All three grand tours.

[The Hitch]

Fortunately you can't make a course that will suit them both at the same time. Whatever course he will make, it will always suit Contador, as he is so versatile.

Youve missed the ace prudehomme has up his sleeve.

90km ttt

Contador out for the 10 count.

 

[karlboss]

Youve missed the ace prudehomme has up his sleeve.

90km ttt

Contador out for the 10 count.

You'll have noticed that most of us have mentioned Contador would need a stronger team, so a TTT would help

 

[Caruut]

Youve missed the ace prudehomme has up his sleeve.

90km ttt

Contador out for the 10 count.

What comes first, the Tour route or the deadline for signing riders? Either way, the treble would have to be raced pretty cynically - he'd need the kind of riders who would TTT well anyway.

 

[The Hitch]

What comes first, the Tour route or the deadline for signing riders? Either way, the treble would have to be raced pretty cynically - he'd need the kind of riders who would TTT well anyway.

Well the ttt has already been announced and its 20k. So say The Great One loses a minute there, and Andrew matches him in the mountains, then he can't afford to lose any time on mechanicals or crashes or any of that.

 

[Caruut]

Well the ttt has already been announced and its 20k. So say The Great One loses a minute there, and Andrew matches him in the mountains, then he can't afford to lose any time on mechanicals or crashes or any of that.

As I've said before - he'll need a great team built around this objective. He can assemble a team to take time in the TTT. Obviously he probably can't even get this team together.

 

[42x16ss]

I was saying he will never win the Tour more, but the Giro+Vuelta double is hypothetically feasible.

It's not just feasible - he did it in 2008

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's not just feasible - he did it in 2008

That's something airstream has already deleted from his memory.

 

[Gregory]

Youve missed the ace prudehomme has up his sleeve.

90km ttt

Contador out for the 10 count.

You have a point here. It would have to be a Tour almost devoid of mountain top finishes and ITTs, however.
But perhaps this move could be justified in the eyes of some. Isn't Tour de France a team competition (if we take the rethoric from the 2009 Tour coming from the Lance camp as a pointer) and isn't Andy the 'people's champion' while 'nobody likes Contador'?

 

[airstream]

It's your hope and dream because if it were not to come true it would mean more failure for dear Andy. There's nothing wrong with dreaming. Reach for the stars! You have to believe in your boy and believe that that his reign of terror upon the Tour will have to start at some point. You are likely firmly of the belief that Contador's 2011 Tour performance was a sign of his declining talent and that Andy's finishing ahead of him was a sign that Andy has surpassed Contador as the preiminent talent in grand tours. You probably believe Andy is the world's best climber and that his TT skills under the expert tutelage of Johann will deliver him to a string of Tour wins to rival HWINTBN.

Well prepare yourself for disappointment. I believe Andy will one day win the Tour and he may one day actually defeat Contador in the Tour, although I think it isn't likely to happen until Contador begins his actual declining years. Unfortunately for Andy they aren't anywhere in the immediate future.
Add to that the difference in mentality of Contador and Andy: One lives to compete and the other lives to win the Tour. We see how this difference in attitude has played out over the years and will likely continue to.

it's reality and schleck hasn't figured in the thread until you mentioned him. everything is easy. after ban, riders never remain the same for a number of objective reasons. basso's and vinokourov's stories are enough for me. naturally, the duration of suspension plays quite a significant role in that, but obviously not it is not so overwhelming one as fans would like. and currently the first contador's goal is to try to become an honest rider, able to win being clean rather than to win the vuelta and dream of the double. so what? contador's mentality itself will win the tour for him? Everyone has got their way. i'm absolutely sure that if andy goofs around the whole season before, mentality has got nothing to do with that and its the best way to get a peak in july and show 105%. yea, to win the tour for me is sort of harder than to do the double giro-vuelta, though I give to it a minimal likelihood. the giro field weakens, there are no new italians who could replace basso and scarponi. as for vuelta only purito and anton are ready to compete there without a hitch. it says a lot. the tour is by far the toughest race in terms of tension, grade of competition, say, sinews which cyclist has to pull out from himself in order to win. although, fans don't really care, having measured as minimum 5-6 unclowded years for contador. ok, go ahead, keep building castles in the sky.

thanks, it will be sad to read your posts full of disappointment for me when andy wins the tour.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Airstream it's getting annoying now.

 

[airstream]

Airstream it's getting annoying now.

to be sure, any alternative stance annoys you.

 

[LaFlorecita]

to be sure, any alternative stance annoys you.

You clearly don't get what I meant.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Go easy guys.

I vote no. For the reasons Hitch listed.

