Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[Rollthedice]

It has emerged (reported before today's race) that he underwent some unconventional pain therapy in Aquila hospital in September.

 

[Red Rick]

I have no idea what to make of that.

 

[Red Rick]

Only seeing the race now.

It's obviously bad. But not as terrible as I expected.

 

[Rollthedice]

I have no idea what to make of that.

Could be a) pain still felt - at times - after last year's spine treatment/surgery, no cortico or painkillers allowed/desired
b) good promotion of the aforementioned hospital

It could be, or not, related with today's performance. I'd say more as in hampering his prep than the actual race.

As for today, it was similar with the latest races, always in front, active (he followed with ease a few accelerations from Valverde and others on the first few San Luca climbs) then struggled on the penultimate but was in the favorites group just to switch off when the hammer went down on the last climb.

I'm still not totally depressed about Lombardia but with no team and his dubious shape it doesn't look too good.

 

[Climbing]

Nah, the therapy is nothing, he trained the very same day.
The problem is if he has any pain when going full gas, which he said he had in the past.
Maybe is just publicity, otherwise is very likely that the news wouldn't even get out.

Apart from all that, I think the signs are bad enough, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does alright in GdL, considering he raced very little after the TdF.
And I guess the team isn't a problem either, cause Jumbo might be able to control the race easily enough, at least in the first part.

 

[Emotional Cobble Guy]

Nah, the therapy is nothing, he trained the very same day.
The problem is if he has any pain when going full gas, which he said he had in the past.
Maybe is just publicity, otherwise is very likely that the news wouldn't even get out.

Apart from all that, I think the signs are bad enough, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does alright in GdL, considering he raced very little after the TdF.
And I guess the team isn't a problem either, cause Jumbo might be able to control the race easily enough, at least in the first part.

And he has Caruso. One could build a house one his back

 

[Red Rick]

With Jumbo-Visma being very strong and now Roglic being the obvious favorite I'm not sure the team is an issue. All it means is Muro attack impossible which he probably won't be doing anyway.

 

[Red Rick]

Nah, the therapy is nothing, he trained the very same day.
The problem is if he has any pain when going full gas, which he said he had in the past.
Maybe is just publicity, otherwise is very likely that the news wouldn't even get out.

Apart from all that, I think the signs are bad enough, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does alright in GdL, considering he raced very little after the TdF.
And I guess the team isn't a problem either, cause Jumbo might be able to control the race easily enough, at least in the first part.

I mean, he was 8th last year then 2nd in Il Lombardia. I still expect a top 10, but at this point I don't expect him to be close to the win.

Nevertheless, the time to start raindancing is now

 

[Rollthedice]

I mean, he was 8th last year then 2nd in Il Lombardia. I still expect a top 10, but at this point I don't expect him to be close to the win.

Nevertheless, the time to start raindancing is now

There's still Tre Valli until next Saturday and even then I think we will not be fully convinced until the last part of Civiglio. As it stands now rain is quite possible.

A top 10 without Valverde in it will equal Valverde's top 10s in monuments...

 

[Blanco]

"When a rider like Vincenzo Nibali joins your team, you can only keep quiet, bow your head and show some respect"

Mads Pedersen

 

[Rollthedice]

Last test today, TVV with a changed final, looks like this (5 short laps then two long laps):

The team: Valerio Agnoli, Damiano Caruso, Sonny Colbrelli, Ivan Cortina, Vincenzo Nibali, Mark Padun, Dylan Teuns.

 

[Climbing]

Isn't this way harder than previous editions?
Anyway yeah, I think this will show definitely if he can't have say in GdL.

 

[F_Cance]

2018 was harder than 2017, now 2019 looks a bit harder compared to 2018. Looks like they changed the last 2 laps a bit. While the last few km's last year were more or less flat, it is now going uphill.

 

[Rollthedice]

In a short video before the race today he admits he is not in 2015 shape (when he won TVV), we'll see what we can do with the new parcours and when asked about Lombardia, how's the "sensations", Nibali says "stable", not the best shape but try to do the best. When asked if he will compensate with "fantasia" his shape as he did in the past, he smiles and says the legs count more than "fantasia".

 

[Red Rick]

In a short video before the race today he admits he is not in 2015 shape (when he won TVV), we'll see what we can do with the new parcours and when asked about Lombardia, how's the "sensations", Nibali says "stable", not the best shape but try to do the best. When asked if he will compensate with "fantasia" his shape as he did in the past, he smiles and says the legs count more than "fantasia".

"I wasn't afraid to be great and I'm not afraid to be sh*te"

 

[Climbing]

Now we won't know ***, cause reasons...
Didn't look bad at all, though.

 

[F_Cance]

He looked strong when he bridged and directly went to the front

 

[Carols]

He looked good coming over to the group but we lost the opportunity to really evaluate his form

 

[Red Rick]

Now we won't know ***, cause reasons...
Didn't look bad at all, though.

Are we talking form wise or aesthetically?

 

[Climbing]

Are we talking form wise or aesthetically?

Sorry, can't answer tricky questions!
But yeah he always looks good on a bike, if that's what you mean!

 

[Rollthedice]

Now we won't know ***, cause reasons...
Didn't look bad at all, though.

The mistery deepens.

 

[SafeBet]

Isn't it what we all love about Nibali? Knowing jackshit about his shape entering a big race?

 

[Rollthedice]

Team for Lombardia: Vincenzo Nibali, Damiano Caruso, Andrea Garosio, Antonio Nibali, Domen Novak, Hermann Pernsteiner and Dylan Teuns.
DS Volpi says there's two leaders, the other one is Teuns.

 

[Climbing]

Only chance this time it's...

 

[Rollthedice]

Only chance this time it's...

Doesn't look like it.