Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I don't pretend. Not giving myself any credit. As a contador fangirl, you'll be hurt when you're in denial about other favorites their form.

I would say that about every fangirl or fanboy cause it's a fact.

I'm not in denial. I just look at the performances and decide if they are impressive or not. Will I be hurt when Nibali, Froome and Quintana turn up in brilliant form and beat Contador by 2 hours? Of course I would be, regardless if I see it coming or not. But I haven't seen anything this season to suggest they will be in superb shape. (That doesn't mean they won't be in superb shape, just that it isn't a sure thing)
I feel, on this forum in particular, people get carried away quite easily, led by jens_attacks as the hype master. I don't mind it, but it's quite funny to witness.

 

[FCKAC]

Re:

All aboard the hype train.

You call it a hype train. I call it a dose of reality check.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

I don't pretend. Not giving myself any credit. As a contador fangirl, you'll be hurt when you're in denial about other favorites their form.

I would say that about every fangirl or fanboy cause it's a fact.

I'm not in denial. I just look at the performances and decide if they are impressive or not. Will I be hurt when Nibali, Froome and Quintana turn up in brilliant form and beat Contador by 2 hours? Of course I would be, regardless if I see it coming or not. But I haven't seen anything this season to suggest they will be in superb shape. (That doesn't mean they won't be in superb shape, just that it isn't a sure thing)
I feel, on this forum in particular, people get carried away quite easily, led by jens_attacks as the hype master. I don't mind it, but it's quite funny to witness.

Flo, I hear ya babe...but you've got to be reasonable here and use your head more than your heart and guts.

Nibili was undoubtably impressive today, which is not hype, but a fact, for two reasons: 1) he has come up with a win when all "seemed lost" (given his Tour victory last year, people were expecting more) in his build up to the Tour and 2) he pretty much played with his rivals, both on the climbs and the descent.

I'd say that qualifies for a dominating performance and, on the look of it, he is going to show up at the Tour with the same (or very similar) condition to last year. This is only good for the race, however.

We want to see great racers able to give there best and may the best man win. I for one would love to see how Nibili can respond to a full bore attack by Froome, or if he can resist a rocketing away Contador, since we didn't get to see that last year, to say nothing of a more mature Condor putting pressure on everyone in the mountains!

Yes, Nibali was on fire today and this should add nicely to July's spectacle, so bring it on!

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Isn't quintana considered to be a great descender? I didn't see the races but i heard he did great ones. And he had an excuse in tds.

I've seen piti do great descents, i think he might give it a go with nibali and nibali might be wise to keep him on board. You're right about contador, he'll only try when he's forced to, not sure if that will be enough though.

The pave stage is as hard as last year and way longer stage.

Why do you care about Piti? Or are you thinking in the case they won't create differences uphill?

 

[Billie]

Re:

The pave stage is as hard as last year and way longer stage.

Cobbled sections are not as hard as the sections from last year apparently

 

[46&twoWheels]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

I'm still not convinced about his climbing form. It all comes down on how he performs on the cobbles and descents. Not even ruling out a big attack out of nowhere in a flat stage!
I don't care if he wins, but I'm sure he will put up a good show!

Only him and Contador have the talent to shake things up!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Flo, I hear ya babe...but you've got to be reasonable here and use your head more than your heart and guts.

Oh rhubroma So, you say "I hear ya babe" ( ), but then completely disagree with me?
edit: irrelevant

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Flo, I hear ya babe...but you've got to be reasonable here and use your head more than your heart and guts.

Oh rhubroma So, you say "I hear ya babe" ( ), but then completely disagree with me?
Also, nothing personal or anything, but this "omg you're not reasonable/in denial" thing, is quite annoying.
Reminds me of the time mrhender said I was getting emotional and he would not continue to discuss with me, even though I just calmly stated a different opinion

Flo, but you are getting emotional, which is the annoying bit, ehm, dear.

