posted Dec 4, 2008

The TdF desperately needs the Astana team to provide a bit of credibility.

I was pleased that Sastre won this year, but would he have had a chance with Astana racing? Not sure.

On paper, the Astana team is incredibly strong lead by aruably the best rider of the moment, Contador. For the best rider not to have particpated, it's a travesty.

I sincerely hope there's no pre-arrangements made between Armstrong and Contador because I want to see Contador win both the Giro and TdF (despite being a big fan of Armstrongs!).

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posted Dec 5, 2008

Armstrong isnt entering for second place...

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posted Dec 5, 2008

Would Lance seriously ride the TdF as a domestique now though?

I guess we'll know the answer by May, depending on whether he really races the Spring Classics and the Giro or just rides round to get form.
Personally, I'd love to see LA go all out for wins in Liege and the Giro, as it might make people realise what great events these are, and that the TdF isn't the be all of pro cycling. (Merckx did something similar in 73(?) where he rode the Vuelta and Tour de Suisse rather than the TdF)

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posted Dec 5, 2008

Better get the prescription notes ready....

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posted Dec 6, 2008

In all of Armstrong's Tour wins, he never rode the Giro in the same season.

Some may say he is using the Giro miles to hone his condition - but the Giro is famous (or infamous) as being very tough with a lot of bad weather (it's my favourite race tbh) - there are too many random elements in the Giro to make it a good preparatory race for the TDF.

I think Lance can win the Giro (he already stated he's the 3rd strongest rider at Astana so he must be behind Leipheimer and ahead of Kloden so that makes him pretty damn strong already) but if he rides the Giro there is nothing to suggest given his history that he will be particularly competitive at the TDF.

If he had the wattage to win the TDF he would already be team leader and would not ride anything but a few short races and the TDF.

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posted Dec 11, 2008

Lance is riding the Giro for a warm up for the TDF. There is no way he would ride the TDF as a domestique. He is in the TDF to WIN.

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posted Dec 11, 2008

i,m starting to get fed up with the armstrong hype what makes him think he is the third best on astana team he hasnt done anything lately except brag let him ride the classics and the giro then maybe if he wins something he can brag

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posted Dec 12, 2008

After winning the Tour 7 times he is allowed to be cocky, its that confidence that got him where he is at and why he believes he can do it again. I too am confused about what his goals are, a younger Armstrong would struggle to be competitive at the Giro and TDF. Like many fans I thought he was coming back to race the classics and Giro becaouse he missed them when he concentrated solely on the TDF. I cannot believe someone who has won the TDF 7 seven times in a row will race it as a domestique so is the Giro now just a leg tester?? And what does Contador think of all this, If Contador has the legs over Lance and Lance does work for him then maybe that will cement his legacy just as much as winning it for an 8th time......It will show another side, the side of a team player and not just a leader!!! Any chance of seeing Jan Ulrich come back?? Now that would make things interesting

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posted Dec 12, 2008

If Armstrong wins then it'll be a marvellous decision by him to return, if he struggles then he should have stayed retired and he'll realise it, either way having won 7 TdF's it's most likely he knows what he's doing.

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