Contador GT triple in 2013 or 2014?

[jordan5000]

I would love to see him try it, and it would be an incredible feat, but can't see him going for it any time soon. In 2010 Sastre finished top 10 at both Giro and Vuelta and 20th at the Tour, so a good result is clearly possible at all three.

Lol the washed up Sastre got those results and people are saying Contador can't do it, if he tries he'll probably podium all three GTs.

 

[patrick767]

In other words, to do the triple he would need perfect conditions and good luck for at least five months straight. Very unlikely.

Yep. Some luck is always needed to win a GT anyway. That's why it's so hard to keep winning TdF after TdF.

Look how many contenders were eliminated completely or hampered in later stages by crashes this year, even riders who's teams tried to get them near the front. Everyone with a decent GC contender wants up front. There doesn't appear to currently be a team that's so strong that they can control the front of the peloton whenever they want.

Keeping out of trouble in GT after GT is really tough, requiring a great team, superb bike handling skills, and definitely some luck. This year I think Cadel benefited greatly by having Hincapie's help in the bunch. Big George is an old hand at keeping his leader out of trouble in the peloton.

 

[patrick767]

He could have possibly won by quite a bit more from what I could see. The idea of building a lead on your opponents is to have a cushion in the case of unexpected maladies that could occur like crashes, bonks, errors in tactics/strategy etc...

Yep. Tactically building that big of a lead was a very good move and I wouldn't expect him to do any different in the future. You just never know what can happen later in the race. Get that time cushion if you can.

 

[Desperate Moments]

I remain convinced that all of the uncertainty surrounding the CAS appeal weighed as heavily on Alberto during the Tour as did residual fatigue from the Giro. I am also convinced that he didn't receive the warmest of welcomes from the peloton at the Tour, but that he earned back their respect with the classy way he fought back from all of the adversity. He is a great champion, but he's also a human being--and seems like a particularly sensitive guy. That said, I believe if he is cleared by the CAS, he will be relieved of those burdens, and as for what he can then accomplish on the bike, we ain't seen nothing yet.

 

[ferryman]

I remain convinced that all of the uncertainty surrounding the CAS appeal weighed as heavily on Alberto during the Tour as did residual fatigue from the Giro. I am also convinced that he didn't receive the warmest of welcomes from the peloton at the Tour, but that he earned back their respect with the classy way he fought back from all of the adversity. He is a great champion, but he's also a human being--and seems like a particularly sensitive guy. That said, I believe if he is cleared by the CAS, he will be relieved of those burdens, and as for what he can then accomplish on the bike, we ain't seen nothing yet.

Nicely put. I'm looking forward to a Tour/Vuelta double 2012. Strong favourite for both and realistically achievable. Then the excitement would reaaly start. Giro 2013...and then...

 

[Winterfold]

Have you been to an ear doctor lately? If not I suggest that you run--do not walk--to get an appointment.

pmsl - even if you are wrong about so much else

 

[Winterfold]

Maybe he could do the TDF and Vuelta in July/August, then the Giro the following May...all in a 12 month period. Still pretty ambitious even for Alberto.

This would count as a triple for me - he would still need good courses though - enough ITT for him to smash the Shreks but not so much Wiggo or Cuddles steal a win while he races more conservatively cos he has the treble in mind