Giro 2011: Stage 16 Belluno - Nevegal12.7 km ITT

[Ferminal]

Garzelli with an 11 point lead over Contador.

This is going to go down to the wire.

Garzelli should try for the break tomorrow, if that doesn't work aim to win the Cat 1 on Stage 19. He should win it now though.

 

[The Hitch]

And Contador seems to place the history and magnitude of cycling firmly above his ego. Travels miles by car when the comfy travel option disappears, just to pay respect to a race he wants to participate in, and was never gonna win.

When was this? Sounds interesting. Contador does show respect with regards to smaller races, going for the win usually.

Also regarding chain gate Contador was right to attack, no problem with that, but he was wrong, or showed some lack of class at least when afterwards he claimed not to see Schleck even though there was a big yellow thing standing next to its bike for 5 seconds before he passed it.

 

[luckyboy]

Can't see it being that long anyway. Also remember he's already served 6/7 months.

 

[Francois the Postman]

Garzelli with an 11 point lead over Contador.

This is going to go down to the wire.

Garzelli should try for the break tomorrow, if that doesn't work aim to win the Cat 1 on Stage 19. He should win it now though.

If I was Contador I would let him win it, if it came down to it, for the long-term political game. Letting an Italian take something will repay itself. Taking all their toys too.

 

[roundabout]

Here. Have a binky.

Always figured you for a troll. Thanks for showing it again.

 

[Francois the Postman]

It's pretty unavoidable to mention it occasionally in this part of the forum, but doping discussion elsewhere please.

 

[Señor_Contador]

Contador's dominance is completely embarrassing.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Yes they suck.(the stages that is) Im seeing 5 and 6% climbs. Then again, the gt needs a break from the mountains before Saturday.


70%




Actually the poll served a very valueable purpose.

it allowed us to see how many posters are watching the Giro on this thread compared to last year which had an identical poll.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=7585

Surprisingly only 3 more people voted this year compared to last year.

Very harsh on those stages - plenty could happen, and there's more than 1 chance for Vincenzo to go mental on a descent.

 

[thirteen]

I'm neither. I've read articles about him, and interviews, in every language Google can translate. Despite Armstrong's attempt at character assassination, everything leads me to believe he's a quality human being. Just picture the day at the 2010 Tour de France when he walked up to the Radio Shack bus carrying gift bags with fancy watches, because he wasn't able to give them the thank you gifts the year before.

So Roundabout, I'm bagging the sport after Contador finishes the Giro. And ?I thank God in Heaven that I never have to read that kind of comment ever again.

And this is my last post in the forum, so cheers everyone. Congrats to Alberto on another great effort. Yes, I was moved when he dedicated the stage to Tondo, may he rest in peace.

please don't go.

it's nice to know that i'm not alone in thinking Contador is class

 

[Francois the Postman]

When was this? Sounds interesting. Contador does show respect with regards to smaller races, going for the win usually.

Last year's AGR, when Iceland was sending Europe ash instead of cash. You remember, I am sure. There's a road trip youtube video somewhere.

 

[jaylew]

Anyone who thinks Contador is 100% class is either trolling or new to cycling.

Or perhaps just has a different opinion?

I don't know any of these guys well enough personally to say they're 100% class but I like the way the guy races and the way he conducts himself off the bike.

 

[GoAndyGo]

Also regarding chain gate Contador was right to attack, no problem with that, but he was wrong, or showed some lack of class at least when afterwards he claimed not to see Schleck even though there was a big yellow thing standing next to its bike for 5 seconds before he passed it.

I was pretty mad when it happened but its over so I can't harp on it. Atleast a couple days later Contador personally apoligized to Schleck and he even told him - Sorry I shouldn't have done that.

I am neither a Contador hater or lover but there are times when to me he does disrespect the sport. For example this year after Etna saying that he wouldn't put a man on the front to pound out even a meter of pace. To me thats disrespecting the tradition of the maglia rosa.

Alot of people say Cavendish is bad for the sport but it is interesting that the first thing he does after he wins is thank his team. That is something I also rarely hear Contador doing. There's no I in team Pistelero haha.

 

[GroupDK]

I actual like contador, i got a good feeling of what kind of person he is when reading his bodylaguage and mimic.

To me he seems like respectfull person, (yeah offcourse he wants to win its a race!!) but still has the surplus to think about other then himself 24/7.

I guess it could be from the period in his life, where the factor "life" was sat in perspective & relief do to very sick and a big tumour in the head.

Yeah, i like him and have for many years and have a good feeling about his person, and that comes from me, where contador allways have been the competitor.

first in regards to the danish Mikael Ramussen and there battle in the tour and last couple of years in regards to Saxo bank / Bjarne Riis own creation aka. Andy schleck and there battle the last couple of years.....

 

[boomcie]

And this is my last post in the forum, so cheers everyone. Congrats to Alberto on another great effort. Yes, I was moved when he dedicated the stage to Tondo, may he rest in peace.

I'd hate to see you go swordsman. You're a very amiable poster.
I urge you to reconsider...

 

[Publicus]

Yes he proven that on Port de Balès

You surely aren't referring to the chain incident as your proof that AC isn't a nice guy. Maybe if he had kicked Andy's chain off or put a stick through his wheel you might have a point, but Andy's inability to shift isn't a reflection on AC or his personality.

