Paris-Nice *SPOILER*
- Thread starter Flying_Monkey
- Start date
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Skip Madness
New Member
What is it about Luis León Sánchez? Whenever he really goes for it we always get Paris-Nice's most exciting moments. That was another splendid stage, the best in years. Seeing Sánchez pick the opportune moment and grind out the gap and then watching the other front riders work Contador over was amazing.
The interesting thing about Contador - and more to the point Astana - is that he was isolated throughout last year's Giro but still had the class to be able to win on his own. But stages like today are always likely to come along once in a while, and if he had a team-mate with him today like Popovych or Zubeldia he could very easily still be in yellow. After Contador, Popovych was the highest placed rider for Astana today at 7.20 down. Then it was Navarro and Zubeldia at 11.13. You might think, "Well, it is only Paris-Nice, not one of the big three," but it is clear that Contador has really been going for it this week. Look at the line-ups that Astana, Quickstep, Caisse d'Epargne and Saxo Bank brought to this race - not much difference in quality. But look how much better those last three have protected their top riders - especially Quickstep, relatively speaking - than Astana have.
It is important not to get too carried away by Contador having one off day, but nevertheless Lance and Levi must be looking at this year's Tour with a serious eye on yellow right now. Contador should remain the favourite, reasonably speaking, but doubts may creep in.
The interesting thing about Contador - and more to the point Astana - is that he was isolated throughout last year's Giro but still had the class to be able to win on his own. But stages like today are always likely to come along once in a while, and if he had a team-mate with him today like Popovych or Zubeldia he could very easily still be in yellow. After Contador, Popovych was the highest placed rider for Astana today at 7.20 down. Then it was Navarro and Zubeldia at 11.13. You might think, "Well, it is only Paris-Nice, not one of the big three," but it is clear that Contador has really been going for it this week. Look at the line-ups that Astana, Quickstep, Caisse d'Epargne and Saxo Bank brought to this race - not much difference in quality. But look how much better those last three have protected their top riders - especially Quickstep, relatively speaking - than Astana have.
It is important not to get too carried away by Contador having one off day, but nevertheless Lance and Levi must be looking at this year's Tour with a serious eye on yellow right now. Contador should remain the favourite, reasonably speaking, but doubts may creep in.
Sorry.
Keith Oates
Janner
- Location
- Penarth, Wales
Contador says he forgot to eat and drink correctly in the early part of the stage and that resulted in the hunger knock, it just shows how important it is to get everything right and under control from start to finish. He really does have a mountain to climb if he wants the yellow back on the final day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Well he literally does have a mountain to climb - the Col de la Porte, but unfortunately for him it isn't a huge one and it comes too early in the stage for it to be decisive. He surely isn't going to gain enough time on the ascent and descent of Col d'Eze?Keith Oates said:
roadiewill
New Member
- Location
- Wiltshire
so who won the race overall then?
OP
OP
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
He did indeed give it a good go, but he had lost too much. Didn't even get on the podium in the end, which was Sanchez, Schleck, Chavanel... Millar didn't finish along with loads of others. Two very tough days to finish this race - no mere city centre parade!
mondobongo
Über Member
Pretty exciting finish to what has been a good race shame that the highlights were only on for 30 minutes rather than the hour.
Forgot to eat and drink! Forgot! That's an astonishingly unlikely/amateurish mistake for any pro, let alone someone defending yellow and preparing to take the TdF. There is surely more to it that simply forgetting!
Still, whatever the truth, he did put in one heck of an effort - so he can't be faulted for not trying.
Still, whatever the truth, he did put in one heck of an effort - so he can't be faulted for not trying.
Keith Oates
Janner
- Location
- Penarth, Wales
Sanchez winning is good for him but the impressive performance for me was
Contador. He messed up on the penultimate stage when he bonked but still fought hard on the last day when he must have known he had little chance of winning the race. I suspect he will have a few more fans after this race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Contador. He messed up on the penultimate stage when he bonked but still fought hard on the last day when he must have known he had little chance of winning the race. I suspect he will have a few more fans after this race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
