Has Contador ever raced on cobbles before?

paulcuthbert

Just curious about whether AC has ever raced a cobbled classic...

pedro118118

I very much doubt it. The Spanish stage racers see participation in the cobbled Classics as nothing short of punishment and generally climb off their bikes at the first feed stop!

micron

Aren't these cobbles getting blown out of all proportion? Contador's no Iban Mayo - he'll keep out of trouble, probably by glueing himself to Armstrong's wheel

afx237vi

Does that tiny stretch on the run-in to Avila count?

Kléber

He's managed the Champs Elysees ok.

This summer's sections are not the worst that you get in April, they are far more tame.

pb21

micron wrote:

Aren't these cobbles getting blown out of all proportion? Contador's no Iban Mayo - he'll keep out of trouble, probably by glueing himself to Armstrong's wheel

Almost definitely. It will most likely be a bigger anti climax than the Ventoux stage last year. I hope I am wrong though...

TheStone

I was of the impression there was a few kms of 4* Roubaix cobbles in there.
Even without mistakes, I'd expect it to cause breaks.

Schleck seems to think he'll be ok.

frenchfighter

As is to be expected he will be doing a lot of training on the cobbles prior to the Tour.

I hope he loses a few minutes along with Andy and Frank to put them on the back foot before the mountains and then bury themselves on the slopes to make it back and some.

I also hope EBH makes a move with the Belgian big guns.

Jez mon

Surely if it all gets too dangerous a certain old American will declare it an unofficial rest day!!

sonny73

frenchfighter wrote:

I hope he loses a few minutes along with Andy and Frank to put them on the back foot before the mountains and then bury themselves on the slopes to make it back and some.

+1 it would make for a very exciting and close Tour all the way you would think. As you say it would certainly mean they will have to go all out in the mountians, which would be cracking viewing for certain!