Contador Takes Paris-Nice
by Sui Juris on Mar 14, 2010 9:00 PM EDT
Email
PrintAlberto Contador, apparently remembering the importance of taking a bite, won the first significant stage race of the season. Rather aware of the eyes on him, he said:
It’s very difficult to win a race when you’re the favourite. When everybody is after you and you win, it’s a liberation. Today its was short but intense as I had to reply to every attack. It was a great emotion on the podium as it would have been a pity to lose a big race like Paris-Nice on sprint bonuses.
Asked about his team’s strength on this Paris-Nice and his hopes for the next Tour de France, Contador said:
The first thing to do is not to get carried away and to analyse things calmly without losing sight of your priorities. As the years go by, I’ve progressed in terms of experience and maturity. My legs are fine, my head is too, I hope the team will be even stronger in July to help me win the Tour.There are about seven or eight riders who can win the Tour because of their individual or their collective strength. I’m one of them.
Paris-Nice final standings
1. Alberto Contador (Spain, Astana)
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spain, Caisse d’Epargne) 11 seconds behind
3. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain, Caisse d’Epargne) 25 secs.
114 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I just watched the Versus' coverage of Paris Nice
According to them Contador not only did not win Paris-Nice but he may just be the worst cyclist ever. I expect to see this reflected in the VDS results soon. Also by association, there is no way Gasparotto won today’s stage in Tirreno-Addriatico.
If we are going by the strict Bob Roll interpretation of cycling, from this point onward VDS points should be given to the top placing Radio Shack riders. I believe that if we fail to follow this procedure VDS standings will have no relevance to what is actually going on in the cycling world.
Is it possible to watch this coverage again?
Probably should consider myself fortunate I missed it if it is actually as bad as you elude to, but still want to catch it. If anyone locates it, please share linky.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Roll has to pander to Versus's demographic
if you read some of the ignorant comments on the I’m with you Bob section you will see that is why the Versus guys act as…well…petty during their broadcasts. Can’t blame them although practically calling a rider an idiot is just unprofessional.
Well even if I disagree with Bobke, I still love the guy
Dude knows his coffee.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
sminer, VS replays their Sunday shows on Mondays.
So, you can catch the 2-hr repeat tomorrow from 4-6 EDT. I discovered this today, after I failed to changeover my own vcr and missed the first hour.
At least it’s Paul & Bobke this year; Phil seems to have been put on hiatus. I swear Bob Roll checks out the Cafe; he seems to steal some of our jokes every once in a while (today being Jen’s joke about Moinard getting a baby as a prize on the podium.)
Bob is a smart guy
I would not doubt that he checks in with this crowd. Jens alone supplies a plethora of material.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
And thanks... will catch the whole thing tomorrow.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
See, and you were wondering if RadioShack was even racing.
Lance just won P-N, WOOOO HOOOO!
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
ha, i heard about this versus thing earlier today
apparently bert is the most stupid rider out there and astana is doomed without jb….that is it! gaspa didn’t win, i mean how can he?!
by rbjhan on Mar 14, 2010 10:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I watched the 5 minute recap thing and the Roll piece.
Not seeing much but praises for AC throughout this recap.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
The commentary at the end was a brutal hatchet job on AC
Apparently “cycling legend” Bob Roll and a certain man by the name of Paul Sherwin took extra delight in envisioning a scenario in July where AC’s comparatively weak team and his tiny cycling IQ would leave him vulnerable to a concerted attack from saints Lance, Levi and Andreas. (rolls eyes) :)
Seriously?
When was the last time we saw an attack from Lance, Levi or Andreas?
The only attack I can remember is Levi at Cali last year. In February.
by Bruce Suomi on Mar 15, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you forgetting that race in Nevada City?
according to the announcers covering the race that win was monumental.
Contrarian
Today might go down as one of the worst days for a team to win two stages and a major race on the same day. Sure, Alberto Contador did win Paris- Nice. And Gaspa did win a stage of T. A.
