Eurosport - Sat, 11 Jul 08:59:00 2009
Eurosport expert Stephen Roche believes Alberto Contador's attack on stage seven of the Tour de France in Andorra-Arcalis has cemented the Spaniard's position as favourite for the yellow jersey.
The Astana man moved into 2nd place overall behind Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r - La Mondiale) after an explosive attack that saw him put 21 seconds into his closest rivals, and crucially, leapfrog Lance Armstrong on the general classification.
"He has to be the favourite," Roche emphasised.
"The way he climbed today was so impressive, and we know is also very good at time-trialling. The fact that he hasn't got the jersey is not a bad thing because Ag2r will want to keep the jersey, so Astana won't have to defend it.
"If they [Ag2r] can hold it tomorrow, then they should hold it Sunday, and then there are a few flat days, so it's a big deal for them."
Though many saw Armstrong as Contador's biggest threat following the team time-trial, Roche believes Saxo Bank's young star Andy Schleck represents the greater threat, especially on some of the more uneven climbs that await in the Alps.
"I think someone like Andy Schleck can be more dangerous than Armstrong, although I would have thought Andy would have gone better today ," Roche added.
"We saw Armstong was riding cleverly today but we don't know if he was on his absolute limit, though I think he may have been close.
"When the likes of [Carlos] Sastre and [Cadel] Evans all ride tempo then Armstrong's there, but when they all start attacking one by one it makes the rhythm very uneven, and I don't know if Arsmtrong will cope with that."
Stage 8 LIVE at 11am on Saturday 11th July on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe
Comment 33 - 52 of 52
yes, Contador is the man man to beat because he is taking too much drugs
Congatulations to Contador for attacking his own Team the result is Astana is still not in Yellow going into Stage 9. Contador has tipped his hand, now the gloves will come off and the real battle is about to begin. The I in Team has become apparent. Looks as if he has alienated the Team and is now on his own.
Getting back to the race then... I nearly called it, Casar just pipped, but got the combativity prize. (rest day is Monday not tommorrow,slip sorry). Cavendish needs to win some more stages, if Hushvod is going to knock off intermediate sprint points.
thestallion.62 - If you had nearly died from cancer, you would not start up and actively support a cancer charity as a marketing tool. With regards to who he hangs out with and how many books he writes is up to him, who cares about that anyway? I agree he has an ego, I never disputed that. I was merely correcting an inaccurate accusation regarding the money aspect of the Tour. Just a point about cycling (or any sport) and money - if you were a real cycling and sports fan, you would realise that money is not the reason you do sports, no matter who you are.
u guys need to lay off the cheap drugs.go out and buy yourself some good dope if you wanna make nationalistic comments.no one can dispute the fact that Armstrong is the greatest TDF rider ever but IS NOT the greatest overall cyclist.Merckx won more races than anyone in history.An unsurpassed record for the past 35 years.Lance will crush Contador in the individual time trial.Contador will crush Lance in the big mountains.Should end up 1,2 on the podium.Don't count out Leipheimer or Schleck either.
Liz, I applaud the Live Strong Concept, however what a great marketing tool it is, as is dating hollywood starlets, and pop idols, hanging around with film star buddies, making films, books about ones life etc etc the list goes on and on, oh and is he not planning on running for the top California job !! Ego and Money my dear, ego and money !
"the PROBABLY greatest cyclist ever"...."Personally for me Indurain was the greatest"....my friends, please don't take me wrong....everybody have credit of their own opinion, I can't argue on that, same as I don't like someone to put words in my mouth. My point was that "LA vs.AC so called battle" is a journalist set-up, and that we all-true fans of TdF-should concentrate on real race. Remember constant Armstrong-Ulrich, Armstrong-Basso "duels", and the other way in the real race that maybe happen 2-3 time at most. Reminds me of villain-hero story all the way...And excuse me, but TdF don't need bunch of villains to prove someone as hero. LA don't need villain anymore, so why is the whole drama arround him. And Alberto also don't need heroes to prove himself. I've just wanted Danilo, Ricardo, Vino, Ivan and Alejandro could make it to join this bunch and to complete this edition. Watch Andy, Bradley, Noche etc...there are many people much worthy of comments this year than these Astana boys. Kloden for me is the revelation after many years of riding, and I'm waiting for Schleck Sr. to strech his legs...he's kind of lazy since now...
bojandh, he decided to return to cycling to promote his charity. He also got inspired by last year's Olympics when he saw alot of the older athletes doing well, he thought why not? Do you really think he needs the money? Perhaps you might live your life through money, but some people have different priortities in their life. If you have a good read of the Livestrong charity website and keep up with it day to day and see first hand that life is not just about money.
the stallion 62, all his sponsorship is for the Livestrong charity also. Perhaps you might want to look on the site and donate some money yourself.
No doubt Lance Armstrong is the greatest Tour de France cyclist ever, but to be the absoulute best he needed to have The Giro, Vuelta and some classics in his palmares.
Well I have to agree with Goce J about "sitting back and enjoying" and I personaly don't believe in this LA vs. AC @#%@, but this "greatest cyclist ever" business is something else, for me its Eddy Merckx.
Goce j, sure you have made some valid points, but claimimg that Lance is possibly the greatest cyclist ever is technically incorrect. Previous riders results clearly speak for themselves !!
Goce well said, totally agree, this tour is shaping up to be great and makes up for last years grey tour, give my regards to the alps. been to Alpe D'uez twice, Morzine, Start and finish of final day when LA won his last. Paris and south of France stages last year, I love this race. Look at the white jersey contenders this year there lies the future, some great prospects.
Well disscusiion board financial impact or cycling glory is so out of reason. Lance has both: 7-time winner, multi-millioner.... Same happen when MJ came back to play for Wizzards. Listen all you people before writting anything-I've been watching Indurain, Zulle, Pantani, Ulrich, Armstrong, Basso, Contador... in the past 20 y., many times at the scene at Galibier, Alpe d'Huez, La Toussuire, La Mongie, Les Deux Alpes...and they are all the best. We all must appreciate LA efforts for giving this year joy to see him on the tour. So my suggestion for all of people around the world-sit back and enjoy the ride of the probably greatest cyclist ever. He has proven that, and Alberto is here to prove the same, just like Andy, Carlos and the others. Personally for me Indurain was the greatest but Lance show us all that he is the strongest and toughest of all time. Alberto has the ability just like Indurain and we expect to show in this and following years all of his arsenal. Commercially this year TdF 100% tops all the previous, and be sure that next ones will be even more. LA made the brand and sure he will back with the strongest sponsors next year no matter as a manager or a rider. And Alberto will ride for his team more than 1000%, just like Basso years before...so sit back and enjoy, now i'm heading to Alps to setup for stage 17 and others...
Ok, so lets speculate on this. Armstrong is riding, to promote Livestrong. To inspire and help cancer sufferers the world over. He is donating all his winnings to Livestrong. He is also showing you can win clean. He is paving the way for JB and himself to form the Livestrong team after Astana implodes.This team will not feature Alberto Contador or Kloden. It will feature young and upcoming riders like for instance Nicolas Roche, and some real contenders pinched from other teams. The money that Armstrong makes from these sponsorship deals you talk about will fund this team,(remember that it takes an annual budget of between £4m to £8m a year to fund a team), along with probably another main sponsor. lance Armstrong will lead the team for one season then really retire.
Face the following facts. Lance Armstrong said that if Contador made a big dig he would "probably stay with the other favourites," which is exactly what he did. Contador is a great rider, and just because you like LA doesn't mean you can dismiss Contador. There are other contenders in this race not just LA and AC, and they are just hanging in there waiting. Cadel Evans will not feature. The individual time trial and the Ventoux will decide this race unless one of the elites does something spectacular (crazy) prior. Todays stage will see Contador in yellow and be won by a breakaway by somebody out of the gc running, who has the legs and knows its a rest day tommorrow, so is prepared to give it a go. Sandy Casar anybody? Ag2R can hold the jersey till the next hilly stage if they put a man up the road then control the pack today. In other words there are a lot of options. Just one last point. In tennis 18 months ago people were saying that Roger Federer was on the way out, aye right, as we say in Scotland. Great winners never lose that will to win,thats why they are great, don't blame Lance Armstrong for going for it if he feels he has the legs, and if he does not win, but loses giving everything that is to his credit, he will have been beaten by somebody who is a bit special over the 3 weeks, and that may not be but probably will be Contador. Lance Armstrong doesn't need to win the race to have made a successful comeback, although people who do not really understand what it takes to do this race may think that anything less than winning is failure.
Liz S, and can you explain to us, please, why is the riding this Tour? Im missing the point? To show us he is the best ever? Haha.. W8 for a few years to come, and then we will put up that question again... For the last time i sincerely hope...
Liz, come on get real, whilst he may not get paid by Astana, look at his tie up with Nike, trek, Oakley, etc etc etc, he is making a lot of money out of this tour come back, imagine the revenue he will generate through the publicity media channels, the list is endless. This is NOT about cycling glory its about financial impact and ego.
the.stallion.62, Armstrong isnt riding again to reassert his financial standing. He is not taking a salary for this tour, and any money/sponsorship etc is going to his charity Livestrong. People are too quick to dish out abuse without checking the facts.
Well said Suze. Listen everyone, we should be revelling in the fact that the new tour focus is on this renewed battle between Armstrong and everyone else on the tour instead of the shame of drug cheats. These men, all of them, deserve our utmost respect for what they put themselves through in this extraordinary test of stamina and courgage. I don't hate anyone on tour, I respect everyone's achievements from the first to the last. The battles between Contador, Armstrong, Evans, Shleck et al are good for the tour. Its keeping us glued to our screens again. Let's enjoy it
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