Would you not think the angliru is a little too steep for valverde? Is he a real out and out climber on the really steep stuff if his HCT is somewhere in the realms of natural?
No I think his style of riding will suit him here. He likes to get into a fast rhythm in these long steep climbs. It won’t suit Horner anyway, who likes to dance on the peddles a bit too much. Nibali would like this but his form isn’t great. I think if Rodriguez can stay with them until the end he has a great chance.
Just watched today’s stage in its entirety. Nibali attacked 5 or 6 times on the last climb and every time Horner closed him down on his own. Obviously his youthfulness then took over as he sped away from Nibali with 3km to go to finish 2nd on the day and capture the red jersey.
A great feat for a man who was injured while Nibali was winning the Giro, and missed 5 months of the season. These 5 months of “reflection” have obviously helped him to become a better more determined rider. Plus giving him the added bonus of being able to climb like he has never done before.
To win your first grand tour stage a couple of weeks shy of your 42nd birthday is a fairytale, to win your 2nd grand tour stage a few days later is the stuff of dreams, to finish in the top 10 in a grand tour for the first time in a 17 year career is amazing, but to win that grand tour is completely wrong.
Come off it Mr Horner. Do us a favour
The whole thing is utter bullshit. Would love to know what he’s on though.
Bruyneel’s last laugh