Professional Cycling - Has Alberto contandor got the TDF in the bag ?

Do you think anyone can catch A.Contandor in the remaining few days of the TDF ?

Probably would need a crash or something for that.

Do you think anyone can catch A.Contandor in the remaining few days of the TDF ?

No. Not unless he miraculously cracks on Ventoux, which is very doubtful.

Yup, and Andy probably has 2nd unless he cracks on Ventoux. It's really a race for third imo.

ditto, the best man has won this one.

ditto, the best man has won this one.

NOW we are getting into the high 90 percentile.

Yup, and Andy probably has 2nd unless he cracks on Ventoux. It's really a race for third imo.

A mechanical at the wrong time can still hurt Andy badly. Less than a minute between groups no support vehicles between the groups. So a minute can be gone on one flat. For Contador that is a non issue. 4 minutes do not go away on a lack of support vehicles.

Note even for Andy things have to go wrong just the right way.

Do you think anyone can catch A.Contandor in the remaining few days of the TDF ?

barring castasrophe, no way.

ed rader

Do you think anyone can catch A.Contandor in the remaining few days of the TDF ?

sure doesn't seem like it.

Only if a bear comes .... and then Saxo would be smokin' to Paris .... pssshhhhh

Do you think anyone can catch A.Contandor in the remaining few days of the TDF ?

Yes, it is possible. He lost 2:53 to Luis Leon Sanchez during stage 7 of this years Paris-Nice. And the highest categorized climb was a 2. Lots of up & down, but not Ventoux. He's surrounded by a stronger team than during Paris-Nice. However, no one was pissed off at him in March either. I believe Lance & Andreas will be riding for themselves on Saturday & probably with instructions from Bruyneel to do so.

Yes, it is possible. He lost 2:53 to Luis Leon Sanchez during stage 7 of this years Paris-Nice. And the highest categorized climb was a 2.
Yeah, I guess watching him smoke almost everyone on a bunch of solo attacks is meaningless. ;)

You, uh, did notice that AC has more than 4 minutes on Schleck, right...?

Yeah, I guess watching him smoke almost everyone on a bunch of solo attacks is meaningless. ;)

You, uh, did notice that AC has more than 4 minutes on Schleck, right...?

He did the same thing on stage 6 of Paris-Nice then cracked on what appeared to be an easier stage the next day. On stage 6 he put 58 seconds on Frank Schleck. On stage 1 he won the 9.3km flat time trial beating Wiggins by 7 seconds David Millar by 14. He was smoking everybody then as he has during this tour. He fell apart because he's not the brightest light in the peloton. Obviously you were not following races early in the year. And yes, I noticed he has 4:11 to Andy. Andy lost 8 minutes on one stage in the 08 TDF & he demonstrated repeatedly that he was the best climber in that edition. Andy made the exact same mistake in the 08 TDF as Contador did in the 09 Paris-Nice.

"He's right, I am older. I raced with Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche, Miguel Indurain and Greg Lemond of all people. I have been around a long time and I don't know who the hell Linus Gerdemann is, but I know that when I rolled up in 1992, I started winning races. And when I roll up in 2009, I am gonna be winning races. He better hope he doesn't get in a breakaway with me because I can still ride hard," said the Texan.

Now there's the Killer we all know and love. :thumb:



Can I borrow a sig from you?

Do you think anyone can catch A.Contandor in the remaining few days of the TDF ?

:lol:

Yes, it is possible. He lost 2:53 to Luis Leon Sanchez during stage 7 of this years Paris-Nice. And the highest categorized climb was a 2. Lots of up & down, but not Ventoux. He's surrounded by a stronger team than during Paris-Nice. However, no one was pissed off at him in March either. I believe Lance & Andreas will be riding for themselves on Saturday & probably with instructions from Bruyneel to do so.

They've been doing so all tour. You don't just put together a big enough sponsorship package for a pro team midway through a grand tour. Contador will have been aware before the start that Lance & co will be riding against him in 2010 and that they are looking for a good result for them to get a better deal and attract more smaller sponsors.

They've been doing so all tour. You don't just put together a big enough sponsorship package for a pro team midway through a grand tour. Contador will have been aware before the start that Lance & co will be riding against him in 2010 and that they are looking for a good result for them to get a better deal and attract more smaller sponsors.

incorrect.