Look, if you would actually explain why you think Nibali did not put in a very impressive performance today in light of his impending appointment to defend last year's Tour, then I'm all ears. But don't just emit moderately absurd sentences, and then get all bent out of shape when someone begs to differ.

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

I didn't see the italian race. (can't find live stream). Just read the news that he won again. So his form is coming together nicely. For me, Nibali has been always unknown. Reading news everywhere, it was said that even last year his wattage was more than Froome. If that was right, he won't have trouble to match the three amigos. Astana team at the Giro was quiet impressive. I won't be surprise that Nibali would be improving a lot too for the TDF. I just hope this year, all the 4 contenders stay upright and pass the first 10 stages w/o accident. Because I really would like to see how Nibali actually fares against the 3 amigos on equal ground, mano a mano, pedal stroke to pedal stroke.

 

[BigMac]

Well, a performance in a one-day-race, regardless of how good, is hardly an indicator for how a rider will do in a stage race GC wise. Admittedly, I didn't watch today's race.

Congrats to him on winning the Nats though.

 

[Netserk]

When it's on a 4km @9% climb, it does tell something

 

[franic]

Re:

When it's on a 4km @9% climb, it does tell something

Actually 2x 4km @9%. He attacked with a small group in the first lap, went away with Ulissi and another guy in the descent and then left everybody there with 2km to go in the last ascent.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

When it's on a 4km @9% climb, it does tell something

I would also add that it tells us something in light of the fact that he seems to be timing everything in the exact same way that he did last year. I think we can be assured that he'll be coming in to the Tour with the same form as last year.

Does anyone have a link to highlights?

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

2014 all over again?

 

[rhubroma]

Re:

Well, a performance in a one-day-race, regardless of how good, is hardly an indicator for how a rider will do in a stage race GC wise. Admittedly, I didn't watch today's race.

Congrats to him on winning the Nats though.

Of course it matters and is an indication of something, when we are dealing with a guy who has won all three grand tours and podiumed several others. In addition, if last year doesn't tell you a win in a one day race that is the Italian Championships at the eve of the Tour by the guy who one it last year under similar circumstances (having ridden the Dauphine previously); then I don't know what you consider an indication, let alone why you think Nibali's performance today is "hardly an indication" that he will arrive at the Tour at least with the likelyhood of putting in a fitting performance.

 

[46&twoWheels]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

2014 all over again?

He doesn't look so dominant and this year the competition will be much tougher. It might be the same year for him,but not for others!
For the sake of entertainment, I hope he gets back to the same level as last year

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

Well, a performance in a one-day-race, regardless of how good, is hardly an indicator for how a rider will do in a stage race GC wise. Admittedly, I didn't watch today's race.

Congrats to him on winning the Nats though.

em.. you probably right in that regards.. logically, yes. But with Nibali? Last year, he wasn't that great all season long, then before TDF, he won his italian championship. Later, he won the TDF. I'm just saying, that he seems to follow the same trajectory path from last year. Of course there's no guarantee that he'll be exactly match last year in term of his form. But he hasn't gotten any single win, so the win is good for his confidence and a nod to his form... in 7 days we'll see how he actually fares…

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

2014 all over again?

Yes if all the favourites crash at the Tour, no if they don't. He'll need to be stronger than last year to win the Tour.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Flo, but you are getting emotional, which is the annoying bit, ehm, dear.

Look, if you would actually explain why you think Nibali did not put in a very impressive performance today in light of his impending appointment to defend last year's Tour, then I'm all ears. But don't just emit moderately absurd sentences, and then get all bent out of shape when someone begs to differ.

Damn, got ninja'd
I think I stated why I don't think it was very impressive, it might have been just on twitter though, I get confused easily, I said he just managed to drop Reda and put in some classic Nibali attacks, i.e. attack then slow down so the others can catch up again. Not super impressive.
Emotional, not sure how you could know, unless you're stalking me (I hope not)

 

[46&twoWheels]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

2014 all over again?

Yes if all the favourites crash at the Tour, no if they don't. He'll need to be stronger than last year to win the Tour.