But there are problems with both wins: where was the rest of the team for Contador? Letting Gaspa win causes its own problems, what with his previous history of not respecting the pecking order.
(and dragon dictation’s suggestions for contador and gaspa are priceless)
by R Mc on Mar 14, 2010 10:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
your phone must be waaaay better than mine
i can’t type with this ;(
PN is very hard to control. even cde with an almost tour team can’t di it.
astana here is weak on paper, they actually did better than i expected.
by rbjhan on Mar 14, 2010 10:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Type?
Mostly I dictate. As for radio shack, meh.
by R Mc on Mar 14, 2010 10:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why thanks. It's an exciting place ;-)
I have yet to post anything here on it, but that may come on the evening commute!
Government internet policies are much more Draconian ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
They have 'nannies'...
I wonder how many other people will be skulking there with her ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
No it's internet speak for security systems ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Ah.
I thought they had a system like you get in exams, where you have to put your hand up when you need, and someone takes you there ;-)
They're called invigilators ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Indeed.
I never really saw the point. You could have the answer to the question sewn into your knickers and they’d still be none the wiser ;-)
I think if you make the effort
to have answers sewn into your knickers you deserve to pass the exam anyway.
Just curious...
Since I didn’t see any of the race… Was Contador’s win all him, or did the team play an important role?
Cycling will always be a beautiful sport no matter how many people disgrace it.--Christian Vande Velde
Hard to say
From what I saw, 4 of the Astana’s riders were not smart enough to figure out how to get off of the team bus and spent today’s stage playing Pitfall on the Atari 2600 they keep around for team morale.
LOL
I delete my post in your honor.
AC was being nice about it, but the team was invisible in the last 40 km of any given stage. Except stage 6, when Fofonov and Navarro were able to hang in there.
by Mr 60 Percent on Mar 14, 2010 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions
He had some teammates around
not as powerful of a presence as Cde and Katusha but they were there…then of course when all hell broke out on the final climb they fell off. But there were quite a lot of riders on other teams willing to help him a bit(Spanish nationalism is a great thing sometimes).
(Spanish nationalism is a great thing sometimes).
especially if you’re Valverde.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Team work was crucial
Namely, Lulu not going all out for Valverde cost him (Valverde) the win. Valverde could easily have been two stage wins up if Lulu had dug a little deeper instead of protecting his own result.
Yes,
but Contador could have fought back, too, if necessary. Alberto was the fastest – his team is iffy now, but it made no difference. He rode off the front when he needed to.
Down the road, he’s gonna be supported by the best of the Astana T-A team, Iglinsky and Gasparotto, and they will do okay with it, most likely. They won’t disrespect Alberto – they will ride for him.
Also, Valverde was the second strongest guy in the race, I’d say that was pretty clear vs. everyone else except AC.
by rubesANdbabes on Mar 15, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
meh...if he was strong enough, he would have shown it and have been better than Valv.piti
Plus he had free reign at Algarve
by Vlaanderen90 on Mar 14, 2010 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
He probably will be in a couple weeks...
by Mr 60 Percent on Mar 14, 2010 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm still waiting for that long overdue decision.
Wait too much longer and people are going to be like: “WTF dudes, don’t pick on AV, give peace a chance?”
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I'm losing hope
but it sure wouldn’t be injustice seeing he has won a ton of big races during the time he should have been suspended, if he gets suspended now those still count and he can end his career with good achievements in the bag.
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
i like lulu
plus he’s on my team.
but he can’t climb with the best….not even mende in march.
by rbjhan on Mar 15, 2010 12:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hmmmm, well, I'd love to think so...and I'd be the happiest girl on PdC..
…but even I may have to admit that might be a step too far :-/
I think this was a raced that proved that the next generation are ready to step up to the plate....
