Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Jspear]

Congratulations for Alberto for his Giro! Actually he's won triple triple on the road so far (3xGiro, 3xTour, 3xVuelta). However this Giro was not a piece of cake for Contador (bad luck and overall fatigue). Thus I don't think he will be able to win Tour in july. I'm his fan but it's almost impossible for him to defeat Froome, Quintana and Nibali - all of them preparing their peak form only for the Tour.

Don't worry - AC has also been saving his peak form for July as well. It'll be hard, but I think it's possible.

 

[buchanan]

I'm a big Contador fan, but I think Froome and Quintana have a fairly big edge on him for the Tour. Possibly Nibali too. I hope I'm wrong. He seems really worn out now at the end of this Giro. Also he hasn't shown the same amazing form this year that he showed in pretty much every race he rode last year. Still, congrats to him for managing the 3 weeks of the Giro so well and barring disaster he is certain to win it tomorrow for the 3rd time. I just worry that the level at the TDF is going to be a lot harder.

 

[bajbar]

It seemed similar today to the Vuelta 2012 when he was dropped on Bola del Mundo by just about everybody. He did not look super even at the bottom of the climb and when he sat up to Landa's attack I knew something was wrong. I can't figure out what the reason was. Yesterday he had quite an easy day, the form was quite good, maybe he did not eat enough, maybe drink. I don't know. But I certainly haven't imagined that could ever happen. Today should have been the celebration day with a possible stage win to show who is the boss, not creeping in two minutes down. It just doesn't seem right.

 

[BostonRob]

Re:

Congratulations Alberto! It could have been a horrible day today but he got lucky. He's now one step closer to the greatest of all time:

1. Merckx - 11 Grand Tours
2. Hinault - 10
3. Contador - 9
4. Anquetil - 8
5. Armstrong - 7
5. Coppi - 7
5. Indurain - 7

Wrong! You people even don't believe yourself. Doping wins don't count, keep dreaming.

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

We had the strongest team on this #Giro2015 !

https://twitter.com/olegtinkov/status/604688861600608256

Oh, Oleg.

This is scary disillusion. If he thinks this was a strong team that means he doesn't know what a truly strong team is. Doesn't bode well for the Tour...he'll push for a team that's crap...he'll think it's great.

Hopefully just bluster. If not truly Delusional!

But then De Jong says it like it is: At the same time we must recognize that Astana has been the strongest team in the mountains and today they had six guys in the front group on Finestre. But in the end, we have the pink jersey and all of the guys can be really proud”, finishes Steven de Jongh.

All I can say is today breathed huge amounts of relief into Froome, Nibali and Quintana. Unless TCS can muster a decent team in 5 weeks it'll be Alberto isolated against 3 juggernauts and it won't be pretty. He is only human!

 

[BostonRob]

I think we can be glad that finally the 8 vs 6 GT's discussion is over.

There is no discussion. After today it is 7. There are rules and those rules must be followed. You can talk whatever you want, but in the end the record books show one result.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

I think we can be glad that finally the 8 vs 6 GT's discussion is over.

There is no discussion. After today it is 7. There are rules and those rules must be followed. You can talk whatever you want, but in the end the record books show one result.

Pictures, old TV footage and the memories of cycling fans show another result. Who cares what the record books are showing?

 

[ggusta]

Re: Re:

Congratulations Alberto! It could have been a horrible day today but he got lucky. He's now one step closer to the greatest of all time:

1. Merckx - 11 Grand Tours
2. Hinault - 10
3. Contador - 9
4. Anquetil - 8
5. Armstrong - 7
5. Coppi - 7
5. Indurain - 7

Wrong! You people even don't believe yourself. Doping wins don't count, keep dreaming.

Who are 'You People' ?

 

[ggusta]

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

I hope Tinkof finally listens to Alberto and gets some decent helpers....

he forgo that when he signed sagan. 4.5 mil could buy 4 top domestiques. Instead.. nooo,,, Olga wants shiny toy! Olga wants instant winning the classic monument knowing that his best GT rider are about to embark on the double. Now, Olga whines and threaten to cut salary of his shiny toy. Imagine what happen if TS lost the jersey today?? Olga will go postal!! Puff.. what a close call today!! Tour's team isn't going that much better than this. Majka and Kiserlovski haven't been showing some stellar form.

