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

[GroupDK]

Ok MM.

I would like to know was there another cyclist from before the 90's that we could compare Contador's amazing climbing and fantastic ability to TT?

If Contador is playing politics in the peloton and I dont have a problem with that, it his manner of doing it so obviously that bothers me! If i was Tiralongo it would sully the victory for me! Contador could have acted like he was wrecked and made it look like Tiralongo got him on the line, that's real class as it doesnt sully the victory for Tiralongo.

come you want contador to make an act out of pitty and make an act and try to fool everybody..!

what are you talking about.??.

I dont know about you, if you like that kind of acting-riding,but that would first be an insault of dimensions.. 😱

And i guess the majority wouldnt get fooled by such a faul-play, maybe you would, but not the majority.

Contador played it fair and obvius and show honor and class in his riding..

respect from here to a great rider..

 

[RedheadDane]

Hmm, when Contador attacked I was a little/ totally What the **** is he doing? It's not like he needs to take time on anyone!

 

[El Pistolero]

Lol, already 178 points for the points jersey for Contador.

Going over the 200.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Contador can take the mountain jersey as well tomorrow

 

[roundabout]

I get what you're saying, but I also appreciate the sincerity of Contador's gesture. I think he was protecting both his AND Tiralongo's interest in the way he rode. Everyone knows that Contador is currently on a different level, so for him for feign defeat would probably look bad and only open him up for more criticism.

Plus, Tiralongo didn't seem to mind one bit. He was ecstatic with his win today, and when all is said and done, his name will be in the history books and he'll forever have a photo of himself crossing the line first with Alberto Contador right behind him. A story that, no doubt, his grand children will know by heart. 🙂

Gifting stages is ok, but not when it hurts other people. Katusha worked to bring the break back from over 4 minutes and it was thanks to them that Tiralongo was in the position to win a stage, nae get his gift.

Rodriguez does what he had to do but since Contador decided that stage wins in the Giro have to be approved by him first he gets a big fat nothing.

I look forward to Contador not chasing down all his previous not-banned team mates and friends in the future. Just to show that his actions today weren't due to his wish to be liked by the Italian fans...

 

[TourOfSardinia]

poetry corner

In the week he lost a friend Xavi Tondo
AC gave a win to friend Paolo Tiralongo.

as a Russian poetess once put it:

... since, only how we give, how we gave,
greets us beyond grave.

 

[El Pistolero]

Gifting stages is ok, but not when it hurts other people. Katusha worked to bring the break back from over 4 minutes and it was thanks to them that Tiralongo was in the position to win a stage, nae get his gift.

Rodriguez does what he had to do but since Contador decided that stage wins in the Giro have to be approved by him first he gets a big fat nothing.

I look forward to Contador not chasing down all his previous not-banned team mates and friends in the future. Just to show that his actions today weren't due to his wish to be liked by the Italian fans...

Both Nibali and Gadret finished ahead of Rodriguez. He couldn't win, gifts or not.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Contador can take the mountain jersey as well tomorrow

I'm thinking he probably will. F***. I was hoping Garzelli could take it, or just anybody but Contador. He's going to take all three jerseys and it's going to be one big, boring love-in.

 

[roundabout]

Both Nibali and Gadret finished ahead of Rodriguez. He couldn't win, gifts or not.

You don't know if he gave up after he was passed by Contador. I think he did. You're free to disagree. I also think that those attacks by Contador brought the field (Nibali etc) closer to Rodriguez.

Katusha being screwed over is undeniable.

 

[Publicus]

Gifting stages is ok, but not when it hurts other people. Katusha worked to bring the break back from over 4 minutes and it was thanks to them that Tiralongo was in the position to win a stage, nae get his gift.

Rodriguez does what he had to do but since Contador decided that stage wins in the Giro have to be approved by him first he gets a big fat nothing.

I look forward to Contador not chasing down all his previous not-banned team mates and friends in the future. Just to show that his actions today weren't due to his wish to be liked by the Italian fans...

How many times this Giro did another team work to bring back a break and their guy NOT get the win? Might be easier to ask when they did that and won the stage. JRod finished 5th. Not 3rd. So he should also be upset with Liquigas and AG2R, right?

 

[GroupDK]

Contador and saxo bank sportsdirektor Philippe Mauduit stated that is was mainly in regards to the status in the final that contador had the surplus to try something, when it was obvius that the team was in there own class and saxo / sungard was sitting with 3 or 4 riders in the final and was taking the front.-
-
-

Damn Saxo bank Sungard is playing this race like a doll-theater and impressing that this team year after year can be the stage-setting team overall, ewen thow they didnt have the overall winner in some of these years.

love thet way that this team ride and allways come out on top like a poker-game with other pro-teams.

truely been the creating team nr. 1 one year after year in the grand tours...
And earlyer stages where riders and big motors like cancellara and Voight is just taking the front and killing them one after one, and laying it on a silverplattern to the captain.

 

[Angliru]

Don't think Nibali and Scarponi think he's a Gent. Was that 5 seconds really worth it or is he just racing as much as he can in case of the you-know-what?

You take time wherever and whenever you can. No one knows what may happen in Saturday's stage. Maybe he should have waited for them before crossing the line?

 

[roundabout]

How many times this Giro did another team work to bring back a break and their guy NOT get the win? Might be easier to ask when they did that and won the stage. JRod finished 5th. Not 3rd. So he should also be upset with Liquigas and AG2R, right?

How did you get all that from my post?

And not getting the win is not an issue. If Rodriguez was unable to catch Tiralongo by himself then tough luck. Contador putting himself into other people's battle and picking favorites is another issue entirely.

 

[Angliru]

Eh, he could have just left him out there to win on his own. He doesn't need more time, he already has more than enough.

Whatever. I'm fed up with watching Contador. I was fed up with watching him two years ago. Finding out that he is going to win the Tour this year as well has ruined my day.

Oh well. We're sorry you feel that way.🙁 You can always root for Andy to win.

 

[theyoungest]

Contador and saxo bank sportsdirektor Philippe Mauduit stated that is was mainly in regards to the status in the final that contador had the surplus to try something, when it was obvius that the team was in there own class and saxo / sungard was sitting with 3 or 4 riders in the final and was taking the front.-
-
-

Damn Saxo bank Sungard is playing this race like a doll-theater and impressing that this team year after year can be the stage-setting team overall, ewen thow they didnt have the overall winner in some of these years.

love thet way that this team ride and allways come out on top like a poker-game with other pro-teams.

truely been the creating team nr. 1 one year after year in the grand tours...
And earlyer stages where riders and big motors like cancellara and Voight is just taking the front and killing them one after one, and laying it on a silverplattern to the captain.

Surely you're not going to argue that Saxo have been the strongest team in this race? This was actually the first stage where we saw Contador get any help in the final. And they've been very lucky with the Italian teams wanting to do most of the work because it's their home race.

I was surprised to see Porte up there in the final, I had barely noticed him before.

 

[Publicus]

How did you get all that from my post?

And not getting the win is not an issue. If Rodriguez was unable to catch Tiralongo by himself then tough luck. Contador putting himself into other people's battle and picking favorites is another issue entirely.

My point was simply because a team does work to bring back a break doesn't guarantee that they will win the stage. Ask Lampre. So I don't feel bad for JRod or Katusha any more than I do for Scarponi and Lampre.

 

[roundabout]

My point was simply because a team does work to bring back a break doesn't guarantee that they will win the stage. Ask Lampre. So I don't feel bad for JRod or Katusha any more than I do for Scarponi and Lampre.

I don't see what Scarponi/Lampre have to do with today's stage. 😕

I don't see anyone making a point that Rodriguez was a guaranty to win a stage. 😕

I don't expect you to feel bad for Rodriguez so again. 😕

 

[GroupDK]

Contador and saxo bank sportsdirektor Philippe Mauduit stated that is was mainly in regards to the status in the final that contador had the surplus to try something, when it was obvius that the team was in there own class and saxo / sungard was sitting with 3 or 4 riders in the final and was taking the front.-
-
-

Damn Saxo bank Sungard is playing this race like a doll-theater and impressing that this team year after year can be the stage-setting team overall, ewen thow they didnt have the overall winner in some of these years.

love thet way that this team ride and allways come out on top like a poker-game with other pro-teams.

truely been the creating team nr. 1 one year after year in the grand tours...
And earlyer stages where riders and big motors like cancellara and Voight is just taking the front and killing them one after one, and laying it on a silverplattern to the captain.

Surely you're not going to argue that Saxo have been the strongest team in this race? This was actually the first stage where we saw Contador get any help in the final. And they've been very lucky with the Italian teams wanting to do most of the work because it's their home race.

I was surprised to see Porte up there in the final, I had barely noticed him before.

No not in this years giro, and it is still the giro and not the primary goal of the season in regards to the Tour.

Contador is in a class of his own.

