Thoughts on Astana so far?

[SpartacusRox]

I'm not sure I see the weakness in Astana that a lot of observers do. Apart from Paris Nice (and who still won I think they have been on a par with just about everyone this season and I think they look OK in the Giro. The TDF squad will be even stronger.

THere won't be any joint conspiracy against Astana in the Tour as each team will very much have there own agenda. And of course, if there was, Contador can always call in some favours from his amigos

I wouldn't call it a conspiracy, and it goes on all the time. AC is clearly the best GT rider. The other teams who are going for GC will work together to crack him, they have to otherwise they are just making up the numbers. Depspit what Maserati says there are several teams who are stronger on paper than Astana and they know that if they haven't gapped AC before the road tilts up, then it's going to be a repeat of last year in all probability.

Personally I think that AC will find himself isolated in the mountains on more than one occasion but whether the other teams are able to take advantage of that remains to be seen. I am comfortable that there there won't be a problem with Vino and that Vino will support him all the way because Vino is desperate that the team is seen to do well. Oscar P is a bit hit and miss, he may be there he may be out the back.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

I wouldn't call it a conspiracy, and it goes on all the time. AC is clearly the best GT rider. The other teams who are going for GC will work together to crack him, they have to otherwise they are just making up the numbers. Depspit what Maserati says there are several teams who are stronger on paper than Astana and they know that if they haven't gapped AC before the road tilts up, then it's going to be a repeat of last year in all probability.

Personally I think that AC will find himself isolated in the mountains on more than one occasion but whether the other teams are able to take advantage of that remains to be seen. I am comfortable that there there won't be a problem with Vino and that Vino will support him all the way because Vino is desperate that the team is seen to do well. Oscar P is a bit hit and miss, he may be there he may be out the back.

I never said anything about other teams and if they are or are not stronger than Astana.

Saxo & Liquigas have stronger teams in depth on paper - but unless they have at least 2 riders who are within a few minutes of AC then it matters little how much strength in depth they have.

AC may not have any teammates when he hits the final climb but he will have support throughout most of the climbs between the likes of DLF, Vino, Pereiro.

 

[Night Rider]

Still early in the season, but how is Astana looking team wise? Are they capable of controlling a race like the TDF?

I would give them a pass, and easily strong enough for Contador to win the TdF.

I would go as far as saying it would take a monumental disaster for Contador not to win the TdF.

 

[blaxland]

I would give them a pass, and easily strong enough for Contador to win the TdF.

I would go as far as saying it would take a monumental disaster for Contador not to win the TdF.

I think your spot on with this statement...and if Andy thinks he can beat Contador then look out......Astana have been one of the consistent teams thus far...

 

[Glockers]

Depends if the four Kazakhs are forced upon Contador. I guess one of them is Vino but it still leaves only 4 of Gaspurotto and the Spanish climbers.

Any chance of Davis getting a spot? You would think after the QuickStep episode he was guaranteed a Tour start.

 

[python]

Depends if the four Kazakhs are forced upon Contador. I guess one of them is Vino but it still leaves only 4 of Gaspurotto and the Spanish climbers.

Any chance of Davis getting a spot? You would think after the QuickStep episode he was guaranteed a Tour start.

i disagree. there are 4 kazakh riders who fairly fit the tour team. neither of davis brothers have shown anything this year to deserve a tour spot.

 

[joy118118]

Will Gaspa appear in Tour? I am afraid he will be too tired after giro.

 

[Glockers]

i disagree. there are 4 kazakh riders who fairly fit the tour team. neither of davis brothers have shown anything this year to deserve a tour spot.

The Iglinsky brothers are good but they are hardly mountain goats (not saying the Davis boys are). I just find it funny a guy who got so angry about the Boonen thing on QuickStep would go to Astana if he didn't get the Tour de France ride he sorely wants.

 

[python]

The Iglinsky brothers are good but they are hardly mountain goats (not saying the Davis boys are). I just find it funny a guy who got so angry about the Boonen thing on QuickStep would go to Astana if he didn't get the Tour de France ride he sorely wants.

time will tell but vino, max iglinsky (valentin is not a par) fofonov and gryvko (if he’s recovered from the giro) would qualify for most tour teams. gryvko is not a kazakh but dyachenko could fit. my guess is that berto would want at least 4 spaniards and the number of kazakh would be up to their performance.

i bet that max, vino and fofo along with pereiro de la fuente and noval already know they are in.

 

[Publicus]

time will tell but vino, max iglinsky (valentin is not a par) fofonov and gryvko (if he’s recovered from the giro) would qualify for most tour teams. gryvko is not a kazakh but dyachenko could fit. my guess is that berto would want at least 4 spaniards and the number of kazakh would be up to their performance.

i bet that max, vino and fofo along with pereiro de la fuente and noval already know they are in.

I think you are right with the list of who's already on the team. I was surprised that Grivko was at the Giro frankly, because he seemed like an automatic Tour team member.

Of the remaining spots, I think it's a foregone conclusion that Navarro gets one of the spots. If Grivko isn't able to go, my guess is it's Gurov (looking at the list, they are missing a strong man/engine type).

 

[issoisso]

time will tell but vino, max iglinsky (valentin is not a par) fofonov and gryvko (if he’s recovered from the giro) would qualify for most tour teams. gryvko is not a kazakh but dyachenko could fit. my guess is that berto would want at least 4 spaniards and the number of kazakh would be up to their performance.

i bet that max, vino and fofo along with pereiro de la fuente and noval already know they are in.

I agree with Dyachenko, if (and that's a big if) he can recover from the Giro. His prologue surprised me to no end. How does a pure climber TT like that? Either it was a one-off day of he's in fantastic form. If the latter is the case, we'll find out this Sunday.

I personally can't wait to find out.

 

[Publicus]

Might as well put Tiralongo down for the Tour de France. He'll be nice and rested come July.

 

[python]

Might as well put Tiralongo down for the Tour de France. He'll be nice and rested come July.

can't agree more coz i floated the same exact idea 5 minutes after tiralongo went down. are you sure you aren't a shrink ?

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=206399&postcount=100

 

[Publicus]

can't agree more coz i floated the same exact idea 5 minutes after tiralongo went down. are you sure you aren't a shrink ?

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=206399&postcount=100

I thought his injuries were more extensive at the time of the crash. But it looks like no broken bones. He may be AC's best lieutenant in the mountains if he can build his form properly before July.

 

[python]

I thought his injuries were more extensive at the time of the crash. But it looks like no broken bones. He may be AC's best lieutenant in the mountains if he can build his form properly before July.

i think you are right cause there is little come july i want than berto win the farking thing. tira is prolly the best or second best at the worst climber on the team.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

I would give them a pass, and easily strong enough for Contador to win the TdF.

I would go as far as saying it would take a monumental disaster for Contador not to win the TdF.

I would say that is a bit hyperbolic. If he were to have an illness or injury, that wouldn't be a monumental disaster (more like a monumental disappointment for his fans and supporters).

If someone were to beat him straight up while he was healthy....OK, THAT might be deemed a monumental surprise.

 

[Eyjafjallajokull]

Vino is doing well, isn't he? He couldn't manage a week at the Velta last year due to plain fatique, but now he is a tour favourite.

 

[red_flanders]

Vino is doing well, isn't he? He couldn't manage a week at the Velta last year due to plain fatique, but now he is a tour favourite.

You state that as a fact, but it's at the very least, massively debatable.

Seeing as he's not the team leader, calling him a favorite seems...well in this case, agenda-driven.

 

[Eyjafjallajokull]

You state that as a fact, but it's at the very least, massively debatable.

Seeing as he's not the team leader, calling him a favorite seems...well in this case, agenda-driven.

It's only what the Italian press is saying.

 

[Publicus]

Vino can't win the Giro. I just don't think he can climb with the best climbers in this race up Zoncolan and Plan de Corones (ITT). He may get a top 10 finish, but I don't see him winning.

 

[python]

people and posters who float the idea of vino dreaming of the tour win are trolls. yes, they are trolls coz they try to skew the facts to draw parallel with armstrong's backstabbing.

there is none to entertain.

vino and berto have repeatedly stated their views and plans and there is nothing to doubt about vino's loyalty to berto. rest it.

 

[Eyjafjallajokull]

If there was some confusion I was refering to the Giro.

 

[python]

the confusion is clearly originated by you. no one else.

as just stated in another thread, im no spelling or grammar police but if you call the vuelta velta ot the the giro the tour (post# 107) you are liable to be called a troll (worst case) or a person who's clueless about pro racing. somehow, i've come to associate you with the former. but i could be wrong as the numerous others who see you as a troll.

 

[offbyone]

people and posters who float the idea of vino dreaming of the tour win are trolls. yes, they are trolls coz they try to skew the facts to draw parallel with armstrong's backstabbing.

there is none to entertain.

vino and berto have repeatedly stated their views and plans and there is nothing to doubt about vino's loyalty to berto. rest it.

This has nothing to do with armstrong. Historically, vino has shown himself to be a selfish rider who rarely plays by team plans unless those plans surround him. He can state that he will support contador all he wants, I won't believe it until I see it. If vino sees a chance to put himself in yellow I have no doubt that he will take it. That is who he is.
Nevertheless, I don't think it will matter because he simply isn't as strong a rider as contador.

 

[Eyjafjallajokull]

the confusion is clearly originated by you. no one else.

as just stated in another thread, im no spelling or grammar police but if you call the vuelta velta ot the the giro the tour (post# 107) you are liable to be called a troll (worst case) or a person who's clueless about pro racing. somehow, i've come to associate you with the former. but i could be wrong as the numerous others who see you as a troll.

I thought it would have been pretty obvious that I was refering to the Giro when I said 'tour favourite'. It's the grand tour that is going on at the moment.

Lets not get eggy about it.