2012 Vuelta. The Return of the King.

[El Pistolero]

The racing is much more exciting without Contador. Even the die-hards must agree?

I noticed that at the Giro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMiKEO2kzak

 

[jamiephillips]

What I mean is that there's still 4 blokes in with a shout with 2 stages left. It's quite exciting that's all!

 

[Moviefan1203]

Really? You looking forward to the slug fest with Wigans and Evans this year I take it

He has a point, it's nice to see that the Giro is likely to come down to the final two stages. Contador dominated so much last year, it became a snooze fest by the third week.

 

[icefire]

UCI does not allow Jesus Hernandez and Sergio Paulinho to ride the ride Marcha Contador tomorrow

http://mobile.twitter.com/jesushernandez3/status/206115443889549313

Jesús Hernández and Sergio Paulinho might just go on a training ride on the same roads as the Marcha Contador as long as they do not register and do not wear a bib number. Valverde did a few ciclosportives that way during his ban.

 

[Forunculo]

The racing is much more exciting without Contador. Even the die-hards must agree?

who is/are that rider/s?

 

[Fetisoff]

Maybe because Pantani is a legend and Alberto isn't and will never be one?

Well he isn't one yet, but depending on his results and demeanor after the comeback he could still become one

 

[Angliru]

The racing is much more exciting without Contador. Even the die-hards must agree?

Uhhh, no I don't.

 

[Angliru]

He has a point, it's nice to see that the Giro is likely to come down to the final two stages. Contador dominated so much last year, it became a snooze fest by the third week.

I personally enjoy watching him race. Arguably his domination in last year's Giro has been more exciting than the Liquigas controlled procession of this year's version. Yes it's a closer contest than last year but much more exciting? Not from my perspective.

 

[LaFlorecita]

UCI does not allow Jesus Hernandez and Sergio Paulinho to ride the ride Marcha Contador tomorrow


I thought you knew more than us about this

Unfortunately not.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's not a big deal if it's Jesús Hernández and Paulinho. Now, if it was Noval they'd be banning him from his main goal of the season.

Lol now that's funny (and a bit harsh).

 

[LaFlorecita]

The racing is much more exciting without Contador. Even the die-hards must agree?

I find Alberto's racing style much more exciting.

The Tour will be even more boring than this Giro. We'll have three guys hanging onto Andy in the mountains, waiting for the TT.

 

[LaFlorecita]

He has a point, it's nice to see that the Giro is likely to come down to the final two stages. Contador dominated so much last year, it became a snooze fest by the third week.

Nah, I really enjoyed the last week of last year's Giro. I can understand though, that *certain* others didn't.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well he isn't one yet, but depending on his results and demeanor after the comeback he could still become one

Meh I can't see that happening. People will only remember him for his stupid excuse and not for the awesome cyclist he is.

 

[the asian]

The racing is much more exciting without Contador. Even the die-hards must agree?

It must be exciting for a Englishman, because it's the only way your BELOVED Wiggins can hope to win the Tour, but for true cycling fans who wish to see attacking cycling all around the year, rather than snooze fests where riders just hang on in the mountains and win because of TTT and ITT or where courage less riders arriving in bunches on mt top finishes and falling drop dead it is boooring as hell.
Can't wait to see Contador return at the Vuelta

 

[LaFlorecita]

It must be exciting for a Englishman, because it's the only way your BELOVED Wiggins can hope to win the Tour, but for true cycling fans who wish to see attacking cycling all around the year, rather than snooze fests where riders just hang on in the mountains and win because of TTT and ITT or where courage less riders arriving in bunches on mt top finishes and falling drop dead it is boooring as hell.
Can't wait to see Contador return at the Vuelta

Yes yes you are totally right well said. With Alberto it is much more exciting and to all people that deny that fact now just wait and see for yourself in August.

 

[jamiephillips]

Well mate, I'm not really a Wiggins fan, although I don't mind him either. All I meant was that last year the classement was put to bed after the first mountain stage. If that's what you like then fine.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Meh I can't see that happening. People will only remember him for his stupid excuse and not for the awesome cyclist he is.

Eddy Merckx tested positive three times, but that is seen as irrelevant versus the palmarès he put together.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Eddy Merckx tested positive three times, but that is seen as irrelevant versus the palmarès he put together.

You're completely right. But as Angliru pointed out, no one will ever get a palmares like Merckx, and Alberto won't even be close.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well mate, I'm not really a Wiggins fan, although I don't mind him either. All I meant was that last year the classement was put to bed after the first mountain stage. If that's what you like then fine.

I like exciting racing and that's what Alberto gives me.

 

[LaFlorecita]

For those that think Alberto can/will win the Tours 2013/2014/2015, here is something to ponder:

Almost no one believed Alberto could/would beat Lance's record. Now, in order to do so he shouldn't have tested positive, and won 5 more Tours.

8 Tours:
2007
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

So what changed?

 

[Forunculo]

Meh I can't see that happening. People will only remember him for his stupid excuse and not for the awesome cyclist he is.

Don't worry the Schlecks are making the favour with their DNF parade season, if Andy is unable to killing it in TdF, big chance, waiting for his brother, being predictable, moaning about nobody attacks and he is heavily marked etc


Nobody except Nibali and Boonen give a show of brave racing, a boring season and a brutal Vuelta could be a hint in the eyes of the fans of who run the business

 

[LaFlorecita]

Don't worry the Schlecks are making the favour with their DNF parade season, if Andy is unable to killing it in TdF, big chance, waiting for his brother, being predictable, moaning about nobody attacks and he is heavily marked etc


Nobody except Nibali and Boonen give a show of brave racing, a boring season and a brutal Vuelta could be a hint in the eyes of the fans of who run the business

Still it isn't just about one season.

 

[Fetisoff]

Meh I can't see that happening. People will only remember him for his stupid excuse and not for the awesome cyclist he is.

Wow, you're either being overly pessimistic lately or you just underestimate "people"

BTW, did someone hack your account. Since when did it become "a stupid excuse"??

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Wow, you're either being overly pessimistic lately or you just underestimate "people"

BTW, did someone hack your account. Since when did it become "a stupid excuse"??

what excuse?

 

[Publicus]

The racing is much more exciting without Contador. Even the die-hards must agree?

I would not agree. The racing is good, don't get me wrong, but I'm always waiting for one or more of the riders to separate the wheat from the chaff. Very defensive riding--no one is going for the win in the Giro, so much as they are trying to maintain their current gap or not lose any time. Kudos for Hesjedal for riding his race yesterday, but I think Basso waited too long to start trying to apply pressure to win (should have, IMHO, been looking to gain time in the first two weeks as well).