Contador's early attack was indicative of a solid effort from the least-well positioned podium contender. If you are trying to win the Tour, you dont start the attacks, and you surely dont have your attack smothered by Froome's 2 strongest domestiques. . . Still, chapeau to the aging Contador. He tried, and he tired.
-
The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
Encouraging signs today. Strong enough to put in a dig and was able to close down (along with Nairo) Froome's attack. Hopefully all the other "GC" guys (Valverde, Quintana, Contador, Nibali) will work together to try and break SKY and Froome.
Good ride by him today. Will see how the Alps go but Sky looks completely unmoved by multiple attacks on steep climb (Alps will suit them even more)
In fact (didn't look like it and under todays conditions it's even more impressive) they rode pretty fast, so I'm very pleased with his performance today.
I don't know if he will get better as the race continues, but now we know that he is at least in decent form...and that guarantees a good show in the Alps.
today's stage... meh. Nothing significant happen other than i'm happy with Purito and another impressive ride by Thomas (a TT and classic rider switched mid season to stage race). I don't know how and what does sky do to get out of Thomas. He climbed with the top best climber today. Scary!
AC at least looked better. He slowly close the attack but he was standing all the time. So little hope. And quintana? BIG MEH!.. for someone who has been touting as the best climber, (can't even drop TJ). He looked like 2013 .. not sure how much he will improve. If AC in his best shape, there won't be stage like today. Other than first mountain stage, it's like anticlimactic..
AC at least looked better. He slowly close the attack but he was standing all the time. So little hope. And quintana? BIG MEH!.. for someone who has been touting as the best climber, (can't even drop TJ). He looked like 2013 .. not sure how much he will improve. If AC in his best shape, there won't be stage like today. Other than first mountain stage, it's like anticlimactic..
Re: Re:
lol, short term memory for some. "Aging Contador", it's not like he won the Giro 2 months ago, and destroyed Froome 10 months ago in the Vuelta.
The state of form can quickly change, the truth of today is not the truth of tomorrow.
arvc40 said:
lol, short term memory for some. "Aging Contador", it's not like he won the Giro 2 months ago, and destroyed Froome 10 months ago in the Vuelta.
The state of form can quickly change, the truth of today is not the truth of tomorrow.
Re: Re:
There certainly is a rider capable of winning a cobbled classic and riding for the GC in the Tour.
Contador should challenge him next spring.
Have you seen Thomas today?BlurryVII said:
There certainly is a rider capable of winning a cobbled classic and riding for the GC in the Tour.
Contador should challenge him next spring.
Contador "We're ready for war in the last week" 
But i'm not hoping too much yet. The conditions today made the other show how their shape are, but they all fade except Froome when it's hot.
But i'm not hoping too much yet. The conditions today made the other show how their shape are, but they all fade except Froome when it's hot.
Yesterday I said I would be happy if he stayed in contact so today I'm pretty pleased, he did that and even put in a little dig . Thank goodness for some rain and Alberto showing he has the base form to be a factor, at least for the podium. I've stopped living my life around le Tour since Sky's performance 2 days ago. I figured today would be a Sky procession until late so went out did a few errands and took a ride in Lovely weather. Then came home and watched the last 1.5 hours. It was great, Purito winning and everyone taking shots at Froome with Nairo and Alberto covering his moves.
. Thank goodness for some rain and Alberto showing he has the base form to be a factor, at least for the podium. I've stopped living my life around le Tour since Sky's performance 2 days ago. I figured today would be a Sky procession until late so went out did a few errands and took a ride in Lovely weather. Then came home and watched the last 1.5 hours. It was great, Purito winning and everyone taking shots at Froome with Nairo and Alberto covering his moves.
If it wasn't for stage 10 I would be very confident right now. Podium is a very realistic chance right now. But we need rain. And as Red Rick said, he is better than 2013. i think he is about the same level as 2011, just that they went easier on the climbs that year. But the positive thing is, his form seems to be improving day by day. A stage win on Alpe d'Huez and a podium finish would be nice. But if Froome has a problem, crashes or sth., everything could still be possible. They just need to get rid of Porte and Thomas.
What are the weather conditions for the alpes next week?
It's clear now that contador is better in the rain and nibali too. If it rains on the allos descent we're talking about minutes
It's clear now that contador is better in the rain and nibali too. If it rains on the allos descent we're talking about minutes
Re:
but in the meantime...
I just looked at, there are thunderstorms in the evening. but it lacks a long time and things can change .Miburo said:What are the weather conditions for the alpes next week?
It's clear now that contador is better in the rain and nibali too. If it rains on the allos descent we're talking about minutes
but in the meantime...
Re:
Yea his attack seemed like a kind of let's give it a go and see what happens, rather than a solid move.
The only way to cause significant damage, would have been to counter hard at a point after Froome has already gone or in any case is more isolated. In this sense Nairo's move was much better timed. Usually this is indicative of not really having the legs to go when everyone is on the ropes, so your only chance is to anticipate.
Still a much improved performance from two days ago. If he continues like this Contador should be better in the Alps and there maybe find an ally with Quintana, although only if Froome is slipping from peak.
warmfuzzies said:
Yea his attack seemed like a kind of let's give it a go and see what happens, rather than a solid move.
The only way to cause significant damage, would have been to counter hard at a point after Froome has already gone or in any case is more isolated. In this sense Nairo's move was much better timed. Usually this is indicative of not really having the legs to go when everyone is on the ropes, so your only chance is to anticipate.
Still a much improved performance from two days ago. If he continues like this Contador should be better in the Alps and there maybe find an ally with Quintana, although only if Froome is slipping from peak.
When was the last time Contador won the Tour? I think 2009 is the correct response. 6 years from the peak of his mountain. Giro? Vuelta? These are lesser Tours, contested by those who feel themselves unable to contest the TdF. Contador winning the Vuelta? Please. Roberto Heras won 4 of them. It's the consolation prize. Giro? Tough parcours, but contested by those who have decided not to race for the Big Prize.
Re:
If people don't include 2010 than they should also not forget, that his only focused tour attempts after his last win were 2013 and 2014 and in one of those races he crashed out. It sounds great (from the perspective of a critic) to say, that he won his last Tour 6 years ago, but I think the details speak another language.
warmfuzzies said:
If people don't include 2010 than they should also not forget, that his only focused tour attempts after his last win were 2013 and 2014 and in one of those races he crashed out. It sounds great (from the perspective of a critic) to say, that he won his last Tour 6 years ago, but I think the details speak another language.
Re:
It is no secret that Contador has had a difficult relationship with the Tour. He also wasn't able to race it a couple of times in the prime of his career, although, as we saw last year he showed he is quite capable of arriving in super form.
I will say this though where was Froome at 24 years old?
warmfuzzies said:
It is no secret that Contador has had a difficult relationship with the Tour. He also wasn't able to race it a couple of times in the prime of his career, although, as we saw last year he showed he is quite capable of arriving in super form.
I will say this though where was Froome at 24 years old?
TRENDING THREADS
-
-
Paris - Roubaix 2024, one day monument, April 7- Started by Dreginald
- Replies: 2K
-
-
Tour of the Alps 2024 (April 15 - 19)- Started by Devil's Elbow
- Replies: 359
-
-
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2024 (March 18-24)- Started by Devil's Elbow
- Replies: 2K
-
De Ronde van Vlaanderen (270.8 km), 2024 March 31 (Sunday)- Started by Netserk
- Replies: 1K
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
Liege Bastogne Liege-7 hour monument, Sunday, April 21, 2024- Latest: gregrowlerson
-
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram