All three grand tours.

[Califootman]

Yeah, I think you missed a Giro there

Okay, that's gonna cost you... time (if you choose to read this, that is). 'Cause now I've gotta go into part of the original post I lost:

(Please pardon this brief (for me) rant): I really feel Contador got penalized for the RFEC's blunder with the timing of his suspension. He was cleared to compete for the first part of 2011, and however dubious that clearance may have been, it was not Contador's doing. Those results should stand, with the end of his suspension being pushed out the length of time he competed in 2011. Instead of a Giro win and a top-5 Tour finish on his palmares, he gets a chance to compete in the 2012 Vuelta (admittedly as the likely prohibitive favorite) and the 2012 Worlds. Which would you rather have?

Alright, rant off. To get back on topic, I think Contador needs to focus on TOUR TOUR TOUR over the next few years. However, riding the Vuelta won't interfere with Tour preparation, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him competing there, too. He needs GT wins, and the Vuelta is probably the easiest one to win (especially since he could probably design the route himself if he wanted to). Plus, I think he'd like to get another double (Tour-Vuelta) to go with the Giro-Vuelta in his palmares.

I think Contador still has a chance to accomplish enough to be mentioned in the same breath as the legends of cycling. A pretty decent chance, actually. What I think this suspension may have cost him is the chance to establish himself inarguably as the greatest GT rider of all time. We shall see.

 

[LaFlorecita]

and currently the first contador's goal is to try to become an honest rider, able to win being clean.

For some reason I don't think that's Alberto's first goal..

He is able to win clean, whether you believe he doped or not.

Or you must believe he doped when he was ~20 years old.

I don't believe he doped, never. I think he values his life too much after that accident to risk it with doping.

 

[Red Rick]

He will succeed in none of the goals. So no place in history for him. What I've been saying since February 6th.

Such a shame. He could've become one of the greatest.

At least Andy will never forget Verbier 2009

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Okay, that's gonna cost you... time (if you choose to read this, that is). 'Cause now I've gotta go into part of the original post I lost:

(Please pardon this brief (for me) rant): I really feel Contador got penalized for the RFEC's blunder with the timing of his suspension. He was cleared to compete for the first part of 2011, and however dubious that clearance may have been, it was not Contador's doing. Those results should stand, with the end of his suspension being pushed out the length of time he competed in 2011. Instead of a Giro win and a top-5 Tour finish on his palmares, he gets a chance to compete in the 2012 Vuelta (admittedly as the likely prohibitive favorite) and the 2012 Worlds. Which would you rather have?

Alright, rant off. To get back on topic, I think Contador needs to focus on TOUR TOUR TOUR over the next few years. However, riding the Vuelta won't interfere with Tour preparation, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him competing there, too. He needs GT wins, and the Vuelta is probably the easiest one to win (especially since he could probably design the route himself if he wanted to). Plus, I think he'd like to get another double (Tour-Vuelta) to go with the Giro-Vuelta in his palmares.

I think Contador still has a chance to accomplish enough to be mentioned in the same breath as the legends of cycling. A pretty decent chance, actually. What I think this suspension may have cost him is the chance to establish himself inarguably as the greatest GT rider of all time. We shall see.

Only thing Contador need now (If you ask me) is 2 tours where he destoys the field. Do what he did last giro + have a strong team with him, if he does that, atleast i will remember him as top 3 strongest gt riders

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

For some reason I don't think that's Alberto's first goal..

He is able to win clean, whether you believe he doped or not.

Or you must believe he doped when he was ~20 years old.

I don't believe he doped, never. I think he values his life too much after that accident to risk it with doping.

Oh darling, is it Armstong we are talking about?

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think Contador still has a chance to accomplish enough to be mentioned in the same breath as the legends of cycling. A pretty decent chance, actually. What I think this suspension may have cost him is the chance to establish himself inarguably as the greatest GT rider of all time. We shall see.

This. But I disagree with the rest. I'd like to know why everyone thinks (except airstream) that Alberto is going to win so many GT titles after his suspension. I mean, I'm a huge fangirl but even I don't think he can pull that off.

He would've ended up among the greats but that chance is gone now. He loses 3 years of winning GTs and that's a lot. Especially since they're (especially the last two) his best years. He'll have 1 or 2 years left in the prime of his career. That's it. And if we could count on him winning GTs he could end up with 8 GT wins or so. But history shows that we can't.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Oh darling, is it Armstong we are talking about?

No. The exact opposite.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Only thing Contador need now (If you ask me) is 2 tours where he destoys the field. Do what he did last giro + have a strong team with him, if he does that, atleast i will remember him as top 3 strongest gt riders

Yes, YOU will remember him. I will do so as well. Just as other fans. But the regular cycling fan won't.

Now I remember Alberto saying he doesn't care about records and his palmares.

But I also remember him saying that he wants to leave the sport with the feeling he's done something good for it. And that he wants to be remembered for that.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Yes, YOU will remember him. I will do so as well. Just as other fans. But the regular cycling fan won't.

Now I remember Alberto saying he doesn't care about records and his palmares.

But I also remember him saying that he wants to leave the sport with the feeling he's done something good for it. And that he wants to be remembered for that.

Now, now, he will be remembered, but he ain't no Vino sweet heart

 

[Forunculo]

This. But I disagree with the rest. I'd like to know why everyone thinks (except airstream) that Alberto is going to win so many GT titles after his suspension. I mean, I'm a huge fangirl but even I don't think he can pull that off.

He would've ended up among the greats but that chance is gone now. He loses 3 years of winning GTs and that's a lot. Especially since they're (especially the last two) his best years. He'll have 1 or 2 years left in the prime of his career. That's it. And if we could count on him winning GTs he could end up with 8 GT wins or so. But history shows that we can't.

Because we aren't Contador haters unlike airstream and you

It was told by some close riders to him that Contador has hardly no life outside the bike, he is full committed to the sport. Two month ago when the CAS verdict Pereiro spoke of how even in october-november he is ready for the action. (Weight/diet/training)

 

[LaFlorecita]

Now, now, he will be remembered, but he ain't no Vino sweet heart

But Vino will be remembered because he's awesome and just slightly (a whole lot) crazy.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It was told by some close riders to him that Contador has hardly no life outside the bike, he is full committed to the sport. Two month ago when the CAS verdict Pereiro spoke of how even in october-november he is ready for the action. (Weight/diet/training)

That is now. Not in two years time. Besides, however much you're committed to the sport doesn't matter (Andy Schleck scenarios aside) you need to be the best.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

But Vino will be remembered because he's awesome and just slightly (a whole lot) crazy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9LBsWCNE9I
Also for the most epic tt ever... don't you forget!

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9LBsWCNE9I
Also for the most epic tt ever... don't you forget!

Valverde, Vino, Velasco. So much epicness.

 

[uphillstruggle]

Two month ago when the CAS verdict Pereiro spoke of how even in october-november he is ready for the action. (Weight/diet/training)

So why did AC gain 7 Kg in the off season then? Personally I think the 7 kg thing was bull****, he didn't look at all overweight - just mind games.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

So why did AC gain 7 Kg in the off season then? Personally I think the 7 kg thing was bull****, he didn't look at all overweight - just mind games.

he looked pretty fit in Argentina, so ye probably just mind games

 

[Forunculo]

That is now. Not in two years time. Besides, however much you're committed to the sport doesn't matter (Andy Schleck scenarios aside) you need to be the best.

In two years he will be still the best and if you are committed you can extend the lifespan of your career.

He will be 30 in next TdF, and with 31, 32, 33 and 34 there is no reason to expect nothing else than a win from him. And even with more years he can challenge some Giros and Vueltas.

 

[LaFlorecita]

In two years he will be still the best and if you are committed you can extend the lifespan of your career.

He will be 30 in next TdF, and with 31, 32, 33 and 34 there is no reason to expect nothing else than a win from him. And even with more years he can challenge some Giros and Vueltas.

Please 34 is old not everyone is like Cadel.

 

[The Hitch]

Valverde, Vino, Alberto. So much epicness.

It works better with Velasco.

Tripple V.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It works better with Velasco.

Tripple V.

Okay I edit.

 

[Forunculo]

So why did AC gain 7 Kg in the off season then? Personally I think the 7 kg thing was bull****, he didn't look at all overweight - just mind games.

Huge sandbagging, he always told that he needs one month of racing to catch the form and with goals at the end of the season like Vuelta he won't be in form in february.

His two little accelerations at the two summits in Argentina against a Levi in more than decent form are pretty clear for me.