Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

[Red Rick]

If Nibali wasn't gonna top 5 on climbing alone he was never, ever winning it.

 

[Summoned]

I am not sure what to think of Nibali's shape at this point. He has not dropped time apart from the TTT, I believe, so that is good. In addition, he was among the best on the uphill finishes of stages 5 and 6, which makes it look like he may be a little more explosive than he was in the Vuelta last fall. But he showed nothing on the cobbles, which may or may not mean anything. As it turned out, only Jungels among the GC contenders had much for that, so it is possible that as with Dan Martin, he recognized that there was not much for him to gain by constantly pushing to the front to try to take advantage of any opportunities that might present themselves. Staying at the back of the bunch kept him out of the wind at least. Going down behind Uran is not good, but we did get to see him follow Van Avarmaet around Froome when he went down, so he did seem sharp to that extent.

For me the question at this point is whether the explosiveness he has shown on the uphill finishes thus far reflects him being in better shape overall versus what we have seen over the last couple of years, or if that explosiveness came at the expense of what has typically distinguished him among GC riders -- stamina. The mountain stages this year are in a way a kind of splitting the difference between these two climbing demands. None of the mountain stages are terribly long, and they generally look to reward bursts of energy more than conserving energy, but there are a number of them in a row, which could be to Nibali's advantage in relying on stamina to get him to the top of the GC.

Which is a long way of saying I guess we'll see what happens. But I do agree that Nibali has a significant number of serious contenders he has to overtake if he wants to win the Tour, and that seems a little unlikely at this point, even if we have not had a serious mountain stage yet.

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

Re:

If Nibali wasn't gonna top 5 on climbing alone he was never, ever winning it.

Despite you were awfully sarcastic about my weather comment i have to agree with this one. A good performance on the cobbles wouldnt be enough.to limit his eventual losses in the mountains. The more i think about it the more it makes sense to not waste energy on that stage. The tour will be won in the mountains not on that one cobbled stage.
It was impossible to make a difference anyways sectors were way too short and the cars brought back everyone.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

If Nibali wasn't gonna top 5 on climbing alone he was never, ever winning it.

Despite you were awfully sarcastic about my weather comment i have to agree with this one. A good performance on the cobbles wouldnt be enough.to limit his eventual losses in the mountains. The more i think about it the more it makes sense to not waste energy on that stage. The tour will be won in the mountains not on that one cobbled stage.
It was impossible to make a difference anyways sectors were way too short and the cars brought back everyone.

I actually wasn't even sarcastic. I was just exaggerating my wish for terrible weather in the Tour

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

Yeh i m also thinking the legs just werent there yesterday.
Way too far back in the peloton to even anticipate any splits or anything. He was held up by the uran crash but that was also completly at the back of the peloton. He shouldnt have been there and that is not his racing style when he feels good.
That being said the team is not on par with the other gc teams so i hope they will be better in the mountains.
Much respect to pozzo however for doing an excellent job so far.
It might be because of the weather too, he s bettter when its less hot imo.

Uran's crash was about 30th wheel in a very big peloton. It was when sky pressed and then Nibali closed the gap. It wasn't right at the front but it was in no way at the back.

Im sorry i m the biggest nibali fan out there but we have to be honest here he was too far back in the peloton.
I knew right there and then it was gonna be a matter of limiting losses if any.

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

Re: Re:

If Nibali wasn't gonna top 5 on climbing alone he was never, ever winning it.

Despite you were awfully sarcastic about my weather comment i have to agree with this one. A good performance on the cobbles wouldnt be enough.to limit his eventual losses in the mountains. The more i think about it the more it makes sense to not waste energy on that stage. The tour will be won in the mountains not on that one cobbled stage.
It was impossible to make a difference anyways sectors were way too short and the cars brought back everyone.

I actually wasn't even sarcastic. I was just exaggerating my wish for terrible weather in the Tour

Sorry then english is not my native language. But yeah we need terrrible weather......

 

[Rollthedice]

Top 5? On a multi mountain long stage in week 3 there is nobody who can drop him. I think he will play defensively in the Alps, only following the relevant attacks and if there's and opportunity. By the time the last week will start he'll be among those very few who'll contest the podium

 

[bambino]

I'm actually quite happy people here underestimates him. Hope the rivals feels same. I actually still think he is in stellar shape, potentially best he has ever been save 2014. We will see.

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

Re:

Top 5? On a multi mountain long stage in week 3 there is nobody who can drop him. I think he will play defensively in the Alps, only following the relevant attacks and if there's and opportunity. By the time the last week will start he'll be among those very few who'll contest the podium

Yup thats what i m hoping for. According to slongo he should be at his best in the 3rd week......
Not gonna lie that formula 1 stage scares the s*t out of me though.
Oh well whatever happens i m ok with it. Having supported nibs since his second year of liquigas i must say it has been an incredible ride as a fan. I kinda knew he was special but never imagined he was able to do the things he did in his career. There were low points and extreme highs during his career what makes it all the more special.

