Giro d'Italia, Stage 19: Bergamo - Macugnaga 209km

[killswitch]

Oh and put me in the "Not sure on why" camp.

Couldn't care if it was "good" or "bad" though, let the fanboys dispute that. 8 seconds when you have 5 minute plus is a bit weird though.

Congrats on Tiralongo though, je looked happy.

Conta also wants the mountain jersey.

 

[Frosty]

Maybe Anton deliberately lost time to get in the break tomorrow?

 

[max_powers]

AC looking good today and would like a gift as well.

His clearance to ride LeTour

 

[UpTheRoad]

Must be just me who sees a cynical ploy to Contador trying to win as many friends in the peloton with all these stage gifts.

It is hardly a win when the strongest guy gives it to you?

It was a well deserved win for PT today. He attacked from too far out, but he was aggressive and raced hard. He gets a gift, but still he rode a great race.

AC is amazing. His tactic to give PT a leadout was cool to see.

 

[Ramira]

Oh and put me in the "Not sure on why" camp.

Couldn't care if it was "good" or "bad" though, let the fanboys dispute that. 8 seconds when you have 5 minute plus is a bit weird though.

Congrats on Tiralongo though, je looked happy.

If you ask me what he did was move forward to win the stage in case Tiralongo would collapse, because he was able to tow him along he could let him win. If Purito had bridged the gap I'm betting Contador would've taken the stage.

 

[Tuarts]

are you kidding?

that was pure class!

Contador wasn't showing off. he was protecting a friend to give him his first UCI win. without that extra oomph, Tira likely would have been caught just at the end.

Bertie was thanking him for all the work he did in the past.

class class class and nothing but.

chapeau to Tiralongo for long overdue glory!

Interesting conclusion there. Alberto knew, 2km from the line that Tira, his old team-mate would be caught and so decided to jump and give him a pull?

LOL 🙄

 

[rzombie1988]

How many gifts has Contador given now in the Giro? I know he's given atleast two. I don't think there's any question that Contador could have had that stage if he wanted it. He was ahead and purposely pulled back.

 

[Ramira]

AC looking good today and would like a gift as well.

His clearance to ride LeTour

Pretty sure it's almost certain he'll race it. The question is if he wins will he get to keep it.

 

[Archibald]

Congrats on Tiralongo though, je looked happy.

how do you congratulate someone when they're given the win?
hollow victory...

 

[Escarabajo]

No Saxo on the front to pull in the breakaway? Who was the first rider from the the peloton over the line hmm? 🙄

Sorry, but it does not mean that he could reach him. In fact Scarponi almost caught him.

 

[luckyboy]

Interesting conclusion there. Alberto knew, 2km from the line that Tira, his old team-mate would be caught and so decided to jump and give him a pull?

LOL 🙄

What does it matter if he wanted to gain extra points or time or to help his old mate?

 

[DenisMenchov]

No, Menchov's face after trying to pull Contador's Sidis out of his a$$. 😀

Menchov has proven himself by winning 3 GTs, 2nd and 3rd in the Tour de France without (caught, I don`t know if he did dope) doping, so he is pretty much a happy man.

 

[thirteen]

ah, for feck's sake! for all you guys that hate gifts, pfffft!

sportsmanship like this is one of the reasons i love cycling. ruthlessness agains your enemies, graciousness towards someone who has worked tirelessly for you.

 

[Ramira]

how do you congratulate someone when they're given the win?
hollow victory...

If you're 33 and you've been a professional for 8 years without a single win it doesn't matter how you win a mountain stage in the Giro as long as you win it.

 

[The Sheep]

tbh like the belgians said normally don't like gifts but today was an exception 🙂

 

[Tuarts]

Conta also wants the mountain jersey.

If you ask me what he did was move forward to win the stage in case Tiralongo would collapse, because he was able to tow him along he could let him win. If Purito had bridged the gap I'm betting Contador would've taken the stage.

Don't think so buy hey, keep these coming guys.

 

[Bala Verde]

Menchov has proven himself by winning 3 GTs, 2nd and 3rd in the Tour de France without (caught, I don`t know if he did dope) doping, so he is pretty much a happy man.

If I see one more doping reference in this thread there will be sanctions, including suspensions.

 

[ManInFull]

Contador clearly went to pull Tiralongo to the line so Purito and Gadret wouldn't catch him.

Well done. Well done. Taking care of a former teammate.

Regardless of what you think of AC, he is the most exciting cyclist in the world. Just amazing how he took off and dropped everyone except his former teammate.

 

[Maxiton]

What I just saw was amazing. The mark of a true, great champion. Contador stamps his mark as patron, further impressing and intimidating current and future opponents, by his generosity.

Helping a former teammate win, and taking pleasure in that win, demonstrates true generosity of spirit and real strength. I feel as though the peloton is back in the hands of a champion worthy of the jersey, one who really understands bike racing. Chapeau, Contador.

 

[Tuarts]

What does it matter if he wanted to gain extra points or time or to help his old mate?

Yes why should it matter when someone does something in a sport we are following? How ridiculous of me to ask such a question on a forum dedicated to that sport!

 

[Archibald]

If you're 33 and you've been a professional for 8 years without a single win it doesn't matter how you win a mountain stage in the Giro as long as you win it.

so dope then? 🙄

 

[jobiwan]

I liked the Tourmalet last year, I liked today.
Chapeau to Contador and Tiralongo.

Contador racing the Tour is a good thing. (Wouldn't want Andy to win by too much, now would we? 😀😀)

 

[saganftw]

u have to understand few things

1,tiralongo is former teammate

2,contador has already won 2 stages,he doesnt need more,doesnt need seconds in GC

3,u have to make friends in peloton,u never know when u can use some help from other teams (when nibali attacked,contador wasnt doin much work pulling him back)

4,if u are leader of the peloton its common decency to show some sportsmanship and dont take everything even if u are strong enough

so its not surprise to see that kind of gifts

 

[Publicus]

Suprised that Scarponi lost time to Nibbles today. And wtf happened with Rujano?

 

[Lanark]

What I just saw was amazing. The mark of a true, great champion. Contador stamps his mark as patron, further impressing and intimidating current and future opponents, by his generosity, you could even say compassion.

Helping a former teammate win, and taking pleasure in that win, demonstrates true generosity of spirit and real strength. I feel as though the peloton is back in the hands of a champion worthy of the jersey, one who really understands bike racing. Chapeau.

Merckx and Hinault weren't champions? 🙁