Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Miburo]

Sorry fleur, it was just a prediction, didn't want to offend you, but this year it's impossible to tell since all the main guys have very strange patterns of shape.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

Taxus, several 1 week stage races with plenty of rest in between is way different than a 3 week GT. Of course Contador will be worse at the Tour than he would have been if he hadn't raced the Giro.

Also, Pierre-Saint-Martin and Mende are completely different climbs, I hope you know that. If you say both climbs suit him very well you might as well say every mountain suits him.

Both stages suit him very well. Mende is hard and short, and Pierre in an uni.climb stage.

Maybe to ride Giro to win is not the best preparation, it is not the same than when ullrich went there to train...but Lance rode the Giro at his maximum, and he was in the podium on the Tour, with more age. It is not so bad at some people think.

The problem is that is mentaly demanding and it is more risky, becouse you can have a crash, he coud need some stages to get his best and maybe the Tour could be longer than if he didnt rode the Giro, but it is not so bad.
I think is more difference if you are fresh in La Vuelta as Horner was, becouse is at the end of the season.

"It is possible to win Giro and Tour in the same season. It would not be the first. You can perform at your best in the Giro and arrive at the start of the Tour at the maximum. There is sufficient separation between the three Grand Tours as it is configured in today's calendar," Hinault told Spanish newspaper AS.

 

[Taxus4a]

Well, Contador didnt quit Tour 2013, but he had some option to be on the podium with people as Kreuziger and Nieve helping him, and he was a very good payed rider...but he finished just 6 one day stage races later, he didnt rode La Vuelta.

He quit Giro di Lombardia when the team was worked for him, IMO becouse he wont be top 20.

You can say my vision is quite personal, but i know lot of people inside cycling that think like that, people that in the social net talk well about him but not in private.

Of course Karpets dont think very well..., what did Contador to him that Contador denied when Karpets push him and hit his knee?

Anyway i dont want to disturb his fans, i just want to ask what is a good result for Contador in le Tour, if Giro is a problem for le Tour, and he cant win now, why to ride Giro if the other rivals except Uran didnt rode? Maybe 4th could be a good result, 4 th better than in 2013, when he was only good in the second ITT, perfect for him, but I would like to know now.

Of course if he won, it would be great. If he dont win but he is close, it would be great as well.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yawn.... Yeah, Contador is such a bad guy, and everyone in cycling hates him, they don't say so, but they really hate him, they told Taxus!!!!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Anyway i dont want to disturb his fans, i just want to ask what is a good result for Contador in le Tour, if Giro is a problem for le Tour, and he cant win now, why to ride Giro if the other rivals except Uran didnt rode? Maybe 4th could be a good result, 4 th better than in 2013, when he was only good in the second ITT, perfect for him, but I would like to know now.

Of course if he won, it would be great. If he dont win but he is close, it would be great as well.

"The second place is not good."

If he doesn't win, it isn't a good result. Simples.

To the bolded:

 

[LaFlorecita]

https://twitter.com/albertocontador/status/609403253630062592

He still looks quite chubby

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Taxus, several 1 week stage races with plenty of rest in between is way different than a 3 week GT. Of course Contador will be worse at the Tour than he would have been if he hadn't raced the Giro.

Also, Pierre-Saint-Martin and Mende are completely different climbs, I hope you know that. If you say both climbs suit him very well you might as well say every mountain suits him.

Both stages suit him very well. Mende is hard and short, and Pierre in an uni.climb stage.

Maybe to ride Giro to win is not the best preparation, it is not the same than when ullrich went there to train...but Lance rode the Giro at his maximum, and he was in the podium on the Tour, with more age. It is not so bad at some people think.

The problem is that is mentaly demanding and it is more risky, becouse you can have a crash, he coud need some stages to get his best and maybe the Tour could be longer than if he didnt rode the Giro, but it is not so bad.
I think is more difference if you are fresh in La Vuelta as Horner was, becouse is at the end of the season.

"It is possible to win Giro and Tour in the same season. It would not be the first. You can perform at your best in the Giro and arrive at the start of the Tour at the maximum. There is sufficient separation between the three Grand Tours as it is configured in today's calendar," Hinault told Spanish newspaper AS.

I guess that's why Contador decided to try it in the first place. It is very very hard but it's not as bad as people think. If he doesn't win the Tour, then I would say: "Nice try. I guess it's hard to win Giro-Tour in this modern cycling era." Sure we will have some fans who said.. ah that's because he was in the Giro and yada, yada. Then I would say: "it was his choice in the first place. So if he can't win it, then he isn't strong enough to mustard Giro-Tour double."