….Taaramae proved to me last year when he had the audacity to Duke it out with HWMNBM in his comeback race that he would have what it takes. Sagan was just sensational at this years TDU and anyone who left him out of their VDS squad obviously didn’t read my TDU reviews (ahem!!)….and they both rode sensationally in this race. But it was the big Non-Roman Roman that impressed me the most (even considering his inability to outsprint LLSG on the last intermediate sprint…it was never going to happen!). I just love his graceful riding style on the bike…effortless. I think the Leeky guys might have what it takes to get him onto the Podium in Paris this year.
errrr....am i supposed to sign this??
"I think the Leeky guys might have what it takes to get him onto the Podium in Paris this year."
I so wish this were true. I’d love to see another of the younger generation besides Schleck make his breakthrough to the top this year. They may very well have what it takes, but considering Leaky’s “too many cooks” situation I’m not sure they will do what it takes to get Kreuziger there. I’m still hoping for him to go top 5 anyway though.
But you were right about Sagan….
Kreuz hasn't shown the abiliity to be consitant throughout a GT
he should have done some Giro’s or Vuelta’s the last few years to give him some experience.
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
Kreuziger's performance at last year's Tour
suffered due to an intestinal virus that he contracted near the end of the first week. His illness received quite a bit of attention in the Czech press (not surprisingly), but I don’t recall seeing much (if anything) reported elsewhere. As for not riding other GTs, in general, I think that Liquigas tends to err on the side of caution when developing young talent, trying not to place too much pressure on young riders. Is that the best approach? A shoulder shrug’s probably the best answer that I’m able to give. As far as the Giro’s concerned, Liquigas understandably wants Italian riders leading the Italian team in the Italian Grand Tour. Perhaps when Roman’s no longer a Liquigasser (next season, I’m betting), we’ll see him in the Giro. Anyway, Roman’s only 23 years old. He’s got plenty of time, in addition to talent. (He’s my favorite rider, so I’m admittedly biased!)
Just checked my emails: 'Euskaltel Euskadi is now following you on Twitter'.
Hahahahahaha, result! Get me!
In other news,
Contador has a dog called Tour: http://twitter.com/albertocontador/status/10509714178 (with photo).
No, what happened to the St Bernard?
Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.
by TheFigurehead on Mar 15, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
What do you mean,
actually calling out “Tour”? I think the Spanish pronunciation of Tour is remarkably similar to the Norwegian for Thor :) And they have that nice rolling rrrrrr for when he’s been bad.
Me, link to the tweet?
I use Tweetie, it has a context menu “Copy link to this tweet”. On the web, click the time/date below the tweet, that is a link to the single tweet.
Oh boy.. I'm never going to se that program..
Just for the name of it.. Tweetie.. It’s like short.ie… You wouldn’t be found dead with tweet or shortie on your PC monitors would you?
I loved
this pic between Contador’s podium stance and Hinault’s look of amusement tinged with disgust.
Seriously,
Hinault looks like he wants to deck AC and tell him to man up.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I believe that amusement and disgust are constant feelings Hinault has
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
Perhaps you didn't see LA's "attack" on the Saint Bernard pass last year?
Never mind the fact that he had been gapped (again) by the favorites. To hear Roll or Sherwin call that piece of riding would have made you believe that Eddy Merckx himself back in his prime was charging up the mountain on one of his patented day long solo efforts, lol
I watched it the other night (and I was there in person too!)
It was a good effort but seriously, those commentators went soooo haywire!
It's getting pretty annoying now...
I’m going to have to start hitting the mute button when these guys are talking, it almost seems sometimes like your watching wrestling commentary and AC is the villain and Lance and co. are the good guys, lol
CN's editing woes continue.
How was that podium again?
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
The eary Sunday finish threw me for a loop
and I missed it.
But overall a pretty exciting P-N (like usual).
Moo
Just caught the 2 hr wrap up show on VS.
Exciting finish. Felt bad for Voeckler. Contador was impressive. I’m happy to have VS, it’s something and HD.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
![This is funny on so many levels. [Html should open bigger]](http://cdn3.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/239959/flagged_small.jpg)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
