2013 Tour of Oman (11th-16th February), 2.HC

[Miburo]

i'm only hoping by the way - i see Contador as the man to beat on everything we've seen this week and in San Luis. When he attacks, Im hoping that the 2 riders Nibali and Froome have ridden into form overnight

It doesn't matter if they've form.

Contador still owns them.

 

[jaylew]

Katusha is helping Astana and Saxo at the front. Purito must be feeling better today. Either that or they're working for Brutt.

 

[Publicus]

Break has 3'45" at 74.5km

 

[wheelie1977]

It doesn't matter if they've form.

Contador still owns them.

Froome in form is a dangerous animal, we've all seen it last season and in the Vuelta the year before. I just can't wait to see what exactly he has in the locker now that Tim Kerrison has his hands on him.

Nibali maybe less so but come July, Contador won't be owning anyone. The Vuelta success was a Spanish fiasco of the highest order and it's a Grand Tour that can't be read into too much from a Contador v Froome point of view. Expecting the fireworks in July, maybe even sooner.

 

[Miburo]

Froome in form is a dangerous animal, we've all seen it last season and in the Vuelta the year before. I just can't wait to see what exactly he has in the locker now that Tim Kerrison has his hands on him.

Nibali maybe less so but come July, Contador won't be owning anyone. The Vuelta success was a Spanish fiasco of the highest order and it's a Grand Tour that can't be read into too much from a Contador v Froome point of view. Expecting the fireworks in July, maybe even sooner.

How people even can imagine that Nibali is a thread for Contador is beyond me.

Froome, ok, he's dangerous. But if we get Contador from '11 I doubt Froome will be able to follow that Contador.

 

[Ferminal]

Rodriguez threw the Vuelta?

 

[theyoungest]

Froome in form is a dangerous animal, we've all seen it last season and in the Vuelta the year before. I just can't wait to see what exactly he has in the locker now that Tim Kerrison has his hands on him.

Nibali maybe less so but come July, Contador won't be owning anyone. The Vuelta success was a Spanish fiasco of the highest order and it's a Grand Tour that can't be read into too much from a Contador v Froome point of view. Expecting the fireworks in July, maybe even sooner.

You seem to be talking based on hope alone. Nowhere Froome has shown he's at Contador's level. Getting second in a Tour de France without the two best climbers of the Tour in the years before doesn't tell us anything.

 

[Publicus]

Froome in form is a dangerous animal, we've all seen it last season and in the Vuelta the year before. I just can't wait to see what exactly he has in the locker now that Tim Kerrison has his hands on him.

Nibali maybe less so but come July, Contador won't be owning anyone. The Vuelta success was a Spanish fiasco of the highest order and it's a Grand Tour that can't be read into too much from a Contador v Froome point of view. Expecting the fireworks in July, maybe even sooner.

I think you are letting your dislike/distrust of Contador color your analysis.

 

[will10]

just a real shame there are no pictures. apparently it costs €50,000 per day to cover a race!

when I win the Euromillions I'll set up a broadcasting company for cycling races. direct competition to ASO

First race will be around the roads in ireland I grew up in - De Ronde van Ireland. Belgium shouldn't have all the good races !

Surely you don't need to win the Euromillions? Just beat the bookies at every race this year and you'll make a fortune. Shouldn't be too tricky judging from the schtick you've posted on this thread so far.

 

[Publicus]

Gap is 3'20 with 60km to go

 

[Miburo]

Oh no...

Reminder: As we Green Mountain we anticipate service issues that may impact coverage. Info on #TOO13 finale provided as soon as we can.

 

[wheelie1977]

Surely you don't need to win the Euromillions? Just beat the bookies at every race this year and you'll make a fortune. Shouldn't be too tricky judging from the schtick you've posted on this thread so far.

nah, euromillions is the only way to go unfortunately.

 

[manafana]

Yeah dont expect many updates on Green Mountain shocking reception

 

[Walkman]

You seem to be talking based on hope alone. Nowhere Froome has shown he's at Contador's level. Getting second in a Tour de France without the two best climbers of the Tour in the years before doesn't tell us anything.

And the Giro -11 had so many top climbers...not.

This isn't 2007 anymore, heck it's not even 2009. AC can't supercharge like back in the day. If you think he will dish out 6.7 W/kg on all the climbs you are in for a disappointment.

And why do only climbers matters?! Did you watch last years Tour? Andy would have lost ~7 min in the TT:s.

But have at it while you can, time will tell.

 

[airstream]

How people even can imagine that Nibali is a thread for Contador is beyond me.

Froome, ok, he's dangerous. But if we get Contador from '11 I doubt Froome will be able to follow that Contador.

The difference between riders often changes. So Nibali fans are entitled to hope for better, no?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Oh no...

It makes things more exciting but I won't be F5-ing twitter and this thread all the time, not good for my heart

 

[jaylew]

Froome in form is a dangerous animal, we've all seen it last season and in the Vuelta the year before. I just can't wait to see what exactly he has in the locker now that Tim Kerrison has his hands on him.

Nibali maybe less so but come July, Contador won't be owning anyone. The Vuelta success was a Spanish fiasco of the highest order and it's a Grand Tour that can't be read into too much from a Contador v Froome point of view. Expecting the fireworks in July, maybe even sooner.

