happen in de third week.

But not better.

Prefer seeing him go for a stage.

 

[Valv.Piti]

After today TT i think the podium is impossible.He should just finish as high as possible and that's it.A stage win would be good though.Zakarin seems to recovered judging by the last 2 stages so he should provide some needed support.

In 2013, he was even more in arrears at this point of the race.

Be prepared

In 2013, he came of his best climbing year by far. Was one of the best climbers in the peloton in 12-13, he isnt anymore

Its possible, but highly unlikely. A case of 1/15.

But he showed on Ventoux he's still extremely tough. He will not crack. Others will do.

Martin, Kreuziger, Meintjes, Valverde, Van Garderen, Yates will all finish behind him in GC. I'm convinced of that.

Yeah, he is super consistent, especially in his older days, but it requires a lot of luck and extremely good legs to finish on the podium at this point. I think the aim should be top-5 at this point which also will be difficult. Its the same scnario as in 2013, you are right, but I think the overall level is better here.

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

I think it's the right moment to retire. I'm not really sad actually, because another year could only harm him.

But after watching his press conference, i had to wipe away some tears. It's the end of a period for me as a fan. That's always strange.

But i'm looking forward to his final races. I really hope he can win something big before he goes! Vamos Purito!

I understand! I have watched many whose rides made them my favorites. The day always comes when they retire, after all it is sport and age causes decline I've shed a tear for more than a few when the time came. The good news is some young buck jumps up and steals your heart again....repeat pattern for 50+ years....

Please Purito give us one more big show. The Olympics would be a grand way to go out!

For sure, but from now on they are only riders which i like, or dislike, but nothing more. That's actually pretty nice, because you can look more clean to cycling, instead of looking at one particulair rider all the time

I am capable of having multiple favorites, no problem .