Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[Jspear]

We're not talking just physical ability and who's to say he's going to repeat a similar performance as this year? Sorry not enough data to compute.

I think Aru has also shown mental ability. As far as repeating performances, that can be said about anyone.

 

[Angliru]

A. Schleck made the Tour podium too.

It has nothing to do with Nibali's opinion. Don't you trust what you see? I do. I see potential but not a serious contender on Aru. I think Uran, Talansky and even Bardet have more chance than him.

After his Giro podium, Andy was as singularly focused on the Tour as any rider of his generation. He certainly could have won a Giro other Vuelta had he thought they were worthy of passing on his free time off of the bike.

Aru making the top 5 in 2 grand tours in the same year is more than enough to earn him a grand tour leadership role. You said he's not even close. How much closer do you think he needs get????

Only a chosen few actually win a grand tour but many contend and then there are some that are team leaders that aspire for decent placing in the gc. Aru is capable of contending and winning either Giro or Vuelta. His 2014 performance puts him in that company of riders.

 

[LosBrolin]

 

[Electress]

Aru is the guy I am most interested to see next year of all the 'contenders'. I think he's got the potential to not be one of the 'over-hyped' nearly men but an out and out multi-GT champion. It isn't just physical ability, it's how passionate and committed he seems to be. I enjoyed him in the Vuelta but I've been really impressed with him in general, and think he'll rise very well to the challenge of the leadership role given the chance.

I certainly hope so, because he also seems very likeable, which for me as a fan, is great, as have found a lot of the other supposed contenders less than engaging in recent years.

 

[Afrank]

Was gonna post that. And a caption for it:

Nibali: "So Alberto's going to Kilimanjaro for training camp huh? With the rest of his team, and soigneurs, and other people to keep him happy and safe. Sounds fun. Well, see you guys in a month." *rides off into the wilderness all alone for some solo training*

How hopefully the Contador fans don't come down on me. It's just a joke guys.

 

[Netserk]

I don't know if it's the mud or the Astana jersey, but Nibali looks very dirty on that picture.

 

[Jspear]

Was gonna post that. And a caption for it:

Nibali: "So Alberto's going to Kilimanjaro for training camp huh? With the rest of his team, and soigneurs, and other people to keep him happy and safe. Sounds fun. Well, see you guys in a month." *rides off into the wilderness all alone for some solo training*

How hopefully the Contador fans don't come down on me. It's just a joke guys.

HOW DARE YOU!! YOU KNOW THAT THAT PHOTO IS PHOTO-SHOPPED AND NIBALI WAS NEVER THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!! AS FAR AS CONTADOR IS CONCERNED, HE IS GOING RUN UP KILIMANJARO ON ONE LEG WITH OLEG ON HIS BACK.

 

[May0maniac]

HOW DARE YOU!! YOU KNOW THAT THAT PHOTO IS PHOTO-SHOPPED AND NIBALI WAS NEVER THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!! AS FAR AS CONTADOR IS CONCERNED, HE IS GOING RUN UP KILIMANJARO ON ONE LEG WITH OLEG ON HIS BACK.

It would be even more impressive with Bjarne on his back

 

[Rollthedice]

It would be even more impressive with Bjarne on his back

Maybe both? Anyway things are getting ugly with some Kazakh riders, Astana has a big problem with UCI so Nibali can't be too happy.

 

[maxmartin]

Haha it is time to have a super Italian team. Nibali can get rid of Astana Kx anytime he wants if Astana is deprived of world tour title.

 

[Futuroscope]

Yes, Nibali should be riding for an Italian team. I hope they remove Astana and Vinokourov from pro cycling.

 

[jens_attacks]

i agree.

nibali to vini fantini

 

[LaFlorecita]

i agree.

nibali to vini fantini

lulz

 

[Afrank]

i agree.

nibali to vini fantini

You thought he was good before...sign with Scinto and he'd be unstoppable!

This is getting way to clinicy.

 

[greenedge]

A. Schleck made the Tour podium too.

It has nothing to do with Nibali's opinion. Don't you trust what you see? I do. I see potential but not a serious contender on Aru. I think Uran, Talansky and even Bardet have more chance than him.

Older than Aru. Aru nearly beat Uran at this years giro as well. Aru has raced one less full season than Bardet and has got 3 GT stages in that time.

Personally i disagree but I can see your points.

