Tour of the Basque Country, 1-6 April [** SPOILERS **]

[Buddfox]

So I guess this is next up, start list here:

http://vueltapaisvasco.diariovasco.com/equipos-ciclistas-vuelta-pais-vasco.php

Sky look like they'll be giving Richie Porte another run out as team leader, but I can't imagine it's anything other than a training exercise for them ahead of the Giro. A chance to see all the usual Spanish suspects at work (save Purito) - will Contador dominate?

 

[laurence]

Gora Euskadi

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I'd like to see Sergio Henao let off the leash for this, but I suspect he'll be working for Porte this time. Maybe next year he'll be allowed a go at something.

 

[beastie]

I'd like to see Sergio Henao let off the leash for this, but I suspect he'll be working for Porte this time. Maybe next year he'll be allowed a go at something.

Porte looks very lean, and his form is great. He could be right up in a GT the way he is going. What a guy to have as a super domestique.

 

[tigger]

Porte v Contador could be a good watch on current form

 

[Buddfox]

I was wondering about that... I'm expecting Contador to be a step forward, but Porte was really strong in Paris-Nice, and having an outstanding season (witness his performance over the weekend).

 

[lukesdad]

Do you really think Bertie is going to show his form to Sky ?

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Do you really think Bertie is going to show his form to Sky ?

Probably not at this race if that's what you mean, no. Later on in the season very definitely.

 

[lukesdad]

I was wondering about that... I'm expecting Contador to be a step forward, but Porte was really strong in Paris-Nice, and having an outstanding season (witness his performance over the weekend).

His performance over what exactly ?

 

[rich p]

Do you really think Bertie is going to show his form to Sky ?

You don't think he'd waste a damn good steak on a provincial race?

 

[Buddfox]

His performance over what exactly ?

erm, the weekend? I don't understand... wasn't the Crit International last weekend?

 

[The Couch]

Do you really think Bertie is going to show his form to Sky ?

I don't think it's in Contador's nature to not try to win a race. In the past he used to show his form from the start of his season (Volta ao Algarve) until the Tour started.So despite the lack of quality steaks in the Basque Country and the difficulties he has been getting from Sky (last year and this year) I still see him attacking each change he has.

...Now if his attacks will be strong enough to drop the rest like it would have been 2-3 years ago, I have no idea.

And I am guessing he probably wants to give Sky a (small) mental blow, that their strategy won't work always against him. Especially since Froome is missing, he doesn't want to be overwhelmed with interviews/questions about the fact that he can't even defeat Froome's lieutenant.


That being said, I would (unfortunately) put Valverde defintely up there as well. And I am wondering if we will see something from Anton or Sanchez (this should be Euskaltel's "Tour de France", right?).

 

[Buddfox]

Agreed.

He needs to lay down a marker, and I don't think he's done that yet this season. Psychologically that will be important for him to put Sky on notice - and this is the perfect event to do it at.

 

[tigger]

Contador always races to win, love him or loath him that's what he does. So I'll be amazed if he doesn't do the same here

I don't think Contador held anything back in either Oman or Tirreno-Adriatico, its early season but he just wasn't quite good enough. So this makes the head to head with Porte very attractive, as I think Porte's every bit as good as Froome at this moment

 

[smutchin]

The way Saxo are setting the pace on the front of the peloton at the moment makes it pretty clear what Contador's intentions are in this race...