Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[number0]

To win a Grand Tour is something special, and will still be important, though he has not won it yet (I have a sneaking feeling Cuddles still has soemthing to say)

yes..i'm agree.

 

[SafeBet]

This thing about Nibali always having a bad day is really getting out of control.
In the last 6 GTs he's ridden he's finished: 7-3-1-3(2)-7-3.
Go and find me a more consistent GT rider in the past 4 years (apart from Berto). I'm really curious.


A bad day for me is Hesjedal two days ago. Or Basso 2005. Or Evans 2002.

 

[Cookster15]

The first mtf will most often be contested tactically. Yes I think Nibali could've distanced Evans there. It was more about measuring his form against the others. When you know you are the strongest and are in the lead, you don't need to use energy attacking on the first mtf. It's better for him to have more energy in reserve (compared to the others).

Measuring his effort on stage 10 might come back to haunt Nibs if Evans continues to strengthen. We will see.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I will laugh so hard if Nibali loses il giro by less than 30 seconds. That'll teach him to take the first opportunity. Once you're confident you're the strongest you can take it a little easier. But not on the first mtf.

 

[LaFlorecita]

This is what stands out the most here.
Nobody claimed Nibali will ever be the rider Contador has been.
Nobody claimed Nibali will drop Contador like a stone in any race in the future.
And yet they come out of nowhere trolling some unruffled posters, throwing baits and putting words into other people mouth.
Come on.


On topic:¿Quién es más fuerte ahora entre Contador y yo? No sé, pero me encantaría un buen desafío con él. Un cara a cara con Alberto sería interesante.

Ahora = now.
You just needed to read the article.

Personally I think Contador is still the better climber, and would have the nod in a hard GT like Giro. TdF would be a bit harder to predict. Berto has been very inconsistent in TTs post ban. It would indeed be a nice battle.

Of course Nibali knows who is stronger right now. It's bloody obvious. But he obviously just wants to rub it in by beating him over and over again. Once wasn't enough? Fortunately Alberto isn't going to ride the Vuelta

 

[SafeBet]

I dont know what you 2 can possibly have against nibali. hes never trash talked contador or anything.

He was kind of harsh in his comments during Giro 11 tbh.

 

[Kender]

The first mtf will most often be contested tactically. Yes I think Nibali could've distanced Evans there. It was more about measuring his form against the others. When you know you are the strongest and are in the lead, you don't need to use energy attacking on the first mtf. It's better for him to have more energy in reserve (compared to the others).

i think he tried to distance evans. a couple times a gap opened up but evans was able to grind it closed. nibbles wasnt able to break the rubber band.

he knows evans came into this under prepared and will get better

 

[maxmartin]

i think he tried to distance evans. a couple times a gap opened up but evans was able to grind it closed. nibbles wasnt able to break the rubber band.

he knows evans came into this under prepared and will get better

Nibali will also get better, this is not his first Giro and he beat Evans in the Giro before.

 

[karlboss]

Is Nibali's performance right now in the giro really that good?

His ITT was amazing, his climbing is good, wouldn't go further than that.

I wonder how good nibali is compared to purito and valverde? That's an interesting question.

I just don't think it's that impressive that nibali can't ride away from a guy who was a dom for Contador last year in the vuelta. And it's not that he was the only guy left.

The first mountain stage is rarely ultra aggressive. He let a tactical attack go, then again someone who is 5 minutes down. Finished at front of a group of 5 stealing the remaining bonus seconds. Group of 5 same as the tour last year, giro last year, and whatever.
Not outclimbing someone who was a domestique, the name Froome springs to mind, look at all those bums at the tour de france 2012 who couldn't outclimb a domestique. Hell even wind it back one to the vuelta 2012, look at all those bums who couldn't outclimb someone who'd done absolutely zero previously Vuelta 2011. Riders step up when they step up.
Were valverde and purito here, I suspect they'd be with Wiggins and Evans, time differences on time bonuses, and TTs nothing more. The only exceptions would be Froome and Contador, who would have finished further up the mountain, though I've no idea by how much.

 

[whittashau]

Of course Nibali knows who is stronger right now. It's bloody obvious. But he obviously just wants to rub it in by beating him over and over again. Once wasn't enough? Fortunately Alberto isn't going to ride the Vuelta

What? These riders are not 12 year olds. He was asked a question and he answered it. What did you expect him to say? "No, I do not want to test myself against Alberto". Seriously, are you okay? This post is beyond ridiculous.

