Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[Rollthedice]

Speaking of Plouay, I found a statement by Nibali after his win: "J'ai pris le risque de perdre la course, c'était le meilleur moyen de la gagner".

"I took the risk to loose the race, it was the best way to win it", something that he has been doing since.

 

[Rollthedice]

A nice interview with Haussler here on Milano-Sanremo. some things seen from the inside. Oddly enough it was the first time he rode with Nibali.

https://www.ridemedia.com.au/interviews/interview-heinrich-haussler-on-milan-sanremo/

 

[Red Rick]

https://soundcloud.com/ridemedia/heinrich-haussler-after-milan-sanremo

Haussler, Nibali's teammate, talking about Sanremo, Nibali and other things. Said originally everyone was planning to go home or to the airport after the race, but then Nibali organised a big dinner for the entire team.

 

[hfer07]

Re:

https://soundcloud.com/ridemedia/heinrich-haussler-after-milan-sanremo

Haussler, Nibali's teammate, talking about Sanremo, Nibali and other things. Said originally everyone was planning to go home or to the airport after the race, but then Nibali organised a big dinner for the entire team.

Nibali is well known for being extremely thankful & generous with his teammates & staff when he wins.

 

[hfer07]

Re: Re:

Is he gonna ride Amstel this year? You wouldn't say if you look at his results, but almost every time he rode it he was in the offensive. Would like to see him in a similar break like last year.

Yes. Ronde, Pais Vasco, Amstel, Fleche and LBL.

YES!!

You know- As he gets older, I would love to see him abandoning any GT ambitions in exchange for glory in the Classics & week long races ......
Time will tell....

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

I think he gave ivan cortina a nice watch too after last years vuelta. I dont know much about watches but it sure seemed expensive. Nibali is quite humble and takes care of his teammates. Combine that with his riding style and i cant imagine cheering for anyone else

 

[Eli]

If Nibali or Valverde were riding for QS, I would have put a cheeky 20 on either of them to win.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re: Re:

Is he gonna ride Amstel this year? You wouldn't say if you look at his results, but almost every time he rode it he was in the offensive. Would like to see him in a similar break like last year.

Yes. Ronde, Pais Vasco, Amstel, Fleche and LBL.

YES!!

You know- As he gets older, I would love to see him abandoning any GT ambitions in exchange for glory in the Classics & week long races ......
Time will tell....

Well he is already older now, but certainly he will go for the Tour this year as he should, given his still solid ability in GT's and the course on offer. Depending on how he goes there, he will probably look to the 2019 Giro, which might be the right time to have his GT swan song, at least as far as any GC focus is concerned. Not sure if he cares too much about one week races. He could go 90% focus on one day races as a countdown towards the Olympic road race in 2020.

As for Flanders this week: Does Nibali have any teammates that can support him much on the hilly cobbles?

I really hope that he can win. I know that he can't sprint, but maybe he gets away with a small group who then get hit with some sort of mechanical/voodoo

 

[Rollthedice]

As for Flanders this week: Does Nibali have any teammates that can support him much on the hilly cobbles?

I really hope that he can win. I know that he can't sprint, but maybe he gets away with a small group who then get hit with some sort of mechanical/voodoo

From today he'll be in Flanders testing the equipment and the climbs. The team will probably be Sonny, Haussler and another four riders from Koren, Per, Pibernik, Bozic or Cortina. Colbrelli will be the leader for this race, let's not forget he finished 10th last year at his first participation. I wouldn't expect a miracle from Nibali, his main goal this spring is LBL and his form is tweaked towards that particular race.

In the last 20 years only four Grand Tour winners lined up in Flanders, Dumoulin (DNF) , Di Luca (DNF) and Hesjedal (81) long before they won a GT and Wiggo in 2015 long after he quit the GT business. Nibali will certainly get a lot of media attention these days.

 

[SafeBet]

I've read on Twitter that the last GT winner to top10 Ronde was Gianni Bugno in 1994.
Would be a miracle if Nibbles can pull this off.

Bahrain has a decent team for cobbles, but Sonny's form seems fading and Cortina has been very unlucky thus far. On the other hand, Haussler looks good.

 

[Blanco]

Re:

I've read on Twitter that the last GT winner to top10 Ronde was Gianni Bugno in 1994.
Would be a miracle if Nibbles can pull this off.

Bahrain has a decent team for cobbles, but Sonny's form seems fading and Cortina has been very unlucky thus far. On the other hand, Haussler looks good.

It was "a little more" than just a top 10

 

[Climbing]

Re: Re:

I've read on Twitter that the last GT winner to top10 Ronde was Gianni Bugno in 1994.
Would be a miracle if Nibbles can pull this off.

