that race showed we NEED 60km ITTs
Best climber did not win. But the best climber is not necessarily the best cyclist.
Start putting 130km of flat ITTs (2 60+ km ITTS plus a prologue). Gasp, if Pog has a TT like he did at the 2023 worlds, he can start the mountains 4 to5 minutes behind
This myth that Landa was a better climber needs to stop. In a easy climb like Abetone, Contador destroyed the field, even Aru was saved by Porte. Landa was dropped.
Then Contador dislocated his shoulder and only in Finestre he was dropped (fair and square) by Landa.
- Campitello Mattese. Landa won time because of his free role. Contador was hurt and controlled Aru's attacks. Then when the pace dropped, Landa attacked and got away.
- Madonna di Campiglio was an obvious 2x1 and Contador was more worried about Aru because Landa lost 4 and half minutes against Contador.
- Mortirolo was Contador's magical comeback (1 minute behind). Landa was sucking his wheel until Aprica and then only won 38 seconds.
- Ologno: Contador's revenge. Completely destroyed Astana and Landa never was able to close the gap after his flat.
- Cervignia. The first time Contador was worried about Landa and guess what, Landa couldn't do anything. The opposite happened, Aru won time duento 2x1 strategy.
- Finestre: the only time Landa broke Contador fair and square.
But I want to add one thing. People who saw that Giro know Contador was racing alone against a super Astana. But he was really alone, many times Contador was alone against 4 or even 5 Astana guys. It was ridiculous. Landa would be that good (in the mountains) with zero support (water, tempo, etc) and after dislocating his shoulder? Of course not, Contador ALONE won that Giro. In 4 or 5 stages, Landa won the stage and/or time because Saxobank (or Tinkoff) was awful in supporting Contador in the mountains. Contador would be a double digit winner of GTs if he didn't choose his buddies to be his teammates.