Recent content by ninjadriver

GIGS: Actually you wrote "a TOP favorite." :) Wish I could agree with you, as Contador is my personal favorite rider, in general, not for the Vuelta, but I fear he finally is showing he is washed up relative to the very best - I'm not talking about compared to Rolland or Pinot. He faded...

Re: PANTANI: I do not understand your post. "Farcical" how? Or are you not permitted to explain on this web site? Also, I've seen your Ricco quote, and have to admit I am guilty as charged. I know Riccardo is an idiot, but he may be the best pure climber I've ever seen. I'd toss Contador...

Re: Re: Are you sure about that ZINOVIEV? When has Aru ever competed evenly with or beaten the best GC riders in the world? Arguably, he hung with the best at the 2014 Vuelta, but that's a stretch. Late in the 2015 Giro, he outdueled an exhausted Contador, but I believe Landa, Aru's own...

Re: Contador took 2:47 from Aru and 4 minutes on Landa at last year's Giro, and both ultimately were HUGE threats. 2 minutes on Chaves may not be enough, depending on how Contador is climbing; on Alberto's side, Chaves' Orica won't have nearly the same firepower as did Astana in the 2015...

Re: Re: Kokoso: Once again, "I heard repeated interviews, including with the DS of Tinkoff on The Telegraph Cycling Podcast, that Kreuziger expressly went against team orders, not that he was unaware of team orders." The DS and another Tinkoff representative stated on the podcast that...

Re: Re: I heard repeated interviews, including with the DS of Tinkoff on The Telegraph Cycling Podcast, that Kreuziger expressly went against team orders, not that he was unaware of team orders. And obviously I don't go back and read every single post. I was replying to the post of yours to...

Re: Re: ANGLIRU: It seems to me Contador, who rarely used to crash, has been crashing more in recent times, including in the 2014 Tour and in this year's Tour. Armstrong similarly crashed more upon his return. A product of age? Loss of confidence? Deterioration of bike handling skills...

Re: In my opinion, KOKOSO, professional cycling principally is about money, not gratitude. I believe Tinkoff and the rest of Tinkoff's sponsors much rather would have Contador win the Vuelta than help his teammates at the Tour. Kreuziger isn't good enough to help, and how much could Alberto...

Re: FERGOOSE: Nibali came to the Tour to support Aru. Contador came to the Tour to challenge for it. Once Contador's crashes and physical condition eliminated him from contention, he abandoned the race, in my opinion a few days too late, showing to me his incredible guts (and questionable...

Re: Re: Yeah, I'll try this one more time, PERICO: One more mountain stage, and Contador would have finished 3rd. Also, if Astana had shifted to backing Landa midrace, Landa would have beaten AC outright.

Re: Re: MOVING TARGET: Contador DID struggle with 2 Grand Tours in 1 year if they were back-to-back, and he didn't abandon the 1st one (2011 and 2015). His 2008 Giro and 2011 Giro predated Froome as a GT favorite. Contador said he rode the 2015 Giro because he wanted to do the double. The...

Merckx has 11 Grand Tour victories, Hinault 10. Contador to me has 9, and I'd love to see him get to 12. I think 2 more Vueltas and 1 more Giro is way beyond his current abilities, but I'd rather he attempt that or at least bag as many as possible than get hammered by Froome, Quintana...

Re: Contador didn't look "peak" to me at the 2015 Giro, HITCH. Landa and Aru both had him dead-to-rights, despite each doing horrible time trials. One more mountain stage, and Contador would have finished 3rd. Also, if Astana had shifted to backing Landa midrace, Landa would have beaten AC...

Re: I tend to agree with LENRIC, NACHO, that Contador needs less of a team than most Grand Tour riders. He is exceptional at marking others, has demonstrated brilliant patience, and does a terrific job of conserving energy. If I recall correctly - and set me straight if I'm wrong - Contador...

Re: FANTOMAS: No rider since Pantani during the Festina-weakened 1998 TDF has won back-to-back Grand Tours during the same calendar year. Contador himself has proven this point, both in 2011 and in 2015. And to me, Contador at the 2011 Giro was the most dominant Contador of all, beyond the...