Let's just say he pulled off a Giro/Tour double. Then, in late august while he's lying on the beach there's a major flu outbreak among all the riders in the peloton. He decides to give it a shot and enters. Even then I'd say he'd only have an outside chance.

 

[Carols]

the giro field weakens, there are no new italians who could replace basso and scarponi.
thanks, it will be sad to read your posts full of disappointment for me when andy wins the tour.

Hey you forgot The Shark...getting stronger all the time and yet to add the Giro to his palmares!

I will be happy for you should Andy ever win the Tour on the road. He is still young, it could happen....someday......maybe......if Contador isn't in the field and Andy decides to turn into a bike racer.

 

[Angliru]

it's reality and schleck hasn't figured in the thread until you mentioned him. everything is easy. after ban, riders never remain the same for a number of objective reasons. basso's and vinokourov's stories are enough for me. naturally, the duration of suspension plays quite a significant role in that, but obviously not it is not so overwhelming one as fans would like. and currently the first contador's goal is to try to become an honest rider, able to win being clean rather than to win the vuelta and dream of the double. so what? contador's mentality itself will win the tour for him? Everyone has got their way. i'm absolutely sure that if andy goofs around the whole season before, mentality has got nothing to do with that and its the best way to get a peak in july and show 105%. yea, to win the tour for me is sort of harder than to do the double giro-vuelta, though I give to it a minimal likelihood. the giro field weakens, there are no new italians who could replace basso and scarponi. as for vuelta only purito and anton are ready to compete there without a hitch. it says a lot. the tour is by far the toughest race in terms of tension, grade of competition, say, sinews which cyclist has to pull out from himself in order to win. although, fans don't really care, having measured as minimum 5-6 unclowded years for contador. ok, go ahead, keep building castles in the sky.

thanks, it will be sad to read your posts full of disappointment for me when andy wins the tour.

How can any of us talk of the liklihood of Contador being able to do the triple without bringing his arch-rival into the conversation? I simply got straight to the point while you danced around it. Also I've stated in the past that Andy is bound to win a Tour eventually, not that I'll be cheering him on, but his level of talent is such that it's almost inevitable provided he doesn't continue to muck up his opportunities.

I'm not sure what "castles in the sky" you're referring to. It is obviously your hope that Contador doesn't continue to beat Andy in the race that is his ultimate goal and that is understandable since you're such a big Andy fan.

Your belief that Basso and Vino's post suspension performances are evidence that Contador's return will lead to him being unable to continue with his grand tour/Tour successes is unfounded. Contador will have spent approximately 6 months away from competition compared to the 2 years of Basso and Vino.
Vino was almost in his mid 30's when he faced his suspension and heading towards the downward slope of his career. Still he returned and won LBL.
Basso returned, finished 4th in both the Giro and Vuelta upon his first full season back and the next year won the Giro. His lack of success at the Tour can be attributed to his time away from the sport in his first attempt, and in his second to not being fully recovered from multiple injuries that he had prior to the Tour. Age is ultimately a factor in his decline overall of course due in part to his 2 years away from the sport. Contador is still in his prime. Basso and Vino, especially Vino are past theirs.

 

[Red Rick]

How can any of us talk of the liklihood of Contador being able to do the triple without bringing his arch-rival into the conversation? I simply got straight to the point while you danced around it. Also I've stated in the past that Andy is bound to win a Tour eventually, not that I'll be cheering him on, but his level of talent is such that it's almost inevitable provided he doesn't continue to muck up his opportunities.

I'm not sure what "castles in the sky" you're referring to. It is obviously your hope that Contador doesn't continue to beat Andy in the race that is his ultimate goal and that is understandable since you're such a big Andy fan.

Your belief that Basso and Vino's post suspension performances are evidence that Contador's return will lead to him being unable to continue with his grand tour/Tour successes is unfounded. Contador will have spent approximately 6 months away from competition compared to the 2 years of Basso and Vino.
Vino was almost in his mid 30's when he faced his suspension and heading towards the downward slope of his career. Still he returned and won LBL.
Basso returned, finished 4th in both the Giro and Vuelta upon his first full season back and the next year won the Giro. His lack of success at the Tour can be attributed to his time away from the sport in his first attempt, and in his second to not being fully recovered from multiple injuries that he had prior to the Tour. Age is ultimately a factor in his decline overall of course due in part to his 2 years away from the sport. Contador is still in his prime. Basso and Vino, especially Vino are past theirs.

What, you mean the UCI, how can a rider who won a maximum of two stage races be his arch-rival?

 

[Angliru]

What, you mean the UCI, how can a rider who won a maximum of two stage races be his arch-rival?

Just keeping it real. He's been the one that has given him the most competition over the past several years in the Tour, with Evans also included in that conversation.

