Purito - Joaquim Rodriguez thread

[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.

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.

You think? The Quintana of 2013 was surely better then this one.

And is the fact that Bauke Mollema of all places is lying 2nd overall, an indication of a 'better overall level'? Don't think so.

Froome showed a better level uphill in the Tour's of 2013 and 2015. On Ventoux Mollema closed a gap of 10 seconds really quick. I'm convinced Mollema couldn't have done it on a Froome 2013/2015 version.

It's quite shocking to see Froome is already 2 minutes ahead of his biggest rival in GC, and despite the fact he doesn't look his usual self in the mountains, he doesn't need to go all out atm. Shows to me the level of this Tour is quite weak.

 

[PremierAndrew]

You think? The Quintana of 2013 was surely better then this one.

And is the fact that Bauke Mollema of all places is lying 2nd overall, an indication of a 'better overall level'? Don't think so.

Froome showed a better level uphill in the Tour's of 2013 and 2015. On Ventoux Mollema closed a gap of 10 seconds really quick. I'm convinced Mollema couldn't have done it on a Froome 2013/2015 version.

It's quite shocking to see Froome is already 2 minutes ahead of his biggest rival in GC, and despite the fact he doesn't look his usual self in the mountains, he doesn't need to go all out atm. Shows to me the level of this Tour is quite weak.

I think Froome is going to blow this race apart in the 3rd week. Nico Portal said that Froome will still be looking to gain time where possible as you have to be prepared for the unexpected. Probably just soft pedalled up the climbs in weeks 1 and 2 to be ready for week 3

 

[Valv.Piti]

Mollema was actually also second going into Ventoux and maybe even after it as well? I don't quite remember.
Buts it not necessarily better, possibly a little weaker, but at least much deeper. But we really can't assess it now 100%, the mountain stages haven't showed us all too much so far IMO.

 

[Arredondo]

You think? The Quintana of 2013 was surely better then this one.

And is the fact that Bauke Mollema of all places is lying 2nd overall, an indication of a 'better overall level'? Don't think so.

Froome showed a better level uphill in the Tour's of 2013 and 2015. On Ventoux Mollema closed a gap of 10 seconds really quick. I'm convinced Mollema couldn't have done it on a Froome 2013/2015 version.

It's quite shocking to see Froome is already 2 minutes ahead of his biggest rival in GC, and despite the fact he doesn't look his usual self in the mountains, he doesn't need to go all out atm. Shows to me the level of this Tour is quite weak.

I think Froome is going to blow this race apart in the 3rd week. Nico Portal said that Froome will still be looking to gain time where possible as you have to be prepared for the unexpected. Probably just soft pedalled up the climbs in weeks 1 and 2 to be ready for week 3

Could be indeed. He wants to be strong in Río too. In that case you need to hold a little bit back in the first week.

If it's true, we will get a horribly boring 3rd week

 

[Arredondo]

Hopefully he gets the freedom to attack in the Alps, together with Zakarin. He's not good enough to ride top-5.

No point of fighting for 10th place in GC (which is still possible).

 

[Squirbos_19]

He should be allowed to go in an early break, he's no threat to Froome. And none of the other teams are strong enough to chase.
Either way the rest of the mountain stages are a little friendlier to him with a big descent into Mont Blanc and a descent fIrish on stage 20. So even if he doesn't get into an early break, he could move up the GC.

But I'd like to see him attack and light up the race a bit.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

He should be allowed to go in an early break, he's no threat to Froome. And none of the other teams are strong enough to chase.
Either way the rest of the mountain stages are a little friendlier to him with a big descent into Mont Blanc and a descent fIrish on stage 20. So even if he doesn't get into an early break, he could move up the GC.

But I'd like to see him attack and light up the race a bit.

Me too.

But he's a capture of his own team. Especially with Zakarin who's getting stronger and stronger. I think Katusha want to win a 2nd stage with Illnur, and will force Purito just to follow wheels.

I think his head is already on Río and the Vuelta.

 

[DBotero]

If tomorrow loses more time he should give up on the GC and go for a stage win.

 

[Arredondo]

Really strong showing after yesterday's ride. 8th of the day. 6th of the favourites. Faster then Valverde, Quintana, Yates, Mollema, Kreuziger and Meintjes. Good!

And it shows to me he will be ready for La Vuelta. Today's TT looks a little bit like a Vuelta stage. If you know what i mean

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Really strong showing after yesterday's ride. 8th of the day. 6th of the favourites. Faster then Valverde, Quintana, Yates, Mollema, Kreuziger and Meintjes. Good!

