Ivan Basso: Lance Will be the Strongest

[Bala Verde]

One more: I may not like the guy, but he is photogenic.....

Great pictures! I liked the one with the leg protruding through a bunch of other legs...

I find it sad to see that in the US they already follow him on a yellow motorbike

 

[richwagmn]

I don't think Lance can climb with Contador right now. Outside of Andy Schleck, I don't think any other contendor can match him. Contador's attacks are so vicious.

I watched the Giro and I wasn't impressed with Lance's climbing. I don't recall him ever being able to stay up with leaders. His dropping back to "help out" Levi was probably just politics covering his climbing form.

I think it'll be very interesting to see how Astana plays out. Is the team already divided? Would Levi help Armstrong bridge up to Contador? Does Contador have any reliable teammates on Astana? Maybe Astana's infighting effs it all up.

I'd personally love to see Andy Schleck win but I don't think his TT abilities are there yet.

 

[Kennf1]

Great pictures! I liked the one with the leg protruding through a bunch of other legs...

I find it sad to see that in the US they already follow him on a yellow motorbike

What's up with the "stealth" bike Lance is on. No badge on the headtube?

 

[Amsterhammer]

I watched the Giro and I wasn't impressed with Lance's climbing.

I can't imagine what you expected? In the circumstances, coming back (at his age) after three years out of the game and shortly after a broken collarbone to finish 12th was no mean feat. My expectations for him would have been higher without that broken collarbone.

 

[Bala Verde]

I think it'll be very interesting to see how Astana plays out. Is the team already divided? Would Levi help Armstrong bridge up to Contador? Does Contador have any reliable teammates on Astana? Maybe Astana's infighting effs it all up.

I mentioned it somewhere else, but apparently AC want Noval and Paulinho on the team that already includes LA, LL, AK, YP, HZ... That would make a large Spanish coningent, and given the fact that AC's english is pretty poor, might also be an indication of who is the leader.

 

[Angliru]

Levi lost his bid on stage 16... the team did everything perfect... lance did his best to drag levi up the climb... levi himself says so.... he just didn't have the legs.. he should be a great asset in the tour.

I've always wondered how does one "drag" another rider up a climb? Riding next to giving them motivational words of encouragement? Riding in front of them blocking whatever wind (or on the side of them) is there?

 

[euphrades]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Armstrong even lost time in the first stage.
Problematically for him, he can't gain time on Contador in the TTT.
Also just assuming he'd made it to be up there with the top guys I still can hardly immagine him not getting beaten by Contador going in the mountains, and getting more than an Evans like advantage on AC in the long ITT.

I don't think you can compare Evans to Armstrong.......they don't even come close from a mental perspective.

I really don't think Contador will match Armstrong from that perspective. Jan was always the one on paper that was strong but I think Lance beat him in the mind.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

BTW good to see Lance win a crit the other day.

Uh, he beat up on Cat 1's, and pro's making $15k a year who slept in a van the night before the race.

Leipheimer could have gotten top 3 if he had some more men bringing him back up to Di Luca or to keep him within a close distance....

No. His legs were done, and their strategy failed. No stage wins, no podium, no points.

I've always wondered how does one "drag" another rider up a climb? Riding next to giving them motivational words of encouragement? Riding in front of them blocking whatever wind (or on the side of them) is there?

A few ways. First, the rider in front sets a steady pace to where the rider behind can get into somewhat of a hypnotic groove and not be mentally fried about their suffering and yo-yo down the course. One way riders do this is to stare at the cassette or gearing/chain person in front of you. The other way is that you will get a little bit of a draft, yes. Not the 30% you will on the flats. But maybe 5%, which can help a lot when you're spent.

If you ride with friends or groups, try it. Not bonking yourself, but try following someone a little faster than you up a really big climb. Ask them to set a steady pace and try to sit on their wheel, stare at their cassette, and get into a groove.

 

[euphrades]

A few ways. First, the rider in front sets a steady pace to where the rider behind can get into somewhat of a hypnotic groove and not be mentally fried about their suffering and yo-yo down the course. One way riders do this is to stare at the cassette or gearing/chain person in front of you. The other way is that you will get a little bit of a draft, yes. Not the 30% you will on the flats. But maybe 5%, which can help a lot when you're spent. .

Totally agree. I am not a great climber and have had friends tow me up mountains by doing this. I think I was going an extra K or two faster.

 

[richwagmn]

I can't imagine what you expected? In the circumstances, coming back (at his age) after three years out of the game and shortly after a broken collarbone to finish 12th was no mean feat. My expectations for him would have been higher without that broken collarbone.

I'm saying I didn't see anyone capable of staying with the big boys on the climbs. Maybe he'll be in that shape by the time he hits the tour. But I didn't see anything that impressed me.

He couldn't even stay with the climbers much less put in any kind of attack.

BTW, what was Contador's condition last year when he won? Wasn't he sippin' drinks on the beach when he got the call? He didn't prepare for the Giro and still won it.

Armstrong didn't take 3 weeks off the bike either. He was off the bike for maybe a week?

 

[BigBoat]

We'll see... Old Lance has some tricks up his sleeve... Nevada Classic looked good. The Team Bissell riders are extremely fast.

 

[grimpeur]

LA and Bruyneel will effectively turn Contador into a eunuch during the Tour. So LA will be handed the win. With both of them on the same team the race will be effectively be neutralized. They should call it the Castrana team. I wish Contador could join Casse before the Tour and bring it to Astana with guns a blazin'.

