Astana: all for one?

[dellzeqq]

As Crackle says Roche won the Giro and the TdF without a team - other than the one he bought en route. Now it would be foolish to suggest that a team isn't a handy thing to have - witness the help that Sastre had last year - but if Contador is that good then two mountain stage wins should do it for him.

If Astana splits in to Bruyneel/Armstrong (and whoever Armstrong picks up from elsewhere in the peloton, and not neccessarily from Astana) on the one side and Vino-in-waiting/Contador/Kloeden on the other then that's still two strongish outfits in the mountains.

 

[Bigtwin]

Nobody minds you having a different opinion, it's what makes this forum fun Bigtwin, but there is a way of putting it over that makes the difference. Know-alls are not respected, rather the reverse.

Ohhh I'm Soooory sorry. Clearly I've fallen outside of what you like. Tell you what, if you can't stand it, write to the internet and complain.

 

[rich p]

Ohhh I'm Soooory sorry. Clearly I've fallen outside of what you like. Tell you what, if you can't stand it, write to the internet and complain.

Keep digging

 

[kennykool]

Bigtwin clearly has gotten the hump.

Whats the address of the internet so I can complain????

 

[Bigtwin]

Bigtwin clearly has gotten the hump.

Whats the address of the internet so I can complain????

It's the one headded "some writes something I don't agree with in plain direct English, so I'm going to get all prudish about it because I have too much time on my hands".

 

[rich p]

It's the one headded "some writes something I don't agree with in plain direct English, so I'm going to get all prudish about it because I have too much time on my hands".

Hole's getting deeper

 

[Crackle]

It's the one headded "some writes something I don't agree with in plain direct English, so I'm going to get all prudish about it because I have too much time on my hands".

What's the address for 'someone wrote something wrong' ?

 

[ComedyPilot]

This years tour is clearly a mountain tour, but if a GC contender can get himself in a reasonable position, and limit the damage in the mountains, then he's the Maillot Jeune.

I think Lance has got that in mind.

I think there are too many individual mountain goats that are going to go for polka dot glory to worry the GC.

But what do I know.

 

[girofan]

But chaps back to Bruyneel. This Svengali has to be the most loathsome individual the cycling world has ever known!

Discuss?

 

[yello]

I've actually no opinion of Bruyneel. I suspect he wants to win races and so makes plans and preparations accordingly. I'd guess he cares very little for being liked or upsetting people. I can't say I'd like to be a part of the Astana team right now (other than as an observer!) but it is possible that it's all part of a master plan, rather than a simple battle of egos.

But I'll say the following as an self-acknowledged ignorant outsider though;

- Bruyneel's management of Contador is shameful
- Bruyneel clearly has a high regard for Armstrong
- Bruyneel sees something pretty special about Armstrong right now
- further, he sees a future beyond Astana and with Armstrong

the last 3 points are probably related

 

[ComedyPilot]

For a season-long campaign, Astana have a perfect line up management-wise.

But for a TDF, it is a managerial nightmare. LA, Bertie each vying for TopDog status.

And Bruyneel (sp) is not the type of person I could trust as a manager, I mean he was a big time wheel sucker as a racer.

What I would do though is consolidate my teams position and the GC leader, and stand by the decision (but have a get out clause - Levi as a replacement if things go pear shaped).

 

[dellzeqq]

Forgive me, but I've been assuming all along that Armstrong will be back for the tour in 2010. Is that the general view?

 

[johnnyh]

I'd have thought so, heading up Team Livestrong....

 

[kennykool]

I certainly hope so!

Remember the authorties have to INVITE teams tho

 

[johnnyh]

like they wouldn't invite a team that will have international attention and a media frenzy...?