Rigoberto Uran discussion thread.

[gmedina]

This. Cancellara, for example, wins classics, so he's a contender, just like Tom Boonen. Uran never won a GT, all he did was a second place last year, and we still don't know what's he's going to do today, who knows if he loses time to Aru and Rolland and end up in like 4th place?

To me a contender is someone that has prove consistently that he can hang with the best many times, not just one or two GTs. Fortunately Uran is young, he'll be better.

I think today Uran showed again that he is a consistent and an amazing climber (I still think that Nairo could have dropped him), better than Aru and Rolland.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

I think today Uran showed again that he is a consistent and an amazing climber (I still think that Nairo could have dropped him), better than Aru and Rolland.

better than Rolland? perhaps. better than Aru? meh. Dropped by Quintana? definitely

 

[Red Rick]

It wasn't like the 2011 Giro. Quintana really would have had to try hard to drop Uran. Back then Contador could just drop anyone anywhere when he wanted

 

[Pippo_San]

Somehow I have the feeling that without the Stelvio mistakes we could've witnessed a different, very different Giro...maybe in the end Quintana would've won it anyway, but it would've probably been decided by few precious seconds.

That, or Quintana would've attacked like a madman on the Zoncolan

 

[lenric]

I think today Uran showed again that he is a consistent and an amazing climber (I still think that Nairo could have dropped him), better than Aru and Rolland.

When did I say that I consider Rolland or Aru top climbers? Yeah, they're good, but nowhere near as good as Rodriguez, Contador, Froome or Nibali (top form).

 

[roundabout]

Very disappointed in Uran.

Poels pacing him on Oropa stage

Poels pacing him on the Panarotta stage

Poels and Serry pacing him today

Wins the "flat" TT though. Wiggins 2.

 

[Angliru]

When Froome was 27 years old, he wasn't nearly half (at least noticed) of what he's now.

Yes, he was second last year when his main rival was Cadel Evans, who's 10 years older.

He's second because of the ITT. Take it off and see what you got. I bet whatever you want that 2 days from now he won't do top 5 and will loose time to Quintana.

ITT's are a part of every grand tour. I'm not really understanding your point.

 

[Angliru]

Why should you remove the ITT from the standings? It's part of the race.

After seeing this Giro I'd say he's more of a Tour rider, what do you guys think?

I agree. He was quite strong in the first itt and held his own in the mountains, actually distancing everyone but Quintana on the Zoncolan. He's very well rounded, just the type of rider that would do well at the Tour. I'd be inclined to believe that like Nairo, would've preferred to do the Tour this year instead of the Giro.

 

[Angliru]

No. Those who compete frequently against the best. Not just at TT or one or other mountain stage, but the most of them. Contador, Quintana, Froome, Nibali (GC), Cavendish, Cancellara, Tony Martin, Sagan, for example, are first class riders. Then you have 2nd class riders, such as Uran, Van den Broeck, Wiggins, etc.

I mean, just because a guy is 2nd in a GT, does that mean he should be considered a GC contender for every GT from then on? No. He must have great performances frequently, mainly in GTs, to be considered a serious GC contender. At least that's my opinion.

I'm not a fan of Wiggins but at his best he is one of the sports best versus the clock and thus using your reasoning should be mentioned along with Tony Martin. Adding to that his 2012 season alone should have him in your elite category.

 

[Angliru]

How are sprinters like Cavendish or Sagan "GC contenders"?

I think he's saying that they are first class riders and that Uran is not because he's "only" twice come 2nd in the Giro.

 

[lenric]

I'm not a fan of Wiggins but at his best he is one of the sports best versus the clock and thus using your reasoning should be mentioned along with Tony Martin. Adding to that his 2012 season alone should have him in your elite category.

That's why I said "for example".

And yes, Uran came twice second at Giro. If for you that makes him a contender for every single GT then great. To me he's not, because he hasn't proved what he's worth against the big sharks. It's my opinion. Fortunately, they are not all the same

 

[hfer07]

Uran did a great ride today on the Zoncolan- massive work by OPQS to pace him up- glad he kept his 2nd place.

 

[Escarabajo]

That's why I said "for example".

