Vincenzo Nibali

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

But, but.... But.... BroDeal, that's not proof! That's stringing random facts together into another conspiracy theory. We need proof. And no, I won't tell you what kind of proof. I get to make that up while I pretend 2013 is the cleanest peloton ever.

Thats the spirit!

Split times of today:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ao5-isr01pbpdE5rakZjYU81ZjNDSGNLQ215SThjMVE#gid=0

What is interesting is the non - tri bars at Sanchez and Betancourt.

And then this one:

A Moser special in the TT?

 

[LaFlorecita]

No, not nowadays. People always like comparing people using a current contemporary name. I hear various footballers being named the new messi etc all the time

Usually young footballers, right?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The riders who are left are relatively weak (except Nibali ofc) (Nibali would be the only one with a chance to top-5 the Tour).

And when no one defends him, why should everyone mention that he ofc is a doper? I don't think anyone has any doubt about that.

Also note the most important part: Steady progression.

I know a guy who had steady progression right until the point he got suspended. Says absolutely nothing

 

[Netserk]

I know a guy who had steady progression right until the point he got suspended. Says absolutely nothing

About whether or not they are doping (to a certain degree).

Does say something about the predicted outrage in the clinic though.

 

[SeriousSam]

I know a guy who had steady progression right until the point he got suspended. Says absolutely nothing

It's more consistent with being clean than a gigantic improvement over a short period of time is.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

It's more consistent with being clean than a gigantic improvement over a short period of time is.

not when doping from the start of your career

then you can have a steady progress from year to year and still be doped up to the gills.

not saying nibali is doped however. I somehow believe he is clean

 

[Netserk]

not saying nibali is doped however. I somehow believe he is clean

Even though he has been linked with Ferrari?

 

[SeriousSam]

not when doping from the start of your career

then you can have a steady progress from year to year and still be doped up to the gills.

Steady progress is consistent with doping and with being clean,
An absurd leap in performance just with doping.

if someone improves gradually, is that a reason to believe he's clean? No. But if he improves like Froome, it's a strong reason to believe he isn't clean

 

[LaFlorecita]

not when doping from the start of your career

then you can have a steady progress from year to year and still be doped up to the gills.

not saying nibali is doped however. I somehow believe he is clean

Performances like this are impossible when clean.

 

[Netserk]

Performances like this are impossible when clean.

Tell that to Greg LeMond

 

[LaFlorecita]

Tell that to Greg LeMond

I don't believe he is clean

 

[Granville57]

I somehow believe he is clean

That's the beautiful part of it, really.

All those saps who were putting potentially dangerous PEDs into their system for all those years never realized that they were really just stupid and lazy.

Train harder. Train smarter.

Dominating a GT on home turf is easy if one is simply motivated enough. Luckily for Nibs, his competitors just never got the memo.

 

[Netserk]

I don't believe he is clean

Do you believe any of the greats was clean?

 

[Granville57]

Do you believe any of the greats was clean?

Way to derail a thread.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Do you believe any of the greats was clean?

Of course not. I'm not stupid. Also, IMO Lemond isn't one of the greats... only the true legends of cycling are greats imo...but that doesn't belong in this thread

 

[del1962]

What i think its funny is guys like Webvan who are sure Sky is clean just keep making clinic references on the PRR section every time Nibali's name comes up.

Double standards much?

Both are doped to the gills at the moment, but imho its pretty clear who started the arms race

I don't really like Nibali because of his incessant whinging when things aren't going his way (moaning about power metres, lack of respect for him at the tour etc), but he is a great bike rider, who I hope is clean, as I hope (with greater confidence) Sky are.

However if they are both doping (which I don't believe) you could hardly say it is Sky who started the arms race.

 

[taiwan]

Did the fist pump like Rogers, Landis, Contador, Wiggins. Can't hotlink the pics.

 

[del1962]

Did the fist pump like Rogers, Landis, Contador, Wiggins. Can't hotlink the pics.

And a fistpump is evidence of what exactly?

 

[Walkman]

Even though he has been linked with Ferrari?

Can you provide a source? I have seen may people are saying this (and I do believe you but) I would like to read it myself!

 

[OnTheDrops]

It's so difficult to tell. I do remember Nibali getting dropped on every climb at the giro a few years ago, then having to use his descending skills to get back on. But he was still fairly young - it's reasonable to surmise he could legitimately have improved. What's good is we now have two clean yard sticks in the peloton - Garmin and Walsh backed Sky - to judge riders against. Unfortunately due to illness we didn't get the opportunity to make a proper direct comparison to really get a grasp of how believable Nibali's performance has been.

 

[SeriousSam]

And a fistpump is evidence of what exactly?

of convincingly winning stages against competition, hence of doping

 

[Walkman]

Pre 2009 Wiggins?

Ofc not! We all know that! I doubt 9 x Pre 2009 Wiggins would beat 2012 Tour de France Wiggins.

 

[hfer07]

bottom line is- Yes- Nibbs dopes like every other Pro-rider
Why is his doping not scandalous ala Wiggo, Froome & Porte? Because of his steady progress - Unlike the SKY boys going in a single year from being nobodies to GT contenders/winners. Nibali has had a "credible" development & improvement built over year after year. Plus the nature of his victories aren't of the spectacular caliber of Contador, Porte or Froome- they're more the result & combination of his warrior attitude with the best use of his own abilities/strength

the Ferrari link? Cadel is linked to Ferrari too so...

 

[Granville57]

And a fistpump is evidence of what exactly?

Well, pure awesomeness, for one thing.

 

[taiwan]

And a fistpump is evidence of what exactly?

Nothing. Your point?