Professional Cycling For the Fans - Alberto Contador / Andy Schleck next big rivalry in cycling to Lance / Ullrich

I was just thinking this today. But then I thought Ullrich was a great time trialist, and that is where Schleck will fail and lose a lot of time if I'm not mistaken. Every hero needs a worthy adversary, and I think I see this becoming a great TDF rivalry if Andy Schleck improves his ITT for the next TDF....or if SaxoBank is smart and focuses Schleck solely on the TDF, improving his ITT, and surrounding him with other good climbers.

I kind of like Schleck more than AC, he seems more charismatic. AC is clearly the stronger rider from what we saw in Stage 15, but his little antics at the end of each race, with the whole point and shoot every time he wins...is really lame. The guy is trying too hard it seems to be entertaining. He is already entertaining, he doesn't need all that other garbage IMO.

I was just thinking this today. But then I thought Ullrich was a great time trialist, and that is where Schleck will fail and lose a lot of time if I'm not mistaken. Every hero needs a worthy adversary, and I think I see this becoming a great TDF rivalry if Andy Schleck improves his ITT for the next TDF....or if SaxoBank is smart and focuses Schleck solely on the TDF, improving his ITT, and surrounding him with other good climbers.

I kind of like Schleck more than AC, he seems more charismatic. AC is clearly the stronger rider from what we saw in Stage 15, but his little antics at the end of each race, with the whole point and shoot every time he wins...is really lame. The guy is trying too hard it seems to be entertaining. He is already entertaining, he doesn't need all that other garbage IMO.

I don't think Schleck is in the same league at this point. Wiggens is really surprising though.

I was just thinking this today. But then I thought Ullrich was a great time trialist, and that is where Schleck will fail and lose a lot of time if I'm not mistaken. Every hero needs a worthy adversary, and I think I see this becoming a great TDF rivalry if Andy Schleck improves his ITT for the next TDF....or if SaxoBank is smart and focuses Schleck solely on the TDF, improving his ITT, and surrounding him with other good climbers.

I kind of like Schleck more than AC, he seems more charismatic. AC is clearly the stronger rider from what we saw in Stage 15, but his little antics at the end of each race, with the whole point and shoot every time he wins...is really lame. The guy is trying too hard it seems to be entertaining. He is already entertaining, he doesn't need all that other garbage IMO.

from what i've seen schleck works harder at being entertaining that contador. there is something very rodent-like about andy schleck to me.

ed rader

I think Schleck is about the only rider with enough upside at this point to challenge Contador over the next few seasons. He's still very young. He's got plenty of time to work on his TT. Unfortunately, he may be coming around at a time when he'll be good enough to finish 2nd in multiple TdFs but never first. Contador has the potential to rattle off 5 in a row.

A lot of people, mostly LA fanboys, have been cracking on AC during the Tour. But we could be looking at the next great one. When its said and done, his name might be right up there with Merckx, Indurain, Anquetil, Hinault, and Armstrong.

A. Schleck has a long way to go to even make the podium in the TdF. His current TT ability is mnutes behind the top competitors. I bet he loses 2 min to Contador, Armstrong and Wiggins in the TT. He can't make that up plus the deficit he already has to those guys on Ventoux.

A lot of people, mostly LA fanboys, have been cracking on AC during the Tour. But we could be looking at the next great one. When its said and done, his name might be right up there with Merckx, Indurain, Anquetil, Hinault, and Armstrong.

Considering what he's accomplished so far I agree with you except that with his early start he could win more grand tours than the rest and you left Coppi off your list of greats.

A. Schleck has a long way to go to even make the podium in the TdF. His current TT ability is mnutes behind the top competitors. I bet he loses 2 min to Contador, Armstrong and Wiggins in the TT. He can't make that up plus the deficit he already has to those guys on Ventoux.

I think the A. Schleck/Contador rivalry talk is more about future Tours. Its quite obvious that he as little chance this year. But at his age, Andy, has time to develope into a fine TTer. Just like Contador did. If that happens, then we've got the makings of a serious rivalry for years to come. Both still haven't hit their prime.

Considering what he's accomplished so far I agree with you except that with his early start he could win more grand tours than the rest and you left Coppi off your list of greats.

Actually, you're right. AC has been riding in all of the grand tours. He could end up toping the list of all greats. He's likely to turn around and win the Vuelta later on this year.

Coppi was a great. I was mainly just throwing out TdF winners with 5+ overall wins. No disrespect o Coppi's 5 Giro wins and 2 TdFs.

I think the A. Schleck/Contador rivalry talk is more about future Tours. Its quite obvious that he as little chance this year. But at his age, Andy, has time to develope into a fine TTer. Just like Contador did. If that happens, then we've got the makings of a serious rivalry for years to come. Both still haven't hit their prime.

I would love to see that happen. He has the best time-trialist in the world on his team right now. He should take advantage of that to get better.

Considering what he's accomplished so far I agree with you except that with his early start he could win more grand tours than the rest and you left Coppi off your list of greats.

Luck has a lot to do with it too, and Lance's luck to get 7 in a row is pretty well established. Lemond was almost killed in a hunting accident, Hinault had his knee problems, Merckx had the bad crash in '69 and then in '75 took a kidney-punch and a broken cheekbone, Coppi had WWII, Anquetil had stomach and health issues... Not saying anything about one rider over another, but when your out on the edge for that many years luck can have as much to do with the number of wins as talent.

Considering what he's accomplished so far I agree with you except that with his early start he could win more grand tours than the rest and you left Coppi off your list of greats.

contador is one of five champions who has won all three grand tours. i'd say that's a pretty select group too :).

ed rader

Luck has a lot to do with it too, and Lance's luck to get 7 in a row is pretty well established. Lemond was almost killed in a hunting accident, Hinault had his knee problems, Merckx had the bad crash in '69 and then in '75 took a kidney-punch and a broken cheekbone, Coppi had WWII, Anquetil had stomach and health issues... Not saying anything about one rider over another, but when your out on the edge for that many years luck can have as much to do with the number of wins as talent.

Lance ran into various problems during those tours though, he was just able to recover.

I think Wiggins has a chance to be a GT contender over future years if he focuses on road riding instead of track pursuit. We could potentially see many epic battles with Contador punching on the climbs and Wiggins punching back on the TTs.

Wiggins and don't forget that skinny young French dude who took one of the stages and hung in there for others.... a couple years, you never know!

The future is Contador, Schleck, Nibali, Kreuzinger, Van Den Broeck, Feilleu,

The future is Contador, Schleck, Nibali, Kreuzinger, Van Den Broeck, Feilleu,


Which one?

Isnt the rumor that AC is going to be teammates with AS and FS next year? That could put a damper on their rivalry for awhile.

Isnt the rumor that AC is going to be teammates with AS and FS next year? That could put a damper on their rivalry for awhile.

it would for sure. riis would never manage his team like bruyneel did this year. he'd have the saxo boys unequivocally lined up behind contador. i hadn't heard that rumor btw.........

ed rader

Isnt the rumor that AC is going to be teammates with AS and FS next year? That could put a damper on their rivalry for awhile.

I thought AC was going to a Spanish team??

this thread is fail