And yes, Uran came twice second at Giro. If for you that makes him a contender for every single GT then great. To me he's not, because he hasn't proved what he's worth against the big sharks. It's my opinion. Fortunately, they are not all the same

What you are really saying is that the Giro is not a worthy Gran Tour, or am I reading that correctly?

 

[icefire]

What you are really saying is that the Giro is not a worthy Gran Tour, or am I reading that correctly?

He's posting on this forum 2 months too early.

 

[lenric]

What you are really saying is that the Giro is not a worthy Gran Tour, or am I reading that correctly?

Man I'm tired of this argument. Uran didn't race against Froome, Contador, Nibali or even Quintana and Rodriguez all at the same time. That's everything I'm saying. Apart from that and from what I have already said, take your own conclusions.

 

[SafeBet]

Man I'm tired of this argument. Uran didn't race against Froome, Contador, Nibali or even Quintana and Rodriguez all at the same time.

Nobody has.

 

[mihhint]

So this guy has gone for Giro last 3 years now. But wouldn't TDF profiles fit him the best out the 3 GTs? I could see why he'd ride Giro when in Sky, but when he changed to OPQS, I thought it would be so he could target the Tour. Surely he could have gone ahead Kiwat to Tour if he had wanted to, no? Or he just thinking chance to win giro beats getting 4th in tour?

 

[Red Rick]

So this guy has gone for Giro last 3 years now. But wouldn't TDF profiles fit him the best out the 3 GTs? I could see why he'd ride Giro when in Sky, but when he changed to OPQS, I thought it would be so he could target the Tour. Surely he could have gone ahead Kiwat to Tour if he had wanted to, no? Or he just thinking chance to win giro beats getting 4th in tour?

99% of the people in here who didn't register here in July 2012 or July 2013 think that anyway.

 

[mihhint]

99% of the people in here who didn't register here in July 2012 or July 2013 think that anyway.

Sorry, yes I'm new here, so I don't exactly understand. I would have thought that last year at giro against Nibali(and this year against Quintana) have shown that he is not yet on par with the few very best GT riders. So it would be very difficult to beat the likes of Nibali, AC and Froome unless they all have bad luck over crashes/cobbles/crosswind/whatnot.

But that really wasn't my question. I was wondering that wouldn't TDF fit him much better profile wise to begin with?

 

[Eclipse]

With the way he's riding now it does seem like he'd suit the TdF more.

But he's not going to get a proper look in while Cav is there.

 

[hrotha]

How would the Tour suit him more? He'd lose time in the pure ITTs and he hasn't shown he has the guts or the tactical nous to take it back on the mountains. He's a very conservative rider. The Vuelta would suit him more.

 

[mihhint]

How would the Tour suit him more? He'd lose time in the pure ITTs and he hasn't shown he has the guts or the tactical nous to take it back on the mountains. He's a very conservative rider. The Vuelta would suit him more.

He seemed very good in the flat/hilly ITT and with the exception of Zoncolan yesterday, seemed to struggle in most of the steepest sections. And isn't TDF usually the most conservatively ridden GT every year? Should be right his cup of tea..

He put 3.8s/km on Quintana in the slightly hilly ITT. Last TDF there was a flat and heavy hilly ITT where those 2 combined Froome put 4.1s/km on Quintana. MTT few days ago first flat 7 km Uran put again what, like 4s/km on Quinata. Traditionally TDF has most pancake ITT kms out of the GTs and mountains with smallest gradients. So if a good mountain guy can do flat ITTs also at world class pace, it seems like an obvious choice no?

 

[hrotha]

That's the thing, I don't believe Urán can do flat ITTs at a world class pace. This Giro, and the Vuelta, have ITTs that cater to the climbers a lot more.

 

[Rollthedice]

He did a great Giro and congrats. OPQS can be happy too, first podium in a GT.
He is a top 10 guy in any GT, maybe even top 5 but he will never win one unless all the stars are aligned. I don't think he can podium TdF since there will always be other three better riders than him there regardless of how well Rigo can climb or TT.

 

[lenric]

Nobody has.

Most of them rode against each other and beat them.

I really don't understand you guys here, defending Uran must earn you money or something like, either way, my point is made. If you understand or agree is up to you, not really my problem.
Cheers.