How was the Vuelta a fiasco? And you say you can't read too much into that race re: AC v Froome but you use 2 GTs that he didn't even win to talk about how dangerous Froome is to Contador. Contador ain't Cobo.

 

[Publicus]

3'25 with Team Sky leading the peloton

 

[Miburo]

And the Giro -11 had so many top climbers...not.

This isn't 2007 anymore, heck it's not even 2009. AC can't supercharge like back in the day. If you think he will dish out 6.7 W/kg on all the climbs you are in for a disappointment.

And why do only climbers matters?! Did you watch last years Tour? Andy would have lost ~7 min in the TT:s.

But have at it while you can, time will tell.

Yeah i've watched last year's tour. I saw that Nibali was able to attack the sky train, ok he failed though.

The same guy who got crushed by Contador in 2011. Not 2009 but 2011.

 

[wheelie1977]

ok, maybe I've a mistrust of Spanish cyclists in Spain but I have good reason. I have a mistrust of Contador without a shadow of a doubt but I'm not letting it cloud my judgement.

aI can't talk about what I think on that matter so I won't but it appears many believe all of the success that Contador had and his devastating ability is all above board - therefore he should return to the level he was at in France in July.

I don't think he can. I think he could in Spain for some obvious reasons, but in France it's a different kettle of fish, some of it non cycling orientated.

I believe Froome would have beaten Contador if left off the leash in the climbs last year. I also believe Froome will kill Contador in any test against the clock.

I do believe the surface was barely scratched with what Froome can do with an uninterrupted preparation - no parasitic viruses interrupting a winter and spring campaign.

I also believe that SKY has the tools that Contador cannot compete against regardless of his form.

I don't think Nibali is at their level, I do agree on that.

 

[LaFlorecita]

And the Giro -11 had so many top climbers...not.

This isn't 2007 anymore, heck it's not even 2009. AC can't supercharge like back in the day. If you think he will dish out 6.7 W/kg on all the climbs you are in for a disappointment.

And why do only climbers matters?! Did you watch last years Tour? Andy would have lost ~7 min in the TT:s.

But have at it while you can, time will tell.

well I think he dished out the 6.7 W/kg in 2011 Giro.... btw take it to the clinic

http://www.53x12.com/do/show?page=indepth.view&id=117

It took 6 minutes 28 seconds for Alberto Contador to ride between km 6 and km 3 to the finish line, at the average speed of 28.1 km/h.

The VAM = 1821m/h on the average gradient of 6.5% required an average power output of 6.87 w/kg, equal to 426 watts assuming a body weight of 62 kg.

Almost 6.9 W/kg on the etna stage. and it gets even better:

The ascent was affected by strong winds, therefore the expressed power was probably even higher, although it is quite difficult to quantify.

Furthermore, if we consider that the effort was done at above 1500m, where the partial pressure of oxygen is reduced by 19% compared to sea level, Alberto's performance over that distance is one of the best ones we've seen in the last few years.

In those 3 km, Contador gained 57" on his immediate chasers, that is 19" per km.
The group of with all the main rivals rode at a speed of 24.3 km/h, expressing a power that was 15.6% lower, equal to 5.79 w/kg.

Rujano was able to hold Contador's wheel for a bit, as drafting at such speeds would save him approximately 50 watts, expressing an average power of 6.06 w/kg, equal to 327w (assuming a body weight of 54 kg).

In the last 3 km of the stage, Alberto was not able to gain any more on the rivals, suggesting that the extraordinary performance of the previous 3 km was quite anaerobic, albeit supported by an exceptional aerobic power.

yeah

 

[airstream]

Yeah i've watched last year's tour. I saw that Nibali was able to attack the sky train, ok he failed though.

The same guy who got crushed by Contador in 2011. Not 2009 but 2011.

Don't you find Nibali was prepared not very good in the 2011 Giro? To me, it is obvious. That was his worst GT, without considering that year's Vuelta.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Don't you find Nibali was prepared not very good in the 2011 Giro? To me, it is obvious. That was his worst GT, without considering that year's Vuelta.

have a look at my post. It's not about Alberto's competition. The numbers don't lie. What he did on Etna was amazing.

 

[wheelie1977]

How was the Vuelta a fiasco? And you say you can't read too much into that race re: AC v Froome but you use 2 GTs that he didn't even win to talk about how dangerous Froome is to Contador. Contador ain't Cobo.

Froome could have won the Vuelta easily, I think everyone would agree if the team leader had been Froome, then the win was going his way against a most definitely "inspired" Cobo. Spanish rider in Spain.

Froome could have ridden away from Wiggins and Nibali at any time in July. This is fact. He also lost over a minute in an earlier stage and lost time to the Olympic champion, pursuit champion and time trial god that is Wiggins.

Remember he was sick in early 2012 with the parasite. Give him an uninterrupted prep and he could be anything. I'm talking massive untapped potential here.

I'm just wondering whether folks on here think that Contador can ride a Tour de France like he did back in 2010 now in 2013. France is not a kind place to Alberto.

 

[airstream]

have a look at my post. It's not about Alberto's competition. The numbers don't lie. What he did on Etna was amazing.

Why? Numbers are often deceptive. Rujano showed the same or a bit lesser wattage, but calling his climbing skills amazing is laughable.