Works for meRollthedice said:"I took 11 seconds from the GC contenders because I missed a bit of power in the final sprint - explained Nibali - when the final sprint started I couldn't follow the first riders and I have taken a small gap but I'm confident because I think it's perfectly normal after one month without racing... On the contrary I'm satisfied about my performance because in a difficult stage with narrow roads and high rhythm, we demonstrated that our legs are good!"
It was a sound assessment each and every timecineteq said:How many times you said that in this year's Giro?SeriousSam said:Not a good sign. Valverde did the Giro too (and more besides) and he was 3rd.
Except he isn't in France to win Le Tour and from that perspective the signs are good. If Valverde can keep the form aaaallll the way to Rio, that's a plus quality he has, nothing even remotely wrong with how Nibali performed today.SeriousSam said:It was a sound assessment each and every timecineteq said:How many times you said that in this year's Giro?SeriousSam said:Not a good sign. Valverde did the Giro too (and more besides) and he was 3rd.
Of course, hell froze over, Crashweak crashed, a monkey typed Shakespeare and Nibali won the Giro. But them signs, they sure weren't good.
He hasn't ridden a stage since May, it's normal.SafeBet said:Not a finish for him, but still it's pretty clear he doesn't have the shape to compete with the best in the first week.
I like he was always very close to the front during the stage though.
How in the world will they be the most fresh in the 3rd week? Maybe if they sit along and finish with the grupetto during the first 2 weeks.Jelantik said:by the third week, Nibali and Majka are probably the most fresh one. If Nibali doesn't loose much time, he'll be up there. You can't pass on opportunity if you happen close to the top![]()
Looks like tempo was not an issue for him, which is good sign. He was confortably near the front when Kreuziger did his monster pull. He dropped (intentionally?) only when the sprint started, so probably indeed lacking some final push still.SafeBet said:Not a finish for him, but still it's pretty clear he doesn't have the shape to compete with the best in the first week.
I like he was always very close to the front during the stage though.
"he will be up there" = he can win a stageKwibus said:How in the world will they be the most fresh in the 3rd week? Maybe if they sit along and finish with the grupetto during the first 2 weeks.Jelantik said:by the third week, Nibali and Majka are probably the most fresh one. If Nibali doesn't loose much time, he'll be up there. You can't pass on opportunity if you happen close to the top![]()
Certainly not when they try to hang on.
This,I hope it is only because he lacks rhytm.lenric said:He hasn't ridden a stage since May, it's normal.SafeBet said:Not a finish for him, but still it's pretty clear he doesn't have the shape to compete with the best in the first week.
I like he was always very close to the front during the stage though.
Vincenzo Nibali began the Tour de France tasked with helping Astana team mate Fabio Aru try to win on his debut but the fickle nature of the world's greatest cycling race means the Italian could yet fight for the yellow jersey.Kwibus said:How in the world will they be the most fresh in the 3rd week? Maybe if they sit along and finish with the grupetto during the first 2 weeks.Jelantik said:by the third week, Nibali and Majka are probably the most fresh one. If Nibali doesn't loose much time, he'll be up there. You can't pass on opportunity if you happen close to the top![]()
Certainly not when they try to hang on.
No way Nibali will be fresh in the third week after doing the Giro and winning the hard way. Maybe even the first mountain stage will show how fresh Nibali is when the opposition will not be Chaves and SK but Froome and Quintana. He will support Aru and try for a stage win if he has the legs. Anything else will surprise me. If you think Nibali will do the double or make the podium you are dreaming. Majka's only role is to support Contador and nothing else. He might get a chance for a stage win if Contador slips backwards.Jelantik said:by the third week, Nibali and Majka are probably the most fresh one. If Nibali doesn't loose much time, he'll be up there. You can't pass on opportunity if you happen close to the top![]()
Go back for the last decade and see how Valverde does throughout the year. You will then understand.RattaKuningas said:I don't understand how Valverde can be so much better than Nibali right now.
Because Valverde deep down wants a top 10RattaKuningas said:I don't understand how Valverde can be so much better than Nibali right now.
Oh yes Aru will get plenty of help from Nibali ! Nibali was not even trying yesterday, it was a training ride. He is changing teams, he has the Olympics and he does not care about Aru. You see Contador busting a gut to hang in there while Nibali was training. There is the difference between both riders. Contador always competes.Kwibus said:How in the world will they be the most fresh in the 3rd week? Maybe if they sit along and finish with the grupetto during the first 2 weeks.Jelantik said:by the third week, Nibali and Majka are probably the most fresh one. If Nibali doesn't loose much time, he'll be up there. You can't pass on opportunity if you happen close to the top![]()
Certainly not when they try to hang on.