- Aug 5, 2010
- 11,027
- 89
- 22,580
nibali's progression is undeniable and very easy to notice.
his biggest weakness was several days in a row making big efforts for GC. in the 09 tour, which was the first GT he rode for himself, he struggled on stage 17 and 18 (the grand colombiere and the annecy time trial) as they came after the verbier MTF where he was third and another mountain stage on stage 16.
his performance on ventoux on stage 20 was already good again and imo he only lost time because he burned to much energy attacking the second tier contenders group and bridging a fairly big gap to contador and schleck following them for a while until they slowed down and were caught by the group nibali was in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M11zpoaxt3w
attacks around minute 10 and catches contador and schleck around minute 12.
On the giro 2012 he once again struggled with consecutive days on the mountains. was great on the stage to Asolo which he won with a 40k long solo effort on the descent and flat after being the one breaking the race apart on the monte grappa. the following day he struggled on monte zoncolan.
same happened with him being great on the stage to aprica and struggling on the following day on the Gavia- Tonale stage. however it was obvious after that giro that his climbing was better then it was the year before.
during the vuelta he only truly cracked on the stage to the alto de cotobello which came after the pena cabarga and lagos the covadonga stages where he was good. he was then very good on the bola del mundo stage.
his performance on last years giro is imo a bit underrated due to the margin he lost to contador and because he lost his second place to scarponi. but truth be told he only had 1 bad day on the entire race which was the finestre stage, on the val de fassa stage he lost time but mostly because of his aggressive tactics against contador which made him waste way to much energy. it must be said tho that he did a very good time trial the day after cracking on finestre.
imo this are clear signs of improvement over the last 3 years.
his biggest weakness was several days in a row making big efforts for GC. in the 09 tour, which was the first GT he rode for himself, he struggled on stage 17 and 18 (the grand colombiere and the annecy time trial) as they came after the verbier MTF where he was third and another mountain stage on stage 16.
his performance on ventoux on stage 20 was already good again and imo he only lost time because he burned to much energy attacking the second tier contenders group and bridging a fairly big gap to contador and schleck following them for a while until they slowed down and were caught by the group nibali was in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M11zpoaxt3w
attacks around minute 10 and catches contador and schleck around minute 12.
On the giro 2012 he once again struggled with consecutive days on the mountains. was great on the stage to Asolo which he won with a 40k long solo effort on the descent and flat after being the one breaking the race apart on the monte grappa. the following day he struggled on monte zoncolan.
same happened with him being great on the stage to aprica and struggling on the following day on the Gavia- Tonale stage. however it was obvious after that giro that his climbing was better then it was the year before.
during the vuelta he only truly cracked on the stage to the alto de cotobello which came after the pena cabarga and lagos the covadonga stages where he was good. he was then very good on the bola del mundo stage.
his performance on last years giro is imo a bit underrated due to the margin he lost to contador and because he lost his second place to scarponi. but truth be told he only had 1 bad day on the entire race which was the finestre stage, on the val de fassa stage he lost time but mostly because of his aggressive tactics against contador which made him waste way to much energy. it must be said tho that he did a very good time trial the day after cracking on finestre.
imo this are clear signs of improvement over the last 3 years.
- Jun 1, 2011
- 2,500
- 0
- 0
Here's to Nabali and some great attacks on what few stages he's offered. I hope they are not just racing for the podium now. If three at least "GC" teams would couple their efforts on the two key stages left, Wiggin's could crack.
- Jul 3, 2011
- 199
- 0
- 0
BillytheKid said:
Um, what great attacks? He's had a couple of sniffs here and there but they've looked more desperate than a genuine show of force. There has been some mighty descents before hitting long mountains but he didn't have a proper go at anything. I don't think he has the legs for this at all unless he's saving himself for a heroic ride on Wednesday or Thursday this week.
I've actually got £10 for him to win at 25/1 so I'm hoping he does prove me wrong!
- May 20, 2009
- 8,934
- 7
- 17,495
Thus far, The only stage he could have attacked downhill, he did. Perfect tactic connecting with Sagan, not enough support from other riders coming along, such as Evans to go over the mountain on his own and not been caught. As seen, no other stages have had characteristics he could have attacked successfully.Apollonius said:
Wednesday's stage it's all or nothing if he wants to win the Tour.
- Sep 30, 2011
- 9,560
- 9
- 17,495
thehog
BANNED
- Jul 27, 2009
- 31,285
- 2
- 22,485
maxmartin said:I am at dilemma right now, on one hand I hope he can attack early to fry the big fish, but there is a chance to blow himself up. On the other hand I hope he just ride the sky train maybe attack in the final 3 or 5 km to secure podium place. Tough choice!!
World Tour points I'd say he secures the Poduim and stage win. Nothing more.
I think Vincenzo won't go for a win-or-nothing in the next two days. He will try, of course, but if he understands that Sky couldnt be attack, he will be fine with the podium, which is still a great success. If he goes to the podium in Paris he'll be the first Italian to get podium in the three major Gt since Gimondi, quite a historic result for him.
- Jul 3, 2011
- 199
- 0
- 0
I hope he tries something heroic tomorrow!
I'd hate to see him blow up and lose a podium place but at the same time I'd hate for a rider as good as he to miss a shot at winning the GC.
I'd hate to see him blow up and lose a podium place but at the same time I'd hate for a rider as good as he to miss a shot at winning the GC.
I like Nibali a lot, I think he will attack tomorrow at pereysourde, he will solo at luchon.
As for thursday he will attack at Bales, then, who knows?
he is an epic rider and he will be remembered in the future as one of the stars of this decade
As for thursday he will attack at Bales, then, who knows?
he is an epic rider and he will be remembered in the future as one of the stars of this decade
- May 19, 2011
- 4,857
- 2
- 0
Eshnar said:Well, the podium is secured
He can't do anything more without a strong team or allies.
He's been impressive after all, I didn't expect him to podium. Great season already and there are still many races to go
i am hoping he can make one more step ahead, he needs 1 min on Froom, final chance is tomorrow.
And thanks to Nibali, without him this tour is just boring as hell. (GC concerned)
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