 

[grimpeur]

Uh, he beat up on Cat 1's, and pro's making $15k a year who slept in a van the night before the race.

No sht eh?

 

[Amsterhammer]

LA and Bruyneel will effectively turn Contador into a eunuch during the Tour.

Now this I have to see!

 

[richwagmn]

LA and Bruyneel will effectively turn Contador into a eunuch during the Tour. So LA will be handed the win. With both of them on the same team the race will be effectively be neutralized. They should call it the Castrana team. I wish Contador could join Casse before the Tour and bring it to Astana with guns a blazin'.

I'd love to hear what Bruyneel is telling Contador about all of this. Will they have a team leader before the tour or is it wait and see who's strongest?

I can't see Contador sticking around with Bruyneel after this - win or lose. Bruyneel seems as trustworthy as LA.

What I can't understand is why Bruyneel is throwing Contador under the wheels for an aging star like LA. He could have another 7 time tour winner. Instead, he's playing a long shot comeback story.

 

[richwagmn]

We'll see... Old Lance has some tricks up his sleeve... Nevada Classic looked good. The Team Bissell riders are extremely fast.

Nevada Classic isn't exactly the same as racing against the European peloton now is it? There's domestic team fast and there's Euro team fast.

Again, not saying Lance couldn't do it. I'm saying I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe he will do it.

We'll all know shortly.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd love to hear what Bruyneel is telling Contador about all of this. Will they have a team leader before the tour or is it wait and see who's strongest?

I can't see Contador sticking around with Bruyneel after this - win or lose. Bruyneel seems as trustworthy as LA.

What I can't understand is why Bruyneel is throwing Contador under the wheels for an aging star like LA. He could have another 7 time tour winner. Instead, he's playing a long shot comeback story.

OK, that one is easy, the financial payoff is far greater having Lance win. I am just guessing, but I think JB might be in the pot for a higher cut with one over the other, and the pot for an Armstrong win will exceed Contador by a wide margin.

 

[richwagmn]

OK, that one is easy, the financial payoff is far greater having Lance win. I am just guessing, but I think JB might be in the pot for a higher cut with one over the other, and the pot for an Armstrong win will exceed Contador by a wide margin.

Are you saying Bruyneel is in it for the money??? ;-)

 

[Anonymous]

I'd love to hear what Bruyneel is telling Contador about all of this. Will they have a team leader before the tour or is it wait and see who's strongest?

I can't see Contador sticking around with Bruyneel after this - win or lose. Bruyneel seems as trustworthy as LA.

What I can't understand is why Bruyneel is throwing Contador under the wheels for an aging star like LA. He could have another 7 time tour winner. Instead, he's playing a long shot comeback story.

There is no real evidence that Contador is being demoted for Lance despite the ranting of the anti Lance crowd here. Quite the opposite. Bruyneel knows Contador is the proven item at this time. Maybe Lance can do it, maybe not. It's Contador's team to lead and he'll need to lead it with his legs, not his lips.

As for "after this"?

Does anybody think Astana will be a Bruyneel team next year? Does he even want that? I really doubt that Contador would stay on Astana under any circumstances given the financial fiasco of this year.

I would think that if there's a Lance/Bruyneel team next year they sure as shootin' want Contador on it. Who wouldn't?

 

[mherm79]

Armstrong didn't take 3 weeks off the bike either. He was off the bike for maybe a week?

off the bike and ability / intensity of training affected. plus his body is repairing, robbing his body of valuable energy which could be going towards recovery.

also - upper body strength is important to climbing and if he was in pain, discomfort or just mentally protecting it, it would make a difference.

finally - at that level 1wk makes a difference.

i guess only the tour will tell us where his at.

 

[BroDeal]

There is no real evidence that Contador is being demoted for Lance despite the ranting of the anti Lance crowd here. Quite the opposite.

Yes, we should just ignore what we all saw at the Giro where all the domestiques were more interested in riding with Armstrong than supporting Leipheimer. I am sure that will never happen again.

 

[Epicycle]

Remember Bruyneel's quote about winning the Tour with Contador not being as exciting as with Armstrong. Has anybody posted that yet? I'll see if I can find it.
Lance is Johan's one true love.

 

[Martin318is]

Thats Levi, not Contador.
Levi demonstrated on a few stages that he just didn't have it. Do you really believe that if Contador is showing himself to be strong (or in yellow even) that the team will circle wagons around LA and leave him high and dry?

Ridiculous!

 

[BroDeal]

Thats Levi, not Contador.
Levi demonstrated on a few stages that he just didn't have it. Do you really believe that if Contador is showing himself to be strong (or in yellow even) that the team will circle wagons around LA and leave him high and dry?

By the time Contador proves himself the strongest, two thirds of the TdF may be over. Before that he may be virtually on his own, burning uncessary energy. Meanwhile, Riis will be using the approach that was used with Sastre last year; Andy Schleck will barely have to wipe his own behind.

 

[Trev_S]

Yes, we should just ignore what we all saw at the Giro where all the domestiques were more interested in riding with Armstrong than supporting Leipheimer. I am sure that will never happen again.

Plus add the the debate something that Horner said.

near end of video. (from 2:25)
Do you know who is the leader going to be this year for Astana? "Haha! Ooh now you're getting in to the questions.. On paper it's pretty easy. Alberto Contador BUT sometimes you have to look further than the cover.. "