Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

He just posted a story on Instagram where he is doing a recon of Muro di Sormano. So he will definetly ride Il Lombardia.

I kinda expect him to attack on the sormano descent this year. With the easier finish that's more likely to be successful than in previous years and he doesn't stand a chance if he waits for civiglio anyway

I expect Ghisallo/Sormano to be just ridden harder this year.

Really, if Nibali had 2017 form, rode the same way on Civiglio ascent/descent he'd win again.

That's not exactly big news though, is it? He was absolutely dominant last year.

That's true.

But I think it's quite possible to hold a gap after the descent cause I would expect that most riders won't want to bring Valverde or Alaphilippe to the line. Valverde obviously has much more chance of being in the first group of the Civiglio.

But really, Nibali was like 60th at the Worlds, I think BM will ride for Pozzovivo and I would consider it a win if Nibali even makes it over the Sormano.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re: Re:

He just posted a story on Instagram where he is doing a recon of Muro di Sormano. So he will definetly ride Il Lombardia.

I kinda expect him to attack on the sormano descent this year. With the easier finish that's more likely to be successful than in previous years and he doesn't stand a chance if he waits for civiglio anyway

I expect Ghisallo/Sormano to be just ridden harder this year.

Really, if Nibali had 2017 form, rode the same way on Civiglio ascent/descent he'd win again.

That's not exactly big news though, is it? He was absolutely dominant last year.

That's true.

But I think it's quite possible to hold a gap after the descent cause I would expect that most riders won't want to bring Valverde or Alaphilippe to the line. Valverde obviously has much more chance of being in the first group of the Civiglio.

But really, Nibali was like 60th at the Worlds, I think BM will ride for Pozzovivo and I would consider it a win if Nibali even makes it over the Sormano.

He will ride two races before, Emilia and Tre Valli, let's see how it goes.

 

[Rollthedice]

TBM for Emilia: Nibali, fratello Antonio, Pozzo, Delfino, Visconti, Motoric, Boaro.

“With such a demanding final, every tactic would be useless, if you haven’t legs and you aren’t in good form. We have guys like Visconti, Mohorič and Pozzovivo that will assist our team leader Vincenzo Nibali and will work to create the conditions to facilitate his performance in the finale”.

In fact, the key moment of the race will be the final circuit: 4 laps of 9.3km including the climb up to San Luca (2.1 km with average slopes nearly 10% with maximum of 18%, that riders will face five times). “It’s a climb perfect for attackers, just remember last year’s triumph of Visconti, thanks to a smart team tactics” Volpi adds “Our task will be to make the most of everyone’s skills, to be protagonists in the final part of the race with the aim to support our captain and create the perfect scenario to help him to try to take the win”.

 

[Climbing]

Having some fun on Sormano...
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoedUarCoK6/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1tomg9x1pyc36

 

[Valv.Piti]

"With such a demanding final, every tactic would be useless."
"It’s a climb perfect for attackers, just remember last year’s triumph of Visconti, thanks to a smart team tactics”

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

"With such a demanding final, every tactic would be useless."
"It’s a climb perfect for attackers, just remember last year’s triumph of Visconti, thanks to a smart team tactics”

“With such a demanding final, every tactic would be useless, if you haven’t legs and you aren’t in good form."

Easy to take out of context something, ain't it?

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

Is it true he just got a new contract for 2 more years with bahrain? Then he will retire in 2021. I havent seen this anywhere else though.
Flemish journals usually got some good info about the pro peloton and maybe verbrugghe could have told them about it.

https://www.hln.be/sport/wielrennen/koers-kort-landis-start-wielerploeg-met-geld-armstrong-aerts-laat-berencross-links-liggen-nibali-gaat-door-tot-2021~a95e3649/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=Sport&utm_source=dlvr.it

Edit. They saw he will continue till 2021 and assume he will stay with bahrain i think. Otherwise the italian press would have said something. Nothing on social media either.

 

[Nirvana]

Probably they've reported Gazzetta suppositions about the fact that he'll ride two more years (well 2020 is certain since Tokyo is his next big goal), anyway there is no doubt that he'll stay at Bahrain.

 

[Climbing]

 

[huge]

Re:

Having some fun on Sormano...
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoedUarCoK6/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1tomg9x1pyc36

Translation of Cataldo's post on instagram:

The Shark always wants to show that he does more than the others, so he went and took the KOM of the last bit of road up to the Colma signpost.
:lol:

(in the pic, right to left: Aru, Davide Orrico, Gasparotto, Pozzo and Cataldo. Nibali on top under the signpost)


I think this pic sums up why cycling is beautiful and how these guys really love what they are doing.
Cycling is much more than teams, sponsors, money... a bunch of guys, different teams, riding their bikes as if on a normal Sat club ride with friends.

