Wiggins vs Nibali, Who is the Best Climber in a GT?

[serfla]

After today's stage in Catalunya, maybe a descending poll should be appropriate.
I say regular gradients and trajectories favor Wiggins in both cases.
Otherwise, Nibali has the edge. But just the edge.

 

[The Hitch]

If that is a clinic reference then you have to ask: why doesn't Contador get the same level of hate?

It most definately is not a clinic reference or half the peloton would be hated and none of these people would watch cycling.

it's about their riding styles, not about clinic (because, I remind you all, clinic stuff is forbidden here *warning look*)

No its about what he says in the press. eg the comment that Garmin is the cycling equivalent of Wigan athletic. I dont think im being particularly unfair against wiggins to consider that a really jerk thing to say. Nor am i the only one considering his name on here was "Wigans" for about a year afterwards.

Same way the Schlecks get a lot of negative press for what they said about Sastres tdf victory, or Lance for saying Sastre and VDV didnt earn their places in the 2008 tdf, or cancellara a little bit for some of his behaviour in 2010 and 2011.

 

[Richeypen]

Nibbles is in a different league from Wiggins when it comes to descending. Not that Wiggo is a bad descender though. He did look a bit cagey on a few downhills straight after he came back from his broken collarbone and the haters on this forum blew it completely out of proportion.

 

[JimmyFingers]

Are you brainwashing yourself with this? You'll have until the Giro to wake up.

Was jokes, but thought Wiggins showed some skills today for someone who isn't supposed to be a good descender. Should be a good bike handler from his days riding Madison.

 

[burning]

I'm not sure about climber, but I reckon Wiggins is the better descender...after today.

Actually I am sure about climber, Wiggins too.

 

[JimmyFingers]

see the answer I gave above...

 

[The Hitch]

Was jokes, but thought Wiggins showed some skills today for someone who isn't supposed to be a good descender. Should be a good bike handler from his days riding Madison.

To paraphrase a well known saying from a sport i know you like to watch - yes but can he do it on a cold wet day in Stelvio

 

[serfla]

To paraphrase a well known saying from a sport i know you like to watch - yes but can he do it on a cold wet day in Stelvio

We've seen on Sunday what Nibali can do in such conditions.

 

[Netserk]

We've seen on Sunday what Nibali can do in such conditions.

I think it was about Wiggo

 

[jaylew]

This is really hard. I'd like a 3rd option, for "about equal"
Looking at the GTs they've targeted over the last 3 years:

Last year at the Tour their climbing was really close. I think less than 30 secs separated them in the mountains. Nibs was forced to attack and Wiggins had a strong teammate and was able to stay in his comfort zone but still, an edge to Wiggo.

In 2011, Nibali focused on the Giro and finished 3rd (or 2nd) and was strong on the climbs for the most part but everyone had at least one slightly "off" day on that brutal parcours. I have a really hard time imagining Wiggins hanging with Nibali there.

Wiggins crashed out of the Tour in stage 7 and went to the Vuelta where he was upstaged by his teammate but still finished 3rd. He wasn't always with the top guys but he was clearly better than Nibali (7th) who was never quite there. Maybe he hadn't recovered from that horrible Giro as most of the other guys who were there struggled as well.

In 2010, Nibs did the Giro/Vuelta thing finishing 3rd and 1st and climbing well. Wiggins struggled with his climbing at the Tour and wasn't in the mix.

*push*

 

[serfla]

I think it was about Wiggo

I thought it was Wiggo vs. Nibali.

 

[wwabbit]

Comparing TDF performance, Wiggins obviously wins Stage 7 and 17, but could he have covered Nibali's attack without Froome on Stages 11 and 16? I think it's a no for Stage 11 and maybe for Stage 16.

Nibali is still more explosive than Wiggins though, and I think if he wants to beat Wiggins he will have to ride the Sky Train to the last km before putting in a big attack and hope to put in enough time on Wiggins that will see him through the time trials.