Bahrain has a decent team for cobbles, but Sonny's form seems fading and Cortina has been very unlucky thus far. On the other hand, Haussler looks good.

It was "a little more" than just a top 10

That horrible bad habit of raising arms too early though...

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

I've read on Twitter that the last GT winner to top10 Ronde was Gianni Bugno in 1994.
Would be a miracle if Nibbles can pull this off.

Bahrain has a decent team for cobbles, but Sonny's form seems fading and Cortina has been very unlucky thus far. On the other hand, Haussler looks good.

I heard Sonny was ill during gent wevelgem, that doesnt bode well for Flanders for him.

They better let Nibbles off the leash before the final and see where he gets.

 

[Rollthedice]

So, apparently Nibs is the leader, here's the team and how the race will "unfold" courtesy TBM:

BAHRAIN MERIDA Team comes to this famous race led by Vincenzo Nibali, and our experienced and strong riders that will protect our leader. Our lineup is highly motivated to achieve good result and get into a fight with this demanding and unique race.

Our riders who will not be in a breakaway or on a specific job will stay around Vincenzo. The crucial point is to be up front, well positioned when we enter the “Oude Kwaremont” 2nd time (km 210) in order to make the cut.

From the km ZERO and during the first 100 km – untill we pass Oude Kwaremont (115 km) the 1st time – it will be Luka Pibernik, Borut Božič and Ivan Cortina who have the job to cover any breakaway attacks more than 10 riders.

Joining in just before Oude Kwaremont the 1st time – from km 100 and till km 210 (Oude Kwaremont) – it is the time for Kristijan Koren and Sonny Colbrelli to try to go into the moves. Saving the legs for the final 55 km to go – is Vincenzo Nibali (Oude Kwaremont and onwards) and Heinrich Haussler to stay around Vincenzo in the final and to do all we can to have two riders in the final says Tristan Hoffman, TBM sports director. Vincenzo NIbali, after a victory at Milano – Sanremo, with all his outstanding quality and all of his TBM teammates, sports directors Tristan Hoffman and Rik Verbrugghe, the management and staff are highly focused for the Belgium “Queen” of cobblestone classics.

 

[Bardamu]

Even more than Valverde, I really believe Nibali can do very well in de Ronde. Winning is a different matter, but I am sure he will show himself in the final.

 

[El Pistolero]

Seems like Greg van Avermaet, Dylan Teuns and Wout van Aert could be team-mates of Nibali next year.

Of course nothing is set in stone. If BMC renews their contract (or if Ochowitz finds a new sponsor) then Greg will remain there.

Wout van Aert is still under contract for next year, but they could potentially buy his contract out I suppose.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Seems like Greg van Avermaet, Dylan Teuns and Wout van Aert could be team-mates of Nibali next year.

Of course nothing is set in stone. If BMC renews their contract (or if Ochowitz finds a new sponsor) then Greg will remain there.

Wout van Aert is still under contract for next year, but they could potentially buy his contract out I suppose.

Rik Verbrugghe's girlfriend (wife?) is Van Avermaet's sister, rumor is, if BMC folds GVA will sign with TBM.

 

[Climbing]

Re:

So, apparently Nibs is the leader, here's the team and how the race will "unfold" courtesy TBM:

BAHRAIN MERIDA Team comes to this famous race led by Vincenzo Nibali, and our experienced and strong riders that will protect our leader. Our lineup is highly motivated to achieve good result and get into a fight with this demanding and unique race.

Our riders who will not be in a breakaway or on a specific job will stay around Vincenzo. The crucial point is to be up front, well positioned when we enter the “Oude Kwaremont” 2nd time (km 210) in order to make the cut.

From the km ZERO and during the first 100 km – untill we pass Oude Kwaremont (115 km) the 1st time – it will be Luka Pibernik, Borut Božič and Ivan Cortina who have the job to cover any breakaway attacks more than 10 riders.

Joining in just before Oude Kwaremont the 1st time – from km 100 and till km 210 (Oude Kwaremont) – it is the time for Kristijan Koren and Sonny Colbrelli to try to go into the moves. Saving the legs for the final 55 km to go – is Vincenzo Nibali (Oude Kwaremont and onwards) and Heinrich Haussler to stay around Vincenzo in the final and to do all we can to have two riders in the final says Tristan Hoffman, TBM sports director. Vincenzo NIbali, after a victory at Milano – Sanremo, with all his outstanding quality and all of his TBM teammates, sports directors Tristan Hoffman and Rik Verbrugghe, the management and staff are highly focused for the Belgium “Queen” of cobblestone classics.

