I’m surprised that there’s any controversy about Contador attacking yesterday. Well, not really as I understand now that he was under orders not to attack. But he’s a super aggressive rider, so it seemed like business as usual to me as I was watching it. There are only three mountaintop finishes in this Tour, and those are his real advantage in this race, so it seemed like a natural move to me. And to be honest, to me, it would be a waste of time for him to not attack on a slope like that.
Oh well, we always expected Hinault/Lemond II and it seems like we’ve got it. It’s a bummer as I like both riders, but it’s definitely interesting as a spectator.
On that, I feel like Versus isn’t doing the controversy real justice. they’re obviously biased for Armstrong. That’s fine. I understand that. The problem I have is- they’re downplaying Contador as a rider. I think they really need to play up just how good he is. In my opinion he would have been a true rival for Armstrong in his prime and Armstrong isn’t in his prime, so if Armstrong manages to beat him it would be a real upset. The comeback is one thing, but to come back and beat the best rider in the world would be another matter entirely. The way Versus plays it, Contador is just some pretender. You don’t win all three Grand Tours in 18 months by being some pretender.
Levi Leipheimer
One thing that’s fascinating to me is the third Astana rider, looming right behind the other two. I can see an easy scenario where Leipheimer leapfrogs one or two of the other riders in the Annecy and then they’ve got a real showdown on their hands on top of Ventoux.
Am I nuts to think that’s the podium? Those three? Is it too early?
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