Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[Rollthedice]

he got dropped from the peloton

He had a camera on board today so he might have been a little distracted. Besides, he was the first reigning TdF winner to take part in Strade so you can't expect to win it at first try.

 

[ferryman]

he got dropped from the peloton

Not sure what to make of this:

a) he is struggling and needed some hard race miles in his legs before TA; or

b) he is where he wants to be but wanted a wee test before TA; or

Please add a c) folks why he rode today...

 

[hfer07]

the main question about Nibbs is......
will he perform well in T-A or is he building up to the classics?

 

[Jspear]

the main question about Nibbs is......
will he perform well in T-A or is he building up to the classics?

Yep it's the big question for me...I need to know for a couple different games.

 

[ferryman]

the main question about Nibbs is......
will he perform well in T-A or is he building up to the classics?

I think that's the obvious c) answer required for my previous post and the one I would go for. It's all for LBL and TdF for Nibs this year IMHO...

 

[Rollthedice]

Not sure what to make of this:

a) he is struggling and needed some hard race miles in his legs before TA; or

b) he is where he wants to be but wanted a wee test before TA; or

Please add a c) folks why he rode today...

I didn't had any expectations from this race for Nibali. It is becoming obvious that everything is focused on TdF in which, ironically, he might not even participate. TA will be another training so he will get his a** kicked while being tranquillo. MSR will be better then altitude training before Ardennes where he could be really fit to target LBL.

 

[Jspear]

I didn't had any expectations from this race for Nibali. It is becoming obvious that everything is focused on TdF in which, ironically, he might not even participate. TA will be another training so he will get his a** kicked while being tranquillo. MSR will be better then altitude training before Ardennes where he could be really fit to target LBL.

Which is why, IMO, as soon as he heard this he should have started getting ready for a serious try at Tirreno. Next year I hope he goes for the Giro/Vuelta...maybe it will force him to be in better form early in the year.

 

[Netserk]

I think he'll be fine for Tirreno. Somewhat similar to his shape there in '12 and '13. He'll lose to the best on Terminillo, but it won't be minutes. I'm counting on him attacking on the stage before. Podium for him. I hope he will attack on Cipressa again this year.

He'll be ready for Liege. Only question is whether it will be with Liege '12 shape or Firenze '13 shape

 

[Arredondo]

I think he'll be fine for Tirreno. Somewhat similar to his shape there in '12 and '13. He'll lose to the best on Terminillo, but it won't be minutes. I'm counting on him attacking on the stage before. Podium for him. I hope he will attack on Cipressa again this year.

He'll be ready for Liege. Only question is whether it will be with Liege '12 shape or Firenze '13 shape

You think he's in much better form then he was last year at this time?

 

[Netserk]

You think he's in much better form then he was last year at this time?

Yes. 10char

 

[Arredondo]

Yes. 10char

He doesn't had any problems in the winter like last year, that's for sure.

Let's hope we will see a good Nibali in Tirreno already. In Liege i indeed think he will play his attacking role.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Slightly better than last year, but not nearly good enough to fight for the win in Tirreno.

 

[Carols]

I think that's the obvious c) answer required for my previous post and the one I would go for. It's all for LBL and TdF for Nibs this year IMHO...

If this turns out to be true I will be Very Disappointed. Kinda reminds me of the mindset of one Andy somebody. Say it isn't so Please Nibs!!!!

 

[cineteq]

Slightly better than last year, but not nearly good enough to fight for the win in Tirreno.

Didn't you say the same thing last year after the Dauphine? If so, he'll win easily.

 

[ferryman]

If this turns out to be true I will be Very Disappointed. Kinda reminds me of the mindset of one Andy somebody. Say it isn't so Please Nibs!!!!

Jeez Carols, leave Andy X out of it Some of us are still trying to get over a lot of Andy X related vids on you tube

 

[SafeBet]

I think he'll be fine in Tirreno. Not at Froome/Contador level, but good enough to fight for the podium, which would be a huge step compared to where he was last year.

Of course Tirreno will tell us a lot.

 

[rhubroma]

Remember when every race before July was just another training ride except for the Dauphine and/or Tour de Swiss?

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Nibali always goes full gas in an important race on home soil. If his form isn't there it will be an embarrassing affair.

 

[Bexon30]

Nibali always goes full gas in an important race on home soil. If his form isn't there it will be an embarrassing affair.

I agree that he wants to put on a great display in this important stage race, but I really can't see him contending with Froome and his crazy form/level (even though he is supposedly not well currently) or a hungry Alberto. I would love to see Vincenso take the fight to them going uphill, but after yesterday he seems too far back. I don't mind being proved wrong and would like nothing more than a selection of ~8 or so riders of a similar level. But Dawg and Bertie so far looks head and shoulders above the rest.

 

[Miburo]

Didn't you say the same thing last year after the Dauphine? If so, he'll win easily.

If all the favorites crash out that is, then yea sure

 

[cineteq]

Nibali always goes full gas in an important race on home soil. If his form isn't there it will be an embarrassing affair.

People forget about this, plus he won't be riding the Giro. Make no mistake, he'll be ready to contest the race.

If all the favorites crash out that is, then yea sure

Are you suggesting the faves will crash out?

 

[Jelantik]

Remember when every race before July was just another training ride except for the Dauphine and/or Tour de Swiss?

hmmm... he lines up for classic last year just to soft pedal? He did tried to convince everyone to attack early at 2014 Milan Sanremo, so they had a chance to win? so he does have the form and working on it? no?. If Froome and Contador stay upright, there's no way he could win tour with his form like last year. *of course there's no way we can know that. But looking at Froome and contador at their early season, the ceiling is going to be really high at TDF*

 

[Bushman]

Didn't you say the same thing last year after the Dauphine? If so, he'll win easily.

You think Froome and Contador will crash out of Tirreno?

 

[Pentacycle]

We will see how well he fares. But honestly, cineteq, the odds are against him.

 

[cineteq]

We will see how well he fares. But honestly, cineteq, the odds are against him.

Odds based on Strade Bianche's result?

You think Froome and Contador will crash out of Tirreno?

Froome won't. Actually it was Miburo who suggested they would crash out.