For those who said that Contador will find a way to not finish the Tour (huh?), I don't know which Contador you are referring too. He isn't going to quit just because he can't win it, unless something bad happen to him. All I know, this year tour will be unpredictable. Just like today's stage at the Dauphine. Sky isn't looking as rosy as they used to be. And yesterday Nibali decided to peel off, just to attack some 100+km to go to get the yellow jersey. And Froome isn't looking as dominant as he used to display. All in all, I'm just hoping that all 4 contenders stay upright to the end. Because if they are, this is going to be the most unpredictable Tour.

As far as Contador, the worst scenario, he will show up with his 2015 Giro form. Is he going to loose? that seems to be "the reality" in the mind of most people. Is he going to win it? well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

https://twitter.com/albertocontador/status/609403253630062592

He still looks quite chubby

Ok, thanks.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

Taxus, several 1 week stage races with plenty of rest in between is way different than a 3 week GT. Of course Contador will be worse at the Tour than he would have been if he hadn't raced the Giro.

Also, Pierre-Saint-Martin and Mende are completely different climbs, I hope you know that. If you say both climbs suit him very well you might as well say every mountain suits him.

Both stages suit him very well. Mende is hard and short, and Pierre in an uni.climb stage.

Maybe to ride Giro to win is not the best preparation, it is not the same than when ullrich went there to train...but Lance rode the Giro at his maximum, and he was in the podium on the Tour, with more age. It is not so bad at some people think.

The problem is that is mentaly demanding and it is more risky, becouse you can have a crash, he coud need some stages to get his best and maybe the Tour could be longer than if he didnt rode the Giro, but it is not so bad.
I think is more difference if you are fresh in La Vuelta as Horner was, becouse is at the end of the season.

"It is possible to win Giro and Tour in the same season. It would not be the first. You can perform at your best in the Giro and arrive at the start of the Tour at the maximum. There is sufficient separation between the three Grand Tours as it is configured in today's calendar," Hinault told Spanish newspaper AS.

I guess that's why Contador decided to try it in the first place. If is very very hard but it's not as bad as people think. If he doesn't win the Tour, then I would say: "Nice try. I guess it's hard to win Giro-Tour in this modern cycling era." Sure we will have some fans who said.. ah that's because he was in the Giro and yada, yada. Then I would say: "it was his choice in the first place. So if he can't win it, then he isn't strong enough to mustard Giro-Tour double."

For those who said that Contador will find a way to not finish the Tour (huh?), I don't know which Contador you are referring too. He isn't going to quit just because he can't win it, unless something bad happen to him. All I know, this year tour will be unpredictable. Just like today's stage at the Dauphine. Sky isn't looking as rosy as they used to be. And yesterday Nibali decided to peel off, just to attack some 100+km to go to get the yellow jersey. And Froome isn't looking as dominant as he used to display. All in all, I'm just hoping that all 4 contenders stay upright to the end. Because if they are, this is going to be the most unpredictable Tour.

As far as Contador, the worst scenario, he will show up with his 2015 Giro form. Is he going to loose? that seems to be "the reality" in the mind of most people. Is he going to win it? well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?

if he is not at the level to find for the podium, a levelsimilar to 2013, i wouldnt be surprised if he quit with any escuse. if he has real options to be on the podium, and I think he will have, he will be on the race.

But I have read La florecita to say dont win is a bad result.

I say this becouse when he droped in Galibier lot of people said that was normal becouse he rode the Giro, the same people the previous day said he was the only one that could attack from Izoard.

I think Contador is a betetter rider than Nibali without rain.

Froome shows doubts about his level.

Quintana is not so complete as Contador,l so.. Contador is a clever rider and he can win.

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Re:

That awkard moment when the summary is even worse then the previous post.

The general gist is this: When Contador pulls out of the Tour after losing 20 mins on the first mountain stage, it's not because he's tired from the Giro, but because that's just where his form is these days.

That's it basically, Taxus is trying to say that Contador will be at his absolute best and will end up in the Grupetto in the first mountain stage despite peaking, then will find an excuse to leave the Tour because even Greipel climbs faster than him.

Sums it up pretty good.

ROTFL. What I don't understand is why people continue to read his posts

Don't ignore him, because the funniest part is his reactions when Contador proves him wrong, which is pretty much on every occasion

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I think Contador is a betetter rider than Nibali without rain.

