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

[red_flanders]

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.



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

Good post on post-PN fitness. Not sure why, but I actually buy this given the weather and time of year. As I said during the race, he looked uncomfortable during Vino's pull. He was making a lot of faces and seemed to have trouble getting his air. As an allergy sufferer, I can see it. Not saying I totally buy any excuse from a pro cyclist, but this doesn't seem too unreasonable to me. He did look like he backed off and backed Vino off, just as he says.

Armstrong on the other hand, is just out of shape.

Surprised by the stage on many counts actually. None of the big names looked particularly strong, save Vino. That a guy like Ferdrigo (sp?) got away may suggest people just weren't going that hard. It's pretty early for the likes of Evans, Contador and Armstrong to be killing themselves. They'll all shockingly round into form in July.

 

[peloton]

Good post on post-PN fitness. Not sure why, but I actually buy this given the weather and time of year. As I said during the race, he looked uncomfortable during Vino's pull. He was making a lot of faces and seemed to have trouble getting his air. As an allergy sufferer, I can see it. Not saying I totally buy any excuse from a pro cyclist, but this doesn't seem too unreasonable to me. He did look like he backed off and backed Vino off, just as he says.

Armstrong on the other hand, is just out of shape.

Surprised by the stage on many counts actually. None of the big names looked particularly strong, save Vino. That a guy like Ferdrigo (sp?) got away may suggest people just weren't going that hard. It's pretty early for the likes of Evans, Contador and Armstrong to be killing themselves. They'll all shockingly round into form in July.

Thanks, I was wondering why he looked like he was grasping for air, makes sense now.

Vino did look very strong, think he will do very well in the TT tomorrow, along with Millar, Evans and SS.

 

[stefrees]

6. VACANSOLEIL PRO CYCLING TEAM 16h 02' 57" + 03' 01"
7. COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 16h 03' 33" + 03' 37"
8. BMC RACING TEAM 16h 03' 49" + 03' 53"
11. SAUR-SOJASUN 16h 06' 40" + 06' 44"
14. TEAM SKY 16h 16' 09" + 16' 13"

> Why Vacansoleil deserves a wildcard in the Tour de France
Also strong in E3 Prijs today.
Cmon ASO

id really like to see vacansoleil in the tour, but i dont see how a team gc in one stage can mean they should be there at sky's or cofidis' expense for example? they certainly would add to the tour, but so would cofidis (first and second in catalunya today) and sky (3rd in E3, wiggins GC contender EBH green jersey possibility).

 

[Lucky man]

I thought it was more embarrassing for Contador than Armstrong. The last shot of Armstrong on the climb had him sitting up and chatting away, so he clearly never even tried to do anything from the start. He was ill last week as well so just stayed at the back.

But Contador clearly WAS trying to do something. At one point he was in second place and about to attack, but he winced and was quickly churned out the back of the lead group. Trying and failing is worse than not trying in the first place.

There is no doubt AC is the best rider in the world right now, but I don't think he is quite as magical as some people think. Look at the TdF's he has won. The first one was gifted to him when Rasmussen was pulled out and he only just held off Evans in the time trial, and Evans was not as good as he is now. The second one he beat Frank Schleck - someone who was beaten by Sastre and Evans himself the year before so is not exactly that great - and Armstrong who had just come out of retirement at 37.

And at Paris Nice AC gave it his absolute all after the failure of last year but only won it by 12 seconds. There was several close calls finishes why he could have easily lost it.

As good as AC is, I could easily see other riders closing the gap on him this year. To be a great champion you do need a bit of luck, and I just have this feeling that AC's luck might be running out.

 

[Nearly]

Curious that Alberto was tired from P-N and battling hay fever yet gained not one but two lots of time bonuses (look out Cav & Co while that pollen lasts)! Smart tactical move or the opposite?

 

[BikeCentric]

I reckon Millar could take 9 seconds out of SS over 8k

Me too man, I'm picking Millar for the win! Would be great to see him get a big W after his past "troubles."

On another note, it was kind of good to see AC suffer and lose time for a change, not that I wish him any ill will whatsoever. It's just that he's looked like quite the machine on the climbs for some time now, making it look easy, and I just think one of the really cool things about bike racing is the way it can humble even the very best riders.

 

[BroDeal]

I thought it was more embarrassing for Contador than Armstrong. The last shot of Armstrong on the climb had him sitting up and chatting away, so he clearly never even tried to do anything from the start. He was ill last week as well so just stayed at the back.

But Contador clearly WAS trying to do something. At one point he was in second place and about to attack, but he winced and was quickly churned out the back of the lead group. Trying and failing is worse than not trying in the first place.

