Criterium International - St 1: Porto Vecchio Col de lÂ’Ospedale, 176km

[spanky wanderlust]

have the tweets started yet? which one does he pull out first? my money is on the "it's only march, i'm just getting miles" angle.

but i'm secretly hoping for "everyone knows it's the lanterne rouge competition that really matters."

 

[altark123]

have the tweets started yet? which one does he pull out first? my money is on the "it's only march, i'm just getting miles" angle.

but i'm secretly hoping for "everyone knows it's the lanterne rouge competition that really matters."

"Tough first stage here @ Criterium intl. @teamradioshack was awesome. Tiago 2nd, as well as Ben Hermans and @hornerakg in the top 10."

 

[Djago89]

I don't understand why Astana had to do all work in front of peloton? their guys waste their energy dragging the peloton, as it was only Contador and Astana willing to win the race? Fofonov, Vino... especially Navarro, he was pressing hard with only Shack riders at his wheel

 

[spanky wanderlust]

great to see the french have some success! fedrigo is a star!

i like rogers ftw. cadel is another good bet. i don't think machado or sanchez can hold of either of these guys even over 7km.

but let's not forget there is another road stage sitting out there, with time bonuses and many teams in the mix. lots can happen. should be exciting!

 

[Delicato]

I don't understand why Astana had to do all work in front of peloton? their guys waste their energy dragging the peloton, as it was only Contador and Astana willing to win the race? Fofonov, Vino... especially Navarro, he was pressing hard with only Shack riders at his wheel

BMC and Euskadi were also pulling.

 

[python]

Well what do people remember 10 years down the road, the classification, or some good work at the front of the peleton?

i propose that people remember 5 minutes down the road that altark and BPC may match a DNA test even valverde could not argue.

 

[peloton]

Well what do people remember 10 years down the road, the classification, or some good work at the front of the peleton?

It's peloton.......

Wonder what happened to AC today, he didn't look very comfortable on the last climb.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)

 

[Polish]

Calling BS on Alberto's tweet about "allergies".
His tweeted way too soon - like 20mins after the race.
Prepared in advance by his people?

Contador could have DROPPED everyone today.
With AUTHORITY!

But Alberto is dancing a fine line, almost looking Extra-Terrestial...
Lets not risk waking up the slumbering tongues that wag.
Anyone hear from LeMond since the court case?

 

[altark123]

i propose that people remember 5 minutes down the road that altark and BPC may match a DNA test even valverde could not argue.

I don't even know what you're referring to, but your personal attacks are childish. You still didn't answer the question, what do you remember 10 years after a race? or even 6 months? The classification or working the front of the peloton? It's a simple question.

 

[spanky wanderlust]

It's peloton.......

Wonder what happened to AC today, he didn't look very comfortable on the last climb.

paris nice happened to AC. he went deep there both to take the jersey and to defend against two attacking compatriots. he needs to lighten up a bit i think. a beach vacay might just do him some good.

 

[python]

this is a matter for mods to look into.

as i indicated many times altark's DNA is suspiciously that of BPC.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Bottom line. There is no fuel to add to any arguement, showdown, lowdown or even hoedown.

Astana did an excellent job, but Berto wasn't up to finishing it off.
Shack top of their primary season objective again; the all important team classification.
Got 3 in the top 10, but did nothing but follow wheels.
Both got beaten by the token Frenchman, who specialises in breakaways not climbing mountains faster than the rest.

A few questions but fewer answers and I can't say I'm surprised.

 

[peloton]

But Alberto is dancing a fine line, almost looking Extra-Terrestial...

Losing over a minute on a mountain stage to the winner is "looking Extra-Terrestial"?
Wow, never heard that one before.

 

[theswordsman]

I doubt that Contador is weak from Paris-Nice. I think that every rider who finished that race and had some recovery time after it should be fitter as a result. It was good to see Astana and Euskaltel working hard at the front, and a big disappointment as the kilometers ticked by on the final climb and the attack didn't come. But single day or weekend races can be a crap shoot. Since it's unfortunately turned into a training weekend, I'd love to see the 75 kilometer stage treated like a TT on road bikes. Kudos to the guys who showed up strong today.

Alberto Contador was unable to complete its team work today because of a allergic crisis that stoped him to breathe well in the last climb, where he decided to keep his pace on the last three kilometers. Astana leader congratulated his teammates and said that cycling “is influenced by many factors and this shows you cannot win always”.

“It\'s been a pretty hard day”, said Contador, “the team has worked very well, it was very windy and a very good day, very sunny, but that has done that allergy has affected me a lot. I have been attacked especially, and on last 3 kilometers I told Vino to stop because I had trouble for breathing. That causes not to oxygenate my legs well and I decided the best thing was to keep my rhythm and go calmly to the finish”, he said.

