2012 Vuelta. The Return of the King.

[LaFlorecita]

I don't justify them for that. Though it was absolutely natural human reaction after the Chaingate. Any rider would feel robbed in Schleck's place

Of course it's a normal, human reaction. But when you keep on *****ing and moaning about it forever and ever, it's no longer normal and human but whiny.

 

[Walkman]

Let me ask you, should Frank have received a ban for his relationship with a particular notorious doctor? He also was cleared by his federation but there was no appeal made by the UCI, inspite of his having paid said doctor for his services. It could be argued that he was cleared undeservedly. Based on how the two are virtually linked at the hip, it could be speculated that whatever transaction was taking place was for both brothers. They are certainly not without a bit of soil.

I think you make a good point in regard to Fränk's "case" but the bolded part is a bit of a stretch I think.

 

[roundabout]

I don't really get the meltdown/sudden realization how everyone else is also a doper.

 

[airstream]

Doubt it. most would understand that they had behaved even worse on stage 3 for a bigger gain and not act like such hypocrites. compare for example to froome who has more reason to despair than schleck but acts like a gentleman.

Are these stories comparable? How could Schleck stop on the cobblestones? Just by going off the road and waiting? When Schleck attacked on Bale, the group was being in a dynamic surplace, looking at each other and going very slow. I dont think Contador had to wait at all, but waiting on Bale could me more technically possible than on pavé. Moreover, Contador still was behind but already saw that Schleck had dropped his chain.

 

[The Hitch]

Are these stories comparable? How could Schleck stop on the cobblestones? Just by going off the road and waiting? When Schleck attacked on Bale, the group was being in a dynamic surplace, looking at each other and going very slow. I dont think Contador had to wait at all, but waiting on Bale could me more technically possible than on pavé. Moreover, Contador still was behind but already saw that Schleck had dropped his chain.

Its not about stopping. Even the biggest Schleck fans I don't think expected Contador to get off his bike and help Andy fix his chain. Its about riding slower until the other guy catches you.

The problem some people had with Contador Menchov and Samu was that they continued going at a high pace.

And on the cobbles after the peloton was waiting behind Frank Schleck Andy got Cancellara to give a monster turn on the cobbles that had him so exhausted by the final 100m he finishes a few seconds behind Ryder Hejsdal Cadel Evans and even behind Schleck himself.

 

[airstream]

Of course it's a normal, human reaction. But when you keep on *****ing and moaning about it forever and ever, it's no longer normal and human but whiny.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Schleck#Grand_Tour_General_Classification_results_timeline
is it ur job?

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Schleck#Grand_Tour_General_Classification_results_timeline
is it ur job?

No, not actually. But I could've done it. I'm even thinking about putting the results back on Alberto's wiki page.

 

[Angliru]

Are these stories comparable? How could Schleck stop on the cobblestones? Just by going off the road and waiting? When Schleck attacked on Bale, the group was being in a dynamic surplace, looking at each other and going very slow. I dont think Contador had to wait at all, but waiting on Bale could me more technically possible than on pavé. Moreover, Contador still was behind but already saw that Schleck had dropped his chain.

He saw Andy up the road, obviously slowing down and passed him on the cliff side of the road. I doubt he was concerned with at what state of disrepair Andy's bike was in, and was more concerned with navigating safely by him and continuing up the road. Considering he passed Andy on the non-drive side of the bike, that would've made him actually seeing what Andy's issue was even more unlikely. The bottom line is if you initiate an attack you should be committed to carrying it out and most importantly dealing with the consequences of what that aggression will incite in your opponents.

The primary argument is should anyone have waited in either circumstance and my answer is no. No on the cobbles and no for Chaingate. It is a race after all, not a club ride.

My question is would Cancellara had taken on his patron of the peloton role and neutralized that infamous stage if his teammates weren't involved in the crashes that would've taken them out of gc contention without his intervention? What if it had been Contador, Evans or another contender?
I think he would've kept his mouth shut and smiled at his team's good fortune.

 

[airstream]

He saw Andy up the road, obviously slowing down and passed him on the cliff side of the road. I doubt he was concerned with at what state of disrepair Andy's bike was in, and was more concerned with navigating safely by him and continuing up the road. Considering he passed Andy on the non-drive side of the bike, that would've made him actually seeing what Andy's issue was even more unlikely.

My question is would Cancellara had taken on his patron of the peloton role and neutralized that infamous stage if his teammates weren't involved in the crashes that would've taken them out of gc contention without his intervention? What if it had been Contador, Evans or another contender?
I think he would've kept his mouth shut and smiled at his team's good fortune.

I totally agree with you. He was concerned about nothing except how to explain his move in the evening, but at that moment he didn't think about it too. His playing was quite thin: giving a punch and appeal to Sammy and Menchov to work in front so that later there was more or less plausible reason to justify his act.

If Contador dared to win the race on that stage, not waiting the favourites, it would raise such a public resonanse... I think he would renounce from the victory himself.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Perhaps. But there are competent organizations to rule out situations like that.

This is the UCI we're talking about. Competent doesn't even come into it.

 

[airstream]

This is the UCI we're talking about. Competent doesn't even come into it.

There are no others.