Froome shows doubts about his level.

Quintana is not so complete as Contador,l so.. Contador is a clever rider and he can win.

Finally something we agree on.

 

[BlurryVII]

Re:

https://twitter.com/albertocontador/status/609403253630062592

He still looks quite chubby

I don't think so, perhaps the jersey makes him look so with the uniform blue over his shoulders and no writings.

But on the second pic, off his bike he looks definetely sharp to me

 

[ninjadriver]

Re: Re:

Taxus, several 1 week stage races with plenty of rest in between is way different than a 3 week GT. Of course Contador will be worse at the Tour than he would have been if he hadn't raced the Giro.

For those who said that Contador will find a way to not finish the Tour (huh?), I don't know which Contador you are referring too. He isn't going to quit just because he can't win it, unless something bad happen to him. All I know, this year tour will be unpredictable. Just like today's stage at the Dauphine. Sky isn't looking as rosy as they used to be. And yesterday Nibali decided to peel off, just to attack some 100+km to go to get the yellow jersey. And Froome isn't looking as dominant as he used to display. All in all, I'm just hoping that all 4 contenders stay upright to the end. Because if they are, this is going to be the most unpredictable Tour.

As far as Contador, the worst scenario, he will show up with his 2015 Giro form. Is he going to loose? that seems to be "the reality" in the mind of most people. Is he going to win it? well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?

If Contador wants to win the Vuelta, he will have to abandon the TDF, and as early as possible. If he finds himself out of contention in France, which I think he will given his physical Giro expenditures and the brutal TDF field, I think he should leave and target the Vuelta, with only Landa and possibly Aru as obstacles in Espana.

 

[Miburo]

Why isn't he riding with his saxo jersey on?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Why isn't he riding with his saxo jersey on?

http://www.tinkoffsportshop.com/product/tinkoff-saxo-bodyfit-team-jersey-contador/

Customized training jersey

 

[Miburo]

Reminds me of LA in '09 with his training jerseys.

 

[bill1109]

Reading "it's not as bad as people think" to do Giro-Tour completely contradicts the obvious fact that the other contenders are not doing it, and why they are not doing it. It is every bit as bad as thought, especially when Astana drills it the entire Giro to make it as hard as possible for Contador. The planned difficulty of the Giro forced by Astana is Nibali's first strike at winning the Tour...I hope he does not of course. If Contador does or does not win the Tour, it will still be a tired Contador. And the odds are against winning if coming in tired. I also think Oleg is mainly pushing him to do it with the, "all top contenders should ride the major races" creed he is barking.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

Taxus, several 1 week stage races with plenty of rest in between is way different than a 3 week GT. Of course Contador will be worse at the Tour than he would have been if he hadn't raced the Giro.

For those who said that Contador will find a way to not finish the Tour (huh?), I don't know which Contador you are referring too. He isn't going to quit just because he can't win it, unless something bad happen to him. All I know, this year tour will be unpredictable. Just like today's stage at the Dauphine. Sky isn't looking as rosy as they used to be. And yesterday Nibali decided to peel off, just to attack some 100+km to go to get the yellow jersey. And Froome isn't looking as dominant as he used to display. All in all, I'm just hoping that all 4 contenders stay upright to the end. Because if they are, this is going to be the most unpredictable Tour.

As far as Contador, the worst scenario, he will show up with his 2015 Giro form. Is he going to loose? that seems to be "the reality" in the mind of most people. Is he going to win it? well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?

If Contador wants to win the Vuelta, he will have to abandon the TDF, and as early as possible. If he finds himself out of contention in France, which I think he will given his physical Giro expenditures and the brutal TDF field, I think he should leave and target the Vuelta, with only Landa and possibly Aru as obstacles in Espana.

It is not sure than Landa could be at his best again, it is the first time he foght for a GC in a GT. Aru is not sure to ride the Vuelta. would be a good rival, but not very dangerous, this is not Italy. I think in the Vuelta will be very strong riders, although some of them ride the Tour.

To get ready for la Vuelta you can leave as soon as possible and ride San Sebastian, Burgos, maybe Poland, or to ride half the Tour and later take a rest and train hard, as we see last year is a very good way to get into la Vuelta.

I dont think Contador has in mind to ride la Vuelta in any case.

 

[ninjadriver]

Re: Re:

Taxus, several 1 week stage races with plenty of rest in between is way different than a 3 week GT. Of course Contador will be worse at the Tour than he would have been if he hadn't raced the Giro.

