firstly, of course,he must enjoy the 3rd place on this Tour of France

congratulations!!!

it’s impressive winning 7 consecutive Tours, leaving, and coming back again almost 4 years after at professional cycling, 3 tours without riding, and finishing 3rd at Tour

But this tour edition has been clear: Alberto Contador can be the next "Great Rider" in history. He’s superior. And then, the younger Andy Schlek, he’s a step up Armstrong and he can become even better.

so I don’t think Lance has to be fighting for the next Tour. There will be the pair of those guys, Contador with his own team, and Menchov, Sastre, Valverde… they can work for the Tour too. And you can’t forget Wiggins and Nibali. They are 2 new dangerous surprises.

Armstrong doesn’t have Giro in his wins, and at his coming back, after injury and short of physical training, he ended 12th this year edition.

so I reckon he should prepare for it, for winning it. It’ll be difficult, maybe he’s going to face Menchov, italian riders… but, the level is a step under Tour of France, so I think it would be great if he can get it.

I’d also give the chance to Vuelta a España next year

anyway cycling for pleasure is nice

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?