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Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

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Gigs_98

Gigs_98

Feb 18, 2015
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SafeBet said:
He was finished years ago and we didn't notice.
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In fairness if he was in last years shape he would still win this riding backwards but his shape is just absolutely horrendous.
His decline seemed to start in his early 30's after he wasn't able to get back to his 2014 self again but then it stalled for years. Last year's giro argubly wasn't any worse than 2017 and although his best days were a lot better back then he didn't look much better in 2015 and 2016 either. But now it seems like age has really caught up with him.
 
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McEwen2006

McEwen2006

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SafeBet said:
He was finished years ago and we didn't notice.
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I wouldn't go that far, he was fairly close from the win last year. Pretty sure this is the first time he flops so hard in a GT (not counting the TDFs coming off the Giro because he wasn't targetting the GC) in some while, assuming his form doesn't improve in week 3.
 
Eclipse

Eclipse

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nibaligandalg.jpg
 
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skippo12

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Not willing to call it a day. I expected him to lose time today but obviously not as much. If he cannot deliver on the Stelvio it is over.
Real concern is that Slongo/Nibali (cannot remember) mentioned in an interview that he is not sure about the shape in the 3rd week because of the adjusted training schedule. Piancavallo does not suit him but the same can be said about the Etna and he looked way better on stage 3. Not to mention that the TT was mediocre as well. There is no way that Nibali in his usual shape finishes behind Almeida on a stage like todays. Would be the first time in years (Vuelta 11/13) that Nibali is getting worse in the 3rd week but stranger things have happened.
 
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Rollthedice

Rollthedice

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Gigs_98 said:
In fairness if he was in last years shape he would still win this riding backwards but his shape is just absolutely horrendous.
His decline seemed to start in his early 30's after he wasn't able to get back to his 2014 self again but then it stalled for years. Last year's giro argubly wasn't any worse than 2017 and although his best days were a lot better back then he didn't look much better in 2015 and 2016 either. But now it seems like age has really caught up with him.
Click to expand...

Last year he was at 2017 Vuelta performance level which would have made this Giro a walk in the park. Sadly the season was completely ** up by the pandemic, he was on track for a May Giro with the preparation. In hindsight I'm not sure he's any better now than when he finished Paris-Nice in fourth. On the other hand the young next gen whatever are flying after the lockdown. The tipping point in his career was that accident on Alpe which wiped out so many objectives and took out most of his kick. Already last year's Giro was exceptional considering the competition in the race and everything that happened after Alpe. So it's much more than age catching up.
 
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gregrowlerson

gregrowlerson

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In all seriousness, looking at the standings, this isn't over.

Nibali is only significant time behind two riders. One of whom has never finished a GT, the other whom has never finished on the podium.

And now there is a rest day. Sure, he probably hasn't been this bad since 2008, but relative to the field, if he can just be half decent in week three then a podium is more than likely and the overall victory still not out of the question.
 
DoYouEvenRideBruh

DoYouEvenRideBruh

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The annoying thing is that with most riders you would call it a day and stop paying attention, but Nibali has made such amazing comebacks in the past that you can't help but hope for a revival. On the other hand 2020 is the backwards year. Maybe it is also the year Vincenzo is better in the first week of the Giro o_O

Also what's up with GT riders claiming their numbers are great just to flop immediately after... at least Nibs didn't pull a Grand Colombier today.
 
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