Alberto Contador wins Paris-Nice

Well, the Spanish stage race superstar is at it again. He just can't stop winning, can he? After his victory at the Volta ao Algarve, Contador defeated his rivals in the Race to the Sun by dominating on the only mountaintop finish and riding a defensive race against the likes of compatriots Alejandro Valverde (a 14 seconds) and Luis Leon Sanchez. Sanchez won the race last year after an isolated Contador suffered from the hunger knock. A lot of commentators and critics has commented on Contador's seeming lack of appreciation or need for team support. But I say, if he is strong enough, or conversely, if his team isn't strong enough for the situation, like in the final stage of Paris-Nice, when Contador rode away from the team to defend his maillot jaune against Valverde, then more power to him. Several people comment on the obviously weaker state of the Astana squad after Armstrong has hired many on his new team RadioShack. Personally, with no Team Time Trial in le Tour this summer, I don't think the strength of his team will be an issue. He is still the most dominating climber, and as stage 18 of the Tour de France 2009 shows, not too shabby of a time-trialist either. After all, Greg Lemond won the 1986 edition of the race against incumbent Bernard Hinault and his entire French based team. As for predicitons, I will let time tell. We'll see in July.