damian13ster said:
Highly competative?
I wouldn't be surprised if he wins the double, just without that PR crap, media attention seeking, and against very strong fields.
Of course more ITTs (why is there so few in GTs this year?) wont help but if he doesnt lose much on cobbles he is a favorite in TdF imho, same in Vuelta
Highly competitive. As in, competing to win. Just not an out and out shoe-in to do so.
And I hate to point out the blazingly obvious, but everyone in the peloton is ageing at the same rate - 365 days a year. And equally obvious is that no pro-rider could ever be described as average. Sure, AC is is the latter end of his career - it's why he's trying the double now. Froome, let's not forget, isn't that far off it either. Only Aru and Quintana are really a totally different generation.
As for PR crap, well, I think it's more than that. It might have PR mileage of Tinkoff, but I think Contador was honest about wanting to try something epic. That's an okay motivation for a sportsman in my book. Same reason Redgrave put himself through hell to get that last Olympic gold despite his body conking out on him left, right and centre. I think you do AC an injustice to suggest this is just media hype. He doesn't behave like some media *****. His was not the face I saw in the bookshops in 2014 after just one GT victory. Nor was the Tinkoff mental model endorsed by Contador, Kreuziger et al hitting the bestseller lists down in Waterstones.
Criticising any team for PR hype has a bit of the 'hello pot, here's kettle' about it. They sponsor the sport for a reason. And even if, I freely admit, I noted that Sky were quick to capitalise on their Tour wins and the Tour de Yorkshire stuff at the time, I remind myself (frequently through gritted teeth though it is) that it pays for our enjoyment.