Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[topcat]

You'd think that Basso would have given young Nibali a few lessions about how to pace yourself, but nope...

It was his pride. He'd blow himself up rather than accept someone was stronger. As we get older we calm down and put aside foolish thoughts.
Astana are managing him quite well and they care more about top 5 gc than a send off stage win (he'll probably get both).

 

[Red Rick]

Valverde can't sprint and Nibali can't blow up anymore.

Equally washed.

 

[topcat]

Valverde can't sprint and Nibali can't blow up anymore.

Equally washed.

Valverde was gassed and Nibali is repaying the faith Astana put in him.
Nibali >> Valverde

 

[Brullnux]

I don't think it's undervalued so much as it not being "a moment", and it feels like if this is to be his last Giro it would be really nice for him to have one big send off moment at home.

I agree, but likelihood is by Friday he'll be over four minutes down - makes those two stages winnable as Carapaz and co will let him go out the front and gain a minute or so, which he seems in good enough shape to hold on to. Do an inverse Carapaz 2019 (just without the final win, sadly).

 

[Rollthedice]

Still think anything can happen. Even a stage win.

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

Still think anything can happen. Even a stage win.

Since Hindley and Carapaz are battling it out on boni seconds, they might not let him go if that means giving up a chance for the stage win...

 

[Rollthedice]

 

[HelloDolly]

Maybe Nibali will try Friday for the stage win ...best bet I think of what is left

 

[groogster]

Mark my words… he won’t go quietly into the dark!!
A top5 is nothing for a legend like him.
Nibali will try something out of this world between tomorrow and Saturday, that’s what I expect and demand from him!!

 

[Jspear]

Mark my words… he won’t go quietly into the dark!!
A top5 is nothing for a legend like him.
Nibali will try something out of this world between tomorrow and Saturday, that’s what I expect and demand from him!!

No he won’t.

 

[SafeBet]

2016
Started the third week 2'51" down
Active in the stage after the rest day, got dropped on the final climb and lost some time
Eventually won the Giro

2022
Started the third week 2'58" down
Active in the stage after the rest day, got dropped on the final climb and lost some time
...

Won't happen of course, but I do believe he's very close to a stage win.

 

[gregrowlerson]

2016
Started the third week 2'51" down
Active in the stage after the rest day, got dropped on the final climb and lost some time
Eventually won the Giro

2022
Started the third week 2'58" down
Active in the stage after the rest day, got dropped on the final climb and lost some time
...

Won't happen of course, but I do believe he's very close to a stage win.

It's not just that he's six years older, but in 2016 he was significant time behind one, possibly two riders. Here he is well behind four riders. It's conceivable he could make up the time on two of them (still unlikely), but for all four to have really bad days would be really out there, even by Giro standards.

 

[topcat]

2016
Started the third week 2'51" down
Active in the stage after the rest day, got dropped on the final climb and lost some time
Eventually won the Giro

2022
Started the third week 2'58" down
Active in the stage after the rest day, got dropped on the final climb and lost some time
...

Won't happen of course, but I do believe he's very close to a stage win.

2022 Eventually finished on the podium and won a stage

 

[Red Rick]

2016
Started the third week 2'51" down
Active in the stage after the rest day, got dropped on the final climb and lost some time
Eventually won the Giro

2022
Started the third week 2'58" down
Active in the stage after the rest day, got dropped on the final climb and lost some time
...

Won't happen of course, but I do believe he's very close to a stage win.

2016 had well designed high mountain stages

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

I don't believe much in him for today's stage. Sure, the descent from Vetriolo is juicy (especially if it rains, which it shouldn't) but then Menador would be another Santa Cristina in all likelihood. I agree that if there is a chance it should be on Friday.

 

[topcat]

I think Nibali will be the best at altitude. And how many stages go above 2000 m? One. Did you say one?
Saturday, he will go out like Contador did, all guns blazing.

 

[SafeBet]

I don't believe much in him for today's stage. Sure, the descent from Vetriolo is juicy (especially if it rains, which it shouldn't) but then Menador would be another Santa Cristina in all likelihood. I agree that if there is a chance it should be on Friday.

If he starts Menador with a buffer he might be with the best at the top, and the run-in favors an "outsider" attacking late and staying away (which Nibali is very good at).
That's why I hope the Vetriolo descent is dry, he doesn't take risks when descents are wet.

 

[Netserk]

He should force himself in the break today.

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

If he starts Menador with a buffer he might be with the best at the top, and the run-in favors an "outsider" attacking late and staying away (which Nibali is very good at).
That's why I hope the Vetriolo descent is dry, he doesn't take risks when descents are wet.

That's the dream. We'll see how he feels after yesterday.

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

He should force himself in the break today.

Ambitious even by this thread's standard! I don't think they'd let him go.

 

[topcat]

Rain today, time to put the boot down.

 

[Netserk]

Ambitious even by this thread's standard! I don't think they'd let him go.

That's okay. If he bridges across over the top, what are they going to do, follow him? That's fine.

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

That's okay. If he bridges across over the top, what are they going to do, follow him? That's fine.

We'll see. As it has been noted, he's not too keen on taking unnecessary risks on a wet descent. Of course everything depends on what the break looks like.

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

Time to defend himself now. If Van der Poel can win this stage then surely it can't be too steep for Nibs?

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

Time to defend himself now. If Van der Poel can win this stage then surely it can't be too steep for Nibs?

Mathieu had the decency of cracking but so did Nibali. Still fifth, but now almost six minutes back on GC. Surely he will be allowed to go into a break!