China in 2012? Time passes more quickly than that
Ah yes I meant 2008. I forgot London completely. Not exactly one of the classic editions.
Ah yes I meant 2008. I forgot London completely. Not exactly one of the classic editions.
Recent history suggests that Cassani is getting the job done at major events and his team is in harmony.
I definitely wouldn't consider him a favourite, but this course will be a lot more selective than Richmond I think. I just think if you bring him, he's someone that other teams have to expend energy worrying about. Who are they bringing instead, Moscon?
- Sep 2, 2011
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If he's not going it's more of his decision than Cassani's.
When you have a champion like Nibali you bring him unless the route is completely flat.
It's not like Italy has such abundance of possible winners: Trentin, Bettiol if in shape (didn't look like in his last races) and perhaps Formolo in case the race is very selective. Moscon has been abysmal the whole season, Ulissi and Colbrelli should like the route but are a level below the top competition.
Honestly I'd say Nibali in top shape would still be the best option to actually win the race, while someone like Trentin or Colbrelli gives you a much better chance of a top5 finish.
When you have a champion like Nibali you bring him unless the route is completely flat.
It's not like Italy has such abundance of possible winners: Trentin, Bettiol if in shape (didn't look like in his last races) and perhaps Formolo in case the race is very selective. Moscon has been abysmal the whole season, Ulissi and Colbrelli should like the route but are a level below the top competition.
Honestly I'd say Nibali in top shape would still be the best option to actually win the race, while someone like Trentin or Colbrelli gives you a much better chance of a top5 finish.
- Feb 20, 2012
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The route should absolutely be harder than Richmond. Obviously it's not a great chance for Nibali, but unless it's dead flat, Nibali should always be a big asset to the team.
Problem is that Nibali has done Giro-Vuelta. Any 3rd peak in the season isn't gonna last very long so peaking for the Worlds means giving up on Lombardia. If he prefers not going to riding at 80% and working for the team that's his decision
Problem is that Nibali has done Giro-Vuelta. Any 3rd peak in the season isn't gonna last very long so peaking for the Worlds means giving up on Lombardia. If he prefers not going to riding at 80% and working for the team that's his decision
- May 11, 2013
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Giro-Tour, don't remind us that he is not riding the Vuelta. Another lost opportunity, doing the stupid Tour instead.
He wouldn’t have won the Vuelta anyway, and that stage win in the Tour was epic, and he now has a shot at a 3rd Lombardia. Acknowledge what you’re getting and be happy for it.
- May 11, 2013
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Maybe, though the level here doesn't look too bright. He is a Grand Tour rider, the best there is after a certain Kenyan and not a stage hunter. The Tour was painful to watch until the very last day. Lombardia comes in a package with Vuelta, it will be much harder to hit that peak after freaking Deutschland Tour. And I am happy for every day I can see him ride his bike in any competition.
- Apr 10, 2019
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He should be racing the Canadian classics afterwards, so his Lombardia preparation isn't that bad.
He was always near the front durning the final an pretty much the only teammate who was up there with Colbrelli and finished inside the top 20.
He was always near the front durning the final an pretty much the only teammate who was up there with Colbrelli and finished inside the top 20.
- May 11, 2013
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Yes, surprisingly sharp today. Read somewhere that San Fermo is fixed and it should be the last climb in GdL.
- Feb 20, 2012
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I like to think it helped him that he took his complete grupetto days in the Tour.
- May 11, 2013
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- Apr 10, 2019
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Honestly, Cassani should think about bringing him to the WC, not Viviani.
Bettiol is having some health related problems and Formolo just crashed out of the Vuelta. In a +280 km one day race I'd rather bring Nibali and not Viviani or even Ulissi.
Bettiol is having some health related problems and Formolo just crashed out of the Vuelta. In a +280 km one day race I'd rather bring Nibali and not Viviani or even Ulissi.
- May 11, 2013
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Viviani is not riding, who knows Formolino out, Bettiol as you said, reluctantly Nibs agrees to fill in and, and...
- Apr 10, 2019
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Thanks, wasn't 100% sure about Viviani not riding after his latest wins.
With Formolino having to drop out of the Vuelta, Bettiol also having questions and Moscon's form being a question mark (at least atm), they could bring him as an additional card to play.
- May 11, 2013
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- May 11, 2013
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- 28,180
Latest news is Cassani to make a final decision regarding Nibali after Quebec and Montreal.
- Feb 20, 2012
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