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Teams & Riders Vincenzo Nibali discussion thread

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In all fairness, he has also taken his own scalp a couple of times - 2016 Olympics and 2017 Vuelta.

But it is still a thing to wonder at when he pushes on a descent, and I am glad I have had the opportunity to see it.

Both wet conditions, also minor crash in Giro 2013, also wet. He doesn't fancy it when it's wet. I remember a few instances when he let it go because of that, Firenze 2013 Purito takes off on the last wet descent, Izagirre in Tour 2016 stage to Morzine and not doing anything on the descent from Mortirolo Giro 2019.
 
In all fairness, he has also taken his own scalp a couple of times - 2016 Olympics and 2017 Vuelta.

Worth mentioning, with that Olympics crash (btw there were crashes left and right on that day) imo he gave gold to Avermaet and silver to Fuglsang (Rafał would've been 3rd anyway). So there are also riders who's really benefited from his descending style, not only those who he's taken the scalps of. ;)

If you descent the way he does crashes are inevitable, it goes without saying.
 
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It is inevitable, only 2 minutes something to the podium right now.
Unfortunately tomorrow's climb and the way it is going to be raced doesn't really suit him. Well I mean, these days few climbs do, but if it's gonna be a relatively calm first part of the ascent followed by a sudden acceleration in the final 3 kilometres, those 2 minutes are going to get inflated pretty soon...
 
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I don't know, it's not a great climb for him, but it could be a lot worse. The first nonbatshitcrazy part of the climb alone is harder than any climb in this giro so far and while I don't think anyone will attack there, it will make sure that explosiveness becomes a nonfactor. It's not like they ride into a murito after 200 panflat kilometres. The super steep gradients probably aren't his strength but for him this is really the best suited way 20+% stuff can appear in a climb.

The Sutrio side of the Zoncolan is basically a longer version of the Colma di Sormano via the muro and he tends to do just fine there.
 
I don't know, it's not a great climb for him, but it could be a lot worse. The first nonbatshitcrazy part of the climb alone is harder than any climb in this giro so far and while I don't think anyone will attack there, it will make sure that explosiveness becomes a nonfactor. It's not like they ride into a murito after 200 panflat kilometres. The super steep gradients probably aren't his strength but for him this is really the best suited way 20+% stuff can appear in a climb.

The Sutrio side of the Zoncolan is basically a longer version of the Colma di Sormano via the muro and he tends to do just fine there.
I think we're overthinking and its pretty much a ~40 minute pure wattsfest. Could be worse, could be better. It depends on what we're hoping for.

If he's not top 10 it gets hard top hope for any real shenanigans down the road and I'd just get sad it's already late to drop an hour and go for stages.
 
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I think we're overthinking and its pretty much a ~40 minute pure wattsfest. Could be worse, could be better. It depends on what we're hoping for.

If he's not top 10 it gets hard top hope for any real shenanigans down the road and I'd just get sad it's already late to drop an hour and go for stages.

Mosca will channel his inner Antonio, somebody will keep whispering in Brambilla's ears "Bennett, Bennett", Ciccone will turn into Delfino, maybe even Bauke can be bribed with a month's worth of free Segafredo while Nibali will rediscover overnight his Los Machucos legs.

 
Mosca will channel his inner Antonio, somebody will keep whispering in Brambilla's ears "Bennett, Bennett", Ciccone will turn into Delfino, maybe even Bauke can be bribed with a month's worth of free Segafredo while Nibali will rediscover overnight his Los Machucos legs.

What if soneone else that's in front of him in GC (and there are plenty of options) will rediscover his Contador Los Machucos legs. ;)

The guy showed not too much uphill, the Monte Rest descent is a bit too far away and if even there's a separation there's still Zoncolan and full prep flat/hilly pursuit specialists of Skineos. You know, even the easiest Zoncolan ain't Sappada. There'll be also lots of rain and his injured hand may have "strong sensations" as the guy likes to say.
 
Oh man, he didn't look as wasted as he usually does when he drops so I was hoping he just didn't bother, but that doesn't sound like it. Probably wishful thinking from my side.

In any case, I'm hoping he'll try something on stage 16. Going into the break, attacking on the Fedaia, anything like that. Go out with guns blazing.
 
Oh man, he didn't look as wasted as he usually does when he drops so I was hoping he just didn't bother, but that doesn't sound like it. Probably wishful thinking from my side.

In any case, I'm hoping he'll try something on stage 16. Going into the break, attacking on the Fedaia, anything like that. Go out with guns blazing.
I worry about there not being legs to try something. The lower level breakaway stages are kind of over. Or at least stage 16 will have a super strong winner breakaway or not.

Also, is it me or is everyone on Trek apart from Ciccone kinda *** this Giro? Mollema gets in a break then gets hammered by everyone
 
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I worry about there not being legs to try something. The lower level breakaway stages are kind of over. Or at least stage 16 will have a super strong winner breakaway or not.

Also, is it me or is everyone on Trek apart from Ciccone kinda *** this Giro? Mollema gets in a break then gets hammered by everyone
Yeah, if he is as bad as today there is no way he wins, but he hasn't looked that bad all the time. I mean he attacked just two days ago. So yeah, I can still see him winning from a break, but I admit I'm not that optimistic either.
 

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