 

[Califootman]

((Well, I was an idiot and just lost a lengthy post analyzing why Contador won't attempt the triple any time soon. I suppose it's a net gain since 45 minutes of my time down the drain is 5 minutes for each of you all saved from reading my drivel.))

So here's the summary:

If Contador is concerned with his place in the history of cycling, he should focus on these prioritized career goals:

1. Win 5 TdFs. (He has 2 at present)
2. Win 7 GTs. (He has 4 at present)
3. Win 2 of each GT. (He has 1 Giro, 2 Tours, 1 Vuelta at present)
4. Win 4 Vueltas. (He has 1 at present)

Only #3 above requires him to win another Giro, so I don't see him attempting one until either #1 or #2 are achieved. Therefore, no attempt at the triple for a while. Unfortunately, that means he will likely be beyond his best years if and when he attempts it, further decreasing the already small chance that he would succeed.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

((Well, I was an idiot and just lost a lengthy post analyzing why Contador won't attempt the triple any time soon. I suppose it's a net gain since 45 minutes of my time down the drain is 5 minutes for each of you all saved from reading my drivel.))

So here's the summary:

If Contador is concerned with his place in the history of cycling, he should focus on these prioritized career goals:

1. Win 5 TdFs. (He has 2 at present)
2. Win 7 GTs. (He has 4 at present)
3. Win 2 of each GT. (He has 1 Giro, 2 Tours, 1 Vuelta at present)
4. Win 4 Vueltas. (He has 1 at present)

Only #3 above requires him to win another Giro, so I don't see him attempting one until either #1 or #2 are achieved. Therefore, no attempt at the triple for a while. Unfortunately, that means he will likely be beyond his best years if and when he attempts it, further decreasing the already small chance that he would succeed.

Yeah, I think you missed a Giro there

 

[Caruut]

Yeah, I think you missed a Giro there

And a tour.

 

[LaFlorecita]

((Well, I was an idiot and just lost a lengthy post analyzing why Contador won't attempt the triple any time soon. I suppose it's a net gain since 45 minutes of my time down the drain is 5 minutes for each of you all saved from reading my drivel.))

So here's the summary:

If Contador is concerned with his place in the history of cycling, he should focus on these prioritized career goals:

1. Win 5 TdFs. (He has 2 at present)
2. Win 7 GTs. (He has 4 at present)
3. Win 2 of each GT. (He has 1 Giro, 2 Tours, 1 Vuelta at present)
4. Win 4 Vueltas. (He has 1 at present)

Only #3 above requires him to win another Giro, so I don't see him attempting one until either #1 or #2 are achieved. Therefore, no attempt at the triple for a while. Unfortunately, that means he will likely be beyond his best years if and when he attempts it, further decreasing the already small chance that he would succeed.

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.

 

[Forunculo]

1. Win 5 TdFs. (He has 2 at present)

Probably

2. Win 7 GTs. (He has 4 at present)

Easy, at the end of 2013

3. Win 2 of each GT. (He has 1 Giro, 2 Tours, 1 Vuelta at present)

The only problem is when he is going to ride a Giro and could defend the Tour

4. Win 4 Vueltas. (He has 1 at present)

If he is dedicated after the Tour, he can.

 

[Angliru]

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.

I think you're underestimating his tenacity and drive.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think you're underestimating his tenacity and drive.

The third one is possible. I see him getting 2 Vueltas 2 Giros. You can't deny that he'll get older too and that other younger riders will start to win GTs.

edit: And I never underestimate him I actually always expect the impossible.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

it's reality and schleck hasn't figured in the thread until you mentioned him. everything is easy. after ban, riders never remain the same for a number of objective reasons. basso's and vinokourov's stories are enough for me. naturally, the duration of suspension plays quite a significant role in that, but obviously not it is not so overwhelming one as fans would like. and currently the first contador's goal is to try to become an honest rider, able to win being clean rather than to win the vuelta and dream of the double. so what? contador's mentality itself will win the tour for him? Everyone has got their way. i'm absolutely sure that if andy goofs around the whole season before, mentality has got nothing to do with that and its the best way to get a peak in july and show 105%. yea, to win the tour for me is sort of harder than to do the double giro-vuelta, though I give to it a minimal likelihood. the giro field weakens, there are no new italians who could replace basso and scarponi. as for vuelta only purito and anton are ready to compete there without a hitch. it says a lot. the tour is by far the toughest race in terms of tension, grade of competition, say, sinews which cyclist has to pull out from himself in order to win. although, fans don't really care, having measured as minimum 5-6 unclowded years for contador. ok, go ahead, keep building castles in the sky.

thanks, it will be sad to read your posts full of disappointment for me when andy wins the tour.

no ofc to come back and win the LBL is nothing at all....