No. Not unless he miraculously cracks on Ventoux, which is very doubtful.

Edit: No. Not unless he miraculously cracks on Ventoux, which is very doubtful, or if he tests positive, which is more likely :D

Edit: No. Not unless he miraculously cracks on Ventoux, which is very doubtful, or if he tests positive, which is more likely :D

or.....what if an astana team mate tests positive and he quits the tour in a huff (like menchov in 07) :lol:.

ed rader

or.....what if an astana team mate tests positive and he quits the tour in a huff (like menchov in 07) :lol:.

ed rader

Well, nobody on his team tested positive, and he'd been working his butt off, sacrificing his own chances for the scum bag who got nailed, so the analogy is less than perfect. On the other hand, the irony of your scenario would have even more flavor.

Yes, it is possible. He lost 2:53 to Luis Leon Sanchez during stage 7 of this years Paris-Nice. And the highest categorized climb was a 2. Lots of up & down, but not Ventoux. He's surrounded by a stronger team than during Paris-Nice. However, no one was pissed off at him in March either. I believe Lance & Andreas will be riding for themselves on Saturday & probably with instructions from Bruyneel to do so.

No way, even if they hate the guy, they don't want to give up yellow. I will eat my smelly bike shorts if JB tells Kloden and Armstrong to attack the guy, not that they could.

Yes, it is possible. He lost 2:53 to Luis Leon Sanchez during stage 7 of this years Paris-Nice. And the highest categorized climb was a 2. Lots of up & down, but not Ventoux. He's surrounded by a stronger team than during Paris-Nice. However, no one was pissed off at him in March either. I believe Lance & Andreas will be riding for themselves on Saturday & probably with instructions from Bruyneel to do so.

Wow.

Such insight.

Wow.


He did the same thing on stage 6 of Paris-Nice then cracked on what appeared to be an easier stage the next day. On stage 6 he put 58 seconds on Frank Schleck. On stage 1 he won the 9.3km flat time trial beating Wiggins by 7 seconds David Millar by 14. He was smoking everybody then as he has during this tour. He fell apart because he's not the brightest light in the peloton. Obviously you were not following races early in the year. And yes, I noticed he has 4:11 to Andy. Andy lost 8 minutes on one stage in the 08 TDF & he demonstrated repeatedly that he was the best climber in that edition. Andy made the exact same mistake in the 08 TDF as Contador did in the 09 Paris-Nice.

So, he's so dumb that he can't/won't learn from and not repeat a recent mistake...

Wow

It's not over yet.

I expect Andy to attack and give it one last try to gain time. I think he can do it.

incorrect.

+1

All of you in the camp that thinks AC got no support are crazy.

It's not over yet.

I expect Andy to attack and give it one last try to gain time. I think he can do it.

+1

All of you in the camp that thinks AC got no support are crazy.


I'm going with the other guys on this one. The support that Contador has gotten from Bruyneel has been NOTHING compared to the support Armstrong had received when he led the team years ago. In fact, Bruyneel has continually made veiled slights against Contador attacking, whether that was in the Pyrenees or in the Alps.

I'm going with the other guys on this one. The support that Contador has gotten from Bruyneel has been NOTHING compared to the support Armstrong had received when he led the team years ago. In fact, Bruyneel has continually made veiled slights against Contador attacking, whether that was in the Pyrenees or in the Alps.

Probably would need a crash or something for that.

Yes and I hope there isn't a crash.

I'm going with the other guys on this one. The support that Contador has gotten from Bruyneel has been NOTHING compared to the support Armstrong had received when he led the team years ago. In fact, Bruyneel has continually made veiled slights against Contador attacking, whether that was in the Pyrenees or in the Alps.

So what rider do you like and support?

So what rider do you like and support?

On the USPro circuit, I like Rahsaan Bahati. The Euro racing, I like Van de Velde. Haussler is a good up and coming rider. I used to like Tyler, but he's nothing to me now. Don't care for riders like himself. Same with Marty Jemison. Armstrong's a punk too. Who else? Let's see. I used to not like David Millar, but he seems genuinely remorseful for his past doping. So, I guess I can go for him now. Who else? Let's see. I don't know. What exactly do you want to know? And anyway, what is your obsession with this?