Was also impressed that they was so strong today and was 3 or 4 riders in front in the last 15km and not many riders left overall.

the last many years CSC / Saxo bank have with out a doubt been the strongest team and the team who decide whats up and down in the tour, and especially love there tactics and how if often playes out - just amazing and beatiful riding to watch..

havent expected them to be the main figure this year after the hole team collaps after there top sportsdirector / there two main danish guys Brian Nygård & Kim Andersen shoot Bjarne Riis in the back and capture almost the hole team to a new moneyguy in luxembourg and started leopard trek.

http://www.leopardtrek.lu/team

a shame that some of the big motors like cancellara & Jen Voight & O Grady & allround riders like matti brechel (2 at WM) and climber like Jakob Fuglsang was leaving and also danish Mikael Rasmussen, who also was in play be a support to Contador in the tours didnt was realized..

that would have been some backbone in Saxo & Sungard these guys,
The Schleck was obivius leaving if contador arrived, that would have been a joke to have so much power on one team.. 😱

 

[Benotti69]

I get what you're saying, but I also appreciate the sincerity of Contador's gesture. I think he was protecting both his AND Tiralongo's interest in the way he rode. Everyone knows that Contador is currently on a different level, so for him for feign defeat would probably look bad and only open him up for more criticism.

No one would known he would have feigned the defeat except him and Tiralongo.

It was a grand gesture.

Plus, Tiralongo didn't seem to mind one bit. He was ecstatic with his win today, and when all is said and done, his name will be in the history books and he'll forever have a photo of himself crossing the line first with Alberto Contador right behind him. A story that, no doubt, his grand children will know by heart. 🙂

Not it appears Tiralongo didn't mind. I would've. To win just once, but to win when you knew you were the best at that moment, that's what makes it special for the rest of your life, especially when you only win once.
I hope his grandchildren dont dwell on the part where Grandad was allowed to win, Grand Uncle Alberto.

 

[Publicus]

Gifting stages is ok, but not when it hurts other people. Katusha worked to bring the break back from over 4 minutes and it was thanks to them that Tiralongo was in the position to win a stage, nae get his gift.

Rodriguez does what he had to do but since Contador decided that stage wins in the Giro have to be approved by him first he gets a big fat nothing.

I look forward to Contador not chasing down all his previous not-banned team mates and friends in the future. Just to show that his actions today weren't due to his wish to be liked by the Italian fans...

You don't know if he gave up after he was passed by Contador. I think he did. You're free to disagree. I also think that those attacks by Contador brought the field (Nibali etc) closer to Rodriguez.

Katusha being screwed over is undeniable.

I don't see what Scarponi/Lampre have to do with today's stage. 😕

I don't see anyone making a point that Rodriguez was a guaranty to win a
stage. 😕

I don't expect you to feel bad for Rodriguez so again. 😕

you shouldn't be confused since you've been advancing the notion that Katusha and JRod were undeniably screwed over.

 

[Angliru]

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?

This has been, since I've followed the sport, a tradition where stages are often gifted to former teammates, riders that may have helped in allowing a stronger rider achieve a goal, or even as an agreement between teams that have a shared interest. Why is this all of a sudden an issue?

 

[Aguirre]

as everyone realized, there is not any "spanish armada".

Purito won't be happy, he will be wondering, why Tiralongo and not me?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I don't think that Contador should be in this race. However, to be fair to the man, I don't say that because I think he's a personally unpleasant individual. On the contrary, he gives the impression that he's a pretty generous guy. There's nothing wrong with helping an old teammate get his only professional win.

There's also nothing wrong with wanting to be liked in the peloton. Ask Stephen Roche, for instance, how much his undoubted personal popularity in the peloton helped his career. Riders who weren't on his team fairly consistently helped him out at crucial moments, both because they liked him and because they knew he could be relied upon to return the favour on another occasion. Helping an old team mate to have his big day is one of those happy coincidences of generosity and enlightened self-interest.

 

[The_Z_man]

Lewis out. 🙁 Hope he's OK.

Depends on your definition of OK. He's got a broken femur.

That really sucks. I doubt he would have ridden the Tour this year anyway, but now he's got to be out for the rest of the season.

 

[Dedelou]

Winning this stage would've cost him nothing, if he didn't want to lose energy he wouldn't even have made the jump not like he needs those seconds. If anything what he's doing this Giro is making friends so he has a lot of help in the TDF, I'm not sure this years Saxo will be as strong as Astana last year and if this Giro took something out of him he'll need all the help he can get to win the TDF.

I do understand. I am not going to speculate what was Alberto's reason about 6 or seven are being mentioned by others here and we are all speculating till we get the read the book a few years from now. One thing I do understand well is gratitude and time spent being protected by people like Tiralongo. Whatever the reasons were , neither Alberto nor Tiralongo lost from what happened. We all know who really won today.