Who will win Catalunya?

[Jelantik]

We'll see how he goes.

that's not a good news. Not with this high quality field. Wasn't contador coming down with sickness too last year?

 

[LaFlorecita]

that's not a good news. Not with this high quality field. Wasn't contador coming down with sickness too last year?

Yes he was.

 

[Jelantik]

Isn't that logic? Obviously you'll struggle more when things don't go according to plan lol

No it's called having a workable backup plan. Contactor in the Tour, Vuelta and TA, Nibali in TA last year had to alter their script to achieve their objectives. It doesn't always work but having the courage and wherewithal to take that chance is what sets them apart.

maybe that would also called 'play by ears' .. adapt?

 

[ILovecycling]

Yeah,he should dns.
Focus on Vasco.

 

[Afrank]

We'll see how he goes.

Translation? On the mobile at the moment.

 

[Bexon30]

Why would Contador be very close to top form

I would see him nearly there ~7-10% being nearly. But, if not then wow he is going to destroy everyone. That's a good scenario however I think he's nearer his best form right now over others. Just opinion though, suppose the last few years taught us to believe his level is lower?

Edit what's the news on Nairo?

 

[LaFlorecita]

I would see him nearly there ~7-10% being nearly. But, if not then wow he is going to destroy everyone. That's a good scenario however I think he's nearer his best form right now over others. Just opinion though, suppose the last few years taught us to believe his level is lower?

Edit what's the news on Nairo?

I don't see why he'd be any closer to top form than normally in March. Also, I wouldn't say he'll destroy everyone as the competition at T-A wasn't that great.

Nairito is apparently recovering from a cold.

 

[Bexon30]

I don't see why he'd be any closer to top form than normally in March. Also, I wouldn't say he'll destroy everyone as the competition at T-A wasn't that great.

Nairito is apparently recovering from a cold.

Cheers that'll probably put pay to his chances of winning if it was a bad infection. Also with CF bad back then it's hard to judge real form I guess. No doubt for me he looked closer to his best compared with last year! Interestingly will be to see how Rodriguez goes.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Cheers that'll probably put pay to his chances of winning if it was a bad infection. Also with CF bad back then it's hard to judge real form I guess. No doubt for me he looked closer to his best compared with last year! Interestingly will be to see how Rodriguez goes.

Perhaps his best is better this year

 

[Bexon30]

Perhaps his best is better this year

It has to be to stand a chance at the Tour but this race will be a great test for Saxo and Alberto. Is Majka ruled out? If so with no Roman Saxo will have to step up, sure Contador is strong but help is needed. Sky did good getting Neive. I can't see Horner doing a deal here either. If Nairo's ill I'd put Rodriguez to round out the podium. It favours him quite well.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It has to be to stand a chance at the Tour but this race will be a great test for Saxo and Alberto. Is Majka ruled out? If so with no Roman Saxo will have to step up, sure Contador is strong but help is needed. Sky did good getting Neive. I can't see Horner doing a deal here either. If Nairo's ill I'd put Rodriguez to round out the podium. It favours him quite well.

Yes Majka is out. Saxo doesn't seem very strong besides Contador... I agree with your podium.

 

[Jelantik]

Well, with Majka out and no Kreuziger, it's definitely very good test for Contador against Sky. Sky brought their climbing fire power with Porte, Lopez, Nieve for high mountains. I don't buy that Quintana will improve more than Contador and Contador would stay the same? . He has said that TA, Catalunya and Paisco are his targets. B/c he wants more win in 2014. Unless after TA he decided to take horner's diet for the champs: coke and cheeseburger

I guess if we see the decline of Contador at Catalunya maybe it's because he went so deep with Lanciano attack: dragging 4 breakaway to the finish while holding off 5 chasers behind him?? who knows..

 

[Cance > TheRest]

I am not convinced, besides the Bertie show, there was not much competition at TA...
You should give it a rest, we all got that you hated PN, no need to splash this across half a dozen different threats.

I voted Betancur, he can out kick them and take the jersey, then defend it, his team is solid enough, competition here is a notch above TA/PN, so Bertie might not reign freely (barring that he is in uberform) and for the Dawg its the first race since Oman and coming back from injury.

The competition was clearly easier in Paris Nice. Apart from Fuglsang and Costa, Betancur faced no serious GC rider. Also, the short uphill finishens suites him very well. Vichot was 3rd and Rojas was 4th in GC. Doesn't that tell you that it was a weak favourites field in Paris Nice?

I think Betancur will reach top 3 here in Catalunya due to his great punch and some hilly stages that suits him, but he is not in the Froome/AC/Jrod/Quintana league on longer climbs

 

[TourOfSardinia]

The competition was clearly easier in Paris Nice. Apart from Fuglsang and Costa, Betancur faced no serious GC rider. Also, the short uphill finishens suites him very well. Vichot was 3rd and Rojas was 4th in GC. Doesn't that tell you that it was a weak favourites field in Paris Nice?

I think Betancur will reach top 3 here in Catalunya due to his great punch and some hilly stages that suits him, but he is not in the Froome/AC/Jrod/Quintana league on longer climbs

yeah but if the big climbs get snowed off ... Carlos is back!

 

[contessador]

Alberto Contador. He races to win.

 

[TANK91]

The competition was clearly easier in Paris Nice. Apart from Fuglsang and Costa, Betancur faced no serious GC rider. Also, the short uphill finishens suites him very well. Vichot was 3rd and Rojas was 4th in GC. Doesn't that tell you that it was a weak favourites field in Paris Nice?

I think Betancur will reach top 3 here in Catalunya due to his great punch and some hilly stages that suits him, but he is not in the Froome/AC/Jrod/Quintana league on longer climbs

Lol how was that dude even saying that your 3rd and 4th place says it all lmao. Betancur struggles to climb with Nibali in MTF so good luck v Froome. P-N was easy parcours.

 

[TANK91]

It's true that this race will signify what we'll get in the rest of the season.

If Froome crushes Contador then it's over pretty much but if by any chance Contador can make him suffer for the first time in 2 years then we're in for something else

Completly agree dude, will be a huge blow if Froome outclimbs Contador even by a little bit, were as if Contador outclimbs Froome by say 10-15 seconds i would say it will not matter as much Froome is a better ITT'er and La Flo will like to deny it but Contador is in better shape than Froome right now.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Predict: one or two DNS by Sky key players.

well almost - Richie gone now

 

[LaFlorecita]

well almost - Richie gone now

Less strong Borg train = better chance for the others

Thankfully Contador still has his superdom Sutherland

 

[Jelantik]

Predict: one or two DNS by Sky key players.

well almost - Richie gone now

Btw what's up with Porte? Is he sick or something? or this is another .. out of contention kinda scenario therefore pulls out early to do altitude training ? Or is he getting the 2013 wiggins' bug - when the tough gets going, things start to crumble?

who's next? Geraint thomas? <sigh> I was looking forward to see porte vs quintana.

 

[willbick]

Think he's probably ill, hence losing time on 1st stage

 

[Jspear]

Btw what's up with Porte? Is he sick or something? or this is another .. out of contention kinda scenario therefore pulls out early to do altitude training ? Or is he getting the 2013 wiggins' bug - when the tough gets going, things start to crumble?

who's next? Geraint thomas? <sigh> I was looking forward to see porte vs quintana.

Froome is next.