 

[huge]

Is it true he just got a new contract for 2 more years with bahrain? Then he will retire in 2021. I havent seen this anywhere else though.
Flemish journals usually got some good info about the pro peloton and maybe verbrugghe could have told them about it.

https://www.hln.be/sport/wielrennen/koers-kort-landis-start-wielerploeg-met-geld-armstrong-aerts-laat-berencross-links-liggen-nibali-gaat-door-tot-2021~a95e3649/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=Sport&utm_source=dlvr.it

Edit. They saw he will continue till 2021 and assume he will stay with bahrain i think. Otherwise the italian press would have said something. Nothing on social media either.

No surprise at all.
Actually I don't see how things could be any different.

BM has been created around Nibali and with him playing a vital role in its set up.
He basically is the one saying which riders are joining and who should go.
He will finish his career with the team and it wouldn't surprise me if his retirement as a rider would be followed by a managerial position within the team.

 

[Rollthedice]

Interview before Emilia, tuttobici, some things:

Yes I'm fine. But I would say a lie if I said I was like last year. A year ago I had a stratospheric condition.

What is left after the worlds?

"The bitterness of not being able to do what I wanted. If you are one hundred percent, maybe you do 270 kilometers instead of 265, if you are not one hundred percent you do 245 then you turn off. I went out."

Did you regret having the surgery, having hastened the time to be in the worlds?

"No, it was a choice that I did first of all not to lose the worlds, and then for not having other complications. If I had stopped there, I would have a difficult winter ahead of me. Instead I am tranquillo, more relaxed. "

Have you already thought about 2019?

"No, I can not say if I ride the Giro, I want to see the whole route first. I only know that I will not start from Argentina. "

The two victories in Lombardy were two masterpieces, then the Sanremo arrived. What is now the most beautiful race in your mind?

"Lombardy, again. The Sanremo is different: 300 kilometers for fifteen minutes of pure adrenaline, things are like that, without thinking too much ».

The season is not over yet: you can still win two Monuments in a year.

"It makes no sense to think about what could have been, if it did not happen what happened could be a much happier season. Even with Valverde last year something very serious happened, then he came back very strong. You must take what destiny gives you ».

After what happened to you on Alpe d'Huez, do you ever get scared when you ride?

"Yes, there is always fear, like when you fall. Then you get up. Fear passes ".

Let's pretend that the season is over now, that there are no three races left: what is your evaluation?

"It's hard, it could have taken a different turn, I could get a lot more. As a preparation for the appointments I did little wrong, apart from the Liege where I had intestinal problems all day. I was fine on the Tour, then it went like this ... If we do as in school, I give myself a vote for the sacrifice, for stubbornness, for not giving up everything: seven for good will ".

 

[Climbing]

Man, how he changed with age, a lot more relaxed, down to earth now.
Let's hope he sticks around with a long career, Valverde style!

 

[Rollthedice]

Best ride today since forever. He is coming back.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Best ride today since forever. He is coming back.

How about a rain dance next week? Or maybe a blood sacrifice for rain?

 

[Laplaz]

Yeah, encouraging ride today. I think he has a chance next week, he is still getting better, while the others probably not.

 

[Climbing]

Mostly encouraging for future seasons, meaning he's able to get into shape again.
You never know with niggling injuries.

I wouldn't get my hopes up for Lombardia, but certainly his shape is improving.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Mostly encouraging for future seasons, meaning he's able to get into shape again.
You never know with niggling injuries.

I wouldn't get my hopes up for Lombardia, but certainly his shape is improving.

Moderate hopes for GdL. We'll have to see Tre Valli but following Woods today on the murito sure felt good.

 

[Rollthedice]

"Our captain was in the group and this is something to underline, because he is really improving race after race. He performed well today and the feelings ahead of the upcoming races are good” adds Volpi.

“I feel fine and I had good feelings” Vincenzo Nibali confirms after today’s race “I missed some power, seen that the ascent to San Luca suits rider with high power, like Uran and Teuns, who took the podium indeed, even if their attack was too late to close the gap to De Marchi. He did an amazing race”.

 

[Koronin]

Glad he's feeling better. Should be a good sign for next year. Don't think I'd get hopes up too much for Lombardia though.

 

[Velolover2]

Pozzovivo also rode well today. It's good for him to have a strong lieutenant by his side.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Pozzovivo also rode well today. It's good for him to have a strong lieutenant by his side.

In last year's Lombardia Pozzo was already acting as his teammate. He will play an important role next week, Delfino and Visconti were nowhere today. Of course Nibali has to deliver but it's still uncertain if the improvement seen today will be enough to contest the win.

 

[Red Rick]

It rained today. Nibali is always better in the rain. If it's dry in Il Lombardia I don't think he has a chance.

 

[Rollthedice]

Some numbers today courtesy ammattipyoraily, fastest Uran 6:10 min, Nibali 6:17. Last year he climbed it in 5:45.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Some numbers today courtesy ammattipyoraily, fastest Uran 6:10 min, Nibali 6:17. Last year he climbed it in 5:45.

Not entirely fair in my opinion, but last year he dropped everyone by at least 3s+ in sunny weather. Today he was 10-15 slower in relative terms I gues.