- Apr 16, 2009
- 17,598
- 6,853
- 28,180
To me Nibali is the "Peak" for certain races type of guy. He has done this in the past and still be very competitive for his target races.
- Sep 2, 2010
- 1,853
- 0
- 0
I was checking out Cameron Wurf's blog about his time in Tenerife, and he had a bit to say about his dealings with Vincenzo:
"With so many superstars of the sport around the place and with the experience that goes with that it's no surprise that from time to time you are fortunate enough to learn some valuable lessons. The most interesting and unexpected one I learnt this past week involved Lemons and came form the mouth of vincenzo nibali. Vincenzo spotted me squeezing a lemon into a glass at breakfast as he walked past the table. He stopped and cameron "what are you doing"? Having some fresh lemon juice i replied. He said yes I can see that but are you also going to drink that actimel in front of you and eat that tub of yogurt? Oh and drink that glass of milk you just poured? Yes to all I simply replied. He said, well look I am from Sicily and in Sicily we eat lemons like apples, the are everywhere. They are very good for you and an excellent antioxidant but only when juiced or eaten alone or with simple foods. He then proceeded to show me what happens with lemon juice and milk when mixed together and that it's probably not something I want happening in my stomach! He was spot on and I obviously had no idea about such side effects of having lemon juice in the mornings before breakfast. Who would have thought that it would take Vincenso nibali passing my table at breakfast to learn about how to best utilize the antioxidant properties in a lemon! Well at the hotel parador of course during the month of April!
The dining hall was not the only time I crossed paths with Vincenso over the past 2 weeks. In fact we also shared a couple long climbs together rarely seen among different riders from different teams. It wasn't planned just happened to be on the same stretch of road back to the hotel on the same day. One day particularly we had a very interesting chat about the bike and the technology more specifically on his bike. He was actually training on a bike that the public won't see for a few months so was interesting to here what his bike manufacturer had install for it's new model. Obviously now having a bike on the minimum weight is not a problem, the opposite is more the issue insuring that the bike is heavy enough os more of a challenge for the manufacturers and our team mechanics. Therefore technology these days goes into the type of carbon used and off course where it's a little heavier and a little lighter to maximize ride ability and performance. Vincenso even discussed at length as to how he chooses a comparatively heavy or light front and back wheel depending on the terrain. Not only that but the type of tyre on the front and back, sometimes ones a clincher and ones a tubular and off course varying pressures. All very very intriguing stuff and another great example of why Vincenso is such a champion. Yes he can ride his bike incredibly fast and racing often it seems on pure courage and determination but there is much more to him than the natural super talent you see not the tv. He is an absolute student of his sport and during that one hour pedaling up the chio climb I learnt more about the way a bike can run faster simply by the make up of parts onboard than I have learnt in my entire cycling career.
So if Vincenso was teaching me something then what did I teach him? Well I have no idea to be honest, I did alot of listening. Also when you are speaking Italian I have to concentrate twice as hard to do my best to get my points across and understand what's coming my way. Also through in the fact we were climbing up to 2200m altitude and breathing is difficult let alone talking and not only that but talking in another language! I do remember however telling how great it is being able to go home to Australia in the summer and train and that he should seriously consider riding down under next year. He seem interested in the idea so who knows maby we will de him in Adelaide in January. From a fan perspective it would be great but from the perspective of having to race him I wouldn't be so good! The tdu course would suit his wide array of characteristics very well so would without a doubt be a big favorite should he venture down under in 2014. When we finally reached the top of the climb our old team coach paolo slongo was waiting with 2 icy cold cans in his hands. When we pulled up he handed them over a can of tonic water to each of us! I have certainly never ever ever downed and ice cold can of tonic water at the summit of a 25km climb before. I gave Vincenso a glance which he knew meant this was my maiden post ride tonic water and simply nodded his head to down it and said "buona", in other words it's good! I have to admit it did taste very good however after 6th IRS on the bike so long as it's cold and sparkling most things taste good to me, infect if you added a dash of gin I would have tasted exceptional! Still it capped of a very enjoyably and rare hour mingling with a rider from another team on the slopes of Tenerife. Thanks Vincenso."
"With so many superstars of the sport around the place and with the experience that goes with that it's no surprise that from time to time you are fortunate enough to learn some valuable lessons. The most interesting and unexpected one I learnt this past week involved Lemons and came form the mouth of vincenzo nibali. Vincenzo spotted me squeezing a lemon into a glass at breakfast as he walked past the table. He stopped and cameron "what are you doing"? Having some fresh lemon juice i replied. He said yes I can see that but are you also going to drink that actimel in front of you and eat that tub of yogurt? Oh and drink that glass of milk you just poured? Yes to all I simply replied. He said, well look I am from Sicily and in Sicily we eat lemons like apples, the are everywhere. They are very good for you and an excellent antioxidant but only when juiced or eaten alone or with simple foods. He then proceeded to show me what happens with lemon juice and milk when mixed together and that it's probably not something I want happening in my stomach! He was spot on and I obviously had no idea about such side effects of having lemon juice in the mornings before breakfast. Who would have thought that it would take Vincenso nibali passing my table at breakfast to learn about how to best utilize the antioxidant properties in a lemon! Well at the hotel parador of course during the month of April!