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

Re:

I'm actually quite happy people here underestimates him. Hope the rivals feels same. I actually still think he is in stellar shape, potentially best he has ever been save 2014. We will see.

The only thing we know for sure is that he s really motivated for this tour and as a fan i know thats super important for nibs. He s no training beast like the others but he thrives on emotion, honour and spectacle.

 

[May0maniac]

Re: Re:

I'm actually quite happy people here underestimates him. Hope the rivals feels same. I actually still think he is in stellar shape, potentially best he has ever been save 2014. We will see.

The only thing we know for sure is that he s really motivated for this tour and as a fan i know thats super important for nibs. He s no training beast like the others but he thrives on emotion, honour and spectacle.

An out of shape Nibali isn't fighting for position and mixing it up with the sprinters like he did durning the first week.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re: Re:

I'm actually quite happy people here underestimates him. Hope the rivals feels same. I actually still think he is in stellar shape, potentially best he has ever been save 2014. We will see.

The only thing we know for sure is that he s really motivated for this tour and as a fan i know thats super important for nibs. He s no training beast like the others but he thrives on emotion, honour and spectacle.

An out of shape Nibali isn't fighting for position and mixing it up with the sprinters like he did durning the first week.

Indeed. Placements except TTT - 11,40,27,10,14,17,18,23.

 

[huge]

Today Nibali defended his teammates from the criticism they have received for the very poor showing up until now in the race, and yesterday in particular.

He said: "I'm happy of where I am now (in terms of GC) and I'm also happy of the team. I've heard a lot of criticism, but I am a rider that does not need the whole team to get to the front. I'm the kind of rider that can do it by himself, or one or two teammates at the most. As quick example, Cipo needed his entire team, McEwen nobody".

And talking more specifically about his teammates:
Koren - he's got an hematoma under his right foot and can't push on the pedal. He had an X-ray scan and we don't know if he's going to start tomorrow
Gorka Izaguirre - he lost time because of a damaged wheel
Colbrelli - he crashed twice
Haussler - he broke his rear mech

and Pozzo: "Did you see how strong Domenico was? He is ready for the Classics. He raced really well, very careful and focused. And think that this was his very first time. He was not with us when we came for the recon. He has been truly amazing!"

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

I seem to get across wrong or something but i dont doubt he s in pretty good shape. I know nibali doesnt like to jinx it and i am more or less the same.
I d rather downplay my own chances then act like i m the big cheese, that all there is to it really.
Mur de bretagne was ridden super fast if those twitter reports are true yet he managed to bring sagan back to the first group by closing the gap.
This alone gives me high hopes but shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......

 

[bambino]

Re: Re:

I'm actually quite happy people here underestimates him. Hope the rivals feels same. I actually still think he is in stellar shape, potentially best he has ever been save 2014. We will see.

The only thing we know for sure is that he s really motivated for this tour and as a fan i know thats super important for nibs. He s no training beast like the others but he thrives on emotion, honour and spectacle.

An out of shape Nibali isn't fighting for position and mixing it up with the sprinters like he did durning the first week.

Indeed. Placements except TTT - 11,40,27,10,14,17,18,23.

The last km's of stage 8 (or 7 not sure) were particularly funny, when he tried to bring Sonny clearly to the front positions for sprint, but Sonny couldn't stay on his wheel thus he has to drop back to Sonny.

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

Re:

Today Nibali defended his teammates from the criticism they have received for the very poor showing up until now in the race, and yesterday in particular.

He said: "I'm happy of where I am now (in terms of GC) and I'm also happy of the team. I've heard a lot of criticism, but I am a rider that does not need the whole team to get to the front. I'm the kind of rider that can do it by himself, or one or two teammates at the most. As quick example, Cipo needed his entire team, McEwen nobody".

And talking more specifically about his teammates:
Koren - he's got an hematoma under his right foot and can't push on the pedal. He had an X-ray scan and we don't know if he's going to start tomorrow
Gorka Izaguirre - he lost time because of a damaged wheel
Colbrelli - he crashed twice
Haussler - he broke his rear mech

and Pozzo: "Did you see how strong Domenico was? He is ready for the Classics. He raced really well, very careful and focused. And think that this was his very first time. He was not with us when we came for the recon. He has been truly amazing!"

