Thu 24 May 2012 | 
Sastre's legs do the talking
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Enlarge textAfter watching the Giro's stage sixteen, I have new-found admiration for a man who refuses to beat his chest and talk-the-talk.
2008 Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre (AAP)
- 19 Comments | Join the discussion
You've got to hand it to Carlos Sastre - the Spaniard has attitude that greatly impresses.
And
after watching the Giro's stage sixteen, I have new-found admiration
for a man who refuses to beat his chest and talk-the-talk.
He's a quiet achiever who simply let's his legs do the talking.
His performance on Monte Petrano took me back to Alpe d'Huez last year when he turned the Tour de France on its head with a single blow.
Well, he hasn't quite turned the Giro on its head yet, and he probably won't be able to edge past either race leader Denis Menchov or Danilo di Luca on the GC, but one thing is certain, he's well on his way to securing a place on the podium when the race ends in Rome on Sunday.
Few of the so-called "experts" could bring themselves to tipping Sastre as a serious contender before the Giro started.
After
all, at 34 years-of-age, many thought by winning Le Tour last year, he
had reached the pinnacle of his career and there's was nothing else to
prove.
After today's showing, I'm sure the critics are
certain to review their thoughts when analysing the likely prospects at
this year'sTdF.
There's no doubt Sastre feels he still has so much to offer.
His Aussie teammate Simon Gerrans has expressed, on countless occasions at the Giro, of his priorities at helping Sastre to possible victory.
Well, Gerro
wasn't exactly called upon on the brutal climb to the finish line, but
I'm sure he'll be satisfied of his leader's qualities with the view of
looking ahead to theTdF.
The result was even more remarkable given the events of twenty-four hours earlier.
Some doubters questioned Cervelo's tactics when team director Jean-Paul van Poppel ordered Serge Pauwels back to the bunch at a time when the Belgian was well in the race for stage honours when he joined eventual winner Leonardo Bertagnolli in a critical break.
it certainly was a puzzling decision, but it's all been forgotten given the events of today.
Special mention must go to Lance Armstrong on a hugely disappointing day for Astana.
Levi Leipheimer's hopes have certainly ended, yet Armstrong was simply incredible.
For
a man who is appearing in his first Grand Tour in four years and broke
a collarbone two months ago, it's hard to believe he could race the way
he did on stage sixteen.
He again showed his qualities as a team player - always willing to help his fellow American get back into the race.
With Leipheimer
now out of contention for overall honours, there's no reason for Lance
not to go for a stage victory himself before the Giro ends.
I'm one who hopes he does - he deserves it.
As
for Michael Rogers? well, I guess I can uncross my fingers for him now.
I'm sure he'll be the first to admit, he has been beaten by superior
riders.
But it's not to say he won't draw from this Giro experience and take it to France in July.
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Comments (19)
Previous 10 |
31 May 2009 10:39 AEST
From: Melbourne
--
I am new to cycling and have picked up this belligerence, bordering on antagonism, towards Lance. I don't understand it. What other sport would belittle an all-time champion? My mate and I travelled to Adelaide to see him and he inspired us to take up cycling. We have been obsessed with the sport since and are now in it for keeps. Is the anti-Lance attitude just another sad example of Australian tall poppy syndrome?
28 May 2009 6:42 AEST
From: yackandandah
--
well i know a lot has been saidabout LA"s less than ideal preperation fro the Giro, Agree or not agree you cant deny the mans cycling talent. Looks to me he is approaching top form, not sure what happened last night, maybe going for the stage but dropped back to help Levi, i think real contender for top 5 finish in france if he continues to inmprove
27 May 2009 19:03 AEST
From: Sydney
--
Of course, you are right James of Port Mac (a great area for riding by the way!) THe French people have always embraced him, the press and officialdom however are another kettle of poisson!
27 May 2009 18:41 AEST
From: Canberra
--
Sastre is phenomenal. I love watching cycling, but I'm getting really really sick of the fans. The Italians seem particularly bad. In what other sport is it acceptable to throw things at the sportsmen, get on the field of play and interfere, and stand in front the players? It may have been fun to have people yelling cyclists on at the top of the mountain in past years, but they're consistently in the way. As a cyclist, the thought of having to stress about people who may or may not clear out in time is pretty awful. I hope the race organisers sort this out. It's really ruining my enjoyment of the Giro d'Italia
27 May 2009 17:04 AEST
From: Port Macquarie
--
I think you're wrong Stuart Tubbs. I reckon the French will welcome Lance back to the Tour this year with open arrms. As for the race organisers....well that may be a different story.
27 May 2009 17:04 AEST
From: Port Macquarie
--
I think you're wrong Stuart Tubbs. I reckon the French will welcome Lance back to the Tour this year with open arrms. As for the race organisers....well that may be a different story.
27 May 2009 16:14 AEST
From: Sydney
--
As far as I'm concerned, that so-called "queen stage" a while back was a pretender. Stage 16 was the highlight of the Giro so far.
27 May 2009 13:20 AEST
From: Sydney
--
Sastre and Armstrong (and I can already hear the collective groans of the Francophilic no room for LA in cycling elitists) have both shown that true class endures...and yes my friends, you can say that Lance is cool and be a serious rider!
26 May 2009 17:24 AEST
From: Newcastle
--
Sastre is getting better with age. Must be one of the smartest riders and best climbers around. It will be interesting to see Contador as dead set favourite in what is shapping up to be a pretty heavy tour. Loads of past podium riders and emerging talent. Is it a sign of an evening up of things at the top of the heap. Contador will be a marked mad from day 1 unlike 2007 when he really become a contender during the pyrrenees. Sastre won't be picking up 2 minutes on second place either with so manny contenders around. CAN'T WAIT.
26 May 2009 14:15 AEST
From: Melbourne
--
The beautiful irony in last night's stage was Basso chasing after Sastre, and being unsuccessful. I'm sure that chance for a bit of revenge gave Sastre some extra motivation.
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