The dining hall was not the only time I crossed paths with Vincenso over the past 2 weeks. In fact we also shared a couple long climbs together rarely seen among different riders from different teams. It wasn't planned just happened to be on the same stretch of road back to the hotel on the same day. One day particularly we had a very interesting chat about the bike and the technology more specifically on his bike. He was actually training on a bike that the public won't see for a few months so was interesting to here what his bike manufacturer had install for it's new model. Obviously now having a bike on the minimum weight is not a problem, the opposite is more the issue insuring that the bike is heavy enough os more of a challenge for the manufacturers and our team mechanics. Therefore technology these days goes into the type of carbon used and off course where it's a little heavier and a little lighter to maximize ride ability and performance. Vincenso even discussed at length as to how he chooses a comparatively heavy or light front and back wheel depending on the terrain. Not only that but the type of tyre on the front and back, sometimes ones a clincher and ones a tubular and off course varying pressures. All very very intriguing stuff and another great example of why Vincenso is such a champion. Yes he can ride his bike incredibly fast and racing often it seems on pure courage and determination but there is much more to him than the natural super talent you see not the tv. He is an absolute student of his sport and during that one hour pedaling up the chio climb I learnt more about the way a bike can run faster simply by the make up of parts onboard than I have learnt in my entire cycling career.
So if Vincenso was teaching me something then what did I teach him? Well I have no idea to be honest, I did alot of listening. Also when you are speaking Italian I have to concentrate twice as hard to do my best to get my points across and understand what's coming my way. Also through in the fact we were climbing up to 2200m altitude and breathing is difficult let alone talking and not only that but talking in another language! I do remember however telling how great it is being able to go home to Australia in the summer and train and that he should seriously consider riding down under next year. He seem interested in the idea so who knows maby we will de him in Adelaide in January. From a fan perspective it would be great but from the perspective of having to race him I wouldn't be so good! The tdu course would suit his wide array of characteristics very well so would without a doubt be a big favorite should he venture down under in 2014. When we finally reached the top of the climb our old team coach paolo slongo was waiting with 2 icy cold cans in his hands. When we pulled up he handed them over a can of tonic water to each of us! I have certainly never ever ever downed and ice cold can of tonic water at the summit of a 25km climb before. I gave Vincenso a glance which he knew meant this was my maiden post ride tonic water and simply nodded his head to down it and said "buona", in other words it's good! I have to admit it did taste very good however after 6th IRS on the bike so long as it's cold and sparkling most things taste good to me, infect if you added a dash of gin I would have tasted exceptional! Still it capped of a very enjoyably and rare hour mingling with a rider from another team on the slopes of Tenerife. Thanks Vincenso."
- Sep 2, 2010
- 1,853
- 0
- 0
You gotta forgive Cameron for that one. He writes a more detailed blog than anyone else in the peleton.
- Feb 23, 2014
- 8,827
- 254
- 17,880
fraserhughes said:
It will be very interesting to see what he is able to do....I hope the best for him. A win in LBL would be a huge boost to his confidence.
- May 11, 2013
- 13,995
- 5,289
- 28,180
maxmartin said:
Never had a doubt. Waiting for a devastating long range attack in LBL. Who knows, might succeed...
- May 5, 2011
- 7,621
- 288
- 17,880
Nibbles looked promising today, was within the top 10, but bonked/stoped in the last 350m when he couldn't follow Valverdes final acceleration. LBL is within reach! 
- May 11, 2013
- 13,995
- 5,289
- 28,180
Vino attacks everyone said:Nibbles looked promising today, was within the top 10, but bonked/stoped in the last 350m when he couldn't follow Valverdes final acceleration. LBL is within reach!
Yes. He just gave up suddenly. But as you say an overall good race. LBL might be awesome.
- Sep 2, 2010
- 1,853
- 0
- 0
I feel that he got blocked out several times which meant he didn't have the legs to power it all the way to the line.
- Mar 13, 2009
- 29,413
- 3,482
- 28,180
He didn't give up. And he didn't get blocked either. He was in perfect position with 400m to go, but when Martin accelerated Nibali kept the same speed. Looked liked he just missed that little bit of extra.
Despite that, I don't think that's bad. He'll be attacking in LBL for sure, which is good. It means at least somebody will attack ...
Despite that, I don't think that's bad. He'll be attacking in LBL for sure, which is good. It means at least somebody will attack ...
- May 5, 2011
- 7,621
- 288
- 17,880
- Aug 4, 2010
- 11,337
- 0
- 0
Nibali is a decent outside pick for LBL,same goes for Kreuziger and Costa imo.
But Nibbs has balls
But Nibbs has balls
- Jun 25, 2013
- 381
- 0
- 0
Dekker_Tifosi said:
Liege is much more his style, long enough to shell out a bunch of the more explosive but less diesel guys. I don't think he really cared about Amstel or La Fleche Wallonne, so I'm not reading much into his results there either. I think he could really contend at LBL, especially with the feeling of unfinished business he has after coming in 2nd in 2012.
- Apr 16, 2014
- 533
- 0
- 0
The Hitch said:
Hitch - As I remember well, you believe and can back up your argument well about Lo Squalo being over-rated. There you go, you have your opinion, of course. But I am not so convinced because, I just cannot discount his two GT's based on the competition. There were elements, weather being one, that contributed to degree of difficulty and made the win memorable, at least subjectively, for many Nibali fans, like me.
Give us that much, will you?
Man of steel balls and passion - ever willing to try and make the race exciting - our Vincenzo Nibali.
TRENDING THREADS
-
World Championship 2025: Men’s RR, September 28- Started by Berniece
- Replies: 2K
-
Il Lombardia 2025, monument, October 11- Started by Krzysztof_O
- Replies: 792
-
European Championship 2025: Men’s RR, October 5- Started by Berniece
- Replies: 854
-
Teams & Riders The Remco Evenepoel is the next Eddy Merckx thread- Started by DNP-Old
- Replies: 35K
-
Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread- Started by Lequack
- Replies: 40K
-
World Championship 2025: Men’s ITT, September 21- Started by Berniece
- Replies: 942
-
Teams & Riders The Great Big Cycling Transfers, Extensions, and Rumours Thread- Started by RedheadDane
- Replies: 13K
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram