Now Alberto is out, who will win the 2012 Tour de France?

[cineteq]

Is there a stage where Gesink didn't crash?

I'll let the Dutch answer this question to you guys

 

[airstream]

There is difference, you just don't get it. You seem to underestimate the psychological aspect of the sport taking into account only physical part of it. The problem being that it's an easier aim just to drop someone you get to see than to drop by certain time as well as it's easier to give your best having a strong rival who would be a good indicator of your own strength. Dropping Contador (ie dropping the best) on Morzine-Avoriaz by some insignificant 10sec gave Andy confidence which the winning against anybody else by a minute would have never gave. I even don't know how to explain

Why? It seemed to me I overestimate it. I tried to tell the Hitch and other guys that one real unsuccessful Contador's pull could have influenced seriously on his aspitation to attack further as well as course of fighting in the mountains in general and was ridiculed. I partially share your point, though it's all known fact an opponent sitting on your wheel iritates and worsens aerodinamic effects. It is possible to look at that other way. Schleck would have tried a lot earlier, if Contador hadnt been there, and taken much more than 10sec. But we still believe that Contador helped him in there too, alright..

 

[Kvinto]

Why? It seemed to me I overestimate it. I tried to tell the Hitch and other guys that one real unsuccessful Contador's pull could have influenced seriously on his aspitation to attack further as well as course of fighting in the mountains in general and was ridiculed. I partially share your point, though it's all known fact an opponent sitting on your wheel iritates and worsens aerodinamic effects. It is possible to look at that other way. Schleck would have tried a lot earlier, if Contador hadnt been there, and taken much more than 10sec. But we still believe that Contador helped him in there too, alright..

If someone sits on your wheel you get angry and try to ride harder and harder (making efforts you wouldn't have made in any other occasion) to drop the parasite So, yes, the presence of Contador helps

 

[trevim]

I don't know how Contador helps. In 2010 yes, Madeleine put Andy on the podium. But last year lets see:
- stage to Gap: Contador lights up a stage where nothing was supposed to happen, Andy loses what? 1.30minutes or so
- stage to Alpe: Andy follows Contador in a suicide move. Tired for the last climb failing to put time on Evans and tired for the TT.

So my point is, probably it's better for Andy to race without Contador and especially without doing that attack-looking back-thing.

 

[cineteq]

So my point is, probably it's better for Andy to race without Contador and especially without doing that attack-looking back-thing.

An understatement, it's better for all the riders to race without Contador.

 

[Kvinto]

I don't know how Contador helps. In 2010 yes, Madeleine put Andy on the podium. But last year lets see:
- stage to Gap: Contador lights up a stage where nothing was supposed to happen, Andy loses what? 1.30minutes or so
- stage to Alpe: Andy follows Contador in a suicide move. Tired for the last climb failing to put time on Evans and tired for the TT.

So my point is, probably it's better for Andy to race without Contador and especially without doing that attack-looking back-thing.

it was only about 2010 when Contador was in his best and only in the aspect of gaining time over the others

If someone sits on your wheel you get angry and try to ride harder and harder (making efforts you wouldn't have made in any other occasion) to drop the parasite So, yes, the presence of Contador helps

btw, to prevent the misunderstanding, i don't mean Alberto is a wheelsucker or so just a theory

 

[airstream]

I don't know how Contador helps. In 2010 yes, Madeleine put Andy on the podium. But last year lets see:
- stage to Gap: Contador lights up a stage where nothing was supposed to happen, Andy loses what? 1.30minutes or so
- stage to Alpe: Andy follows Contador in a suicide move. Tired for the last climb failing to put time on Evans and tired for the TT.

So my point is, probably it's better for Andy to race without Contador and especially without doing that attack-looking back-thing.

Then they rather helped each other, otherwise Menchov could have smashed both in TT and won le Tour, considering how the things unfolded..

 

[Havetts]

All this talk about Contador, Riis, Valverde and anti-doping and you support ...............Menchov?!

My god, you are a trip, Havetts.

Haha, I do not "Support" Menchov, I simply said if everyones watching Andy & Cadel there could be someone profiting from that. And that would be Menchov, who I rate higher than Wiggins. Its no secret that Andy will be the best climber, but who will be the best TTr between Wiggo, Cadel and Denis? I think only time will tell.

 

[LaFlorecita]

An understatement, it's better for all the riders to race without Contador.

Yeah, because now they actually have a chance to win. With him, everyone would get their asses beaten.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Then they rather helped each other, otherwise Menchov could have smashed both in TT and won le Tour, considering how the things unfolded..

What are you talking about? Menchov? Huh? He wasn't there last year now was he?

 

[El Pistolero]

Haha, I do not "Support" Menchov, I simply said if everyones watching Andy & Cadel there could be someone profiting from that. And that would be Menchov, who I rate higher than Wiggins. Its no secret that Andy will be the best climber, but who will be the best TTr between Wiggo, Cadel and Denis? I think only time will tell.

You said "I hope this happens". If you're hoping Menchov wins, then you're being supportive of him.

 

[trevim]

An understatement, it's better for all the riders to race without Contador.

Even the sprinters will have it easier to meet the time cut

 

[trevim]

it was only about 2010

Sorry I thought you were talking in general.

 

[The Hitch]

Why? It seemed to me I overestimate it. I tried to tell the Hitch and other guys that one real unsuccessful Contador's pull could have influenced seriously on his aspitation to attack further as well as course of fighting in the mountains in general and was ridiculed.

Umm what did you try to tell me?

I dont recall speaking one way or anohter on this issue.

 

[The Hitch]

Christina Watches to get invited
Micheal rassmusen will win but will fail a test and Andy Schleck will win his
2ND GT and will then get the blame for finishing 2nd as a clean athlete to
a DOPER

Your problem is that you don't realize that Andy Schleck is a DOPER

 

[frandy]

Shleck to win 2ND GT
Scarponi 2ND
Rasmussen 3rd
see what ive dine here lol

 

[airstream]

Umm what did you try to tell me?

I dont recall speaking one way or anohter on this issue.

Oh, I can't find it. You responded something sort of Evans and Schleck would have had to use laser into Contador's eyes to restrain him.

 

[frandy]

Your problem is that you don't realize that Andy Schleck is a DOPER

yh im sure m8 schleck failed a test i dnt no about

 

[Fetisoff]

On a side note - when are they going to announce the wild card invitations?

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Haha, I do not "Support" Menchov, I simply said if everyones watching Andy & Cadel there could be someone profiting from that. And that would be Menchov, who I rate higher than Wiggins. Its no secret that Andy will be the best climber, but who will be the best TTr between Wiggo, Cadel and Denis? I think only time will tell.

You said "I hope this happens". If you're hoping Menchov wins, then you're being supportive of him.

Exactly. The anti-doping crusader Havetts made it perfectly clear that he wants him to win.

I guess dopers are okay though if they have a history with Rabobank.

 

[Fetisoff]

yh im sure m8 schleck failed a test i dnt no about

To my knowledge Heidi (Andreas) Krieger never failed one either

 

[LaFlorecita]

Shleck to win 2ND GT
Scarponi 2ND
Rasmussen 3rd
see what ive dine here lol

yh im sure m8 schleck failed a test i dnt no about

Is there a reason you can't use understandable English?

 

[airstream]

The Hitch, a great plodder Evans is a doper too?

 

[Fetisoff]

And the mods are stepping in in 3 - 2 - 1

 

[The Hitch]

Evans trained with Ferrari. And rides for Rhis.

Of course training with Ferrari and riding for Rhis doesnt mean hes a doper but the possibility that someone who trains with Ferrari (and in his 30's becomes the best/2nd best gt rider of his generation), doesnt dope, is roughly the same as the possibility that Contador got the clen from the steak rather than illegal doping.