Astana Pro team rider Vincenzo Nibali of Italy prior to the start of the 160km third stage of the Tour de France in Belgium. - EPA
ZEELAND, Netherlands (Reuters) - Unfazed by the controversy that surrounded his team before the start of the Tour de France, Astana manager Alexandre Vinokourov believes defending champion Vincenzo Nibali must take his chances early in the treacherous opening block of racing.
Cobbles, potentially bunch-splitting winds and short, punchy climbs lie on the road to the team time trial on stage nine. On those terrains, Nibali has what it takes to shine unlike other pure climbers who are waiting for the mountain stages ahead. The Italian did just that last year, snatching the yellow jersey in Sheffield before putting the hammer down on the cobbles in the finale of the fifth stage to stamp his authority on the race.
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