Originally Posted by
LostViking
It's early on yet and a lot of racing to be done, but Contador looks to be in form that we can seriously consider the possibility.
However, I suspect Contador really wants the TdF and perhaps the Vuelta as well. We know Lance wants the Giro something bad - perhaps that's where LA and Conti will have their falling out?
I'm sure Conti would like to win Paris-Nice as well, but not at the price of burning out before the TdF.
That said, Conti will take Paris-Nice unless the opposition wakes up and smells the coffee, but if they do, I wonder if this is a big enough prize to lay it all on the line to win it? I suspect the other teams might push really hard to see how much Conti and Astana are willing to invest in a Paris-Nice win. In any event, we'll at least have our answer to that one on Sunday.
Contador is not riding the Giro to focus on the Tour de France according to reports I've read. Contador going all out in Paris-Nice won't have an affect on his tour; there's plenty of time in between. Riding the Giro might have, which is why he's abstaining (although I bet he could manage it). Lance and Alberto are scheduled to ride together in the Tour of Castilla y Leon later in March. A couple mountain-top finishes will be fun to see.