Btw, if I'm not mistaken, did Aru end up beating contador in the mountain? That kid is a fighter. He looked totally a different rider in the last 2 days? He'll be a good nemesis for Quintana. Hope to see the battle of the youth star in Vuelta.

 

[BlurryVII]

He also wore 201 in 2012 Vuelta. Seems to be his lucky number. The first thing I thought when he dropped today was: he's not gonna lose the Giro with 201 on his back

Indeed, all his post ban GT wins (Vuelta 12' - Vuelta 14' and Giro 15') he wore the 201 bib.

If he has that number at the Tour, then you'll know for sure

The Worst is that it's entirely possible lol, best overall ranked tinkoff in the Tour last year was Rogers 26 th

 

[rm7]

I dont really think we should be questioning Contadors generel form, I think it's fine. Obviously he wasnt peaking in this race, and I think everybody agree that he'll be better in the Tour. He couldn't have rode that TT with bad form.

But what I think is, that he was simply lacking race form. He haven't raced in a long time before the Giro, so he wasn't ready to go full gas for 20 days, like when you build up with a lot of 1 week races before a GT.

It was the same in Vuelta 2012 where he also faded a little at the end of the race after he got the leaders jersey.

I really do think that the Giro have been used as a solid build up for the Tour de France. He had to make a schedule that will make him better and the Tour than the Giro. He know it, De Jongh know it.

It was simply the unknown factor in Landa that exposed his 90 % form. If the race was against Aru, Porte or Uran, it wouldn't have been this difficult, because none of the guys can climb like Landa did. He would have been able to control things better.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think we can be glad that finally the 8 vs 6 GT's discussion is over.

There is no discussion. After today it is 7. There are rules and those rules must be followed. You can talk whatever you want, but in the end the record books show one result.

Pictures, old TV footage and the memories of cycling fans show another result. Who cares what the record books are showing?

Indeed!

 

[BlurryVII]

I think we can be glad that finally the 8 vs 6 GT's discussion is over.

There is no discussion. After today it is 7. There are rules and those rules must be followed. You can talk whatever you want, but in the end the record books show one result.

I don't think neither of Merckx (positive 3 times in his career), Hinault or Indurain dominating the EPO era followed the rules.
You have to be consistent and fair, if Contador only won 7 GT, then Merckx and all the others should have less than they actually won.

And if you only go by what happens on the road then Contador won 9 GT and even Armstrong 7 GT. Don't be hypocrite.

 

[LaFlorecita]

 

[dacooley]

Re:

I dont really think we should be questioning Contadors generel form, I think it's fine. Obviously he wasnt peaking in this race, and I think everybody agree that he'll be better in the Tour. He couldn't have rode that TT with bad form.

But what I think is, that he was simply lacking race form. He haven't raced in a long time before the Giro, so he wasn't ready to go full gas for 20 days, like when you build up with a lot of 1 week races before a GT.

It was the same in Vuelta 2012 where he also faded a little at the end of the race after he got the leaders jersey.

I really do think that the Giro have been used as a solid build up for the Tour de France. He had to make a schedule that will make him better and the Tour than the Giro. He know it, De Jongh know it.

It was simply the unknown factor in Landa that exposed his 90 % form. If the race was against Aru, Porte or Uran, it wouldn't have been this difficult, because none of the guys can climb like Landa did. He would have been able to control things better.

you are either a very big fan or a big optimist regarding AC. obviously the giro required a massive effort from him. the chance of pulling the tour out is pretty slim. you can't know nothing for sure in these big games, contador and de jongh can't too.only the tour will open up how that is really going

 

[Carols]

I think we can be glad that finally the 8 vs 6 GT's discussion is over.

There is no discussion. After today it is 7. There are rules and those rules must be followed. You can talk whatever you want, but in the end the record books show one result.

I don't think neither of Merckx (positive 3 times in his career), Hinault or Indurain dominating the EPO era followed the rules.
You have to be consistent and fair, if Contador only won 7 GT, then Merckx and all the others should have less than they actually won.

And if you only go by what happens on the road then Contador won 9 GT and even Armstrong 7 GT. Don't be hypocrite.

