Contador was attentive to late attacks at Paris-Nice to seal the deal. Evans is staying agreesive and near the sprinters in T-A. How does this bode for the other contenders?
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ludwig said:One of the reasons this is a huge result for Contador is he managed to defeat an in-form Valverde. Contador doesn't have that many victories over Valverde when they are contesting the same race...
Paris-Nice is one of those races where Contador has been stronger in recent years. Notch one for Contador--the big races are what matters and he just won the big race.
ludwig said:One of the reasons this is a huge result for Contador is he managed to defeat an in-form Valverde. Contador doesn't have that many victories over Valverde when they are contesting the same race...
bianchigirl said:Contador has been impressive in his wins at Murcia and P-N but Evans???!!! Come on, the bloke had one dig today - this is akin to saying Armstrong will win the TdF because he showed his face at the Cancer Classic FFS.
Angliru said:He did beat Valverde in the 2008 Vuelta and on that race's queen stage up the Angliru. Also the 2007 Tour, Valverde I believe finished 6th to the eventual race leader Contador.
Libertine Seguros said:Then again, in the 2009 Dauphiné it's more than likely Contador wasn't really trying, thinking about the Tour, whereas Valverde of course was out to prove a point. Valverde will beat Evans regardless, because Evans has a mental hex re: The Green Bullet.
Angliru said:Evans still believes there is a chance for him taking the overall with Scarponi appearing "weakened" on today's final climb. Scarponi apparently was injured by a fall caused by a collision with 2 of his teammates on an ascent late in the race. Evans' hard drive to the line had me wondering why he was giving his break companions such a perfect lead out but as I read in a recent cyclingnews report and posted on another thread, he was trying to gain time on Scarponi and/or avoid allowing his break to be swept up by the chasing peloton. I thought it was another example of his questionable tactical sense but I was mistaken.
Delicato said:The 1999-2005 era created the famous myth that the GT contender should only peak in July, and not winning anything in the first part of season.
I am glad that Contador totally destroyed that myth.
Colm.Murphy said:seeing Evans attack, at all, in any format, shows something.
Despite his new stripes, Evans is perhaps one of the most overrated racers in quite a long time. IMHO
Nearly said:In that case I would struggle to find (m)any less overrated riders (and that is before you filter out the enhanced ones!
That's a really good point. I'm ashamed I was one who fell for it.Delicato said:The 1999-2005 era created the famous myth that the GT contender should only peak in July, and not winning anything in the first part of season.
I am glad that Contador totally destroyed that myth.
bianchigirl said:Agreed - it's taken Evans a very long time to get over losing the Giro in 2002 and his palmares are pretty poor for someone so relentlessly touted as a contender.
auscyclefan94 said:That's what I like to hear. Generally Contador goes to PN with some strong form. His goal is the tour. Evans is also building up but his goal is the giro and then possibly the tour. TA and PN are different kind of races as well.
Runitout said:You're kidding, right? He's clean 'cos he's Aussie?
Conta is showing great form. I thought Evans' tactics questionable, Scarponi issue notwithstanding. All the good riders are showing good form, save the Radioshack team who appear in hibernation still.
How good is Sagan? Just when you see an EBH or whoever and think -'there is the future of cycling' - someone else comes along as well. Be interested to follow his career!
Delicato said:Well the last time when Valverde defeated Contador was the last year's edition of Dauphine Libere, IIRC. Other than that I can't remember when Valverde was stronger than Contador, only on one-day races, but he is clearly much stronger in that department.
And also remember Tour de France, Tour of the Basque country, Vuelta Castilla y Leon-in all that races Contador was much better.