monosierra

How would they match up?

Both had top notch TT skills (which is why I picked Contador '09 rather than '07), were great climbers, and had a huge competitive streak. Had the two gone up against each other in their primes (assuming equal support), how would they have matched up? I think Contador might have the extra edge of acceleration - not even LA in his absolute prime had that.

botto 

bigskymacadam

i like pie

monosierra

Very witty, considering your limited vocabulary. Why don't you grab a dictionary and learn some English.

Johnny Colnago

yeah, but what about the re-animated corpse of Coppi?

lukasz

I don't want to start another thread, so I'll try to make productive use of this one: What kind of speed is Contador hitting up these climbs when he breaks away? It seems like his pace is about the same as the others except for those ridiculous accelerations.

julian

He blew them all away and steadily gained after the first acceleration.

DenisMenchov

My vote goes for Armstrong until Contador get's his eighth win. After seeing what AC did today, I think it could be possible, but not probable.

julian

Basso had his few glory days too but where is he now?

erader

did basso win all three grand tours?

ed rader

botto 

julian

I don't know, you tell me?

erader

you know your hopes and aspirations have been crushed when you make comments like this.

ed rader

julian

What? This from a guy who wants to gift AC last year's TDF win??

erader

do you remember the famous line by jack nicholson in "a few good men?"

i suspect you'll be rolling off the back soon just like LA.........

ed rader

julian

I don't much care for movies, although I am going to see Bruno tomorrow!

teetopkram

Contador reminds me of Pantani at his prime...makes it all look so easy flying effortlessly up the hill.

julian

Perhaps AC has the same trainer and doctor!

SunSwingsLow

LA would have limited his losses more than well enough in the climbs to easily beat Contador in the TT's.

Sea Green Sky

You mean Dr Ferrari? Oh wait, no, that was Lance

telebianchi

But the thread title is: Contador '09 v. Armstrong '04
So what either rider did in other years doesn't matter much to this particular comparison.

I think a more valid argument would be to check back next Sunday once we know how Contador has done on the remaining three mountain stages plus the ITT. While the first two weeks had been mostly uneventful for the GC, these three Alps stage, then a TT, a little recovery ride and then Ventoux are really going to test all of the riders.

monosierra

Thanks. I started the thread as a comparison between the two in their prime.

lotek 

Charly Gaul

Garthr

Monosierra, you wont' get much for answers here because it is impossible to compare the two if they are competing at different times.

Sport is full of such trivial pursuits, and while it makes for fine fodder for the mind, the truth is all we have is the present moment. Enjoy it.

monosierra

Not really. There's certainly little sense in comparing, say, Merckx and LA or even LeMond and LA because so much has transpired in between the generations. But only 5 years has gone since LA's 6th triumph in 2004 and Contador today. What exactly has changed in terms of training, terrain, technology that makes the comparison impossible? Not much. That's why the comparison makes sense. The only major difference is that whilst LA had the backing of an entire team in 2004, Contador wasn't sure of his until after he won Verbier.

Both are superb all-rounders with great acceleration on climbs and a point to prove.