Purito - Joaquim Rodriguez thread

[Red Rick]

Anyone know what's the most GT podium a rider has ever had without winning one?

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Anyone know what's the most GT podium a rider has ever had without winning one?

Claudio Chiappucci? 3x podium in Giro and 3x in Tour. Make's 6 times.

Purito has got 5.

 

[movingtarget]

The TT was always his Achilles heel but when he finished second in two GTs in 2012 his TT was quite good. I was hoping he would break through in this race but another podium it will be.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re: Re:

I'm not even mad that he didn't win this Vuelta and 99% will not ever win a GT. He was simply beaten by a stronger rider.

He finishes 2nd, won a stage, wins the combo classification and could possibly win the points classification as well, that's a pretty good grand tour for a 36 year old.

Exactly the same feeling. I was really disappointed that he didn't won Vuelta 2012, because he was the strongest and it was his year.

But this year, i didn't expect a podium place at all. And he was on his limit the last week. Aru was simply better. So this feels like a great result.

Yes, a great result overall and season. Most of us thought that after 2014 his days of podiuming a GT were over, but now he's finished 2nd at La Vuelta, on top of winning two stages in Le Tour and the GC in the Tour Of The Basque Country.

An excellent season for Purito. Although he is lucky that there wasn't another 20 kms + of ITT in this Vuelta.

 

[mariposa]

Rodriguez moaning again. Doesn't look good for Spain in the Worlds if he and Valverde are both in the team.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/purito-senala-al-movistar-team-luego-hay-ir-de-la-mano-cuando-les-interesa-14-09-2015

 

[Valv.Piti]

I though of that as well: despite its obvious he is past his best days, he still have produced incredible well this season actually. Won Pais Basque, did a fine Ardennes-campaign, won 2 stages in the Tour (which is better than, say 7th, no matter how you slice it - imo!), 5th Lombardia and 2th Vuelta with a stage win. Definitely a very fine season so far form Purito.

 

[DFA123]

Rodriguez moaning again. Doesn't look good for Spain in the Worlds if he and Valverde are both in the team.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/purito-senala-al-movistar-team-luego-hay-ir-de-la-mano-cuando-les-interesa-14-09-2015

That's such a poor attitude. The points jersey is always up for grabs onthe last day of a GT; as it should be.

The most interesting thing in that article is that Valverde even told him he was going to try for the intermediate sprint, and Rodriguez didn't attempt to do anything about it.

 

[Squirbos_19]

There's an article on cyclingquotes, where it says Purito had a mechanical just before the intermediate sprint. I didn't watch the stage, so I can't confirm that.

 

[dusty red roads]

Yup, I was following it, he did indeed have a mechanical at the wrong moment.

 

[Arredondo]

I think there's something behind it. Purito doesn't want to ride the Worlds, because the course isn't ideal for him, he wants rest and be fresher at Milano-Torino and Lombardia then his rivals (a little bit a Tim Wellens approach).

But Minguez said he wants to pick Purito for the Worlds. And if he would reject the offer, his selection for Rio (on a course really suited to him) isn't sure anymore.

I can understand he doesn't want to go to the Worlds. I mean, it's just crazy to think Purito or Valverde will work for each other at the Worlds, after all that has happened. They are big rivals on the bike, and then it's almost impossible to let them ride together. Just watch 2013. Another evidence riding with countries on a Worlds is useluss anyway.

 

[Velolover2]

Do any of you have the profile of the last k's with gradients? I'd love to see him attack randomly in the final if it's steep enough. Too bad that it's on cobbles.

 

[Velolover2]

I've always wondered how could he would be on a climb like Koppenberg if it was a hill top finish.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

I'd always wondered how could he would be on a climb like Koppenberg if it was a hill top finish.

He had problems on the cobbled climb of Avila, so i don't think he would be the first on Koppenberg. Valverde is better on cobbles. But both could do decent i think.