On the USPro circuit, I like Rahsaan Bahati. The Euro racing, I like Van de Velde. Haussler is a good up and coming rider. I used to like Tyler, but he's nothing to me now. Don't care for riders like himself. Same with Marty Jemison. Armstrong's a punk too. Who else? Let's see. I used to not like David Millar, but he seems genuinely remorseful for his past doping. So, I guess I can go for him now. Who else? Let's see. I don't know. What exactly do you want to know? And anyway, what is your obsession with this?

Just that you have been dodging the question.
I am surprised AC is not on your list, in fact I am shocked!

He's not dark enough.

He's not dark enough.


So that you know, and I'm sure that you do from reading my other post. I am black. So what? You want to clarify what you mean by your comment?

He's not dark enough.

Wow, that reads badly.

It's not over yet.

I expect Andy to attack and give it one last try to gain time. I think he can do it.


Andy Schlecks' efforts on Saturday will be aimed at getting Frank Schleck on the podium. Saxo Bank knows that Contador has the win sealed. Unless they see Contador in great difficulty, the attacks will be aimed at Armstrong, not Contador.

Now the interesting question is whether Contador will help Armstrong remain in 3rd.

I'm not suggesting that Contador could or should drop back and lose time to anyone just to help Armstrong. But he can ride in a manner that helps keep himself and Armstrong in the front group, preserving his yellow, and Armstrong's third.


As oppossed to his attack droping Kloden on Wednesday.

Wow.

Such insight.

Wow.



So, he's so dumb that he can't/won't learn from and not repeat a recent mistake...

Wow

Appears so. He got caught out in Paris-Nice in cross winds. Same thing happened in the TDF.

So, you never know. Even though it is an outside shot, any one of the top guys could have a bad day, and on Ventoux a rider can lose huge chunks of time.

I still think Armstrong is going to attack and try to move up into 2nd. If Contador is stuck back, he will have to play the team game, and if the counterattacks don't come from anyone else, there is still a chance that Armstrong could win it. Not very likely, but if Contador has a bad day, then you never know. Rudy T, former Houston Rockets coach once said, never underestimate the heart of a champion. In cycling, you never underestimate the chances of a doper.

So, you never know. Even though it is an outside shot, any one of the top guys could have a bad day, and on Ventoux a rider can lose huge chunks of time.

I still think Armstrong is going to attack and try to move up into 2nd. If Contador is stuck back, he will have to play the team game, and if the counterattacks don't come from anyone else, there is still a chance that Armstrong could win it. Not very likely, but if Contador has a bad day, then you never know. Rudy T, former Houston Rockets coach once said, never underestimate the heart of a champion. In cycling, you never underestimate the chances of a doper.

Please explain

So, you never know. Even though it is an outside shot, any one of the top guys could have a bad day, and on Ventoux a rider can lose huge chunks of time.

I still think Armstrong is going to attack and try to move up into 2nd. If Contador is stuck back, he will have to play the team game, and if the counterattacks don't come from anyone else, there is still a chance that Armstrong could win it. Not very likely, but if Contador has a bad day, then you never know. Rudy T, former Houston Rockets coach once said, never underestimate the heart of a champion. In cycling, you never underestimate the chances of a doper.

Playing the team game does not include the rider in yellow letting a break go so some more poorly placed rider can possibly move up. Even if it did all that a team rider does is make sure no one else can suck his wheel to return to a group. So far I do not remember any attacks by Contador where anyone could catch his wheel.

So, you never know. Even though it is an outside shot, any one of the top guys could have a bad day, and on Ventoux a rider can lose huge chunks of time.

I still think Armstrong is going to attack and try to move up into 2nd. If Contador is stuck back, he will have to play the team game, and if the counterattacks don't come from anyone else, there is still a chance that Armstrong could win it. Not very likely, but if Contador has a bad day, then you never know. Rudy T, former Houston Rockets coach once said, never underestimate the heart of a champion. In cycling, you never underestimate the chances of a doper.

dude you are starting to sound like a crazy man now. lance will be lucky not to cough up huge chunks tomorrow.

if lance is in third after ventoux i will be shocked :eek:.

ed rader

Playing the team game does not include the rider in yellow letting a break go so some more poorly placed rider can possibly move up. Even if it did all that a team rider does is make sure no one else can suck his wheel to return to a group. So far I do not remember any attacks by Contador where anyone could catch his wheel.

the team game tomorrow is to protect the yellow jersey. period. if the situation is right tomorrow i expect contador to take the stage.

ed rader

Appears so. He got caught out in Paris-Nice in cross winds. Same thing happened in the TDF.

Yea, Only Contador missed out.

Oh wait, aside from Cav whose Squad caused the break only Armstrong and Hushovd and Cancallara made the break from all the riders who mattered.

dude you are starting to sound like a crazy man now. lance will be lucky not to cough up huge chunks tomorrow.

if lance is in third after ventoux i will be shocked :eek:.

ed rader

If Lance tries to make up enought time to move up I'd agree with you. Lance isn't that crazy. I expect him to watch Frank like a hawk.

If Lance tries to make up enought time to move up I'd agree with you. Lance isn't that crazy. I expect him to watch Frank like a hawk.

lance will be racing for third place. i say he has a 40% chance.

ed rader

lance will be racing for third place. i say he has a 40% chance.

ed rader



Armstrong is going to be riding for himself. The alliance with Contador was never strong to begin with. And now with the new team is already announced, I don't think that Armstrong is really gonna feel the need to chase down attacks for Contador, unless it is to protect his own place. He won't chase Andy, that is for sure. However, if Armstrong feels good, then I think he'll attack. Contador will have to sit in.

Anyway, who cares if Armstrong attacks, or even chases down Contador in the last stage? It's not like they are realistically going to be teammates next year anyway. And with the troubles that Astana has had, they aren't going to fine him. He's paid via his own sponsors anyway, and not through contract. And it's Armstrong's real last bike race of the year. So, if he's on a good day, I think he's going to attack. He's clearly thinking about being a Radio Shack rider and not an Astana teammate anyway.

And with the troubles that Astana has had, they aren't going to fine him. He's paid via his own sponsors anyway, and not through contract. And it's Armstrong's real last bike race of the year. So, if he's on a good day, I think he's going to attack. He's clearly thinking about being a Radio Shack rider and not an Astana teammate anyway.

Cycle Sport hit the nail on the head when they wrote that Astana would have to be the only team that ever considered having the world's top tour rider to be a problem.

Wouldn't it be ironic if Bruyneel, who is also not going to be with Astana much longer, told Lance, OK, ride for yourself, and neither of them ended up in yellow?

Cycle Sport hit the nail on the head when they wrote that Astana would have to be the only team that ever considered having the world's top tour rider to be a problem.

Wouldn't it be ironic if Bruyneel, who is also not going to be with Astana much longer, told Lance, OK, ride for yourself, and neither of them ended up in yellow?

there it is there. astana has the yellow jersey and all they do is criticize contador. i have never heard any unqualified praise for contador from anyone on the team.

since when is the yellow jersey not enough?...well you don't need to answer that one because i already know the answer :eek:.

ed rader

On the USPro circuit, I like Rahsaan Bahati. The Euro racing, I like Van de Velde. Haussler is a good up and coming rider. I used to like Tyler, but he's nothing to me now. Don't care for riders like himself. Same with Marty Jemison. Armstrong's a punk too. Who else? Let's see. I used to not like David Millar, but he seems genuinely remorseful for his past doping. So, I guess I can go for him now. Who else? Let's see. I don't know. What exactly do you want to know? And anyway, what is your obsession with this?

Why do you hate Armstrong? How many cyclists do you know that have started their own cancer foundation? I don't get why people hate him other than maybe jealousy.

Why do you hate Armstrong? How many cyclists do you know that have started their own cancer foundation? I don't get why people hate him other than maybe jealousy.

Too many reason, none of them based on jealousy, to go into here.

Do you think anyone can catch A.Contandor in the remaining few days of the TDF ?

Well after stage 20 I think this question has been answered. No one is even capable of catching him unless he crashes out.