Comments on: Armstrong and Contador: teammates or rivals? http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/07/12/armstrong-v-contador-teammates-or-rivals/ Your Sports Opinion Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:37:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: Greg Russell http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/07/12/armstrong-v-contador-teammates-or-rivals/comment-page-1/#comment-172948 Greg Russell Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:10:33 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=20946#comment-172948 Adrian, I am a bit different in that I refuse to bow down before the great edifice that is LA. There is no doubt that Contador is riding better than him, as shown by both the first TT and the first Pyrenean stage. Why then is it "so incredible" that Contador has really done nothing more than try to assert this, successfully as it turns out? Why do LA's actions not get scrutinized? Bruyneel said before the Tour that Contador was team leader; was LA really riding for Contador when the Columbia boys ramped up the pace on Stage 3? Is it not possible that LA got a nudge and wink from his old mate George Hincapie on the Columbia team that the pace was about to explode? It seems an amazing coincidence to me that LA was the only major GC contender that was ready and waiting to go with that break. Contador was forced to miss the TdF last year, at a time when he was undoubtedly the premier grand-tour rider in the world (as shown by his victories in the Giro and the Vuelta). Why should it surprise that he feels he has lost time to make up this year, and he is determined not to let the LA show stop him? (unless of course LA turns out to be better). Astana may not be the most unified team, but if rumours are true, then half of them are on Contador's side. Combine this with Contador's form and nearly 30 Spanish riders being on the tour (i.e., Contador can probably count on help from other teams if necessary), and it's hard to see anything other than a Contador win, no matter how divided Astana is. Adrian, I am a bit different in that I refuse to bow down before the great edifice that is LA. There is no doubt that Contador is riding better than him, as shown by both the first TT and the first Pyrenean stage. Why then is it “so incredible” that Contador has really done nothing more than try to assert this, successfully as it turns out? Why do LA’s actions not get scrutinized? Bruyneel said before the Tour that Contador was team leader; was LA really riding for Contador when the Columbia boys ramped up the pace on Stage 3? Is it not possible that LA got a nudge and wink from his old mate George Hincapie on the Columbia team that the pace was about to explode? It seems an amazing coincidence to me that LA was the only major GC contender that was ready and waiting to go with that break.

Contador was forced to miss the TdF last year, at a time when he was undoubtedly the premier grand-tour rider in the world (as shown by his victories in the Giro and the Vuelta). Why should it surprise that he feels he has lost time to make up this year, and he is determined not to let the LA show stop him? (unless of course LA turns out to be better).

Astana may not be the most unified team, but if rumours are true, then half of them are on Contador’s side. Combine this with Contador’s form and nearly 30 Spanish riders being on the tour (i.e., Contador can probably count on help from other teams if necessary), and it’s hard to see anything other than a Contador win, no matter how divided Astana is.

]]> By: megatron http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/07/12/armstrong-v-contador-teammates-or-rivals/comment-page-1/#comment-172262 megatron Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:52:42 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=20946#comment-172262 Don't think Lance has it in him. His been away for four years! Contador has more to prove. Don’t think Lance has it in him. His been away for four years! Contador has more to prove.

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