Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[karlboss]

Shame he leaves liquigas IMO.

Take money out of the equation, i think Liquigas is the best place for him, if they just let him pick his schedule. If his schedule depends on Basso, he should go elsewhere.

 

[Afrank]

Take money out of the equation, i think Liquigas is the best place for him, if they just let him pick his schedule. If his schedule depends on Basso, he should go elsewhere.

Agree with this, Sagan presents a leadership problem as does Basso, but Liquigas I think would be the best if not one of the best teams to support him.

 

[dlwssonic]

I think it would be a smarter move for him to go astana TBH.
But he might still go to BMC.
All that too many chiefs, too little indians is bull.
In every race they have figured out who are the domestiques and leaders.
Nibali would be way more comfortable in astana, but BMC also has no lack of italians.

 

[Ferminal]

I wonder who Liquigas will replace Nibali with ? (assuming they've got the money to spend that they were offering him).

Betancur ? Pozzovivo ? Taaramae ?

The pay rise Nibali isn't receiving is going to Sagan. With Liquigas unlikely to continue it makes sense to slim down the wages.

The team will now build itself around Sagan. Amadio might be able to squeeze two or three more solid GTs out of Basso, Capecchi may be able to lead (at least in shorter races). Viviani, Moser and Oss will get plenty of results also. He will continue to sign young talent like Agostini who may turn out to be their next GT leader, or perhaps look to sign a second tier leader who still has some room for improvement.

I think Betancur would be a nice fit.

 

[royalpig180]

I agree - he won't find a better family atmos' elsewhere - and big brother Basso is moving over - and all the young ragazzi would be at his service at Liquigas. What's a few MEuro more really worth.

He could become a squalo out of water.

While it's true that Basso will be on his way soon enough, you forget that he's not the only conflict on the team:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUDXKY1Np2M


With Basso gone, Sagan and Nibali wouldn't conflict in stage races much, but the classics present an issue. Sagan will be better in races like FW and LBL in the coming years, and I don't think Nibali would be willing to cede or share leadership with him at all for those. Not to mention they just seem to create conflict where there doesn't really need to be any.

I don't know, I really like Nibali at Liquigas and Liquigas will really need to find another GT talent with Nibali and Basso both on the way out or on the decline. On the other hand, the awesomeness that is Peter Sagan should have no problem keeping the team alive and kicking while they do find their next GC threat...

 

[karlboss]

The pay rise Nibali isn't receiving is going to Sagan. With Liquigas unlikely to continue it makes sense to slim down the wages.

The team will now build itself around Sagan. Amadio might be able to squeeze two or three more solid GTs out of Basso, Capecchi may be able to lead (at least in shorter races). Viviani, Moser and Oss will get plenty of results also. He will continue to sign young talent like Agostini who may turn out to be their next GT leader, or perhaps look to sign a second tier leader who still has some room for improvement.

I think Betancur would be a nice fit.

Good post. Liqui have a great classics team lead by Sagan, no pressing need for a Nibali replacement there, they still have Basso for the GTs again no pressing need for a replacement. It will be save money and development I'd expect. I think a focus on Italians though.

 

[hfer07]

The pay rise Nibali isn't receiving is going to Sagan. With Liquigas unlikely to continue it makes sense to slim down the wages.

The team will now build itself around Sagan. Amadio might be able to squeeze two or three more solid GTs out of Basso, Capecchi may be able to lead (at least in shorter races). Viviani, Moser and Oss will get plenty of results also. He will continue to sign young talent like Agostini who may turn out to be their next GT leader, or perhaps look to sign a second tier leader who still has some room for improvement.

I think Betancur would be a nice fit.

this!

Is always "cheaper" to nurture youngster than "paying" high salaries to good riders--just ask Riis

 

[Marcuccio]

There's been speculation in the press for at least the past 12 - 18 months about the possibility of Nibali going to Astana.
It's a shame that he's going to go where the pay cheque is the biggest, but at the end of the day, athletes have a shorter career than most so I guess he's safe guarding his future.

Plus more money to keep Sagan(s) for a long term deal.

Money is the root of all evil, specially in sport!

 

[greenedge]

I would like for Nibali to just go to a team that can pay him what he is worth. Both teams seem to appreciate his talent/ have need of a young GT rider.

However if Kreuziger goes well at the Giro, Astana should try keep him him ( unless if he wants to move ). It would also be bad for Inlinsky who would have to ride for Nibali at LBL.

