2010 Volta ao Algarve

[Publicus]

Publicus, it was actually pretty obvious

I know. I take folks at their word, so if he says he's not on form, I believe him. Now his off form may be significantly better than others best form, but I get the sense he was sandbagging with the press release just a bit.

 

[Publicus]

This is a great photo:

 

[Publicus]

First video from the stage (the finish). Machado was wiped out at the finish!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD_1-8YAe8s&feature=player_embedded

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

This is a great photo:

Great photo. "The Look" 2010.

 

[dolophonic]

I think the story of the race is Tiago Machado. It looks like he's taking advantage of his big break coming to Radio Shack. He evidently can time trial well to so it will be interesting Sunday to see how he stacks up. Johann may have found himself another really strong rider.

Nice climb for Contador but what's with De La Fuente just completely shattering and finishing 4 minutes behind while RadioShack puts 3 in the top ten.

Alberto won but the rest of the team evidently stopped for lunch before finishing. This was a short climb. Not a good sign for the high mountains of the Tour.

You lost me at "I think".... come on we all know you are such a hater.

 

[Publicus]

Great photo. "The Look" 2010.

De la Fuente's expression is priceless. He's really giving it his all. I think Astana is going to be just fine.

 

[kurtinsc]

Contador's season goals are in July. Leipheimer's only chance of riding for himself is a U.S. race in May. Leipheimer should be further along in his training than Contador, but he still got killed.

Meanwhile, as Contador races against other pro cyclists and wins, Armstrong spends his time applying orange tanning products and shaving his chest in Hawaii.

I didn't say that the excuse would be correct. I simply stated what the excuse would be.

 

[theswordsman]

and yet nothing is simple...

This from a fresh press note at AlbertoContador.com

Finally, when asked what he feared in the final time trial, he replied that “last night told me I can not use the TT bike because the UCI has said it will not follow the rules and at the end do not know what bike will ride on Sunday. That\'s what worries me”.

Alberto explained that with the new UCI rules, “the bike has an insignificant piece that does not fullfill the regulations and therefore I can not compete with the bike with which I have been training”.

Banned by the UCI, whose final communication was received yesterday evening, the Astana team and Specialized are planning to use on Sunday TT the model \'Transition\', seven of whose frames arrived today at the team hotel to be modified and assembled because on them it is possible to cut the two small pieces that, according to the latest interpretation of the UCI, not fullfill 2010 rules even after making the necessary changes required in advance on the 2009 model, declared illegal for this season. In any case, Specialized had planned to build a new prototype for the upcoming Tour de France.

 

[Publicus]

This from a fresh press note at AlbertoContador.com

That's a tough break. Specialized had better step up.

 

[bianchigirl]

CC never realised it was more important to place several riders in the insignificant places than to win the stage and take the leader's jersey.

Really, really don't see where getting the stage win is worse than getting three in the top 10. But that's what comes from prizing the 'Bruyneel Method' over actual results

 

[ravens]

You lost me at "I think"....

OK, that was funny.

 

[ravens]

This is a great photo:

Daddy's got a new screensaver.

 

[ravens]

This from a fresh press note at AlbertoContador.com

wtf? this is a crazazy sport you all got....

 

[Publicus]

AC is a class act, through and through (h/t swordsman):

http://www.albertocontador.es/prensa.detalle.php?id=301

Alberto reached the final 2.5 km climb, placed in front, “though a little behind”, he explained, “around on 20 place. I had to go up a bit, but De la Fuente had searched me and then we have been alone together until 1.5 km to go, where I went to finish line”.


When asked if it was something special to win a RadioShack rider, Tiago Machado, he said no, that he only thinks “to fight for victory. I prepare to win, but not over them, all I have very clear is that I dedicate this victory to each Astana’s riders”.


Alberto Contador said that this is the first step on his way to the Tour de France. “Here begins that way”, he said, “and I am delighted that after seven months without racing I have managed to win today because I did not expect it”.

 

[craig1985]

De la Fuente's expression is priceless. He's really giving it his all. I think Astana is going to be just fine.

De la Fuente looks like he would rather be somewhere else.

 

[auscyclefan94]

That's a tough break. Specialized had better step up.

Poor old Alberto... Instead of winning by 2 minutes he'll only be able to win by 1 minute with a road bike in the tt!

Love this pic of greipel (not sure anyone else has posted it)

Look at that Face!!!

 

[Publicus]

Poor old Alberto... Instead of winning by 2 minutes he'll only be able to win by 1 minute with a road bike in the tt!

Love this pic of greipel (not sure anyone else has posted it)

Look at that Face!!!

They haven't. Pure pain.

 

[Carboncrank]

That's a tough break. Specialized had better step up.

Tell me how this is not a team problem.

The "new" Astana, 2 months, 2 major equipment problems. These guys are a joke.

 

[Carboncrank]

b girl thinks it's perfectly acceptable for support riders to just sit up on the last climb and loaf their way to the finish. Happens all the time in her world.

Astana got what it paid for. One great rider and a bunch of bricks.

 

[Publicus]

Tell me how this is not a team problem.

The "new" Astana, 2 months, 2 major equipment problems. These guys are a joke.

I guess Saxo Bank is a joke too.

Better. Trolls. Please.

 

[Publicus]

Highlights are up. Scroll up to 02:00 on the black side bar. You'll need to wait through a couple of commercials before the highlights start.

http://tvali.ge/index.php?action=sat&channel=78149&lang=rus

 

[craig1985]

Wins this season (so far):

Astana 1 Radio Shack 0

 

[auscyclefan94]

Wins this season (so far):

Astana 1 Radio Shack 0

That's what it will be like for the rest of the season. Their first win will come in the ToC.

 

[Cerberus]

b girl thinks it's perfectly acceptable for support riders to just sit up on the last climb and loaf their way to the finish. Happens all the time in her world.

Astana got what it paid for. One great rider and a bunch of bricks.

And you will notice I trust that this one rider has gotten more wins in his one race this season than all of Radioshack has. In fact I suspect that at the end of the season Contadors results will compare favourably to Radioshacks. So perhaps the strategy of actually hiring a great rider rather than a bunch of old second tier riders might is pretty smart?

 

[Polish]

b girl thinks it's perfectly acceptable for support riders to just sit up on the last climb and loaf their way to the finish. Happens all the time in her world.

Astana got what it paid for. One great rider and a bunch of bricks.

If Vino and Oscar P were on the team for this race - I would expect Astana would have three riders in the top 10 also. Maybe four if Maxim was racing too.

The Astana TdF Team will be the strongest imo.