 

[frandy]

Of course it's a normal, human reaction. But when you keep on *****ing and moaning about it forever and ever, it's no longer normal and human but whiny.

How about go stick the kettle on love ur the whiny bi**h

 

[Publicus]

Are these stories comparable? How could Schleck stop on the cobblestones? Just by going off the road and waiting? When Schleck attacked on Bale, the group was being in a dynamic surplace, looking at each other and going very slow. I dont think Contador had to wait at all, but waiting on Bale could me more technically possible than on pavé. Moreover, Contador still was behind but already saw that Schleck had dropped his chain.

I can see why you have such an affinity for Andy.

EDIT: I hadn't even seen your additional post on the subject. Maybe you ARE Andy.

 

[offbyone]

Well the course this year is pretty epic and will certainly allow him to show off his wares. They certainly picked the right year for the tougher course and it will definitely create some memorable race days that puts the vuelta back in the forefront.

I worry that there won't be a level of competition that merits contador's big comeback race. I will eagerly wait to see who is going to target the vuelta.

 

[Sciocco]

How about go stick the kettle on love ur the whiny bi**h

What's the purpose of even saying that?

 

[frandy]

What's the purpose of even saying that?

yh your right dude sorry la flo just think u show disrespect for every rider bar contador sorry

 

[frandy]

How about go stick the kettle on love ur the whiny bi**h

sorry la flo

 

[LaFlorecita]

How about go stick the kettle on love ur the whiny bi**h

What the ****?

 

[LaFlorecita]

yh your right dude sorry la flo just think u show disrespect for every rider bar contador sorry

Ah that shows you're new. I respect lots of riders. Just not Andy. Get over it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I can see why you have such an affinity for Andy.

EDIT: I hadn't even seen your additional post on the subject. Maybe you ARE Andy.

Does Andy live in Minsk?

 

[SiAp1984]

I guess this years Vuelta could turn out to be quite interesting. It all will depend (i) on who lines up at the start and )ii) if - as often in the Vuelta - a surprise climber will show up who mixes up the overall.

i: If there will be a serious line-up of in-form contenders for three-week-races, it will be interesting to see how AC does. I mean, it is one thing to ride a three-week-tour against a virtually nonexistent competition like his 2011-Giro-"Not-Win" or against a competitive field like in the 2010-Tour (won by AS) and the 2011 Tour (won by CE). I hope for the Vuelta that other big guns will turn up there to make it a race. If AC will be the only serious contender, of course he will win it, If not, the race will be open.

ii: I wonder who will turn up as this years surprise. Any tips for who could be the next Froome, Cobo (no clinic implications)? I would say Rolland, but he already had a strong showing in lsat years Tour and therefore woul dnot be a surprise.

 

[The Plediadian]

Ah that shows you're new. I respect lots of riders. Just not Andy. Get over it.

So you like Berts fingerbangin, I'm with you Bruce salute, con the cantinflas sombrero muchacha? Te gusta muchas?

 

[airstream]

I can see why you have such an affinity for Andy.

EDIT: I hadn't even seen your additional post on the subject. Maybe you ARE Andy.

I try to be consistent and not to lose thread of objectivity, unlike some other guys, who like to treat everything in favor of Contador, whatever happens between these 2. Weak Contador - Andy needs Contador. Strong Contador - Andy needs Contador, no Contador - Andy would better not go the Tour. Perfect!

If you want to know my point about the Vuelta, I'm looking forward to it. I wonder if the gap between Contador and 2nd will be sporting exceptionally (4-5 min) or spanish cycling brotherhood will decide to support him additionally, by losing much more.

 

[Forunculo]

I guess this years Vuelta could turn out to be quite interesting. It all will depend (i) on who lines up at the start and )ii) if - as often in the Vuelta - a surprise climber will show up who mixes up the overall.

i: If there will be a serious line-up of in-form contenders for three-week-races, it will be interesting to see how AC does. I mean, it is one thing to ride a three-week-tour against a virtually nonexistent competition like his 2011-Giro-"Not-Win" or against a competitive field like in the 2010-Tour (won by AS) and the 2011 Tour (won by CE). I hope for the Vuelta that other big guns will turn up there to make it a race. If AC will be the only serious contender, of course he will win it, If not, the race will be open.

ii: I wonder who will turn up as this years surprise. Any tips for who could be the next Froome, Cobo (no clinic implications)? I would say Rolland, but he already had a strong showing in lsat years Tour and therefore woul dnot be a surprise.

So Cobo and Froome are much better GC riders than Nibali and Scarponi. Cadel couldn't take over Scarponi and Nibali in 2010 and recently Tour winner Andy never tried a go.


About Vuelta contenders we know about Cobo, Purito and Anton for sure and I listened Gesink and maybe Cadel (ask an aussie), Basso too.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

So Cobo and Froome are much better GC riders than Nibali and Scarponi. Cadel couldn't take over Scarponi and Nibali in 2010 and recently Tour winner Andy never tried a go.


About Vuelta contenders we know about Cobo, Purito and Anton for sure and I listened Gesink and maybe Cadel (ask an aussie), Basso too.

I want to say it again Regarding basso, he said in a radio last month(not in the exact words) " looking at all the profile of this years Gt's, vuelta would suit me the best".