Only in 2014. He wasn't close to winning it any other time.
The example you posted of 2009; he was very competitive then (though yes, not exactly Verbier form). And 2010 he was leading, but had one bad day/climb?
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Only in 2014. He wasn't close to winning it any other time.
The example you posted of 2009; he was very competitive then (though yes, not exactly Verbier form). And 2010 he was leading, but had one bad day/climb?
Hmmm, don't really see it. Nibali won the Giro against Chaves and Valverde because Kruiswijk crashed out - whatever you might think of this race in terms of luck vs. tactical mastervoodoo, it does not indicate to me that he could have challenged Froome, even if he might not have been in full alien mode anymore.. But Vincenzo was the one guy who could have seriously challenged Froome in 2016, and maybe 2017.
He also never really raced them. 2nd to Julich 10” and Contador 11”, and 3rd to Wiggins 1’10” after 2 TTs as his only PN. Then raced TA once in 2002. He’s Spanish so puts more focus on those races while Nibali the Italian.The one week races also have some relevance. For all of Valverde's consistency (and far better than Nibali), he has never once won PN or TA; and these are arguably the 11th biggest races....many riders targeting the TDF use them as a mini (or secondary) peak in their season.
Nibali had more impressive wins than Valverde because he did those solo in top tier races instead of relying on his sprint to win countless stages and Ardennes classics and as for luck, avoiding crashing is part of cycling but don't forget Nibali was also affected by crashes in the Rio Olympics and 2018 Tour were he could have won or come close to it.
I could also come up with the argument that Valverde also had his share of luck in the Vuelta he won and with LBL finishing on an uphill back then but I don't like alternative history much
Since we’re talking rider luck what about bad luck. At the very start of his run at the Tour after beating Armstrong on a mountain for the stage victory he commenced to crash of that Tour and the next. Maybe that was the year or years that he might have made his first Tour podium. He was climbing early with the elite (Lance, Rasmussen, Basso) so who knows.
Since we’re talking rider luck what about bad luck. At the very start of his run at the Tour after beating Armstrong on a mountain for the stage victory he commenced to crash of that Tour and the next. Maybe that was the year or years that he might have made his first Tour podium. He was climbing early with the elite (Lance, Rasmussen, Basso) so who knows.
You're crazy but now I don't wanna be sane.Call me crazy but I still believe he would have won that Tour.
Doubtful since they’ll bring up the GTs and varied monument success while still bringing up Valverde’s short comings in races.It's time for another big race; another edition of LBL. Potentially an important event in this debate. Would a 5th victory for Valverde be enough to sway anyone currently voting Nibali to switch sides?
Not for me, it is the same as Nadal at the French open. Winning the same thing over again but having limited (relatively) success in others can actually harm the argument.It's time for another big race; another edition of LBL. Potentially an important event in this debate. Would a 5th victory for Valverde be enough to sway anyone currently voting Nibali to switch sides?
If we’re talking monuments, Valverde has more variety in what he finished in the top 10 while not really focusing on two of them because one is in Italy and the other could interfere with the Ardennes. While also finishing in the top 10 and podiums of various Worlds.Not for me, it is the same as Nadal at the French open. Winning the same thing over again but having limited (relatively) success in others can actually harm the argument.
I only care about wins though.If we’re talking monuments, Valverde has more variety in what he finished in the top 10 while not really focusing on two of them because one is in Italy and the other could interfere with the Ardennes. While also finishing in the top 10 and podiums of various Worlds.
Not for me, it is the same as Nadal at the French open. Winning the same thing over again but having limited (relatively) success in others can actually harm the argument.
It doesnt change it for me. He is very good at one race, meh.Lol, no, it can't harm the argument if he wins today, are you kidding me?
This is weirder than Nibali paying for my drunk döner sandwich in my dreams man.I don't normally dream about cycling but last night I dreamt of today's LBL.
Nibali won solo.
Tobias Johannessen second.
Valverde third.
Nibali and Valverde hugged a lot at the finish, almost like they were boyfriend and boyfriend. One of them was wearing the WC jersey, can't remember who.