 

[Carols]

Btw i know some will say i'm being a fanboy but not true. Froome for example would destroy nibali. That's a fact, with contador it's less sure cause of the last months.

Guess you miss T-A. He beat Froome there and he beat Wiggo in Trentino and he's disposing of Wiggo now To date he seems to be the only guy that has Skys number

Anyway I don't think anyone thinks the improved Nibs could beat the Contador of '09 or '11. But this is 2013 and Nibs is on the upswing and alas Bertie isn't.

By the way I am a She.....why people keep thinking I'm male is beyond me.

Since Alberto is my fav and Nibs my second fav a match up when both are on form would be hard for me. But pleasantly, whichever won I could be happy, but I'd prefer to see the 2011 Alberto

 

[Carols]

Wow, Yikes this thread certainly deteriorated....all because a jurno asked Nibs about Contador and he replied he didn't know but would like test himself. How or why anyone would find this threatening is beyond me

Meanwhile Nibs is very tranquillo and just keeps making this Giro his. Still a long way to go, Cadel is dangerous and we'll find out just what Uran has. May the cycling gods speed Lo Squalo on his way to the top step!

 

[Parrulo]

What, aren't you allowed to use an ignore button cause posts might require to be deleted?

I am allowed but it would be silly to ignore people that have potential to cause trouble as i wouldn't be doing my duty.

Also hilarious to see LaFLo and Miburo saying that just because i am an admin i can't say i don't like a poster. Ya i became an admin and in order to do that i had to sign a declaration of eternal love to every single poster on this forum, even those that lack any cycling knowledge and ability to produce any rational thought . . .

Anyway lets get this thread back on topic, simply forget Nibali mentioned Contador at all.

What do you guys think Nibali's strategy will be for the weekend? Defend or try to gain some extra seconds on Evans? Imo if i were him and spotted any weakness on Evans i would go for the jugular. Imo he should also force Evans to react to Uran's attacks first as he still has some time to manage over Uran.

 

[Afrank]

Is Nibali's performance right now in the giro really that good?

His ITT was amazing, his climbing is good, wouldn't go further than that.

Jesus, give him a chance. We've only had one mountain stage. So far his performance has been great.

I just don't think it's that impressive that nibali can't ride away from a guy who was a dom for Contador last year in the vuelta. And it's not that he was the only guy left.

Was he trying to ride away from them? It was the first mountain stage, he just rode defensively. Can't blame him for riding defensively in the first mountain stage while in pink.
And, technically, in the end he did ride away from everyone.

 

[autologous]

What? These riders are not 12 year olds. He was asked a question and he answered it. What did you expect him to say? "No, I do not want to test myself against Alberto". Seriously, are you okay? This post is beyond ridiculous.

You're engaging with a 12 year old. Of course they're going to re-frame it from the perspective of a 12 year old.

Why engage with this thread polluter? Just use ignore, as if you were swatting away a blubbering toddler tugging on your clothes and interrupting your dinner conversation with drivel.

If you do chose to lower yourself by descending into the muck, do the rest of the forum a favor and don't quote the child. The ignore feature works well when you allow it to.

 

[Carols]

What do you guys think Nibali's strategy will be for the weekend? Defend or try to gain some extra seconds on Evans? Imo if i were him and spotted any weakness on Evans i would go for the jugular. Imo he should also force Evans to react to Uran's attacks first as he still has some time to manage over Uran.

I think his strategy will depend on how his legs feel, the strength of his team and what opportunities are presented. For sure he will test and probe Cadel. If the opportunity is there he'll take a shark bite.

But Uran is the joker here. How much leash can he be given? 2 mins is a lot but not enough to just let him ride away. Hopefully Nibs will still have teammates present when Uran goes to help in the chase before he has to try and close the gap himself.

If he is feeling very strong he may make a move to show them their efforts will be futile should they try to attack him. But when you're wearing the Pink it is up to others to try and take it from you.

Either way it will be exciting I think

 

[whittashau]

I think his strategy will depend on how his legs feel, the strength of his team and what opportunities are presented. For sure he will test and probe Cadel. If the opportunity is there he'll take a shark bite.

