Cycling, Nibali: "Today the level is very high. Pogacar? The best, but Vingegaard..."

Rome, 12 November 2024 - Not only the dutiful homage to Mark Cavendish, then winner of the race: the Singapore Criterium 2024 It was an opportunity to review as a group Vincenzo Nibali, then intercepted by the microphones of As.

I dettagli

 Even though his retirement occurred a few years ago, the Sicilian already notices many differences. "The level is now very high, as are the average hours: now young people have everything, between physical trainers and nutritionists, and at 18 they are ready for the big leap, while before they needed more time". Not only the changes: at the same time Squalo, especially on occasions like this, nostalgia is not lacking. "Before a race, my concentration was always at the top. I had a long career and I finished it at a good time". Having filed away the road, for Nibali the present and the future is called mountain biking, a very strong passion to be further enhanced. "This year I had little time, but in 2025 I would like to practice it, because it gives me adrenaline, but first I have to lose some weight". Finally, a comment on the eternal challenge between Tadej pogacar e jonas vingegaard. "pogacar it was awesome, the best this year, while vingegaard had a serious accident near the Tour de France. He made a quick recovery, but it's not easy to get back to the levels required by such a difficult race."

Kittel's statements

 From one old glory to another: Marcel Kittel, before a very early retirement, was long considered among the best sprinters and today, speaking to the microphones of Velo, he dealt the cards to the current sprinters, starting with the strongest. "Everyone has their own specialty. Jasper Phillipsen he is good at one-day races, Tim Merlier has a background in cycling and jonathan milan he is an incredible track runner. In my eyes, Philipsen he is the best at the moment, but obviously everything can change: he is good at winning the points classification in the Grand Tours but he also triumphed at the Milan-Sanremo and it can do good to Paris-Roubaix. Furthermore, it goes well uphill and it is an important quality in cycling where you have to be versatile". The analysis moves on to Milan. "He is a massive sprinter, tall and powerful, with a particular sprint during which he moves a lot: this year he recorded 2.000 watts on average per sprint, but I wouldn't call him beautiful to look at". We move on to merlier, the most experienced of all. "He is in a different phase of his career and I don't know at what level Soudal Quick Step how can I manage living with Remco Evenepoel, especially in optics Tour de France". Finally, a small rejection for Biniam Girmay. "This year he won 3 stages and the green jersey at Great Boucle, the most important stage in the world, and it would be disrespectful to say that he is not strong. I think, however, that in a fight with Philipsen, merlier e Milan he still has something less."

Read also - Tennis, Sinner-Fritz, time and where to watch it