Showing posts with label Contador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contador. Show all posts
Monday, July 26, 2010
"Contador Wins By One Bike Chain"
http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2010/07/26/contador-wins-by-the-length-of-one-bike-chain/
The WSJ says it all and says it best. And Versus showed it all. For now, the end of the story.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tour de France 2010: Memo to Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck.
This is the last stage and nothing is supposed to happen. Though something could and should happen.
As for Alberto Contador, get at least that one second that would put you 40 seconds ahead of Schleck, so that I can keep quiet about you stealing this Tour de France. Remember the 39 seconds you stole from Schleck in your "chain reaction" lo siento thing? What was that?
As for Andy Schleck, it's OK, though unusual, to attack the leader of the Tour de France during the last stage which is his tour of honor. Honor? Andy Schleck, you are the sheriff and you should look after getting your stolen goods (seconds) back. Just let the public know that Alberto's jersey is stained.
As for Alberto Contador, get at least that one second that would put you 40 seconds ahead of Schleck, so that I can keep quiet about you stealing this Tour de France. Remember the 39 seconds you stole from Schleck in your "chain reaction" lo siento thing? What was that?
As for Andy Schleck, it's OK, though unusual, to attack the leader of the Tour de France during the last stage which is his tour of honor. Honor? Andy Schleck, you are the sheriff and you should look after getting your stolen goods (seconds) back. Just let the public know that Alberto's jersey is stained.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Tour de France: Luxembourg's Schleck vs Contador.
Alberto Contador is set to win the Tour de France 2010 just 39 seconds ahead of Andy Schleck. One can indeed assume that nothing else is going to happen in tomorrow's last stage to Paris, except the usual pranks.
In your wildest dreams, you cannot figure out such a dramatic scenario: Contador wins with exactly those 39 seconds he stole from Andy Schleck in the 15th stage, when he attacked Schleck who had a mechanical incident. An attack in those circumstances is a no-no in the peloton's ethics code.
Then Contador lied a little bit about not knowing of the incident.
Then he apologized, saying he should not have done it.
Then he obviously held back on the Tourmalet to leave the stage victory to Schleck. Some read chivalry into that, some read guilt into that, which in the circumstance is all the same: chivalry induced by guilt. Germans call it "Wiedergutmachung."
The Gods of the Mountains were very malicious: they had Schleck and Contador in a tie. Today's time trial result speaks the final Truth, and it is one of those dramas about the Tour. It denies the moral confirmation to the champion Contador as it favors Schleck: he lost the Tour by exactly the amount of seconds stolen by Contador.
Contador really doesn't "win" the Tour: he fails to clear that doubt by failing to get at least one second more than the 39 seconds he stole in the 15th stage. It is certainly not a clear win. In some way, abusing the code of honor comes back to haunt Contador. Just a little. Who will remember this year's 15th stage comes 2011?
In your wildest dreams, you cannot figure out such a dramatic scenario: Contador wins with exactly those 39 seconds he stole from Andy Schleck in the 15th stage, when he attacked Schleck who had a mechanical incident. An attack in those circumstances is a no-no in the peloton's ethics code.
Then Contador lied a little bit about not knowing of the incident.
Then he apologized, saying he should not have done it.
Then he obviously held back on the Tourmalet to leave the stage victory to Schleck. Some read chivalry into that, some read guilt into that, which in the circumstance is all the same: chivalry induced by guilt. Germans call it "Wiedergutmachung."
The Gods of the Mountains were very malicious: they had Schleck and Contador in a tie. Today's time trial result speaks the final Truth, and it is one of those dramas about the Tour. It denies the moral confirmation to the champion Contador as it favors Schleck: he lost the Tour by exactly the amount of seconds stolen by Contador.
Contador really doesn't "win" the Tour: he fails to clear that doubt by failing to get at least one second more than the 39 seconds he stole in the 15th stage. It is certainly not a clear win. In some way, abusing the code of honor comes back to haunt Contador. Just a little. Who will remember this year's 15th stage comes 2011?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tour de France: Schleck vs Contador.
Alright, there you have it. The Gods of the Mountains put on their angry misty hats and had Schleck and Contador sort it out. Schleck on the attack, Contador as matador. Schleck showed strength, Contador the convincing style of a climber. Both were equally strong. Maybe Contador didn't insist to win the stage in the final sprint: bad conscience from his "chain reaction" on Monday, when the temptation to attack Schleck, who had a chain problem, was too great.
Contador also never led today, which is only partly understandable: Schleck was the challenger, but with his help, Contador put time between himself and all other contenders. But Schleck did all the work. Schleck didn't seem to hold any grudge after both arrived on top of the Tourmalet.
The Tour might be over right now. In the history of the Tour there is that moment, as the one we see now, when the final explanation has taken place.
However, getting back to Contador's chain reaction, where he stole 39 seconds, he really has one unfinished business: he has to win the Tour with at least 40 seconds ahead of Schleck, not 8, and honor is save. Though it is not over until the fat lady sings. Who could that be?
In the meantime, hats off for Versus Television, for their excellent reporting.
