Will Contador and Ricco be the next great Tour de France Rivalry?
February 26, 2010
Does anybody else think that this year’s Giro d’Italia was just a prologue to a huge future Tour de France competition? Both Alberto Contador and Riccardo Ricco have similar riding styles, and both have asserted themselves as strong young riders.
As a side question, will Benatti and Cavendish and their battle in the Giro be a precursor to a sprinters rivalry as well?
Unfortunately Ricco tested positive for EPO and was thrown out of the Tour today (7/17/08)
In my opinion there was no way he was going to rival Contador anyway. Condator has become an excellent time trialist to go along with his superior climbing skills. Ricco only had the climbing… and now I guess we know why.
What a shame…
To answer your other question, Cav and Benatti are definitely the real deal. Sort of like the old Zabel, McEwen, O’Grady rivalry. Though those three are still racing, more and more of the sprints seem to be going to the younger guys. I guess the changing of the guard as far as sprinters is concerned is starting to happen.
i sure hope so, it could be the new armstrong v. everbody else that we had for the past decade
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if contador can clear his name…he was linked to the blood doping scandal, but ricco could use a bit more experience
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No. Contador is a much better all-around rider. Sort of like Lance vs Pantani.
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Unfortuately, Alberto Contador is, through no fault of his, absent from this years tour. I was really waiting for another match with Cadel Evans.
I am very disappointed with the absence of Team Astana:
See my blog http://tourdefarce2008.blogspot.com
I am though. very impressed with the young riders in this years race. especially Riccardo Ricco. I also like the Schleck brothers. Don’t count them out. After todays stage I mentioned to my wife that we are seeing the next great rivalry in pro cycling.
Although disappointed with no Levi or Alberto, I am very optimistic about the future of pro cycling after 10 stages of this years Tour.
References :
Unfortunately Ricco tested positive for EPO and was thrown out of the Tour today (7/17/08)
In my opinion there was no way he was going to rival Contador anyway. Condator has become an excellent time trialist to go along with his superior climbing skills. Ricco only had the climbing… and now I guess we know why.
What a shame…
To answer your other question, Cav and Benatti are definitely the real deal. Sort of like the old Zabel, McEwen, O’Grady rivalry. Though those three are still racing, more and more of the sprints seem to be going to the younger guys. I guess the changing of the guard as far as sprinters is concerned is starting to happen.
References :
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17072008/58/tour-de-france-ricco-epo-positive-stuns-le-tour.html