Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

That's 1543 VAM. That is basically what he did on Lombarde 2016, while this is with blowing up, for longer, at higher altitude. Lombarde 2016 was 1550 for 55 minutes. Umbrail 2017 was 1580 for 42 minutes at a steeper climb

So not terrible but no more competitive.

 

[skippo12]

Honestly...his best performance of the year was Paris-Nice. I had really high hopes because it was the first time in years that he was competitive early in the season.

 

[BlueRoads]

Nah, not quite literally. He said something like this: "there is a generational renewal, it is evident the others have their birthdates as an advantage. I believe I am the only one born in 1984 who is fighting with the best. The year has been hard and complicated for everybody."

Oh he's pulling the 1984 card... of course I have to cheer for him now. We can still fight with the best! You're not the only one, Vincenzo!

 

[roundabout]

Nah, not quite literally. He said something like this: "there is a generational renewal, it is evident the others have their birthdates as an advantage. I believe I am the only one born in 1984 who is fighting with the best. The year has been hard and complicated for everybody."

well, he is behind Fuglsang and ahead of Pozzovivo, so it's not like he is an outlier for the aging curve

and while I understand the need to talk himself up, 'fighting with the best' sound a bit odd from a rider 8th on GC who probably had different aims at the start

 

[Rollthedice]

well, he is behind Fuglsang and ahead of Pozzovivo, so it's not like he is an outlier for the aging curve

and while I understand the need to talk himself up, 'fighting with the best' sound a bit odd from a rider 8th on GC who probably had different aims at the start

Sure, but he can't say he was really bad in this Giro while pushing good watts. Because I am somehow convinced that his shape relative to his best is not so far off as it looks like.

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

well, he is behind Fuglsang and ahead of Pozzovivo, so it's not like he is an outlier for the aging curve

and while I understand the need to talk himself up, 'fighting with the best' sound a bit odd from a rider 8th on GC who probably had different aims at the start

OK, but with due respect to Fuglsang and Pozzovivo they don't even come close to being in the same league as Nibali. Age is a big factor but it is also very subjective, for one rider going from 35 to 36 might be a disaster, another may not even notice (then there's Valverde).

I guess he is indeed fighting with the best, and losing horribly.

 

[Forever The Best]

He also again blew himself up trying to hang on for far too long.

 

[Red Rick]

From rough climbing times today up there with Lombarde 2016 and Umbrail 2017, and basically better if you account for altitude, duration and hilarious blow up

 

[Rollthedice]

Nibali passing the bag to the next generation?!

Actually he posted this on insta with a nice message to Almeida.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

That was exactly my answer.

I guess Fuglsang isn't the only one who's losing husbands this week

 

[HelloDolly]

I will always love the shark .He brings something to racing that few others do and he is a supremely talented rider .


Here is the power estimates for the first 3 on Stelvio today ...Good numbers but not beyond reach

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1319351834553798656

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1319351834553798656?s=20


I think the Covid situation has done for Nibali as it has done to alot of riders this year plus he had no team and lets not forget that makes a difference

But as the man says it is what it is
Next year if a full season we may see a balancing but too late for the shark in GTs

Would be nice to see him target some one day races before bowing out
Even a go on the cobbles

 

[Gigs_98]

So this is where I turn on music that makes me nostalgic, lay in my bed, close my eyes and get sad of wittnessing the end of an era.

The reality is, after this giro I don't expect him to ever be the top rider he used to be again, but whatever happens from here on, nothing can change how highly I regard this guy. Nothing can change that he was one of the biggest idols of my childhood, my teenage years and even now (which still feels suspiciously much like childhood. I might be doing something wrong). I'm not quite ready to say good bye just yet and still hope for some good performances in the future but it feels like I have to prepare myself for the inevitable.
I just wish Vincenzo Nibali could win one more bike race.

 

[movingtarget]

Even sharks age and get weary I guess. He won't be hitting any podiums next year. Wonder if Cicconne wil be a co team leader now that Porte has gone and Mollema will lead at one of the grand tours. Might be the classics and Olympics for Nibali next year as his main targets.

 

[Red Rick]

The Bag is torn.