BMC could realistically sign him as the replacement to Cadel. He puts in good training and competes all year round. TJVG might also be able to help until he turns 27. Nibali would not be able to lead at the TDF next year probably.

I have to say i think he would look awesome in both kits.

BMC would double their offer if he becomes WC.

 

[greenedge]

With Basso gone, Sagan and Nibali wouldn't conflict in stage races much, but the classics present an issue. Sagan will be better in races like FW and LBL in the coming years, and I don't think Nibali would be willing to cede or share leadership with him at all for those.
On the other hand, the awesomeness that is Peter Sagan should have no problem keeping the team alive and kicking while they do find their next GC threat...

True- Sagan would be a great leader. Moser would also continue to develop, Oss and Viviani too. Eros could win a short stage race a year and Basso could continue going well at the Giro for another year.

I think Sagan would be better at AGR than LBL.

 

[Lexman]

Wasn't Sagan goin to OPQS? or was this wishfull thinking.

Nibali shoud stay where he is, the Liquigas jersey fits him like a glove.

If he wants to leave please not at BMC, he will suck big at BMC.

So Astana then which of course would opset Kreuziger and Kiserlovski not they left Liquigas to have more playground themselves...

well well the season is only at 1/3 or so and the transfer season starts already.

 

[theyoungest]

It would be funny to see him at Bicycling's Manchester City. Career-wise, I think Astana would be the better choice.

 

[killswitch]

As long as no contract has been signed (that we know of) can only speculate. Perhaps LQ is publicly putting pressure on Nibali to sign, forcing him to make a quick decision (so that LQ can find a new sponsor faster, with Basso & Sagan already tied down) and making him look like he's only interested in a bigger paycheck.

 

[profff]

in italy there are rumours that geox would like to come back to cycling and in that case they will be the main sponsor for amadio, taking the place of liquigas.
that is the only hope to keep nibali.

in technical standpoint, best place for nibali will be liqui,. basso is fading, the team is strong for GTs and he will stay in italy with people that know him very well and nurtured him in the right way.
second best choice probably is astana. obviously best choice for the money.

betancur probably has already signed for amadio for next year...

 

[cineteq]

in technical standpoint, best place for nibali will be liqui,. basso is fading, the team is strong for GTs and he will stay in italy with people that know him very well and nurtured him in the right way.

True, but he won't accept Liquigas' offer. Unless there is a counteroffer coming up, let's hope.

Edit: It didn't take long, YES hope it works out!!!!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/confusion-over-nibali-negotiations?ns_campaign=news&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=cyclingnews&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0

 

[whittashau]

True, but he won't accept Liquigas' offer. Unless there is a counteroffer coming up, let's hope.

Edit: It didn't take long, YES hope it works out!!!!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/confusion-over-nibali-negotiations?ns_campaign=news&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=cyclingnews&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0

Perhaps it was a ploy by Amadio to get Geox or whoever to agree to sponsorship quickly before they lose their number one asset?

 

[cineteq]

Perhaps it was a ploy by Amadio to get Geox or whoever to agree to sponsorship quickly before they lose their number one asset?

Or Nibali's manager 101 leverage negotiations? Use other teams' offers to get Liquigas to do a counteroffer that will make everyone happy!

 

[El Pistolero]

It would be funny to see him at Bicycling's Manchester City. Career-wise, I think Astana would be the better choice.

Because Astana improved so many careers

 

[badboyberty]

So how desperate are Ag2r for points? Their cheque book isn't the smallest in sport by a long way and they can't ride their way out of oblivion.

Seriously, Nibbles needs to stay in lime green, it's part of the natural order of the universe. Nibali leaving Liquigas would be like Valverde riding for Radioshack.

 

[eljimberino]

He'll go to BMC, win the Giro and the "BMC in disarray" thread will still have losers arguing about Cancellara and Boonen.

 

[dlwssonic]

well if he wants the giro he should go to BMC.
If he wants the tour he should go to astana.

 

[maxmartin]

well then bmc it is

well if he wants the giro he should go to BMC.
If he wants the tour he should go to astana.

 

[Parrulo]

He should just stay at liqui, the problem is if geox comes to pay his salary there goes the lime green

 

[zigmeister]

Yes, that would be fantastic for BMC....just what they need, another top level rider to add to their already over-hyped, over-paid and underperforming team of superstars!!!

 

[hfer07]

Or Nibali's manager 101 leverage negotiations? Use other teams' offers to get Liquigas to do a counteroffer that will make everyone happy!