 

[Jelantik]

It would be even more impressive with Bjarne on his back

yeah yeah.. that more like the (young) jedi carries master yoda. perfect

 

[PirazziAttacksVino]

So it seems like the new route favors Nibs and Nairito the most. Interesting to see if Quintana will improve enough to make up for the big time he'll most likely lose in the cobbles. Also interesting to see if Contador will handle the double right this time and be at the top of his game in July. But my(maybe biased) opinion is that Nibali is now the favorite for the win.

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

Mmh, interesting stuff.

Clear from the end of the Tour that Nibali will try to defend his title, the question just if he will ride the Giro too.
First Contador announces he'll ride the Giro and the Tour.
Now Froome thinks about doing the Giro, and not the Tour.

Some guys scared of Nibali it seems

Best proof that Nibali was the Rider of the year 2014, clearly, Froome and Contador saw that they wouldn't have come even close to him in the Tour 14, riders can assess the other riders strenght best, what more proof is needed? By trying to avoid a direct clear 1 vs 1 confrontation in 15 (which is what they are doing) Contador and Froome give a clear answer on who was the best rider in 2014![/CONTADORFANBOYLOGICAPPLIEDTONIBALI]

Seriously, hope he rides both Giro and Tour, especially if Froome really will skip the Tour. As an Italian he simply can't let the 2 other big GT riders do the Giro and not show up himself. Simply can't.

 

[DFA123]

Seriously, hope he rides both Giro and Tour, especially if Froome really will skip the Tour. As an Italian he simply can't let the 2 other big GT riders do the Giro and not show up himself. Simply can't.

There is the Aru factor as well. Astana will want to keep him happy, and that will probably mean being team leader in either the Giro or the Tour.

 

[Publicus]

Best proof that Nibali was the Rider of the year 2014, clearly, Froome and Contador saw that they wouldn't have come even close to him in the Tour 14, riders can assess the other riders strenght best, what more proof is needed? By trying to avoid a direct clear 1 vs 1 confrontation in 15 (which is what they are doing) Contador and Froome give a clear answer on who was the best rider in 2014!

 

[Afrank]

Mmh, interesting stuff.

Clear from the end of the Tour that Nibali will try to defend his title, the question just if he will ride the Giro too.
First Contador announces he'll ride the Giro and the Tour.
Now Froome thinks about doing the Giro, and not the Tour.

Some guys scared of Nibali it seems

Who wouldn't be scared of a shark! 10x scarier then pistols or dogs.

Seriously, hope he rides both Giro and Tour, especially if Froome really will skip the Tour. As an Italian he simply can't let the 2 other big GT riders do the Giro and not show up himself. Simply can't.

Agree, even with Contador and potentially Froome competing I'd like to see him at the Giro. The big issue with that of course being how Aru would feel about it, after this year he does also deserve to be a leading rider in the GT's he rides.

 

[maxmartin]

Mmh, interesting stuff.

r.

Some guys scared of Nibali it seems

Best proof that Nibali was the Rider of the year 2014, clearly, Froome and Contador saw that they wouldn't have come even close to him in the Tour 14, riders can assess the other riders strenght best, what more proof is needed? By trying to avoid a direct clear 1 vs 1 confrontation in 15 (which is what they are doing) Contador and Froome give a clear answer on who was the best rider in 2014![/CONTADORFANBOYLOGICAPPLIEDTONIBALI]

Seriously, hope he rides both Giro and Tour, especially if Froome really will skip the Tour. As an Italian he simply can't let the 2 other big GT riders do the Giro and not show up himself. Simply can't.

haha exactly my thought. I am afraid 2015 will be another sad year for AC if Froom decides to skip Tour. Froom beats AC in the Giro and Nibali will easily beat a tired AC in the Tour.

 

[El Pistolero]

Nibali beat Mosquera, Uran and Peraud for his GT wins. That's the real sad thing here lol.

Nibali only wins when competition is extremely weak.

 

[PirazziAttacksVino]

Nibali beat Mosquera, Uran and Peraud for his GT wins. That's the real sad thing here lol.

Nibali only wins when competition is extremely weak.

Not his fault Froome and Contador fall off their bikes, Froome skips TDF, Contador goes for the double, Wiggins doesn't show up in TDF 2012 form and Cadel gets older.

 

[maxmartin]

Nibali beat Mosquera, Uran and Peraud for his GT wins. That's the real sad thing here lol.

Nibali only wins when competition is extremely weak.

At least Peraud can finish a Tour without breaking a bone. LOL