Arriving in Corsica, Contador feared already that this could happen, seeing how advanced flowering was. “Yes, but I hoped another cloudy day, as before, when there was more humidity, but this has not happened. I\'m happy for the team\'s work, although it was a pity not to culminate it. Now we must continue calmly with the preparation, to recover and nothing more, wait what I can do tomorrow, because we have a good time trial”.

What happens tomorrow will depend, says Alberto, “of how to recover and how I feel of allergy, but it’s a good course for me and today I allowed myself to be more relaxed at the end than other riders”.

Finally, Contador said not to feel disappointed by this result. “I do not feel disappointed”, he said, “people must understand that you cannot always win. There are many factors in the sport and especially in cycling. As I said, nobody is unbeatable”. Indeed, despite a good start, “the wind has moved much pollen and you just have to see my legs to notice how I retained liquids as a result of allergy”, he concluded.

http://www.albertocontador.com/prensa.detalle.php?id=340

 

[altark123]

this is a matter for mods to look into.

as i indicated many times altark's DNA is suspiciously that of BPC.

The mods....I have been a member on here for a while, even though I have a low post count. I have never had any other username on this site or anything along those lines and even use part of my name in my username. I am not simply trolling around looking to start fights.

Is BPC some well known troll or something? I still don't understand the reference.

In fact, I've been a member longer than you have so if you're saying I am another account of someone else, I assure I am not.

Edit:Well, I have now read some other threads where you referred to trolls as BPC, so I gather it is someone who is well known around here. I am not him. I live in Michigan, have been a member on here longer than you, and just because I don't hate Armstrong, that does not make me a troll.
I welcome any questions, IP checks from the mods, and they will tell you I am not anyone else.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

We have run DNA comparison tests and can now pronounce altark123 to be clean.

Susan

 

[thehog]

From EuroSport:

Spectators lining the road up to the Col de l'Ospedale, with a bird's-eye view of the sunbathed Porto Vecchio bay, looked stunned as the American struggled on the ascent.

"My day was not very spectacular," a sweaty Armstrong, wearing a towel wrapped around his neck, said with a smile.

 

[Zen Master]

Wonder what happened to AC today, he didn't look very comfortable on the last climb.

Yep...very strange indeed...

 

[Zen Master]

From EuroSport:

Spectators lining the road up to the Col de l'Ospedale, with a bird's-eye view of the sunbathed Porto Vecchio bay, looked stunned as the American struggled on the ascent.

"My day was not very spectacular," a sweaty Armstrong, wearing a towel wrapped around his neck, said with a smile.

The one who is humble is always successful

 

[MrContador]

Yep...very strange indeed...

Alberto had trouble breathing due to his pollen allergy. He said he just focused on riding at his own pace the last 2 kms.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Reactions stage 1: Lance, Contadsor, Evans

Italian to English translation (google)

from:
http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/27-03-2010/criterium-tappa-fedrigo-603447087818.shtml


LANCE Looks ahead - "A first peak of form I want to have the Tour of California (May, ed) because I want to help Levy (Leipheimer, ed) and because the race is very important for our sponsors. But the most important thing is that is good in July, from Rotterdam to Paris. " After the heavy defeat in the first stage of the Criterium International Lance Armstrong looks forward. Thinking that the race to offer just the opportunity of redemption with a time trial, especially his beloved. "But it's a chrono atypical because short (7.7 km) and in the morning we have another half-stage. In addition, the summer time we lose an hour of sleep. But I will try to do it as fast as possible."

CONTADOR BELIEVES - Contador, but the day today expect much more, looking with an eye on the past and the other the near future does not lose his smile. "I had said on the eve of the allergy worried me. Remember that I suffered much in the Giro? My fortune two years ago was that in key moments it was raining. But remain calm, you can not always win. The team worked well and this is important. And the time trial tomorrow afternoon I like. The only thing, though I find it difficult, I hope it rains because so do I clean a little 'air'.

And Evans? Just return to the hotel is incredulous: "Are you sure that Contador has lost more than a minute? But sure? Really sure? Well, then lost a lot. For the final victory I, Sanchez and Rogers we play, but Fedrigo has an advantage. It will be tough to beat. "

 

[Cobber]

Anyone got a video of the finish. Damn jet lag...........

 

[Zen Master]

Alberto had trouble breathing due to his pollen allergy. He said he just focused on riding at his own pace the last 2 kms.

Thanks a lot

Btw, great avatar... il grande Pirata...

 

[ferryman]

Cracking ride by Dave Millar today. Pity the ITT isn't a wee bit longer, he could have been looking at top three..