Mom can I please stay in the bag?

 

[savornin]

2020 has not been kind to the class of 2018, see also Froome Dumoulin and Thomas. A generational shift is definitely happening. The days when 30something riders rule the GTs seem to be gone.

 

[Red Rick]

2020 has not been kind to the class of 2018, see also Froome Dumoulin and Thomas. A generational shift is definitely happening. The days when 30something riders rule the GTs seem to be gone.

Roglic though.

 

[savornin]

Yes not all of them disappoint. It's not a law written in iron. But Roglic is a relative newcomer despite his age.

 

[Red Rick]

Thing that worries me most is that in 2021 I expect things to go even faster so Nibali might be left looking like he aged a million years if he doesn't move along with the times.

For sure if he doesn't then there's also no changing into one day races and being competitive, nor is there real lighting up another GT.

 

[Oliver]

I think the Covid situation has done for Nibali as it has done to alot of riders this year plus he had no team and lets not forget that makes a difference

But as the man says it is what it is
Next year if a full season we may see a balancing but too late for the shark in GTs

Would be nice to see him target some one day races before bowing out
Even a go on the cobbles

The team has been a problem for a few years. It seems next year his team will be even worse. Trek better wake up and do some transfers but probably it's already to late.

 

[Red Rick]

So this is where I turn on music that makes me nostalgic, lay in my bed, close my eyes and get sad of wittnessing the end of an era.

The reality is, after this giro I don't expect him to ever be the top rider he used to be again, but whatever happens from here on, nothing can change how highly I regard this guy. Nothing can change that he was one of the biggest idols of my childhood, my teenage years and even now (which still feels suspiciously much like childhood. I might be doing something wrong). I'm not quite ready to say good bye just yet and still hope for some good performances in the future but it feels like I have to prepare myself for the inevitable.
I just wish Vincenzo Nibali could win one more bike race.

Let me swim in Africa's largest river for one more year before I start thinking about writing a eulogy.

I don't want the only corner in the whole wide internet where Nibali isn't underrated to go sad this quickly.

Spoiler

get back in the bag.

 

[Eclipse]

I will believe that he can find success next season, and maybe into 2022 as well.

He has had his moments this season and there will be plenty of times that being willing to risk it will get him into contention in one day races, even in the twilight of his career.

If he can find a change that works for him I won't even write off GT contention again next year but it is hard to see teams having that belief

 

[SafeBet]

Put on a show tomorrow. Stop following wheels you know you can't follow.
That would convince me he's still got something for next year.

 

[Gigs_98]

Put on a show tomorrow. Stop following wheels you know you can't follow.
That would convince me he's still got something for next year.

It's actually kinda sad that the the pace on the Stelvio was so high right away that he couldn't even try an attack. Honestly wouldn't be surprised now if he attacks on the very first Sestriere ascent tomorrow.

 

[Red Rick]

It's actually kinda sad that the the pace on the Stelvio was so high right away that he couldn't even try an attack. Honestly wouldn't be surprised now if he attacks on the very first Sestriere ascent tomorrow.

All the stages where a weaker guy can make impactful attacks came and went a week ago. Between a useless attack that Ganna get reeled in smiling and just follow and blow up again, I'm not sure I care that much.

We'll see next year if he still has something left in the bag for us. I think it's either better than this year or it's a year of trying breakaway for stage and bow out.

On an unrelated note, I went to the store earlier today and when I got the bag for the stuff I couldn't not think about Lo Squalo

 

[HelloDolly]

Nibali would be better attacking far out before climbs.May not work but better go down fighting

I was having a word with a pro friend of mine and he said the way the stages are ridden has made the final climbs so fast .
He said cycling is no longer an endurance sport like it used to be
Now they ride very medium pace until last climbs and go eye balls out

Before they let breaks go up to 10 minutes and then rode faster for longer to catch so tiring out alot of riders who dropped out the back before they could do their short final sprints . The riding now suits riders like Roglic better

I am sure he must have the numbers to demonstrate this
It means endurance versus final speed has shifted

Nibali doenst have a team for attacking further out but its the only way to change from 'sprinting' to 'middle distance' cycling