Ok, I did see that, but seems a bit crazy.
Maybe it’s just PR or pre tactic from TBM.

 

[Bardamu]

I read that they consider Greg on the same level as Nibali, which is ludicrous ofcourse.

With Teuns and van Aert they'll have two riders for the spring season in the future.

Btw, looking at their team roster I realized how much Haussler looks like Joel Edgerton in Warrior.

 

[Carols]

Re:

I've read on Twitter that the last GT winner to top10 Ronde was Gianni Bugno in 1994.
Would be a miracle if Nibbles can pull this off.

Bahrain has a decent team for cobbles, but Sonny's form seems fading and Cortina has been very unlucky thus far. On the other hand, Haussler looks good.

He bloody won it!!! Grand bike racer was Gianni

I'd be very happy to see Vince in the top 10!

 

[Carols]

Re:

So, apparently Nibs is the leader, here's the team and how the race will "unfold" courtesy TBM:

BAHRAIN MERIDA Team comes to this famous race led by Vincenzo Nibali, and our experienced and strong riders that will protect our leader. Our lineup is highly motivated to achieve good result and get into a fight with this demanding and unique race.

Our riders who will not be in a breakaway or on a specific job will stay around Vincenzo. The crucial point is to be up front, well positioned when we enter the “Oude Kwaremont” 2nd time (km 210) in order to make the cut.

From the km ZERO and during the first 100 km – untill we pass Oude Kwaremont (115 km) the 1st time – it will be Luka Pibernik, Borut Božič and Ivan Cortina who have the job to cover any breakaway attacks more than 10 riders.

Joining in just before Oude Kwaremont the 1st time – from km 100 and till km 210 (Oude Kwaremont) – it is the time for Kristijan Koren and Sonny Colbrelli to try to go into the moves. Saving the legs for the final 55 km to go – is Vincenzo Nibali (Oude Kwaremont and onwards) and Heinrich Haussler to stay around Vincenzo in the final and to do all we can to have two riders in the final says Tristan Hoffman, TBM sports director. Vincenzo NIbali, after a victory at Milano – Sanremo, with all his outstanding quality and all of his TBM teammates, sports directors Tristan Hoffman and Rik Verbrugghe, the management and staff are highly focused for the Belgium “Queen” of cobblestone classics.

Sounds like a serious plan . Unfortunately I'll be out for the holiday but will watch when I get home. Root him on for me!

 

[Ivan_Basso_77]

Re:

Seems like Greg van Avermaet, Dylan Teuns and Wout van Aert could be team-mates of Nibali next year.

Of course nothing is set in stone. If BMC renews their contract (or if Ochowitz finds a new sponsor) then Greg will remain there.

Wout van Aert is still under contract for next year, but they could potentially buy his contract out I suppose.

Imagine if van Avermaet really joined Bahrain, but by that time Vincenzo had become such a strong cobbles specialist and because of that van Avermaet would be forced to work for Nibbles.

 

[Rollthedice]

Nibali arrived late last evening in Flanders, says he is in shape. Today there's a recon of the last 70 Km from Ronde. Paolo Slongo and Michele Pallini, Vincenzo's personal physiotherapist, masseur and soigneur will not be there, they will join him in Pais Vasco.

 

[Rollthedice]

Press conference today. In short:

Vincenzo will be the captain although he doesn't feel that way, Sonny was sick and not in great shape: "I'm sorry that Sonny Colbrelli had some problems: we will ride the race especially with Haussler, so he will be our guide. I do not feel like a captain because I do not have the right experience ".

Rik Verbrugghe says "We have to benefit from Quick Step making the race, align our course with them and read well what they are going to do. Vincenzo is not a favorite, but I do not think he should be inferior to a Yves Lampaert or that type of rider when he comes in the final with those guys. Only he has to get into that final and that will be the biggest challenge in his first Tour of Flanders."

Nibali says there's not much you can "invent" in this race especially if you don't know it well. He felt very good on the cobbles, the climbs are not that hard but the fact that they came in quick succession, cobbles, narrow roads and of course during the race it's difficult. The Roubaix cobbles are much worse. He says he has the condition and wants to perform well.

"I am going to race here with much attention. There are often crashes here that could impede the rest of your season. For sure, I won’t risk it out there.”

“In Flanders, I came here with respect for the race and for my rivals. They are true riders. There are other objectives this year, but I’m going to try to do the best I can here. Can I win? I’ll be honest, I don’t know, but I’m going to try to have a good race.”

 

[Red Rick]

Honestly I think it's about surviving until after the first Kwaremont/Pater combo and then attacking on the Kruisberg/Hotond.