And it shows to me he will be ready for La Vuelta. Today's TT looks a little bit like a Vuelta stage. If you know what i mean

Considered it finished downhill, I have absolutely no clue of what you mean.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Really strong showing after yesterday's ride. 8th of the day. 6th of the favourites. Faster then Valverde, Quintana, Yates, Mollema, Kreuziger and Meintjes. Good!

And it shows to me he will be ready for La Vuelta. Today's TT looks a little bit like a Vuelta stage. If you know what i mean

Considered it finished downhill, I have absolutely no clue of what you mean.

I mean short and explosive.

 

[HelloDolly]

Is Purito riding the Vuelta

Kirby saying today that was the last time we will see Purito in a TT

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Is Purito riding the Vuelta

Kirby saying today that was the last time we will see Purito in a TT

Kirby is talking ***. As always.

Clasica, Río, Vuelta and Lombardia are on his schedule.

 

[DBotero]

Good TT today.I heard something about bad weather so maybe he should go for both GC+stage win.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

In a weird way it was almost fitting that the man finished second today, which unfortunately has been the story of his GT GC career. Great effort again today.

 

[Miburo]

Thank the lord he didn't win with that disgusting 500m sprint

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Thank the lord he didn't win with that disgusting 500m sprint

He did attack dude. Yates and Aru dropped because of his attack. But he was on the limit, like everyone.

You clearly haven't watched the race.

So Miburo, if you starting a war with every rider who didn't attack, choose the right one please. Because this is just embarassing from your side

 

[Valv.Piti]

Insane performance by the two old lads.

I saw an interview on Danish TV today, with Valverde who stood next to Rodriguez: "Who is going to win the stage?" Valverde, with a big smile on his face, said Rodriguez. Guess he was kinda close. And happy to see them playing around.

 

[DBotero]

Those damn crashes and the confusion installed were the only reason J.Rod didn't win this stage One last chance tomorrow.

 

[Arredondo]

Those damn crashes and the confusion installed were the only reason J.Rod didn't win this stage One last chance tomorrow.

Don't think so. Because otherwise Valverde would not have worked for Quintana, and could have won that sprint from Purito. But he was really strong today!!!

 

[Miburo]

Re: Re:

Thank the lord he didn't win with that disgusting 500m sprint

He did attack dude. Yates and Aru dropped because of his attack. But he was on the limit, like everyone.

You clearly haven't watched the race.

So Miburo, if you starting a war with every rider who didn't attack, choose the right one please. Because this is just embarassing from your side

I know he did, i just hate that purito sprint, that's all.

I'm sorry but he stole 4 stage victories from Contador in 2012 And a possible Lombardia win too

 

[Squirbos_19]

If only it weren't for that hectic descent, Bardet wouldn't have gotten away and he would have won the stage. I can't see that climb being any different if Bardet was with the group. Anyway it was a good ride, I thought he was cracking in the final kilometre, but pulled it back and gained a few seconds which isn't that much. He's doing pretty good for a 37 year old.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Thank the lord he didn't win with that disgusting 500m sprint

He did attack dude. Yates and Aru dropped because of his attack. But he was on the limit, like everyone.

You clearly haven't watched the race.

So Miburo, if you starting a war with every rider who didn't attack, choose the right one please. Because this is just embarassing from your side

I know he did, i just hate that purito sprint, that's all.

I'm sorry but he stole 4 stage victories from Contador in 2012 And a possible Lombardia win too

Stole? Purito and stage wins in 2012 Vuelta was easy pickings against Contador, he could've won 7 if he wanted to.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Thank the lord he didn't win with that disgusting 500m sprint

He did attack dude. Yates and Aru dropped because of his attack. But he was on the limit, like everyone.

You clearly haven't watched the race.

So Miburo, if you starting a war with every rider who didn't attack, choose the right one please. Because this is just embarassing from your side

I know he did, i just hate that purito sprint, that's all.

I'm sorry but he stole 4 stage victories from Contador in 2012 And a possible Lombardia win too

That Purito sprint is a pure classic in cycling. He's got something distinctive from other riders. In cycling you have different actors: the attacker (Contador, Nibali)x, the explosive guy, the chocker, the engine etc.....

And in Lombardia he was just better then Contador. Even Henao crested the top of Villa Vergano in front of Contador that year. He still had to solo for 10 flat km's.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Top 10 seems a given now.