Yeh i dont like being too harsh on his teammates. I mean does nibs even follow haussler or does he choose his own way through the peloton like sagan does?
It seemed to go better with cortina in the vuelta last year though, if i recall correctly.
Cant agree more on pozzo. Nibs asked him to be on the team as support and despite the giro pozzo is there.
Shame mohoric isnt on the team i know he would have given it all to protect and help nibali.
The izagirre bros i m not so sure and i dont know why but i just cant shake the feeling these guys give zero f*s how nibs fares.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Top 5? On a multi mountain long stage in week 3 there is nobody who can drop him. I think he will play defensively in the Alps, only following the relevant attacks and if there's and opportunity. By the time the last week will start he'll be among those very few who'll contest the podium

I don't think Nibali will be the first to move, but he cannot wait for the Pyrenees. First and the second Alp stages are hard create the differences by themselves.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Today Nibali defended his teammates from the criticism they have received for the very poor showing up until now in the race, and yesterday in particular.

He said: "I'm happy of where I am now (in terms of GC) and I'm also happy of the team. I've heard a lot of criticism, but I am a rider that does not need the whole team to get to the front. I'm the kind of rider that can do it by himself, or one or two teammates at the most. As quick example, Cipo needed his entire team, McEwen nobody".

And talking more specifically about his teammates:
Koren - he's got an hematoma under his right foot and can't push on the pedal. He had an X-ray scan and we don't know if he's going to start tomorrow
Gorka Izaguirre - he lost time because of a damaged wheel
Colbrelli - he crashed twice
Haussler - he broke his rear mech

and Pozzo: "Did you see how strong Domenico was? He is ready for the Classics. He raced really well, very careful and focused. And think that this was his very first time. He was not with us when we came for the recon. He has been truly amazing!"

Yeh i dont like being too harsh on his teammates. I mean does nibs even follow haussler or does he choose his own way through the peloton like sagan does?
It seemed to go better with cortina in the vuelta last year though, if i recall correctly.
Cant agree more on pozzo. Nibs asked him to be on the team as support and despite the giro pozzo is there.
Shame mohoric isnt on the team i know he would have given it all to protect and help nibali.
The izagirre bros i m not so sure and i dont know why but i just cant shake the feeling these guys give zero f*s how nibs fares.

I would've wanted Mohoric there just to see the Sky domestiques have to bring him back after every single descent

 

[Lo squalo di messina]

Re: Re:

Today Nibali defended his teammates from the criticism they have received for the very poor showing up until now in the race, and yesterday in particular.

He said: "I'm happy of where I am now (in terms of GC) and I'm also happy of the team. I've heard a lot of criticism, but I am a rider that does not need the whole team to get to the front. I'm the kind of rider that can do it by himself, or one or two teammates at the most. As quick example, Cipo needed his entire team, McEwen nobody".

And talking more specifically about his teammates:
Koren - he's got an hematoma under his right foot and can't push on the pedal. He had an X-ray scan and we don't know if he's going to start tomorrow
Gorka Izaguirre - he lost time because of a damaged wheel
Colbrelli - he crashed twice
Haussler - he broke his rear mech

and Pozzo: "Did you see how strong Domenico was? He is ready for the Classics. He raced really well, very careful and focused. And think that this was his very first time. He was not with us when we came for the recon. He has been truly amazing!"

Yeh i dont like being too harsh on his teammates. I mean does nibs even follow haussler or does he choose his own way through the peloton like sagan does?
It seemed to go better with cortina in the vuelta last year though, if i recall correctly.
Cant agree more on pozzo. Nibs asked him to be on the team as support and despite the giro pozzo is there.
Shame mohoric isnt on the team i know he would have given it all to protect and help nibali.
The izagirre bros i m not so sure and i dont know why but i just cant shake the feeling these guys give zero f*s how nibs fares.

I would've wanted Mohoric there just to see the Sky domestiques have to bring him back after every single descent

Yeh i hope we ever get to see a combo nibs and moho attack om a descent. Panic all around

 

[whittashau]

Pozzovivo was the only one to be seen today for nibs. I too think the brothers seemingly don’t give to ducks about nibs GC.

 

[roundabout]

Gorka has never finished in the top-25 overall in a GT, so it's a bit unreasonable to expect him to be there for his leader on every difficult stage.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Gorka's more of a puncheur. He has the fast finish and is better on short climbs. Ion and Pozzovivo are the ones who really should be there in the high mountains

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Nibali looks fine to me and you don't need 5 guys with you at the final climb. Only Sky has that kind of money (and Movistar, but there they all want to be leader).

And I don't think it's a bad thing to not waste energy here

 

[Blanco]

Re:

Nibali looks fine to me and you don't need 5 guys with you at the final climb. Only Sky has that kind of money (and Movistar, but there they all want to be leader).

And I don't think it's a bad thing to not waste energy here

I really doubt Movistar has more money than Bahrein.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

He looked sharp. Sitting on Movistar’s wheel all climb not even opening his mouth to breathe. I think he’s just biding his time for the third week where his recovery will give him more of an edge... hopefully