I've been meaning to ask this for a while but never got around to it...do you think Alberto Contador is a potential multi-GT winner? Will he win the Tour de France again? To me his time trialing just doesn't seem strong enough to be a real hands down favorite, especially for the TDF. Next year, I'd probably put Evans above Contador as long as the course isn't too mountainous. Just wanted to know what everyone else thinks.

I would pick Contador over Evans. Evans has zero explosion in his climbing. To break people in the mountains you need to be able to attack until they can't react anymore, then you go.

What surprised me is the attacking Levi showed in the US championship. In the tour he seemed to be content hanging on with Evans. It makes me wonder if Levi wasn't instructed to stand down.

To actually answer the question (for a change), I think Contador will win at least another grand tour (pending a clean rap sheet) but I don't think it will be next year. Contador is very young, I bet he has his strongest years ahead of him.

It's hard to believe that Levi and Contador are both going to Astana with Kloden already there. I can't imagine Kloden is very happy about this seeing as he still very much has his own aspirations to win the Tour. It's kinda like Telekom in the old Ullrich/Vino/Kloden/Botero days. Too many chiefs, not enough indians.

I think after the unveiling of the 2008 TdF route, Conti has got to be the hands-down favorite. Hautaucam, Huez, and only one long ITT and a short ITT (very Giro-like). Not that he's a slouch in the ITT department, but the route favors Conti over Evans, Kloeden, and Levi. Valverde is the wild card; if he climbs consistently he can match Conti.

I do not think that Contador will be at the tour next year

It's hard to believe that Levi and Contador are both going to Astana with Kloden already there. I can't imagine Kloden is very happy about this seeing as he still very much has his own aspirations to win the Tour. It's kinda like Telekom in the old Ullrich/Vino/Kloden/Botero days. Too many chiefs, not enough indians.

Actually didnt Kloden say that he did not like being the team leader and that he went to Astana to support Vino?

Contador may be one of those riders who needs a carrot. Last year he had Ras to pull/push him up the hills. It will be interesting to see how a climber fairs against the more well rounded contendors.

He's only 24, so as long as he stays healthy, he should win another GT at some point. I'd say it's more probable that he learns how to time trial better than it is that Evans learns how to climb better. I also think his real challengers aren't yet identified. Evans had a great year this year, but he has been pretty fragile in the past.

I'd like to see Contador go head to head against Cunego.

Sure I think his career is just beginning and he will win many more titles.

That is assuming he has the correct coach and on a supportive team.

Cadel for the win.

I think after the unveiling of the 2008 TdF route, Conti has got to be the hands-down favorite. Hautaucam, Huez, and only one long ITT and a short ITT (very Giro-like). Not that he's a slouch in the ITT department, but the route favors Conti over Evans, Kloeden, and Levi. Valverde is the wild card; if he climbs consistently he can match Conti.

I think that the lack of time bonuses will hurt Contador. He could use the bonuses in the mountain stages to cover losses in the TTs - especially the second one after the Alps.

Properly managed, 'Berto should be able to win the Vuelta over and over, if Astana decides to go for it. Maybe the Giro, too. TdF will depend on the course -- 2008 seems like he should be one of the top two or three, if not THE favorite. Years with TTT and longer ITTs -- well, we'll see...

Man, Astana is STACKED!

BTW, why did the TdF drop the time bonuses for 08? Has there been an explanation?

Considering the time trials in the 2008 tour are nearly non-existent, and all team managers are saying l'alp d'huez is the deciding factor next year, i would say contador has a pretty good chance...assuming they don't nail him for doping.

Dropping time bonuses will make for a much closer tour -- and happier fans.

Considering the time trials in the 2008 tour are nearly non-existent, and all team managers are saying l'alp d'huez is the deciding factor next year, i would say contador has a pretty good chance...assuming they don't nail him for doping.

Dropping time bonuses will make for a much closer tour -- and happier fans.
Closer than 2007?, however i agree 2008 will be a hard faught tour with a climbing based allrounder for the win. Will that be berto that remains to be seem but remember cunego blitzing to giro then settling down to a more steady progression, this seams to be the way of the young GT contender.

I do not think that Contador will be at the tour next year

I don't think the whole Astana team will be at the Tour next year. I read something to that effect on cyclingnews anyway.

I have a hard time believing Contador isn't doping. And if he is doping, he's likely to get caught. It seems Postal/Discovery turned a somewhat blind eye to what was done outside of training camp. Don't ask, Don't tell. I think that ultimately was the real reason they folded shop, they wanted to walk away from any continuing accusations of it's riders and preserve their legacy and reputations.
Unfortunately the sport has put a big question mark upon itself. I almost think that they should dope them all up and let them race, at least we would know what we were watching.

The way things have been going what makes you think he won in 2007?

If he makes it to the start, and the finish, Contador should be the favorite based on the course for 2008.

Kloden won't even be riding by then the way Sinkewitz is singing.

If he doesn't get hurt (or caught doping) he's going to win again, maybe not in 2008, but he will win, and more than one. It just makes sense- he's still a few years away from his prime.

He'll definitely be able to win again. In 08? Well, he'd get better so yes, he's gotta be a favorite as the defending champion.

But, there would be less mountain stages for the Tour to be decided now so he'll have to pack a greater punch in the stages to make it count, given that there aren't time bonuses.

I'd say his TT abilities would definitely get better, he'd climb better and get fitter so yes, he'll be in with a great shot.

And Astana would be a kick azz team with him, Levi, Kloden, Noval, Paulinho and such. Wow.... No wonder there ain't a TTT or they'll most likely win it at the Tour I guess.

I have a hard time believing Contador isn't doping. And if he is doping, he's likely to get caught. It seems Postal/Discovery turned a somewhat blind eye to what was done outside of training camp. Don't ask, Don't tell. I think that ultimately was the real reason they folded shop, they wanted to walk away from any continuing accusations of it's riders and preserve their legacy and reputations.
Unfortunately the sport has put a big question mark upon itself. I almost think that they should dope them all up and let them race, at least we would know what we were watching.

It's incredibly easy to "turn a blind eye" when you know exactly what's going on...or funding or encouraging or assisting...

Cadel for the win.

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/g/avatars/flyingpig.gif

Contador will win another GT. That's almost a given. May not be a TdF though. I know folks are pooh-poohing the TTs for the '08 tour, however there still is a 50k+ TT. With no time bonuses and the fact that there are definitely people that can at least keep it close in the mountains, Contador will have a tough go next year.

Potential challengers would be Cunego (who I swear is going to blossom into a decent TTer) and Valverde. Evans is probably going to be second fiddle again.

I don't think the whole Astana team will be at the Tour next year. I read something to that effect on cyclingnews anyway.

Contador seems to think he's in with Astana.

I tend to agree with you.. they might not get in.. lawsuits will fly.


http://eurosport.yahoo.com/25102007/3/cycling-champ-contador-eyes-repeat-2008-tour-route-announced.html