- May 15, 2011
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Miburo said:
Why? Froome might ride the Giro now, and if he's not in top shape he'll never beat Quintana, plus Nibali might get another head start.
- May 17, 2014
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Already looking for excuses? 
Seriously speaking now, if Froome goes for the Giro AC's chances for the double are slim. He'll have to dig very deep to win the Giro if Froome peaks for it and it will cost him a lot in the Tour. If he's not at his best he'll never beat a top form Nibali or Quintana.
Seriously speaking now, if Froome goes for the Giro AC's chances for the double are slim. He'll have to dig very deep to win the Giro if Froome peaks for it and it will cost him a lot in the Tour. If he's not at his best he'll never beat a top form Nibali or Quintana.
- May 15, 2011
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- Mar 28, 2014
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Contador: "This tour will require me to recover well after the Giro"
http://www.europapress.es/deportes/...igira-recuperar-bien-giro-20141022143557.html
http://www.europapress.es/deportes/...igira-recuperar-bien-giro-20141022143557.html
- May 15, 2011
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The more I think about it the worse and worse I think the route is for Contador even though the presiding opinion here seems it's good for him ...
Out of the contenders he's the second strongest TTer or if Froome doesn't turn up he'd be the strongest so only 13.7 ITT isn't ideal.
He's one of the weakest at riding cobbles so could potentially take a packet there.
A lot of the climbing stages end in muritos which while he's very capable on them are not exactly his strong point. He might have to go on the preceding climb which is normally not a big issue but after having done the Giro ... attacking from further out again isn't ideal.
I think people are just seeing the "lots of climbs" and since we know AC's climbing skills assume this is a good route ... even him and Riis seem to think so aswell ?
After Froome and Tejay, AC is the person who the route is the next worst for imo.
Out of the contenders he's the second strongest TTer or if Froome doesn't turn up he'd be the strongest so only 13.7 ITT isn't ideal.
He's one of the weakest at riding cobbles so could potentially take a packet there.
A lot of the climbing stages end in muritos which while he's very capable on them are not exactly his strong point. He might have to go on the preceding climb which is normally not a big issue but after having done the Giro ... attacking from further out again isn't ideal.
I think people are just seeing the "lots of climbs" and since we know AC's climbing skills assume this is a good route ... even him and Riis seem to think so aswell ?
After Froome and Tejay, AC is the person who the route is the next worst for imo.
- Apr 30, 2011
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deValtos said:The more I think about it the worse and worse I think the route is for Contador even though the presiding opinion here seems it's good for him ...
Out of the contenders he's the second strongest TTer or if Froome doesn't turn up he'd be the strongest so only 13.7 ITT isn't ideal.
He's one of the weakest at riding cobbles so could potentially take a packet there.
A lot of the climbing stages end in muritos which while he's very capable on them are not exactly his strong point. He might have to go on the preceding climb which is normally not a big issue but after having done the Giro ... attacking from further out again isn't ideal.
I think people are just seeing the "lots of climbs" and since we know AC's climbing skills assume this is a good route ... even him and Riis seem to think so aswell ?
After Froome and Tejay, AC is the person who the route is the next worst for imo.
Huh? Which ones?
None of the five mountain stages with a MTF ends with that.
Pierre Saint Martin (minus the last 3km)
Plateau de Beille
Pra-Loup (the closest, but not really a murito)
Toussuire
Alpe d'Huez
Forunculo said:
Yup, those two and Pra Loup which is only 5km. Add in the mur de huy and it's a lot more of these shorter climb finishes than the TDF is used to.
- Apr 30, 2011
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Okay I don't get how those stages are a disadvantage to him. In 2011 he nearly won on Mur de Bretagne. He is excellent on Mende, having won twice there in P-N and was the best there in the 2010 Tour. Who will he lose time to on those finishes? Quintana? Froome? Nibali? He is much, much better on those kind of finishes than the other big three.
Netserk said:
I forgot Cauterets and SJDM aswell, those two if he wants time he'll have to go long.
Put it this way, I don't think these stages are an advantage to him. Obviously AC is going to be a favourite on any stage that finishes in a climb because he is just so good at climbing but it doesn't mean the stage suits him.
For sure he's done well on these hills a few times in the past but just watching the Vuelta you can see which climbs suit him better. It's like saying Gilbert destroyed the Huy in 2011 therefore he's really good on it even though the climb doesn't suit him at all. But because his legs were so good it makes it seem like it.
He's better than Quintana on this sort of finish and I rate him about the same as Froome here (thinking back to Froome 2011 at the vuelta) but Nibali has the edge on many of these finishes imo. Ofc Nibali has slightly weaker legs so that makes up for a bit of the difference. But when Quintana/Nibs/(Froome?) are fresh against a Giro ridden AC you might actually see some gaps on the shorter climbs.
- Apr 30, 2011
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deValtos said:
1) Why would he need time in those stages? Why not just sit tight?
2) I think Mende, Mur de Bretagne and Mur de Huy is an advantage for Contador. He's the best of the big four on them.
3) Regarding Nibali on those murs compared to AC: 1.8km @ 10.3% and clearly in the best shape of his life against Contador.
The Vuelta was because of race rhythm, not because he is bad on those climbs. Even if he is going to lose time on them to Purito and Valverde, it is still a good trade-off for him as neither of those will challenge for the win.
- Jul 19, 2010
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18-Valve. (pithy) said:
That might just knee jerk reaction or a pr move to deflect the spotlight to Alberto. Both of them have been doing that since the Vuelta. Just think it for a second, do you think sky will send the second best climber in the team to go to the biggest bike race in the planet just because their best climber doesn't think the route suits him? Not sure if that flies with the sponsor.
As far as Contador, he seems to react positively. So he must know something that we didn't. He must know how to prepare it. And I'm sure he remembers 2011. If Froome shows up on the Giro, that would be complicated for Contador. Because he has to go 110% full gas to win it. If Froome doesn't show up, well at least on the paper, Contador great chance to win Giro and better chance at TDF, because Froome can't take too much advantage on ITT. Everything will be decided in the mountain. Very very complicated situation and certainly a complex challenge for Contador. That's why we love him and I hope he will conquer both GT next year!!!! Great champion will always welcome the challenge whether or not the course suit him. So bring it on!!
Netserk said:
Against Contador in shape of his life as you somehow forgot to mention. Very close actually. Contador didn't really mind to put some time into Nibali back then yet. By far the weakest stage by Nibali in the Tour, though. Still your much much much is a big exagerration as always.
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