Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[jmdirt]

Re:

A headwind goes both ways. No gc riders behind would commit and chase in a headwind, only doms would commit. In a dom vs. dom fight, the Movistar ones would win big.

Yep, that's the story of my life, head wind both ways!

 

[Bluesky]

Well, Nibali is going for GC and Landa is more than 40 minutes down, guess who is leading the last 1,5 km to the line and getting outsprinted by Nibali? Very stylish win by Nibali...:-(

 

[glassmoon]

fokin voodoo magic. wonder what's in the Shark's bag for Nairo

 

[Oliver]

Can't wait for stage 18! Go shark!

 

[Jagartrott]

Re:

Well, Nibali is going for GC and Landa is more than 40 minutes down, guess who is leading the last 1,5 km to the line and getting outsprinted by Nibali? Very stylish win by Nibali...:-(

Being ahead in the final km was actually smart. If Landa hadn't overcooked that last corner, he would've won.

 

[Nirvana]

Re:

fokin voodoo magic. wonder what's in the Shark's bag for Nairo

He tried in the Bergamo stage but the crash wasn't effective.

Anyway this Quintana seems pretty weak, Nibali need only to stay with him on Piancavallo and try to gain something in the descent of the Gardena or the Grappa giving that he could gain 20/30 seconds in the TT.

 

[Walkman]

Re: Re:

"I'm very straightforward: I never expect anybody to wait for me when I stop. Many times, I've fallen or punctured and just set off again," Nibali said, adding with a pinch of sarcasm: "I don't know, maybe we could distort cycling and have a referee who stops the race in front and behind ... I don't know what to say. This is my opinion, even if many people might attack me for saying this."
_O_ True racer.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nibali-i-never-expect-anybody-to-wait-for-me-when-i-stop/

Nibble should shut his mouth. His is the biggest non-doping cheater in the peloton in the last 10 years. Last time he was in similar situation he took a car ride to improve the situation..

Name me one cyclist who hasn't done something similar like that.

He just had the misfortune it was caught on camera.

Sticky bottles is one thing, getting towed by you team car to bridge a gap is quite differently. Are you seriously trying to suggest that all GC-riders are grabbing cars and riding along from time to time?

If that was the case, we would have pictures of it. Only thing I can remember is Quintana holding on to a tire on the back of a moto/car at last years TDF and that was only for a second so we don't know whether he was drafting or just avoiding to crash in it.

 

[lenric]

Well, it was Quintana's goal not to be overly strong, otherwise his double attemp would get smoked. Not that it wouldn't be otherwise, anyway.

 

[Nirvana]

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

 

[huge]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

As usual couch-bike-riders know much better than pro peloton riders and DSs!

 

[Rollthedice]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Indeed. Quintana on Blockhaus was at Alpe level, Tom clocked Oropa only 30 sec slower than Pantani and did a fantastic TT. Regarding Nairo, I said it before if he is thinking at Tour and is not 100% here he can't win.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

I must admit, Pozzovivo being so strong is pretty surprising. Still compare the top ten of this years giro so far with all the final general classification top ten's of the years mentioned by Valv.Piti. In 2012 freakin Hesjedal won the giro, and De Gendt was 3rd, I don't think you need to know anything more; 2013 was decent, but Evans wasn't the guy he was a few years earlier anymore, same counts for Scarponi and Niemiec getting 6th is also very telling; 2014 the podium was quite good (although Aru still was kind of a no-name, and Uran's climbing shape was very disappointing) but behind that the quality of the field is again nowhere near as good as this year (Pozzo got fifth that year btw); 2015 had a strong podium but the rest of the top ten was probably the worst of the years mentioned, and 2016 also wasn't that great with guys like Siutsou and Atapuma in the top 10 (although that top ten was at least clearly better than what we saw in previous years)

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

As usual couch-bike-riders know much better than pro peloton riders and DSs!

What they should say?
That their riders are weak?
No way, they said what is in their interest.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

Nibali is no longer the best descender amongst GC men though:

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

Well, is not our problem that you don't know Pozzovivo! seriously!

