Vincenzo Nibali: It's difficult to fail at the Tour when you have a budget like Team Sky
Former Tour de France winner Nibali says 'the British' only think about the Tour but riders should look to other races
The British, specifically Team Sky and Chris Froome, focus solely on the Tour de France at the expense of other races, says Italian star Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), and that it's 'difficult to fail' when you can afford to recruit the world's best riders.
Nibali won the Tour in 2014. He also counts titles from the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España. He just began his season with the new Bahraini team in the Tour de San Juan, which is helping him build towards a run at a third Giro title this May.
>>> ‘It’s possible to beat Chris Froome head-to-head if there’s the right situation’
"It is not just the rider, it's the Sky team, they just think of the Tour while other squads diversify more for other goals," Nibali said to Marca when asked about the differences between him and Froome.
"The British think about the most important event, the marketing and its important context worldwide. That's OK, but I think a rider should not think only of the Tour. It's my point of view."
Nibali helped start the new Bahraini team after a chance bike ride with the prince. They are beginning with a modest budget around €17 million (£14.5m), compared to Sky's at £24 million, and with the goal of winning the Giro in 2017.
For 2018, Nibali wants to have another crack at the Tour and Froome. The year he won, Froome abandoned due to a crash.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"[Froome] lives a different cycling. In their team they only think about the Tour and they go with nine leaders... And they prepare completely for that race. Most of them could finish it in the top-10 on their own.
"So when that they go on the front to work, it's easier to control the race," Nibali explained.
"As Alberto [Contador] said recently, with a budget of 30 million you can count on many of the best cyclists in the world. When you have people so strong it is very difficult to fail."
The 100th Giro d'Italia, which starts in 100 days on May 5 holds a special place in Nibali's heart given the edition and the two stages in his home region. After three days in Sardinia, the race heads to Sicily for two stages, the second finishes in Messina, where Nibali grew up.
Nibali plans to race the Vuelta later in the summer, so he will have to watch the Tour on television in July.
Froome and Contador (Trek-Segafredo) are preparing specifically for the race. The other race favourite, Nairo Quintana (Movistar), is racing both the Giro and Tour.
"Alberto and Froome are doing only the Tour so they will be the two main references. But you have to see what other cyclists will do," Nibali added.
"I think Esteban Chaves will do the Tour, although in he's not very strong in the time trial and needs to improve a lot. The Yates brothers are improving and there are always other surprises in the Tour.
"They are all safe again, but next year, I will try to beat them. It will not be easy, of course, but that's my idea."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
The tech nerd's guide to the perfect coffee
Joe on Joe. What does it take to make a fine mug of Joe? We sent Joe Baker to find out.
By Joe Baker Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published