 

[TANK91]

This is really hard. I'd like a 3rd option, for "about equal"
Looking at the GTs they've targeted over the last 3 years:

Last year at the Tour their climbing was really close. I think less than 30 secs separated them in the mountains. Nibs was forced to attack and Wiggins had a strong teammate and was able to stay in his comfort zone but still, an edge to Wiggo.

In 2011, Nibali focused on the Giro and finished 3rd (or 2nd) and was strong on the climbs for the most part but everyone had at least one slightly "off" day on that brutal parcours. I have a really hard time imagining Wiggins hanging with Nibali there.

Wiggins crashed out of the Tour in stage 7 and went to the Vuelta where he was upstaged by his teammate but still finished 3rd. He wasn't always with the top guys but he was clearly better than Nibali (7th) who was never quite there. Maybe he hadn't recovered from that horrible Giro as most of the other guys who were there struggled as well.

In 2010, Nibs did the Giro/Vuelta thing finishing 3rd and 1st and climbing well. Wiggins struggled with his climbing at the Tour and wasn't in the mix.

*push*

You do no Wiggo broke his collarbone at the Tour so 3rd in the Vuelta is very good.

 

[TANK91]

There you go. You seem to be the only soul here with some common sense. Although, the quiet voters are seeing the truth.

Ha ha fanboy , Nibali struggles to take time on any climb to his main rival and that is a fact my friend , I admire his courage but the guy can never sustain attacks in GT mountain stages , even without the sky train. Also look at stage 7 in the Tour lol he couldn't even hang on in last metere's that in no way suited Wiggins.

 

[TANK91]

You prob still believe in Gesink, why?

That's just unfair Gesink just cant catch a break , go re-watch Vuelta 2009 were he was quality . Gesink was great at a young age and who Know's he may adjust and claim podiums in future at Giro and Vuelta.

 

[TANK91]

You #failed brother. What same advantage, are you serious? Nibali is not used to trains. Sir Wiggo trains with a train, that's all he does. He not capable of doing changes of rhythm, or climbing head to head with Nibali from the bottom.

Im no cycling expert but wow I never new nibali was so explosive
Im pretty sure riding at a constant pace suits Nibali far more than many others , lol he had an armchair ride and still failed in many stage's v Wiggo in the Tour.

 

[Jelantik]

Im no cycling expert but wow I never new nibali was so explosive
Im pretty sure riding at a constant pace suits Nibali far more than many others , lol he had an armchair ride and still failed in many stage's v Wiggo in the Tour.

I wonder.. do you think wiggo type of racing suits Levi better?

 

[airstream]

You #failed brother. What same advantage, are you serious? Nibali is not used to trains. Sir Wiggo trains with a train, that's all he does. He not capable of doing changes of rhythm, or climbing head to head with Nibali from the bottom.

Other way round. Such a train is a salvation for Vincenzo. Actually, steady tempo climbing is Nibali's feature and all his best stages were ridden when ascents were got over in a steady pace. As soon as someone exploded seriously, Nibali always was in trouble. It doesn't suit Wiggins too, though I don't think that he is worse than Nibali at climbing in a crazy torn-off tempo.

Grappa was a mountain solo in a GT.

If descending is the only thing Nibali can objectively bet on in the Giro, I tend to agree with that.

So I can't really see his skill in the climb (other than riding consistently high pace)

Superelite climber. Other one doesn't win the Tour.

What do you mean? I haven't voted yet.

Giro thread

 

[airstream]

If that is a clinic reference then you have to ask: why doesn't Contador get the same level of hate?

Contador demonstrates the most understandable cycling. It is easier to support Contador, because everyday one can say something like 'Look back at Etna and Verbier and don't laugh me'. He has many young fans. Young fan = very emotional fans. And most of these fans would vote against Sky in any poll. Because Sky as the main counterforce is a contemptible team since recently. And I'm absolutely sure, if Nibali had been a main counterforce, he would have got the same attitude and all possible sins would have been remembered: wheelsucker, weak time trialist and so on.

