I realize that this is a difficult question given Cunego' illness this year.
My pick? Despite Cunego's excellent performance in the 2004 Giro, I think Valverde's strength was more impressive in the 2004 Vuelta. (He was marvelous in the moutain time trime trial, for example, against some of the best climbers in the world -- he beat Heras -- though lost to a doped up Perez. Cunego's competition uphill was comparatively weak.) And Valverde's wonderful showing in this year's Tour and and the World Champs means that I think he could be next year's break out surprise in the TdF (and lots of other races. Valverde, like Cunego and unlike Armstrong and Ullrich seems to like to race lots of races).
Valverde is more an all-around rider. He can climb and sprint. He even time-trials relatively well as he has won stage races. Cunego till here is a one-year wonder but what a year!!! I have read that Cunego is very powerful something like 430-450 Watts. He also has a permit to ride with an hematocrit higher than 50% (his father and himself have a natural hematocrit of 54% !!!!). They both have won a lot the difference is that Cunego already have won a Major Tour. That's an advantage for him. Anyway Basso is better... 😎
Valverde is more an all-around rider. He can climb and sprint. He even time-trials relatively well as he has won stage races. Cunego till here is a one-year wonder but what a year!!! I have read that Cunego is very powerful something like 430-450 Watts. He also has a permit to ride with an hematocrit higher than 50% (his father and himself have a natural hematocrit of 54% !!!!). They both have won a lot the difference is that Cunego already have won a Major Tour. That's an advantage for him. Anyway Basso is better... 😎
I wouldn't agree that Valverde is a good time trialler...check out this article which outlines how much time he lost in the Tour and the fact that he's never really done an specific TT training.
Tough question though...it'll be easier to answer after the end of next season...but if I had to choose...I'd take Valverde.
ps. that hematocrit permit is amazing! Is that a physiological advantage over other riders? Is it like having a massive V02Max ala Lemond?
I realize that this is a difficult question given Cunego' illness this year.
My pick? Despite Cunego's excellent performance in the 2004 Giro, I think Valverde's strength was more impressive in the 2004 Vuelta. (He was marvelous in the moutain time trime trial, for example, against some of the best climbers in the world -- he beat Heras -- though lost to a doped up Perez. Cunego's competition uphill was comparatively weak.) And Valverde's wonderful showing in this year's Tour and and the World Champs means that I think he could be next year's break out surprise in the TdF (and lots of other races. Valverde, like Cunego and unlike Armstrong and Ullrich seems to like to race lots of races).
I like both riders. Both of them have had superb careers at very young ages and both me have won grand tours. It's a difficult one, Tcklyde. I think i would go with your selection of Valverde : he is prepared to race and he started to show in the TDF before he got injured. Cunego had a brilliant Giro in 2004 and has got some good results thereafter as well. But on balance, my vote goes to Valverde.
I think Cunego's confidence is suffering but I hope he makes a comeback, Valverde's confidence is on the way up.
I like Alejandro.
My mistake - well spotted. I had 2003 Vuelta in mind for Valverde but he didn't win it, of course : he finished third. Tour of Murcia's not bad though !
If he improves his time trialing, he could be the first Italian to win TDF 5 times. I have in mind Basso too, but he is already 28 and young guns are comming...
I do not seem to remember Valverde dominating a Grand Tour and winning it, following it up with a Giro di Lombardia win (following a victory at the Giro degli Appennini - the classic short prep race for the Giro).
If he improves his time trialing, he could be the first Italian to win TDF 5 times. I have in mind Basso too, but he is already 28 and young guns are comming...
Is this a benchmark to win 5 times the TDF? If you win it say 3 times (along with other important races) doesn't count?
I do not seem to remember Valverde dominating a Grand Tour and winning it, following it up with a Giro di Lombardia win (following a victory at the Giro degli Appennini - the classic short prep race for the Giro).
Grazie! :p
Your opinion doesn't count. You're Italian so you're biased 😄
Anyway I think Giro del Trentino is THE prep race for the Giro as it is a short stage race. Giro degli Appennini is an one-stage race that comes as a "dessert" to Giro del Trentino, isn't it?
i vote for cunego - though valverde is a great rider too 😉
[font=Verdana]Thanks for that... you really summarised all the points very well drawing on factual evidence to conclude your arguments. Well said. [/font][font=Verdana][/font]
I would have to go with Cunego. He has an Armstrong way of climbing that is very affective. Valverde on the other hand, is very much a spanish climber, and they don't seem to be very reliable every year. They are both very good, but I think that in a grand tour, Cunego would do better. He will be working on his tt, so he won't lose too much time to Valverde. They are both very good climbers, and Cunego is a much better sprinter. So, yeah, I have to go with Cunego. And I am sure that maybe his confidence was down on the first mountain stage of the giro, but it will be up and running as he has something to prove. And, when a race is coming up, confidence goes through the roof.
I would have to go with Cunego. He has an Armstrong way of climbing that is very affective. Valverde on the other hand, is very much a spanish climber, and they don't seem to be very reliable every year. They are both very good, but I think that in a grand tour, Cunego would do better. He will be working on his tt, so he won't lose too much time to Valverde. They are both very good climbers, and Cunego is a much better sprinter. So, yeah, I have to go with Cunego. And I am sure that maybe his confidence was down on the first mountain stage of the giro, but it will be up and running as he has something to prove. And, when a race is coming up, confidence goes through the roof.
I would vote for Cunego, BUT both won`t win 5 Grand Tours: Dekker and Lunquist are coming! Give the last 2 a couple of years...
I would vote for Cunego, BUT both won`t win 5 Grand Tours: Dekker and Lunquist are coming! Give the last 2 a couple of years...
The lame answer is that neither of these guys have fully developed yet so we don't know which one will fill out with the most complete skill set. Their talents are so incredibly similiar at this point with Valverde looking slightly like an overall stronger rider and Cunego having the more explosive climbing style. They both sprint amazingly well for climbers. I guess I would have to give my current nod to Valverde but my only real hope is that they both come on form in time to give us some epic battles in the years to come... if they both live up to full promise, we might see some of the best GT battles fought in a long time.
