2009 TDF stage 17 - Bourg-Saint-Maurice Le Grand-Bornand 169.5 km - Page 5

Riders are going to flee Astana like rats from a sinking ship...

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Cheap, Strong and Light.
Pick any Two.

I'm not sure.
I'm not sure how serious Fernando is about starting a cycling team. But it looked like he's very interested in starting his own team with Contador as a leader. I wonder if he knows what does it take to run his own team. If he knows - then it's game on... And it will be really competitive team, with (supposed) Contador's choice of team-mates.

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"Soldiers! Heroes!

The supreme command has erased our regiment from its records. Our regiment has been sacrificed for the honor of Belgrade and the Fatherland. Therefore, you no longer have to worry for your lives - they do not exist anymore.
So, forward to glory! For King and country! Long live the king! Long live Belgrade! "

I don't know... They'll always find riders willing to ride for big bucks. Remember, it's supported by state of Kazakhstan.

__________________
"Soldiers! Heroes!

The supreme command has erased our regiment from its records. Our regiment has been sacrificed for the honor of Belgrade and the Fatherland. Therefore, you no longer have to worry for your lives - they do not exist anymore.
So, forward to glory! For King and country! Long live the king! Long live Belgrade! "

He's under contract with Astana through 2010. So until someone bails his ass out, he and Vino are going to be best friends.

did you see how Vino rode when he was with Tmobile and Ullrich?

yeah like an idiot

Read it and weep Beloki!!
Contador linked to planned Spanish team - VeloNews

You think he's going to get the support from Vino he needs to win? dont get me wrong, I like AC, he's very talented, but when people start screaming about how bad he has it with LA and JB, just wait till next year or when he gets on another team. Kinda like Heras did when he left Postal. He can only do so much on talent.

I think Fernando can find money... And won't be surprised if Contador helps him in his own interest.
After all, Vino isn't that bad friend... He won't ride for the Yellow jersey.
Let's wait and see.
I'm off.

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"Soldiers! Heroes!

The supreme command has erased our regiment from its records. Our regiment has been sacrificed for the honor of Belgrade and the Fatherland. Therefore, you no longer have to worry for your lives - they do not exist anymore.
So, forward to glory! For King and country! Long live the king! Long live Belgrade! "

Tell that to Ullrich, Kloden, and the Tmobile squad.

And would you really expect him to state otherwise? That would be akin to pasting an "attack me" label to one's own back. His trainer has made it quite clear that this is not the case, and it's amazing enough that he's where he is fitness-wise. He's just lucky to be in the tour, much less a contender.

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Originally Posted by Flyer:
It is a matter of reading comprehension that you challenged by.

I must confess that Vino is one rider who I feel shouldn't be allowed back under any circumstances.

1) He doped.
2) He doped in a galactically stupid way.
3) He got caught.
4) His return is already starting out by being somewhat unsporting.
5) He hasn't shown any remorse whatsoever.
6) His doping method simply thumbed its nose at the entire sport.

Note: I think he was a talented rider (Though how much of that was down to dope or not is a moot point). To dope in the manner he did at the Tour De France was cretinous in the extreme. That he thought his performance/approach wouldn't raise questions suggests that he is terminal f*ckwit. It also suggests contempt for everything in cycling including the authorities and the great races that he entered.

I think Contador or the Schlecks would take him apart.

"Selfish glory" to want, and be able to win the Tour, and to do that to try to gain a comfortable margin before the TT, Mount Ventoux and the unexpected puncture (or man-eating bear)? Even Jens Voigt would do that if he were in Contador's position.

Contador rode superbly, physically and mentally.

Anybody think that Wiggo might be holding himself a little too much in check? The commentators seem to be making loads of comments about him looking extremely comfortable. Unfortunately you don't get many face shots so you can't really see if he's struggling or not. Could he be higher up the GC with a little more adventurism. Not first place but higher? Just interested on thoughts on this.

Agreed Fri.

Contador did ride superbly, except that his strength blew his team mate Kloden away as well.

It pains me to say this - but after all of the recent history, all performances need to be viewed with a sceptical eye in terms of whether or not what we witnessed was clean.

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.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it" - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.