 

[Miburo]

If purito would translate like 10% of his talking into actual racing, he would be the most agressive rider in the peloton.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

I'd always wondered how could he would be on a climb like Koppenberg if it was a hill top finish.

He had problems on the cobbled climb of Avila, so i don't think he would be the first on Koppenberg. Valverde is better on cobbles. But both could do decent i think.

Avila is like 5-6% for 600 m so it's more suited for the power guys. Koppenberg is nearly 12% for 600 m with ramps over 20%. It's fun to think what such a scenario would be like. I could be different than we think.

Valverde at least should try the Flanders in order to let us find out.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

If purito would translate like 10% of his talking into actual racing, he would be the most agressive rider in the peloton.

There are a lot of riders riders who are boring in the media and in their racing

 

[staubsauger]

This Purito & Valverde feud is so annoying and ridiculous .... Wiggins just called Froome to laugh about it!

 

[ray j willings]

Re:

If purito would translate like 10% of his talking into actual racing, he would be the most agressive rider in the peloton.

I think next season he should stop talking, no interviews , get mean, shave his head, grow some serious man stubble and ride a stealth [black] bike and wear all black kit and focus on the weakest of the 3 GT's and aim to win. Horner did it at 100years old, Purito can do it.

 

[Carols]

Rodriguez moaning again. Doesn't look good for Spain in the Worlds if he and Valverde are both in the team.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/purito-senala-al-movistar-team-luego-hay-ir-de-la-mano-cuando-les-interesa-14-09-2015

ROTFL. He says Don Alejandro told him 'I'm going to sprint' and then he whines when he loses the jersey? Why didn't he go for the points himself, he knew what was coming.

I really like Purito but he can be a real Baby sometimes! He walks away with 2nd on GC, a stage win and the combined jersey and he cries over a jersey he didn't fight for when he was warned it might be taken. Grow Up Purito you're 36 now!

But really how could Spain Not have these 2 on the team?

EDIT: I didn't know Purito had a mechanical near te sprint banner when I wrote the above.

 

[Squirbos_19]

Re: Re:

If purito would translate like 10% of his talking into actual racing, he would be the most agressive rider in the peloton.

I think next season he should stop talking, no interviews , get mean, shave his head, grow some serious man stubble and ride a stealth [black] bike and wear all black kit and focus on the weakest of the 3 GT's and aim to win. Horner did it at 100years old, Purito can do it.

Honestly if he dropped out of the Tour after his second stage win, he could have won this Vuelta. But Astana was very strong so perhaps not.

Next year, I'm not sure he can win one, perhaps if he only rides the Vuelta as his only GT. As well as other things going his way he could have a chance, if the top 5GC from the tour this year all go for the Tour again that could help. We've got some pretty convincing evidence that of you're fresh going into the Vuelta you will do well.

So if he really wants to win a GT he'll have to go at Vuelta 2016 100%, this way he could also have a good peak for the Ardennes without worrying about the Giro. I'd love to see him do it, but I do doubt it will happen.

 

[Velolover2]

I think he will follow the 2012 recipe with a Giro/Vuelta combination which is still a lot better than a Tour/Vuelta double. He will arrive fresh for both.

I througt that he had lost his monster-kick in Fleche Wallone, but he was clearly blocked. He proved that he is still super-explosive on the Mur de Huy in the Tour and in several of the Vuelta mountain stages where he was the strongest in the last k. If there are bonus seconds, it will favor him a lot more.

The TT's in the Giro suits him a lot better than the one in the Burgos which was made for rouleurs. In the MTT, he should top 5. And the long 40k is Ardennes-like. Up and down all the time with a very little flat. He could top 10 that one if he is fit. The only problem is the short 11k TT. But maybe JVDB can show him some tricks.

He should skip Dubai and only ride Oman. After that Strade Bianche (should really try it), T-A, Catalunya, Pais Vasco, Ardennes, Giro. Then a long break and at last San Seb, Vuelta, Milano-Torino, Piemonte and Lombardia.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

I think he will follow the 2012 recipe with a Giro/Vuelta combination which is still a lot better than a Tour/Vuelta double. He will arrive fresh for both.