Yes Merckx was positive 3 times and is still seen as a God. Hinault did NOT ride during the EPO era, he was retired when it hit the peloton.

 

[SeriousSam]

Anyone know what he's referring to in that pic? His 3 Vuelta victories? Would be somewhat disrespectful to the tifosi.

 

[rm7]

Re: Re:

I dont really think we should be questioning Contadors generel form, I think it's fine. Obviously he wasnt peaking in this race, and I think everybody agree that he'll be better in the Tour. He couldn't have rode that TT with bad form.

But what I think is, that he was simply lacking race form. He haven't raced in a long time before the Giro, so he wasn't ready to go full gas for 20 days, like when you build up with a lot of 1 week races before a GT.

It was the same in Vuelta 2012 where he also faded a little at the end of the race after he got the leaders jersey.

I really do think that the Giro have been used as a solid build up for the Tour de France. He had to make a schedule that will make him better and the Tour than the Giro. He know it, De Jongh know it.

It was simply the unknown factor in Landa that exposed his 90 % form. If the race was against Aru, Porte or Uran, it wouldn't have been this difficult, because none of the guys can climb like Landa did. He would have been able to control things better.

you are either a very big fan or a big optimist regarding AC. obviously the giro required a massive effort from him. the chance of pulling the tour out is pretty slim

A bith of both.

And I didn't say the Giro was easy or his chances at the Tour were good, i only said that I think he'll be better in the Tour than this Giro. But obviously Froome, Quintana and Nibali will also be better than Landa and Aru.

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Final podium excluding TTs:

Landa
Aru 0:01
Contador 0:52

What's the point of posting that apart from trying to undermine his win? Contador would've raced differently without TT and probably would've trained to be specifically in better climbing shape .

Landa showed today he couldn't sustain his effort after Finestre, and he got caught up, the same would've happened if had gone full out on Mortirolo, he'd probably been caught up by Kuiswijk and AC working efficiently together or at least wouldn't have been as strong up Aprica as he was after wheelshucking for the last 30 kms.

oh.. i thought he sat up and wait for Aru? no? I have to say poor zakarin, he worked so hard...

Anyway, what about TS tactic? Is that the right tactic? every time they tried to control the stage for maybe stage win, it plays right to Astana hand. Not only they burn everyone and Contador is isolated every time, in the process Astana won the stages. Uff.. I think they have to figure out different tactic for the tour. With this rate, the strength of the team, Contador's state of form, it will be hard to win the tour. Sky and Movistar will bring their A team. And if lil's richie recovers from his broken mental and injury, he is going to be another Landa to deal with except stronger maybe. One two jab, Contador won't able to handle that with Quintana, Nibali and Valverde who rides for Quintana on the wing.

 

[richwagmn]

Did anyone notice that Tanel Kangert backed off towards the finish with Contador and motioned for him to go ahead? I thought that was a classy move on his part.

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

Anyone know what he's referring to in that pic? His 3 Vuelta victories? Would be somewhat disrespectful to the tifosi.

I think.. he is referring to his 3 Giro win. No way he is gesturing for 3 Vuelta win IMHO Btw, why would disrespectful? I thought the tifosi remembered how everything transpired on the road. Record book might say different thing, but all the recorded video of 2011 Giro and what people remembered was what happen on the road? No? Unless, if it's because the official winner is Scarponi who happens to be italian. In that context.. hmmm.. yeah I can see why that might be a little disrespectful.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Did anyone notice that Tanel Kangert backed off towards the finish with Contador and motioned for him to go ahead? I thought that was a classy move on his part.

Yeah I noticed that too, really nice gesture from Kangert

 

[ray j willings]

Its about time the UCI gave everyone back their wins. Its a shambles of a farce of a pile of wasted Haribo's
We know who won. To try and deny Bertie or Armstrong is just F%%%ing stupid given what we know.

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

We had the strongest team on this #Giro2015 !

https://twitter.com/olegtinkov/status/604688861600608256

Oh, Oleg.

It is clinic, he means excluding Astana

Edit: Also to mention that history was made today, 3x3 GT's from one and only Alberto Contador Velasco!!! Stuff of legends