Stick a fork in Alberto Contador

[JohnNordin]

There are other options to consider. Not that many riders actually even finish all three GT's in a year, AC could still do that. Only two riders in history have won a stage in all three GT's in a year, maybe he was trying for that.

There also is simply the rankings for all time GT's won - he only needs another 2 to really be in the upper reaches of that list.

For all he's done, he seems to get little respect. Lance won 7 tours, but did Lance ever even ride another GT? Has Andy? (I honestly don't know.)

 

[thirteen]

he did. zomegnan said contador had agreed to ride this year's giro before last years tour.

and he kept his word. admirable, non?

 

[No_Balls]

Riis has always been of the mind that someone can pull of the Giro-Tour double. I hope now he understands that it is not possible.

Taking away the fact that Contador's form clearly wasn't there and he had injuries during the first week, I hope he comes back to the Tour next year without doing the Giro.

I think the sponsors demands a Tour. So i hardly see any attempt to defend his jersey in Italy. But their will be some valuation after this is over. Surely, the routes will play a part, but i agree with you. It is hard doing the double.

 

[goggalor]

He'll win the 2014 Tour, for sure.

 

[lagartija]

armstrongs return in 98 at the vuelta , finished 4th , or 3rd cant remember

 

[No_Balls]

For all he's done, he seems to get little respect. Lance won 7 tours, but did Lance ever even ride another GT? Has Andy? (I honestly don't know.)

Because "no one likes Alberto Contador" as Phil Liggett said. So i dont wanna know what these guys said today.

Lance rode the Giro in 2009 (his comeback). Andy has not and probably never will.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Because he is DONE! BANG-BANG!

So, what next for the greatest stage racer of the post-Lance era? Obviously no Vuelta for him. Will he ride the Giro next year? Will he win the Tour next year?

Big words...but Alberto won the hardest Giro in a long long time with ease, and is together with Dupont the only rider of the Giro still riding at a somewhat reasonable level in the Tour.

He deserves respect.

 

[indurain666]

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/victoria/imposible/elpepudep/20110721elpepudep_15/Tes

He will be back. He explained that victory is impossible he had heavy legs all day and the knee pain really got pretty bad after Iozard, he had to get analgesics from race doctor car, that why he dropped momentarily from the group yellow jersey group on the descent.

Kudos to the guy for still being in the race. I hope he doesn't get any long term injury issues.

He finishes the interview congratulating Andy Schleck for his amazing stage, what a classy guy

 

[Nastyy]

Because "no one likes Alberto Contador" as Phil Liggett said. So i dont wanna know what these guys said today.

Lance rode the Giro in 2009 (his comeback). Andy has not and probably never will.

Uhmm... Andy was second in the 2007 Giro. That's when he rode his first GT and was 21 at the time.

 

[titan_90]

Lance rode the Giro in 2009 (his comeback). Andy has not and probably never will.

Andy rode the 2007 Giro and finished 2nd behind Danilo Di Luca.

 

[No_Balls]

Andy rode the 2007 Giro and finished 2nd behind Danilo Di Luca.

I know, but back then he hadnt any aspirations for the Tour. Thats what i meant.

 

[Weapons of @ss Destruction]

Lance rode the Giro in 2009 (his comeback). Andy has not and probably never will.

Ummm, you don't count a 2nd place overall GC finish as having ridden the Giro?

 

[No_Balls]

Ummm, you don't count a 2nd place overall GC finish as having ridden the Giro?

Ok, i explained it wrong. As described in the post above.

 

[RedheadDane]

Well, I guess this Tour proved one thing about Contador; he is only human.

 

[Grayguard]

I think Conti will concentrate on the TdF next year - and that means win it
I am sad he cracked today, though not that surprised... I'd been hoping he was recovering form better.

But finally Schleck showed some balls at least, so it was still a thrilling stage

 

[Publicus]

Because he is DONE! BANG-BANG!

So, what next for the greatest stage racer of the post-Lance era? Obviously no Vuelta for him. Will he ride the Giro next year? Will he win the Tour next year?

Barring CAS suspension, he'll do his usual spring program, Dauphine and then dominate the Tour de France in 2012.

His stature as a Grand Tour Champion, and as the greatest stage racer of the post-Lance Armstrong era, is VERY much intact. So I'm enjoy your schadenfraude, but he's not going anywhere (unless of course CAS decides that in fact he is going somewhere ).

 

[Publicus]

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/victoria/imposible/elpepudep/20110721elpepudep_15/Tes

He will be back. He explained that victory is impossible he had heavy legs all day and the knee pain really got pretty bad after Iozard, he had to get analgesics from race doctor car, that why he dropped momentarily from the group yellow jersey group on the descent.

Kudos to the guy for still being in the race. I hope he doesn't get any long term injury issues.

He finishes the interview congratulating Andy Schleck for his amazing stage, what a classy guy

Even more than the Giro, this Tour he demonstrated why I am fan of cycling in general, and of him in particular (just as a racer). Always a class act and always gives it his best. And like you, I hope there is no permanent damage.

Now, if Tommy V can somehow manage to stay in yellow....

 

[luckyboy]

Pretty amazing how he has won the toughest GT in recent memory, started the Tour a month later, been injured + had several crashes and is still only 4 minutes down on someone who has softpedalled pretty much the entire season up to now.

 

[Aleajactaest]

Pretty amazing how he has won the toughest GT in recent memory, started the Tour a month later, been injured + had several crashes and is still only 4 minutes down on someone who has softpedalled pretty much the entire season up to now.

Injured sminjured. Just a lovely excuse for blowing it.

 

[ManInFull]

Injured sminjured. Just a lovely excuse for blowing it.

Spoke like a true AC hater.

 

[El Pistolero]

The fact that everyone that did the Giro already had to give up this Tour only makes Contador look better.

In fact, it's quite pathetic that they only took a total amount of 2 minutes out of him if you don't include his time loss in stage 1 and 2(as it had nothing to do with his form). It really shows how incredibly weak everyone is in this Tour except the Schlecks and Cuddles who impressed me.

 

[ManInFull]

Barring CAS suspension, he'll do his usual spring program, Dauphine and then dominate the Tour de France in 2012.

His stature as a Grand Tour Champion, and as the greatest stage racer of the post-Lance Armstrong era, is VERY much intact. So I'm enjoy your schadenfraude, but he's not going anywhere (unless of course CAS decides that in fact he is going somewhere ).

How frequently does CAS rule in the athletes favor?

 

[fixedgear]

Injured sminjured. Just a lovely excuse for blowing it.

Blowing it would mean that he was leading the race comfortably then cracked and lost it. He didn't. He had bad luck plus a hard Giro. Yet he's still only 4min. off yellow. What racer in recent memory has been able to do that?

Try again.

 

[Grayguard]

Spoke like a true AC hater.

Well - I guess some people are better left ignored Conti is still a great champ.

 

[Nastyy]

The fact that everyone that did the Giro already had to give up this Tour only makes Contador look better.

In fact, it's quite pathetic that they only took a total amount of 2 minutes out of him if you don't include his time loss in stage 1 and 2(as it had nothing to do with his form). It really shows how incredibly weak everyone is in this Tour except the Schlecks and Cuddles who impressed me.

15. CONTADOR Alberto 1 SAXO BANK SUNGARD 6h 11' 46" + 03' 50"
16. PERAUD Jean-Christophe 108 AG2R LA MONDIALE 6h 11' 51" + 03' 55"
17. DUPONT Hubert 103 AG2R LA MONDIALE 6h 12' 03" + 04' 07"