Valueowned wrote:
I suppose Alberto's reserve is still too big inspite of relatively weak season so far. He'll win the Giro, but very likely won't be even in top 5 in the Tour. Honestly I don't quite get why he is trying to do the double.
Because he loves the challenge.
Plus he is rating the Giro the same as the Tour.
So when winning the Giro and missing the podium in the Tour, he will still be happy.
It`s not all about the TdF for all GC riders.
Can only admire this
while it is true you only can admire that (and I would have hoped more GC contenders had the courage to ride Giro), I don't think he will be happy missing the podium once again in the Tour, even if winning the Giro. Since 2010, the Tour has been disappointment after disappointment for Contador: 2011, he realized he wasnt immortal after the double, 2012 suspension, 2013 being his worst year with Tinkoff taking his frustrations out on Twitter, 2014 with the crash......
Edit: Some bets for today (with real money, woooha)
- Tinkoff Saxo over Sky, 2.10
- Movistar over Astana, 1.95
- Lampre over FDJ, 1.67
- BMC over QS, 1.62
.. and some bets for the whole race:
- Izaguirre over Kruijswijk, 2.00
- Landa over Anton, 1.80
- Reichenback over Szmyd, 1.60
- JJ Lobato winning green, 12.00
Vamos los azules!
Edited by Riis123 on 09-05-2015 13:51
Yeah, no doubt about that. Add to that Armstrong psycho-warfare, chicken Rasmussen and Schlecks... well, he definitely had better times at Vuelta and Giro, that's certain. He also has stated that he loves both races more than Tour numerous times.
However, I think quite contrary. What would suck if he got beat by one of the others and than had wasted another year on le Tour rather than doing what he wants to, racing for the double and participating in Il Giro.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I also think Contador would be ok with winning the Giro only. Of course he wants to win the double, but this will probably be too tough for him (or any other cyclist nowadays).
He is looking at the bigger picture. He will already go down in history as one of the greatest grand tour contenders of all time.
The Giro would be his 7th grand tour win (same number as Coppi, Indurain) and it would make him the only cyclist besides Bernard Hinault to win every grand tour mutiple times.
Of course it will be tough to beat Zakarin though, since Zakarin will gain 15 minutes on the long time trial after injecting some siberian bear blood or something?
Valueowned wrote:
How do you rate probability of the double? Is Contador able to win the Giro, having a lot in the tank left as he did in 2011?
He needs way more in the tank of course. But also needs more luck, no crashes please. But in 2011, many thought he wouldn't be able to ride Tour afair, so the double attempt came a bit surprising anyway and wasn't planned from the first step on. He'll ride Il Giro smarter and more energy-conserving this time around.
The Giro this year is also way easier than in 2011.
The Tour field is way harder this year. I consider it the biggest obstacle,
Valueowned wrote:
I suppose Alberto's reserve is still too big inspite of relatively weak season so far. He'll win the Giro, but very likely won't be even in top 5 in the Tour. Honestly I don't quite get why he is trying to do the double.
Because he loves the challenge.
what challenge?
He has been in cycling long time..and knows he's odd's at TdF after 100% Giro ride
What what challenge? Of course the double is a big challenge for Contador and if he wins the double, it'll be an enormous achievement regardless of age, experience & competition et cetera.
Impossible ..or blind luck (every other favorite will drash out)..be realistic. Do you really believe that 2015 Contador is able to take Giro, Tdf double.?
p.s I am not against it that top riders like to win Giro (my favorite GT). I hated Armstrong TdF campaign
Edited by Guido Mukk on 09-05-2015 20:56
Yes, if there's currently a rider since Pantani who can do it, then it's Contador. If he will succeed, I don't know. He certainly has a plan and keeping reserves for le Tour is possible since the Giro has been set up with the double in mind in fact. Let's enjoy the Giro and then we'll see.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