Contador also never led today, which is only partly understandable: Schleck was the challenger, but with his help, Contador put time between himself and all other contenders. But Schleck did all the work. Schleck didn't seem to hold any grudge after both arrived on top of the Tourmalet.
The Tour might be over right now. In the history of the Tour there is that moment, as the one we see now, when the final explanation has taken place.
However, getting back to Contador's chain reaction, where he stole 39 seconds, he really has one unfinished business: he has to win the Tour with at least 40 seconds ahead of Schleck, not 8, and honor is save. Though it is not over until the fat lady sings. Who could that be?
In the meantime, hats off for Versus Television, for their excellent reporting.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tour de France: Schleck vs Contador.
Alberto Contador is sorry that people think he should not have won the yellow jersey the way he did. It took him some coaching and the time to set up for a damage control interview in his room to profer a "lo siento". Anyone familiar with the sport didn't need so much time, but jumped at the view of Contador sprinting away from his main competitor, beating not him but his failing bike. The pistolero, whom I always considered as a world class champion, has lost class. Maybe by tomorrow he'll lose the champion title too. The pistolero, mimicking shooting his guns when winning a stage, just robbed the bank for a short time gain. He lost in attractiveness as a role model, which is for a professional athlete the equivalent of losing sponsors' money, the long term gain for being a hero.
But, for one thing, the pistolero brought a lot of passion to the Tour that otherwise has been already one of the best in recent years.
Today Alberto should have time to scrutinize the horizon, as the Gods of the Mountains are waiting for him tomorrow. They seem to disapprove and put on their angry faces and cloudy hats. They cannot be talked out of the Truth, one cannot tell them "I'm sorry" , and they'll punish those who don't obey their rules.
http://www.letour.fr/2010/TDF/LIVE/us/1700/etape_par_etape.html
But, for one thing, the pistolero brought a lot of passion to the Tour that otherwise has been already one of the best in recent years.
Today Alberto should have time to scrutinize the horizon, as the Gods of the Mountains are waiting for him tomorrow. They seem to disapprove and put on their angry faces and cloudy hats. They cannot be talked out of the Truth, one cannot tell them "I'm sorry" , and they'll punish those who don't obey their rules.
http://www.letour.fr/2010/TDF/LIVE/us/1700/etape_par_etape.html
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tour de France: Schleck vs Contador.
Today's stage in the Pyrenees was all set to be one where the Truth about leadership would come out. And it did in a big way.
It was to separate the best from the second best, and it did so in a perverse way: the best was relegated to second place. A mechanical incident threw the attacking Schleck out of the moment. Moment that Contador used to make a difference.
On the day the Tour de France celebrates the 100's anniversary of the inclusion of the Pyrenees in the track of the race, Contador's seizing of the moment flies into the face of the chivalrous tradition of this grand sport. There have been memorable battles between champions. There has been a sort of code of honor not to take advantage of a situation born out of bad luck such as a mechanical incident or a crash. That gentlemanly behavior was not Contador's today. He might win the Tour, with a bitter after taste. Contador, you don't do those things without consequences.
Of course sneaky behaviors and betrayals of trust have existed before. Speaking about another such incident and inelegant behavior involving a Luxembourg champion, let's revisit the Tour 1958. Charly Gaul who was one of the serious contenders for a final win, virtually lost his chances in the 19th stage, where he had a mechanical incident. Raphael Geminiani (and others) took advantage to relegate Gaul at more than 16 minutes. Two stages later an angry Gaul shook up the whole field in a punishing 21st stage. Not only did he do it, he announced that he was going to do it on the departing line. The press said on that day that Charly Gaul "the Angel of the Mountains" had become "the Demon of the Mountains."
Contador, I wish you in the days to come to be confronted by the true leader. Prepare not to meet "Andy" Schleck, but "Angry" Schleck.
It was to separate the best from the second best, and it did so in a perverse way: the best was relegated to second place. A mechanical incident threw the attacking Schleck out of the moment. Moment that Contador used to make a difference.
On the day the Tour de France celebrates the 100's anniversary of the inclusion of the Pyrenees in the track of the race, Contador's seizing of the moment flies into the face of the chivalrous tradition of this grand sport. There have been memorable battles between champions. There has been a sort of code of honor not to take advantage of a situation born out of bad luck such as a mechanical incident or a crash. That gentlemanly behavior was not Contador's today. He might win the Tour, with a bitter after taste. Contador, you don't do those things without consequences.
Of course sneaky behaviors and betrayals of trust have existed before. Speaking about another such incident and inelegant behavior involving a Luxembourg champion, let's revisit the Tour 1958. Charly Gaul who was one of the serious contenders for a final win, virtually lost his chances in the 19th stage, where he had a mechanical incident. Raphael Geminiani (and others) took advantage to relegate Gaul at more than 16 minutes. Two stages later an angry Gaul shook up the whole field in a punishing 21st stage. Not only did he do it, he announced that he was going to do it on the departing line. The press said on that day that Charly Gaul "the Angel of the Mountains" had become "the Demon of the Mountains."
Contador, I wish you in the days to come to be confronted by the true leader. Prepare not to meet "Andy" Schleck, but "Angry" Schleck.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