I througt that he had lost his monster-kick in Fleche Wallone, but he was clearly blocked. He proved that he is still super-explosive on the Mur de Huy in the Tour and in several of the Vuelta mountain stages where he was the strongest in the last k. If there are bonus seconds, it will favor him a lot more.

The TT's in the Giro suits him a lot better than the one in the Burgos which was made for rouleurs. In the MTT, he should top 5. And the long 40k is Ardennes-like. Up and down all the time with a very little flat. He could top 10 that one if he is fit. The only problem is the short 11k TT. But maybe JVDB can show him some tricks.

He should skip Dubai and only ride Oman. After that Strade Bianche (should really try it), T-A, Catalunya, Pais Vasco, Ardennes, Giro. Then a long break and at last San Seb, Vuelta, Milano-Torino, Piemonte and Lombardia.

That sounds a great plan for Purito. He's got no chance of winning the Tour, but either of the others he has an outside shot depending on the course and who turns up. I'd be a bit concerned though if he tried to peak for the Ardennes and hold it through to the Giro. I know he did it well in 2012, but he's getting pretty old now and I think he may have to choose one or the other - he won't do that well in either if he's not at his very best.

It would be great to see him in Strade Bianche as well. Don't think he would come close to winning it, because history suggests you have to be super aggressive in making the right selections throughout the race - which isn' t really his style. Seeing him up against GVA, Stybar, Sagan, Valverde etc on the last climb would be great to watch though if it could happen. I think i'd slightly favour the stronger sprinters though because it's so short.

 

[ray j willings]

Re: Re:

If purito would translate like 10% of his talking into actual racing, he would be the most agressive rider in the peloton.

I think next season he should stop talking, no interviews , get mean, shave his head, grow some serious man stubble and ride a stealth [black] bike and wear all black kit and focus on the weakest of the 3 GT's and aim to win. Horner did it at 100years old, Purito can do it.

Honestly if he dropped out of the Tour after his second stage win, he could have won this Vuelta. But Astana was very strong so perhaps not.

Next year, I'm not sure he can win one, perhaps if he only rides the Vuelta as his only GT. As well as other things going his way he could have a chance, if the top 5GC from the tour this year all go for the Tour again that could help. We've got some pretty convincing evidence that of you're fresh going into the Vuelta you will do well.

So if he really wants to win a GT he'll have to go at Vuelta 2016 100%, this way he could also have a good peak for the Ardennes without worrying about the Giro. I'd love to see him do it, but I do doubt it will happen.

If I was Purito I would focus on the Giro. Recon it , get to know every single bit of road. Work on his TT over the winter. IMO he always looks like he's fighting the bars, he should get lower get more aero.

If he comes 2nd he can then rest up and have a go at the Vuelta.
I agree I don't think riding the tour did him any favours for his Vuelta attempt.

 

[Velolover2]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2016-giro-ditalia-to-feature-rolling-40km-time-trial-through-chianti-vineyards/

Yeah. I'd go as far as saying that he has a better chance at winning the Giro than the Vuelta, but he needs to improve his skills against the clock. Recognizing roads of the 40k time trial is the most important. The route is rolling, narrow and technical. It's not like the steady false flat and big, open roads of Burgos. It's a lot better for him since Purito is a great descender, classics rider and bike handler. That's why I would recommend him to ride the Strade Bianche as a warm-up since it's up-down-up-down-up as well.

"A 40km Individual Time Trial without a single metre of flat and almost at the middle of the race, will define for sure who the potential winners are. I would like to underline the landscape that we are going to show to the world through the unique TV images, as unique as the Gallo Nero territory that hosts this wonderful stage."

Valverde should really consider the Giro too. He got his Tour podium, now it's time to ride the Giro.

 

[jsem94]

Valverde has never in his career even started a Giro. I doubt he'd actually go there.

I agree that Purito should do the Giro though. The rolling TT is perfect for him as far as TTs go.