 

[thirteen]

If I was Contador I would let him win it, if it came down to it, for the long-term political game. Letting an Italian take something will repay itself. Taking all their toys too.

i think he will.

he talks very fondly of the tifosi and his first Giro win.

he won today for Tondo, plain and simple.

but i think he's smart enough to know he has to give something back...

 

[Francois the Postman]

Contador's dominance is completely embarrassing.

It is still a private dream to see everyone circling May on the calendar, rather than July. This would have been some arena to see all the guys who are now holding out til July, battle it out for real.

 

[roundabout]

Can you point to a specific incident or series of incidents which leads you to that conclusion? Let me suggest that if you reference Contador's behavior during the 2009 TdF as an example, it is more than likely *you* who is either trolling or new to cycling.

The only things I can think of where you can possibly hang your hat on is the second attack on the Zoncolan stage and chaingate from the 2010 TdF, and those are certainly debatable.

You may not like Contador, but will you provide more details in support of your proclamation?

I don't care about Armstrong, Klöden or any other fogies that Contador might have offended in 2009.

Strange, how you think that anyone who doesn't kiss up to Contador is an Armstrong fan.

I reserve 100% class comments for people who don't have an obvious clinic connection for their whole careers.

And of course there are also his comments about Leipheimer after the 2008 Vuelta right on par with something I'd imagine Armstrong would say.

"It's not normal that someone working for you finishes less than a minute off in the general standings," Contador said. "If [the next-to-last stage time trial] had been 20 kilometers more, who knows what would have happened."

 

[El Imbatido]

I was pretty mad when it happened but its over so I can't harp on it. Atleast a couple days later Contador personally apoligized to Schleck and he even told him - Sorry I shouldn't have done that.

I am neither a Contador hater or lover but there are times when to me he does disrespect the sport. For example this year after Etna saying that he wouldn't put a man on the front to pound out even a meter of pace. To me thats disrespecting the tradition of the maglia rosa.

Alot of people say Cavendish is bad for the sport but it is interesting that the first thing he does after he wins is thank his team. That is something I also rarely hear Contador doing. There's no I in team Pistelero haha.

Man i think you maybe be smoking some stuff because you are way off base......pls send some this way....Contador always thanks his team even when it is not possible to thank them ie. the watch gifts at TdF 2010....

Also AC's comment on Etna i believe was said after Nibali(or maybe actually Liquigas) said they were gonna use their team to decimate the race before the final climb. So please use the comment in context. I think the reason you seem to come across as disliking AC is because Phil and Paul programmed/brainwashed Americans into thinking AC was public enemy number 1.

Also like you said i am also not an AC fanboy.......but i love the way he races. Much more a patriot....so Cadel is my man, also have a spot for Scarponi and his gutsy style of trying to take it to AC

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Contador's dominance is completely embarrassing.

Why is that?

If he's supposed to be the real guy than it's quite logical that he win's by huge margins. Especially when the only real threat in the peloton isn't on his best form. They should start putting long more TTs into GCs again though.

 

[roundabout]

I was pretty mad when it happened but its over so I can't harp on it. Atleast a couple days later Contador personally apoligized to Schleck and he even told him - Sorry I shouldn't have done that.

That's the problem. Regardless of the rights or wrongs of that particular action public perception comes first for Contador. Had he not got booed I really doubt he would have apologized after.

 

[GoAndyGo]

I think the reason you seem to come across as disliking AC is because Phil and Paul programmed/brainwashed Americans into thinking AC was public enemy number 1.

I don't pay attention to Phil or Paul haha. I am not a Contador hater as I said in my previous post. I just question some of the things he does.

 

[The Hitch]

It is still a private dream to see everyone circling May on the calendar, rather than July. This would have been some arena to see all the guys who are now holding out til July, battle it out for real.

Yes that would be a dream.


But the best gt riders around right now i would say are Contador Andrew Basso Nibali Samu Cuddles Purito Gesink Anton Scarponi Menchov

From those 11, a slight majority have done the Giro, and the other 5 + Contador so 6 again will peak for the Tour.

We also had Ricco who would be up there but couldnt, but we did have a very good lineup.

Unfortunately Contador 2010 fail was a one off and he was back to his best. If he turned/turns up at the Tour in this form it would be a question of how much he would win by.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Well, the way Contador carries himself speaks to the high quality of his character. He went out his way to thank his teammates at the Tour. He brought those who stayed with RadioShack watches.

He apologized to Schleck, which he had no reason to do. After all, had he and the others not waited for the Schlecks in the earlier stage, this discussion would have been moot. And it was Schleck the elder whose fall held up Contador and caused him to lose time to Andy.

I know his dominance is starting to offend some sensibilities here, but he is absolutely fantastic to watch as a fan. It's a far cry from the monotone days of the USPS blue train.

I think Contador will be fully acquitted in June and will return to win another TdF. Just my guess.

 

[The Hitch]

That's the problem. Regardless of the rights or wrongs of that particular action public perception comes first for Contador. Had he not got booed I really doubt he would have apologized after.

Why should he apologize? I didnt see Andrew apologizing for using Cancellara to put as much time into Contador on the cobbles while Bertie was standing in the Frank Schleck crash traffic jam, looking at his watch.

Schleck got a minute on cobbles, Contador got 39secs on the mountain, and Contador is the one that should apologize???