Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[ILovecycling]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

I will describe that in better detail if there would be a proper thread, but he was one of the positive surprises for me in this Tour! I expected him out of the podum and in such a kind of form (for once I was right ) but he surprised me with his will and racing spirit and after all climbing level.I think he was only a bit below Froome in the 3rd week and better than AV and AC.That surprised me a lot, and whole year after I can say.Your 2014 victory was a deserved one! (it would have been 50:50 against AC)

 

[ILovecycling]

Also there was a discussion about GT rider.Well now Im not sure anymore.


Froome Nibali Contador Quintana all on the same level imo and it depends on form, team and luck.
I Love Cycling

 

[sir fly]

The pairs from the GT podiums are going to play for the Vuelta.
Should be entertaining.

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

Think Nibali stopped giving a **** today after the mechanical. Had only one day where he was in decent form and rode like a champ that day. I think he was just really happy to have such a good victory after losing the whole Tour so early and doubting his form, the pressure etc.

Anyone know what his objectives are the rest for the season. Vuelta could be good?

A dream come true

It will be great as Froome surely can't go, all the criteriums etc. finish early-mid August and I think he will want some time to himself. Quintana will go probably, and Valverde.

And Astana: well... Landa won't give a **** about what Martinelli or Vino say and Nibali after this Tour neither. Aru might? They will probably work together a bit but not for each other. They will use each other to destroy opponents. 1-2-3? When was the last time that happened?

 

[cantpedal]

Re:

What a shame Nibs was not in great form over the 3 weeks. If Astana had brought the Giro boys to this tour instead, it would have been so different.
Hope Nibs can recover and ride the Vuelta and show us what he can do if Froome and Quintana decide to race as well

enough to overcome his bad form?

not a dig just wondering he didn't look to be on the same level. all year he'd have one good day followed by some really bad days.

 

[SafeBet]

I'm wondering if eventually Astana could decide to leave Landa out of the Vuelta roster.
Doesn't seem very sensible to go with three leaders.

 

[Eclipse]

Re:

I'm wondering if eventually Astana could decide to leave Landa out of the Vuelta roster.
Doesn't seem very sensible to go with three leaders.

Everything Landa has said suggests he doesn't really expect to be as competitive at the Vuelta, so I'd not be surprised to see him ride purely as a dom if he goes.

 

[SafeBet]

Nibali is going to target the Giro and the Olympic race next year.
There's also a rumour that he's trying to create his own team for 2017.

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

Nibali is going to target the Giro and the Olympic race next year.
There's also a rumour that he's trying to create his own team for 2017.

The second bit sounds very interesting, although IMO it's easier to go Tour - Olympics than Giro -Olympics, although it's borderline as they are a week later in 2016 than in 2012. Will Nibali attempt the Giro-Tour double in 2017? He can't not go to the Giro in 2017.

 

[whittashau]

I would have imagined that given his feud with Froome that he might be inclined to race the Tour next year. Personally I'm more confident than ever in his ability to compete with Froome and Quitana at a GT. I don't think anything either one of them did was much more impressive than what Nibbles did last year. Outside of Froome on the first mountain stage. Of course Contador is the joker in the pack

And it would be great if Nibbles started his own team. Italy really should have more than one WT team.

 

[SafeBet]

I think that targeting the Giro is the sensible choice for a variety of reasons:

1) even in top shape he could miss the podium against the other big3 in the TDF, and that's a wasted season as this year shows;
2) peaking for the Giro means being much more competitive in spring;
3) would make perfect sense if he really wants to target the Olympics.

 

[Miburo]

I think he could be on par with the big 3 in top shape, he has a chance for sure.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

I'd rather see him have another crack at the Tour I think. The Giro doesn't look like being competitive enough to prove anything new even if he wins easily. Regarding the Olympics I would have thought it would be a big advantage to do the Tour (although not necessarily on 100% form) in the same way that it is usually a big advantage to go to the Worlds having done the Vuelta

 

[hfer07]

Re:

Oh **** aru, landa and nibali??? lol

Landa will be angry with just reason- its like it wasn't enough to be denied Il Giro runner -up spot in order to support his teammate, but now he has to be Nibali's domestique when he's clearly the favorite to win La Vuelta...
Perhaps is Vino giving him the middle finger as he departs to SKY, so he feels no reason to support him at all....

Aru can't be happy either if Nibali is brought to Spain, when he can well win stages & take his chances for the Overall title.....

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Landa won't be in good enouh shape anyways. As he has said himself, he is much better in the spring. Highly doubt Nibali and Aru will fight over whos leader, they will simply see who's stronger. My bet is Aru since he has avoided sickness so far as opposed to his preparation for the giro, and Nibali, well he's Nibali

 

[SeriousSam]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

If Nibali wants to demonstrate he can compete with the best GT riders, he should do the Tour, not the Giro. He clearly *** up his preparation or something. Fans are lenient and can understand if that happens once, but if he then runs away from Froome and Quintana one can't help but suspect not even Nibali himself believes he can compete with the best.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

If he does not do the Tour next year, then I think we have our answer as to if he is a real Big (insert number) cyclist. It will not look good if he decides to cut and run from those that beat him this year.

 

[Miburo]

Nah he's italian, if he were a brit or a spaniard then yea he's running. But for an italian the giro is really important.

 

[Carols]

Re:

Nibali is going to target the Giro and the Olympic race next year.
There's also a rumour that he's trying to create his own team for 2017.

I'm not crazy about Giro/Olympics, but getting away from Astana would be a great move . Forza Vincenzo!

 

[Carols]

Re:

If he does not do the Tour next year, then I think we have our answer as to if he is a real Big (insert number) cyclist. It will not look good if he decides to cut and run from those that beat him this year.

But to an Italian the Giro is just as meaningful! He's got 1 of each, he can start with the one closet to his heart on his way to 2 of each .

 

[Jspear]

Re:

I'd rather see him have another crack at the Tour I think. The Giro doesn't look like being competitive enough to prove anything new even if he wins easily. Regarding the Olympics I would have thought it would be a big advantage to do the Tour (although not necessarily on 100% form) in the same way that it is usually a big advantage to go to the Worlds having done the Vuelta

If he came to the Tour though without 100% form he wouldn't win the Tour and that would be another wasted season. Just look at this year. He needs to be in tip top shape to compete with Froome.

Those who do the Vuelta before the Worlds sometimes quit the Vuelta after 2 weeks. Also (besides Valverde) those who do finish the Vuelta and then do the Worlds aren't going for GC in the Vuelta, so I don't think this is the best comparison.

 

[WildspokeJoe]

If he ends up leaving Astana, where does he land?

Lampre is the obvious choice.
My other two choices would be...
Katusha and Trek

 

[ILovecycling]

Re: Nibali discussion thread

If Nibali wants to demonstrate he can compete with the best GT riders, he should do the Tour, not the Giro. He clearly **** up his preparation or something. Fans are lenient and can understand if that happens once, but if he then runs away from Froome and Quintana one can't help but suspect not even Nibali himself believes he can compete with the best.

Not everybody thinks like you. As for me it wouldnt have meant anything if he misses Tour, he proved he is a Big 4 rider and as we know, everyone of those 4 can win the Tour if he is in the top shape, he clearly is on the level of Froome,Quitna and Contadior.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I just don't want see another "fab four" tour next year. The concept is pathetic.

Gimme real racing at the Giro etc instead.

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

I just don't want see another "fab four" tour next year. The concept is pathetic.

Gimme real racing at the Giro etc instead.

This!
I want to see an interesting Giro with the battle till the end, preferably with 2 rider from the big 4, Tour is always mehhh.