There is no doubt AC is the best rider in the world right now, but I don't think he is quite as magical as some people think. Look at the TdF's he has won. The first one was gifted to him when Rasmussen was pulled out and he only just held off Evans in the time trial, and Evans was not as good as he is now. The second one he beat Frank Schleck - someone who was beaten by Sastre and Evans himself the year before so is not exactly that great - and Armstrong who had just come out of retirement at 37.

And at Paris Nice AC gave it his absolute all after the failure of last year but only won it by 12 seconds. There was several close calls finishes why he could have easily lost it.

As good as AC is, I could easily see other riders closing the gap on him this year. To be a great champion you do need a bit of luck, and I just have this feeling that AC's luck might be running out.

I have seen this somewhere before.

 

[tubularglue]

http://www.youtube.com/user/worldcyclingchannel2

final km's 2 vids

 

[BikeCentric]

As much as I like Vino, he's lucky he has a job with a Pro Tour team. He could have easily went the way of Tyler and 'Roid Floyd. He should be thanking Contador for not leaving when everyone else did because then there would be no team left for him to ride for.

So no, I do not agree with your assessment. But I loved the way he rode-strong as an ox and right where he should have been-pulling for his team leader.

To get a dose of what his job will be like come July. Not a problem.

You are correct Sir in this analysis. Would you like a cookie? Oh sorry, Armstrong just ate it out of my hand...

 

[karlboss]

Good post on post-PN fitness. Not sure why, but I actually buy this given the weather and time of year. As I said during the race, he looked uncomfortable during Vino's pull. He was making a lot of faces and seemed to have trouble getting his air. As an allergy sufferer, I can see it. Not saying I totally buy any excuse from a pro cyclist, but this doesn't seem too unreasonable to me. He did look like he backed off and backed Vino off, just as he says.

Armstrong on the other hand, is just out of shape.

Surprised by the stage on many counts actually. None of the big names looked particularly strong, save Vino. That a guy like Ferdrigo (sp?) got away may suggest people just weren't going that hard. It's pretty early for the likes of Evans, Contador and Armstrong to be killing themselves. They'll all shockingly round into form in July.

Evans? finished 4th without killing himself, Contador has won PN and Agarve, if they are in form in July there's no real surprise.

I was surprised on a number of accounts also, the group stayed surprisingly large until Vino took it over and when fredrigo went noone seemed interested in chasing except machado. The next group that came in seemed, nearly to a man, to be doing it fairly easily and watching each other. I thought for a moment Evans would take off with about 500 to go, but he looked back saw Sanchez and didn't bother.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I'm picking Evans for the overall as well, but AC to win the TT.

I'm not sure if evans will have a good tt or win.
1)He is riding on his new TT-01
2)He hasn't had a time trial this year
3)personally over a 8km course, I think sanchez is a better tter

lol take it easy bud. just posting it as i see it. It's only a couple seconds anyway, nothing to get in a frenzy over.

http://www.letour.fr/2010/CRI/LIVE/fr/100/classement/index.html

Sorry timmy, these 3am finishes are doing no good to my general mood.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Evans? finished 4th without killing himself, Contador has won PN and Agarve, if they are in form in July there's no real surprise.

I was surprised on a number of accounts also, the group stayed surprisingly large until Vino took it over and when fredrigo went noone seemed interested in chasing except machado. The next group that came in seemed, nearly to a man, to be doing it fairly easily and watching each other. I thought for a moment Evans would take off with about 500 to go, but he looked back saw Sanchez and didn't bother.

i don't think evans had it in the finish personally to ride away. He looked good, but not great.

 

[BikeCentric]

You can't deny they had a decent ride today. Even if the fat guy from Texas didn't.

Even I will agree with that. Machado for the polka-dot jersey perhaps? He's developing into quite a climber.

 

[BroDeal]

Evans? finished 4th without killing himself, Contador has won PN and Agarve, if they are in form in July there's no real surprise.

I was surprised on a number of accounts also, the group stayed surprisingly large until Vino took it over and when fredrigo went noone seemed interested in chasing except machado. The next group that came in seemed, nearly to a man, to be doing it fairly easily and watching each other. I thought for a moment Evans would take off with about 500 to go, but he looked back saw Sanchez and didn't bother.

The pace was not very high. Heck, even Cartstrong moved up through the group until Vino went to the front.

Evans should have taken off at the end, even if it just served to put a few more seconds into the likes of Millar or Rogers.

 

[peloton]

Curious that Alberto was tired from P-N and battling hay fever yet gained not one but two lots of time bonuses (look out Cav & Co while that pollen lasts)! Smart tactical move or the opposite?