But Uran is the joker here. How much leash can he be given? 2 mins is a lot but not enough to just let him ride away. Hopefully Nibs will still have teammates present when Uran goes to help in the chase before he has to try and close the gap himself.

If he is feeling very strong he may make a move to show them their efforts will be futile should they try to attack him. But when you're wearing the Pink it is up to others to try and take it from you.

Either way it will be exciting I think

Evans and Uran are the only riders he should worry about following. I feel Nibbles probably has Cadel's number on the steepest slopes so I'd expect him to attack him there. Once he has more time on Cadel I feel all he has to do is follow wheels unless the opportunity to win a stage arises.

 

[maxmartin]

What do you guys think Nibali's strategy will be for the weekend? Defend or try to gain some extra seconds on Evans? Imo if i were him and spotted any weakness on Evans i would go for the jugular. Imo he should also force Evans to react to Uran's attacks first as he still has some time to manage over Uran.

Nibali can play defensively now, the other favorites need to gain time on him, not the other way around. If Uran or Scarponi attack, I can see Evans help chasing to keep his own position. If Evans attack, I can see Uran or Scarponi help chasing. Anyway. in my opinion Nibali is in a great driving position. He can just rides conservatively and sensibly to follow the situation, while keeps looking for the opportunity of that fatal punch at the same time.

 

[Miburo]

Jesus, give him a chance. We've only had one mountain stage. So far his performance has been great.

Well of course we only had 1 mountain stage but does that mean his climbing was great?

It was pretty good but i wouldn't say based on that stage that he improved from last year. Maybe the next MTF's will show us that.

 

[whittashau]

I would like to see Nibbles have more than a minute on his nearest rival by the ITT. I feel that's at least what he should be aiming for.

 

[Miburo]

I am allowed but it would be silly to ignore people that have potential to cause trouble as i wouldn't be doing my duty.

Also hilarious to see LaFLo and Miburo saying that just because i am an admin i can't say i don't like a poster. Ya i became an admin and in order to do that i had to sign a declaration of eternal love to every single poster on this forum, even those that lack any cycling knowledge and ability to produce any rational thought . . .

Anyway lets get this thread back on topic, simply forget Nibali mentioned Contador at all.

What do you guys think Nibali's strategy will be for the weekend? Defend or try to gain some extra seconds on Evans? Imo if i were him and spotted any weakness on Evans i would go for the jugular. Imo he should also force Evans to react to Uran's attacks first as he still has some time to manage over Uran.

Lack any cycling knowledge? That's just ridiculous...

Please, i'm asking for points. Give me posts that support your claim. I think as admin you should give the good example by supporting this claim which can be considered an insult.

Send me a pm if you want this to be back on topic. At least i can stay classy. Not go ad hominem.

 

[Afrank]

Well of course we only had 1 mountain stage but does that mean his climbing was great?

It was pretty good but i wouldn't say based on that stage that he improved from last year. Maybe the next MTF's will show us that.

Like I said, give him a chance. One stage isn't enough to go on to determine if he has improved climbing in the big mountains. I would say though that he has improved this year overall since last year; based on previous results this year.

His climbing was fine, IMHO very good in fact. He was in total control and rode away from everyone in the end. Let's see how he does in the rest of the mountains.

 

[Miburo]

Like I said, give him a chance. One stage isn't enough to go on to determine if he has improved climbing in the big mountains. I would say though that he has improved this year overall since last year; based on previous results this year.

His climbing was fine, IMHO very good in fact. He was in total control and rode away from everyone in the end. Let's see how he does in the rest of the mountains.

For the excitement of the giro i kinda hope nibali loses 1 minute somewhere. A nibali behind is way more fun to watch.

Right now i don't really see him losing this. I don't think evans for example will hold on.

 

[maxmartin]

I would like to see Nibbles have more than a minute on his nearest rival by the ITT. I feel that's at least what he should be aiming for.

i think it will be around 2min

 

[karlboss]

Nibali doesn't need to do anything, except mark Evans maybe Uran and take bonus seconds. If he smells blood attack, if he isn't sure wait. It's the advantage of being infront. I suspect it'll be similar for Evans. Everyone else is in the race to make it interesting.