Arrogance is the last point one can operate with, comparing these 2. &#1057]. He attacks because he still thinks he is by far the strongest climber. Yes, I'm saying 'by far' since otherwise he wouldn't have attacked at Prati di Tivo with 6 k to go, but he has been punished by Sky in this season so far. So it is a very strong thrust for many fans.

 

[El Pistolero]

Contador demonstrates the most understandable cycling. It is easier to support Contador, because everyday one can say something like 'Look back at Etna and Verbier and don't laugh me'. He has many young fans. Young fan = very emotional fans. And most of these fans would vote against Sky in any poll. Because Sky as the main counterforce is a contemptible team since recently. And I'm absolutely sure, if Nibali had been a main counterforce, he would have got the same attidute and all possible sins would have been remembered: wheelsucker, weak time trialist and so on.

Arrogance is the last point one can operate with, comparing these 2. Сlapping other's cheek in overly arrogant and saying 'I'll gain a lot of time over Evans' too.

One theory is circulated over there in these latter days. Allegedly Contador rides and attacks with heart whereas Sky ride by calculations and srms. It is false. More precisely, it is rather false than true. Contador defended a lot in his career and he doesn't do anything in vain. He attacks not in order just to attack [heart, as many people call it]. He attacks because he still thinks he is by far the strongest climber. Yes, I'm saying 'by far' since otherwise he wouldn't have attacked at Prati di Tivo, but he has been punished by Sky in this season so far. So it is a very strong thrust for many fans.

You can count Bradley Wiggins' attacks on one hand. Try for yourself.

That's why people here like Contador more.

 

[airstream]

You can count Bradley Wiggins' attacks on one hand. Try for yourself.

That's why people here like Contador more.

Time changes. I think everyone who got interested in the sport in 2011 and later would prefer Sky to Contador and with good reason.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

No its about what he says in the press. eg the comment that Garmin is the cycling equivalent of Wigan athletic. I dont think im being particularly unfair against wiggins to consider that a really jerk thing to say. Nor am i the only one considering his name on here was "Wigans" for about a year afterwards.

Same way the Schlecks get a lot of negative press for what they said about Sastres tdf victory, or Lance for saying Sastre and VDV didnt earn their places in the 2008 tdf, or cancellara a little bit for some of his behaviour in 2010 and 2011.

well, for me its almost entirely down to style and panache. I don't mind colorful and controversial statements off the bike as long as its not whining about parcours, weather etc.

 

[El Pistolero]

Time changes. I think everyone who got interested in the sport in 2011 and later would prefer Sky to Contador and with good reason.

I have yet to see a single forum were the majority of the people like Sky. All the cycling forums I've seen(different languages) hate them and accuse them of doping lol. Not sure why you think they are liked. Besides the British fans of course, who've only been in the sport since their riders started performing lol.

Sky wasn't even good in 2011 anyway. Not until the Vuelta at least. We're they messed up their tactics.

 

[SafeBet]

well, for me its almost entirely down to style and panache. I don't mind colorful and controversial statements off the bike as long as its not whining about parcours, weather etc.

Same here. I'd fancy some trash talking between Nibs and Wiggo during the Giro.
As for the poll, I think they're on the same level. Both enjoy tempo riding. Both have shown they can limit their losses when they're not feeling very good. Nibali attacks more but he has trouble sustaining.

So barring crashes, lack of form, injuries, ecc I'd say they're gonna be just about even in mountain stages. Nibbles chances of success rely on his alleged improvements in TTing and the ability to pull a couple of surprising moves on hilly stages.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Mano a mano Nibali will outclimb Wiggins for sure. Wiggins is no climber, he rides just at his powermeter, it works quite well for him. A climber is able to accelarate uphill, so, yes, Nibali for the win.

Not that he is the second coming of Herrera, not by a long shot.