He doesn't need to.
He knows he cannot be stronger than last year nor beat the other 3 on the mountains. Nibali's chance to win are proportional to "how clever he can be".
Stronger? I don't see that happening..Cleverer, yes

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

2014 all over again?

Yes if all the favourites crash at the Tour, no if they don't. He'll need to be stronger than last year to win the Tour.

He doesn't need to.
He knows he cannot be stronger than last year nor beat the other 3 on the mountains. Nibali's chance to win are proportional to "how clever he can be".
Stronger? I don't see that happening..Cleverer, yes

Agreed.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Flo, but you are getting emotional, which is the annoying bit, ehm, dear.

Look, if you would actually explain why you think Nibali did not put in a very impressive performance today in light of his impending appointment to defend last year's Tour, then I'm all ears. But don't just emit moderately absurd sentences, and then get all bent out of shape when someone begs to differ.

Damn, got ninja'd
I think I stated why I don't think it was very impressive, it might have been just on twitter though, I get confused easily, I said he just managed to drop Reda and put in some classic Nibali attacks, i.e. attack then slow down so the others can catch up again. Not super impressive.
Emotional, not sure how you could know, unless you're stalking me (I hope not)

Oh please, a little friendly caprice is now cause for that alarm. What a world.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Flo, but you are getting emotional, which is the annoying bit, ehm, dear.

Look, if you would actually explain why you think Nibali did not put in a very impressive performance today in light of his impending appointment to defend last year's Tour, then I'm all ears. But don't just emit moderately absurd sentences, and then get all bent out of shape when someone begs to differ.

Damn, got ninja'd
I think I stated why I don't think it was very impressive, it might have been just on twitter though, I get confused easily, I said he just managed to drop Reda and put in some classic Nibali attacks, i.e. attack then slow down so the others can catch up again. Not super impressive.
Emotional, not sure how you could know, unless you're stalking me (I hope not)

Oh please, a little friendly caprice is now cause for that alarm. What a world.

At any rate Nibali was impressive, because he attacked at will and put the others in difficulty. We arn't talking about a MTF after several cols, when the likes of his company wouldn't even have been with him, but the type of terrain in which to do what he did was impressive. This also considering the progression he has made recently.

He should be in the same form at the Tour as last year. Trust me.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

2014 all over again?

Yes if all the favourites crash at the Tour, no if they don't. He'll need to be stronger than last year to win the Tour.

He doesn't need to.
He knows he cannot be stronger than last year nor beat the other 3 on the mountains. Nibali's chance to win are proportional to "how clever he can be".
Stronger? I don't see that happening..Cleverer, yes

Agreed.

I see things this way. Nibali was the best he's ever been at last year's Tour, but he would have lost some time to Contador and Froome had they not crashed out.

It remains, though, pure conjecture as to whether or not they could have dropped Nibali significantly enough to make up for all the lost time on the cobbles (as far as AC is concerned anyway). Contador was admittedly in super form, but so was Nibali. It would have been close IMO.

This is why if Nibili presents himself in as good a shape as he was last year, then the racing should be spectacular, especially considering the first week.

 

[46&twoWheels]

Re: Re:

Flo, but you are getting emotional, which is the annoying bit, ehm, dear.

Look, if you would actually explain why you think Nibali did not put in a very impressive performance today in light of his impending appointment to defend last year's Tour, then I'm all ears. But don't just emit moderately absurd sentences, and then get all bent out of shape when someone begs to differ.

Damn, got ninja'd
I think I stated why I don't think it was very impressive, it might have been just on twitter though, I get confused easily, I said he just managed to drop Reda and put in some classic Nibali attacks, i.e. attack then slow down so the others can catch up again. Not super impressive.
Emotional, not sure how you could know, unless you're stalking me (I hope not)

He doesn't know whether he will be caught. He tries regardless of the result ....that's what people like of him. It's impressive because he does unexpected,reckless,entertaining things
Don't forget that in the process he strained his competitors despite apparently not having gained so much advantage.