Volta ao Algarve *spoiler*

iainf72

Bertie has opened his account for the year by winning the ITT

Millar 9'th.

blazing_saddles

In general, more time can be taken in ITT's than on climbs.
That's why I'm afraid JB is molding him into someone else's image.
I wonder if KKspeeder will get his hands on Bertie's output? :shock:

afx237vi

To be fair, Contador has always been a good TTer, even before he started working with JB. Because he's such a good climber, people expect him to lose 4 or 5 minutes each time, a la Pantani or Mayo - but that's never been the case with him.

micron

Contador says he's never been in such great shape so early in the season. Bruyneel says, in the team hierarchy, he and Armstrong are 'equal'.

So will Contador now burn himself out trying to prove he's number 1 at Astana.

Chavanel took second ahead of Kloeden - seems the move to Quickstep may be paying off.

Bakunin

I believe that Contador was once the U23 TT Spanish champ.

Bruyneel can't seriously believe that Armstrong and Contador are equal.

But it does seem that AC is very unsure of his place on that team.

moray_gub

micron wrote:

Contador says he's never been in such great shape so early in the season. Bruyneel says, in the team hierarchy, he and Armstrong are 'equal'.

So will Contador now burn himself out trying to prove he's number 1 at Astana.

Chavanel took second ahead of Kloeden - seems the move to Quickstep may be paying off.

Thought id pop into this thread to avoid Lance :roll: Do you not think its maybe a bit early to be making that call regarding Chavanel's switch ?


MG

moray_gub

afx237vi wrote:

To be fair, Contador has always been a good TTer, even before he started working with JB. Because he's such a good climber, people expect him to lose 4 or 5 minutes each time, a la Pantani or Mayo - but that's never been the case with him.

Your a right spoilsport you are youre letting the facts get in the way regarding AC's well known TT ability and blowing away Blazings theory before it had even began to take root

MG

blazing_saddles

I found that a very funny comment, MG..........for once.

It wasn't so much an observation on him winning the ITT. As said, he's always been top drawer, at these sort of distances.
Rather, that they were happy with 2nd on the previous day's MTF, even though he finished with the same time as Colom.
AC pips AC!

I think, from now on, we'll see one big Bertie attack on the first Tour MTF, followed by a commanding ITT. Then Astana strangle holding the peloton. The tried and tested.

I see today, that Bertie is appealling to ride with Lance before the Tour, at Castilla y Leon.
This race is living on the financial knife edge, so it would be of benefit to the Spanish.

dave_1

Contas final Giro and Vuelta TTs suggest he was not as strong as 2007. Repeat performances like could see him lose the TDF on the Ventoux...his final TT at 07 TDF is needed again..it's good to see he is Astana's best in feb

micron

He's great over the mid distances and always has been - he was being talked of as the 'next Indurain' while he was still with Saiz and long before Bruyneel got his hands on him.

Interesting that he is asking to ride with Armstrong before the Tour - he should have walked when he had the chance but clearly the Astana set up suits him.

Mimo has already given interviews saying how much he feels he's improved at QS, so this result is good confirmation of that improvement.

sicrow

does anyone have a link or know where to find each of the days routes please ?

finchy

micron wrote:

Interesting that he is asking to ride with Armstrong before the Tour - he should have walked when he had the chance but clearly the Astana set up suits him.

Contador's under contract to Astana - he wouldn't be able to just walk away if he wanted to.

Arkibal

sicrow wrote:

does anyone have a link or know where to find each of the days routes please ?

http://www.voltaaoalgarveembicicleta.com/index.php
(Percursos is routes)

live ticker
http://jornalciclismo.com/?p=2839

moray_gub

Dave_1 wrote:

Contas final Giro and Vuelta TTs suggest he was not as strong as 2007. Repeat performances like could see him lose the TDF on the Ventoux...his final TT at 07 TDF is needed again..it's good to see he is Astana's best in feb

Dave his final TT in the Giro could be excused though given that he was partying with his g/friend on a beach three weeks beforehand :-)


MG

moray_gub

Blazing Saddles wrote:

I found that a very funny comment, MG..........for once.


I think, from now on, we'll see one big Bertie attack on the first Tour MTF, followed by a commanding ITT. Then Astana strangle holding the peloton. The tried and tested.

I

As much as i rate AC i dont think hes good enough to do that, for me his GT wins will be by a bit of time here and a bit of time there when the road goes up and a decent TT, enough to win by say a minute or so.

MG

dave_1

Moray Gub wrote:

Dave_1 wrote:

Contas final Giro and Vuelta TTs suggest he was not as strong as 2007. Repeat performances like could see him lose the TDF on the Ventoux...his final TT at 07 TDF is needed again..it's good to see he is Astana's best in feb

Dave his final TT in the Giro could be excused though given that he was partying with his g/friend on a beach three weeks beforehand :-)


MG

I still wonder if he was really at a beach or actually preparing and just had that as a story

moray_gub

Dave_1 wrote:

Moray Gub wrote:

Dave_1 wrote:

Contas final Giro and Vuelta TTs suggest he was not as strong as 2007. Repeat performances like could see him lose the TDF on the Ventoux...his final TT at 07 TDF is needed again..it's good to see he is Astana's best in feb

Dave his final TT in the Giro could be excused though given that he was partying with his g/friend on a beach three weeks beforehand :-)


MG

I still wonder if he was really at a beach or actually preparing and just had that as a story

Maybe the truth lies somehwhere in between, the Giro wasnt in his schedule until late on though.

dave_1

iainf72 wrote:

Bertie has opened his account for the year by winning the ITT

Millar 9'th.

Millar finished at 1 min 18 to AC in the TT but he punctured, kloeden at 36 secs in 2nd, Chavanel at 33 secs...could be interesting times trials early season.