 

[SafeBet]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

Nibali is no longer the best descender amongst GC men though:

This is strange though.
Nibali and Quintana were roughly 10 seconds behind Landa on top of Umbrail. Dumoulin was 2'19" behind Landa, so around 2'09" behind Nibali.
He finished 2'18" behind him.

Where did he lose those 9 seconds?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

I must admit, Pozzovivo being so strong is pretty surprising. Still compare the top ten of this years giro so far with all the final general classification top ten's of the years mentioned by Valv.Piti. In 2012 freakin Hesjedal won the giro, and De Gendt was 3rd, I don't think you need to know anything more; 2013 was decent, but Evans wasn't the guy he was a few years earlier anymore, same counts for Scarponi and Niemiec getting 6th is also very telling; 2014 the podium was quite good (although Aru still was kind of a no-name, and Uran's climbing shape was very disappointing) but behind that the quality of the field is again nowhere near as good as this year (Pozzo got fifth that year btw); 2015 had a strong podium but the rest of the top ten was probably the worst of the years mentioned, and 2016 also wasn't that great with guys like Siutsou and Atapuma in the top 10 (although that top ten was at least clearly better than what we saw in previous years)

Very much agree, good post.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

Nibali is no longer the best descender amongst GC men though:

This is strange though.
Nibali and Quintana were roughly 10 seconds behind Landa on top of Umbrail. Dumoulin was 2'19" behind Landa, so around 2'09" behind Nibali.
He finished 2'18" behind him.

Where did he lose those 9 seconds?

Velon Data is more accurate then in race data. Dumoulin was further behind I think

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

Well, is not our problem that you don't know Pozzovivo! seriously!

I know very well Pozzovivo and he never stayed with the bests in an hard stage like yesterday's one.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

But if he want to try the double he need to start winning the Giro.
He's lucky that this year the general level is low and he's still in the fight.

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

Well, is not our problem that you don't know Pozzovivo! seriously!

I know very well Pozzovivo and he never stayed with the bests in an hard stage like yesterday's one.

Wasn't he in the front group in Cortina d' Ampezzo when J-Rod won?

 

[46&twoWheels]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

Nibali is no longer the best descender amongst GC men though:

This is strange though.
Nibali and Quintana were roughly 10 seconds behind Landa on top of Umbrail. Dumoulin was 2'19" behind Landa, so around 2'09" behind Nibali.
He finished 2'18" behind him.

Where did he lose those 9 seconds?

Velon Data is more accurate then in race data. Dumoulin was further behind I think

Nibali did the first part of the descent without any kind of hurry,he was in the group with Quintana (ahead of him) and Pozzovivo. I guess he lost time there.
Also,he had Landa interfering few meters away with his descending,especially when taking the curves

On the other hand,Dumoulin took every possible risk yesterday, he had nothing to lose. Praises to him

 

[SafeBet]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

Velon Data is more accurate then in race data. Dumoulin was further behind I think

I timed it myself.
He was exactly 2'19" behind Landa on top of the Umbrailpass.

I'm 100% sure of this since both Landa and Tom were shown while crossing the GPM line.

My only explanation is that Nibali gained time in the final flat part (probably not included), but it seems unlikely. Tom looked fast in that part while Nibali was following Landa.

I'll rewatch the descent and time it accurately when today's stage ends.

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

Is it tho? Nibali has said he most definitely has been better than last year, like Slongo, but so far the level has been incredibly high on the climbs (Blockhaus, Oropa, it was before yesterday). Pinot's coach said the same, he is were he need to be but the others are simply better.

I think this level is better than 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016...

Nibali and Quintana could barely drop Pozzovivo yesterday, that's enough to percieve the real level of this year field.
I can't think that an almost 35 years lod Pozzovivo is stronger than ever and now he can stay with the bests in the queen stage of the Giro for the first time in his career.

Well, is not our problem that you don't know Pozzovivo! seriously!

I know very well Pozzovivo and he never stayed with the bests in an hard stage like yesterday's one.

Wasn't he in the front group in Cortina d' Ampezzo when J-Rod won?

He lost two minutes and an half from Rodriguez on the Stelvio that year and wasn't raced hard.