I don't think he was tired from PN, as you said he went for the bonus seconds early on.
But it was a very windy stage, he clearly looked like he couldn't breath properly when the final climb started.
Don't know if he just had a bad day or the allergies, but I bet he is happy it happened here and not in the Tour...

Good to see he is human after all.

 

[karlboss]

i don't think evans had it in the finish personally to ride away. He looked good, but not great.

It kind of seemed that way, the pace seemed low and I think he knew he could lift the pace, but i don't think he was riding away from anyone. Actually the same could be said for most in that group.

 

[karlboss]

The pace was not very high. Heck, even Cartstrong moved up through the group until Vino went to the front.

Evans should have taken off at the end, even if it just served to put a few more seconds into the likes of Millar or Rogers.

Before Vino moved to the front the lead group was huge. Navarro only seemed to drop guys right at the end of his pull. Still at the top it was a group of just over 10. So you know they really didn't stretch themselves too far.

 

[auscyclefan94]

It kind of seemed that way, the pace seemed low and I think he knew he could lift the pace, but i don't think he was riding away from anyone. Actually the same could be said for most in that group.

Mick rogers did say though that the wind was very high.

 

[Zen Master]

As good as AC is, I could easily see other riders closing the gap on him this year. To be a great champion you do need a bit of luck, and I just have this feeling that AC's luck might be running out.

Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree...

 

[BroDeal]

Before Vino moved to the front the lead group was huge. Navarro only seemed to drop guys right at the end of his pull. Still at the top it was a group of just over 10. So you know they really didn't stretch themselves too far.

I think the group may have grown in size when Navarro was on the front.

This looks like a cock up on Astana's part. At some point Contador should have realized that he did not have it and informed the team. Vino should have let another team lead the chase. Maybe he would have finished with the Evans group and had a shot at the overall win if he ccould produce a good ITT. Heck, maybe he could have gone with Fedrigo.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I think the group may have grown in size when Navarro was on the front.

This looks like a cock up on Astana's part. At some point Contador should have realized that he did not have it and informed the team. Vino should have let another team lead the chase. Maybe he would have finished with the Evans group and had a shot at the overall win if he ccould produce a good ITT. Heck, maybe he could have gone with Fedrigo.

Don't think he would of gone with fedrigo, when fedrigo went Evans and Sanchez just looked at each other. I think neither of them were that great and they both wanted the other to move first. Tipping sanchez for overall.

 

[karlboss]

I think the group may have grown in size when Navarro was on the front.

This looks like a cock up on Astana's part. At some point Contador should have realized that he did not have it and informed the team. Vino should have let another team lead the chase. Maybe he would have finished with the Evans group and had a shot at the overall win if he ccould produce a good ITT. Heck, maybe he could have gone with Fedrigo.

The group seemed to grow and shrink, growing on the flatter sections. I think Navarro did a good job, but like you said, if the team knew Contador wasn't on they should have changed tactics.

 

[Publicus]

I think the group may have grown in size when Navarro was on the front.

This looks like a cock up on Astana's part. At some point Contador should have realized that he did not have it and informed the team. Vino should have let another team lead the chase. Maybe he would have finished with the Evans group and had a shot at the overall win if he ccould produce a good ITT. Heck, maybe he could have gone with Fedrigo.

I agree. I think part of it was denial on AC's part. He clearly thought he might still have it (though we all saw he was struggling when Navarro was at the front). But he didn't say anything to Vino (according to AC) until 3 KM to go. That's a bit late and given the energy Vino expended setting up the move, not a tactically astute move by AC. You live and you learn, I guess.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, there was a bit of discussion going on at one point. I recall Navarro on the front, with Vino on his wheel and Vino looking around for AC. He finally spots him, says something in his radio and pulls off and drops back to AC. Don't know the gist of the conversation (obviously, AC said he was still ok, since Vino went ahead and detonated the group), but I think there was some discussion.

I will say this, every time out, I am worried less and less about Astana at the Tour. They still have some bugs to work out, but I don't think it will be a lack of effort/talent that will be AC's downfall at the Tour (if he has one).

 

[auscyclefan94]

Fedrigo at the Dauphine 12km tt
64 Pierrick Fédrigo (Fra) BBox Bouygues Telecom 1.09

That was a hilly course which would of suited him. personally I think he will lose it. Especially on the flat sections of the course. Yes it is 1/4 less but on the flat parts especially I think he will lose it. I think rogers will have a good ride.

 

[theyoungest]

I think rogers will have a good ride.

You're trying everything not to jinx your idol, aren't you? Come on, Evans can handle Rogers in a TT. And with a bit of luck, he'll beat Sanchez too. It's his for the taking.