DFA123 said:
rhubroma said:
He's obviously believing that under ideal circumstances, which patently wasn't the case at Tinkov, he can find both the necessary power and stamina to overcome Froome (and Quintana if the Giro doesn't effect him adversely) at the Tour. A podium certainly means nothing to him. It's win or fail. Evidently we will see if between PN and the Dauphine he shows signs he can hit those kind of numbers. It is a shame we didn't get to see at least one mountain showdown in the 2014 Tour before both he and Froome crashed out. I think that will still leave some doubt in his and his entourage's minds about this coming July, as to whether or not AC can produce the necessary levels to defeat Froome at the Tour.
I don't agree with this. His record has been so poor at the Tour for half his career now, post-ban, that I think he would bite your hand off if you offered him a second place behind Froome at the Tour - proving (kind of) that he is the best of the rest.
Objectively, 2nd at the Tour, given his record there, would be a great result for this season.
Objectively maybe but he clearly still very much believes he can win and anyways anything can happen, Froome could crash out or lose 4 minutes after a mechanical or have an off-season, there is no way Berto would settle for 2nd.
Edit: I should add that I'd rate a win at Paris-Nice or Pais Vasco above a 2nd place at the Tour (aka first loser) and I bet Berto would too.
Edit2: But if he were to finish 2nd after a perfect prep and a perfect race with no misfortune I think that would ease his mind knowing that that is the most he could get out of it - yes 2014 2016 "what if" but I don't think he'd be as obsessed anymore