Recent content by Cycle Fiesta

What about riders like Basso or Contador (Vuelta 2012), who have come back at a level clearly below where they were before the ban, but are still winning?

I don't like them; it encourages GC contenders with fast finishes just to sit on the climbs and gain a few seconds at the end. It seems a bit pointless to only have them on flat stages - most guys in a sprint or breakaway don't really care about a few extra seconds.

Usually I would say Spain. This year though, with the Vuelta being all in the north (which is amazingly beautiful) it lacked a bit of the diversity that it normally has. Although I liked the TTT in Pamplona. So the Giro for me this year. France is great as well, but the towns aren't as...

Agree, but he did beat Purito on a course that was pretty much perfect for him. Having Andy Schleck in the TdF will help Contador to beat Wiggins/Froome. Schleck will help to create some time gaps in the mountains, and AC will gain minutes on him in the TT.

You can burn 1500 kcal a night, but I think, unless you are very heavy / unfit now, you will have to go for significantly longer than 1h 20m - even if you go at a decent pace. It's still a good workout though. Try to increase your average speed each week by 0.5-1km/h; and, if you start to find...

It's really impossible to say. There could have been guys (Bassons etc.) who finished well down in the GC but weren't doping at all; with a level playing field they would surely be right up there. Maybe even riders who didn't make pro because they were beaten by doped riders at important...

I would agree that Luchon is very well placed. If you want to split it into two places, Luz Saint Sauveur or Saint Savin would also be excellent. These two towns are close to Aubisque, Soulor, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden, Gavranie and Luz is at the foot of the west side of Tourmalet.

If you main interest is short distance time trialling - and you're not bothered about riding hills anytime soon - I would hit the weights big time. Do loads of variations of squats, deadlifts and some upper body work (bench presses / shoulder presses). Of course you still need to do the miles...

I can't see anything other than Contador - probably by over five minutes.