If Contador wants to win the Vuelta, he will have to abandon the TDF, and as early as possible. If he finds himself out of contention in France, which I think he will given his physical Giro expenditures and the brutal TDF field, I think he should leave and target the Vuelta, with only Landa and possibly Aru as obstacles in Espana.

It is not sure than Landa could be at his best again, it is the first time he foght for a GC in a GT. Aru is not sure to ride the Vuelta. would be a good rival, but not very dangerous, this is not Italy. I think in the Vuelta will be very strong riders, although some of them ride the Tour.

To get ready for la Vuelta you can leave as soon as possible and ride San Sebastian, Burgos, maybe Poland, or to ride half the Tour and later take a rest and train hard, as we see last year is a very good way to get into la Vuelta.

I dont think Contador has in mind to ride la Vuelta in any case.

Taxus: Assuming I'm right, which believe it or not I generally am about GC finishes at the Grand Tours, would you rather Contador finish 5th at the TDF this year, or win the Vuelta???

P.S. I was wrong about Marshall Faulk (won't be a good NFL running back), Tim Duncan (too slow) and Keanu Reeves (too bad of an actor).

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Taxus: Assuming I'm right, which believe it or not I generally am about GC finishes at the Grand Tours, would you rather Contador finish 5th at the TDF this year, or win the Vuelta???

P.S. I was wrong about Marshall Faulk (won't be a good NFL running back), Tim Duncan (too slow) and Keanu Reeves (too bad of an actor).

Lol Taxus hates Contador, why are you asking him?

 

[Ryaguas]

If AC doesnt win Le Tour Im not going to make any excuse He just couldnt get it and thats it... then I'd like for him to try Tour - Vuelta next year and with that form build up for Il Giro - Tour in 2017 and with that maybe retire

Nibali has a really good form and you could see it today, Dawg is still building up and Nairo we still dont know, Le Tour is going to be interesting... for AC Im not asking for 2009 form just a 2011 Giro form and I'll be happy

 

[LaFlorecita]

If AC doesnt win Le Tour Im not going to make any excuse He just couldnt get it and thats it... then I'd like for him to try Tour - Vuelta next year and with that form build up for Il Giro - Tour in 2017 and with that maybe retire

Nibali has a really good form and you could see it today, Dawg is still building up and Nairo we still dont know, Le Tour is going to be interesting... for AC Im not asking for 2009 form just a 2011 Giro form and I'll be happy

Tour-Vuelta-Giro-Tour is impossible. Indurain said he still felt the effects of his Giro-Tour double a year later. No way Contador can contest let alone win 4 GTs in a row.

 

[ninjadriver]

If AC doesnt win Le Tour Im not going to make any excuse He just couldnt get it and thats it... then I'd like for him to try Tour - Vuelta next year and with that form build up for Il Giro - Tour in 2017 and with that maybe retire

Nibali has a really good form and you could see it today, Dawg is still building up and Nairo we still dont know, Le Tour is going to be interesting... for AC Im not asking for 2009 form just a 2011 Giro form and I'll be happy

Tour-Vuelta-Giro-Tour is impossible. Indurain said he still felt the effects of his Giro-Tour double a year later. No way Contador can contest let alone win 4 GTs in a row.

I agree with you, LaFlorecita, that 4 Grand Tours in a row is a bridge too far; I think 2 in a row is impossible, unless it's a Vuelta/Giro double with the off season in between. Plus Contador promised to retire after 2016 anyway.

Since Taxus doesn't like Alberto (I did not know that), I'll ask you - would you rather Alberto finish 5th in the 2015 Tour, or win the Vuelta???

 

[Ryaguas]

If AC doesnt win Le Tour Im not going to make any excuse He just couldnt get it and thats it... then I'd like for him to try Tour - Vuelta next year and with that form build up for Il Giro - Tour in 2017 and with that maybe retire

Nibali has a really good form and you could see it today, Dawg is still building up and Nairo we still dont know, Le Tour is going to be interesting... for AC Im not asking for 2009 form just a 2011 Giro form and I'll be happy

Tour-Vuelta-Giro-Tour is impossible. Indurain said he still felt the effects of his Giro-Tour double a year later. No way Contador can contest let alone win 4 GTs in a row.

Yeah that's me just dreaming, just to think that Im not going to be able to see AC riding anymore makes me sad, that's why I want him to try as many GT as possible

 

[LaFlorecita]

If AC doesnt win Le Tour Im not going to make any excuse He just couldnt get it and thats it... then I'd like for him to try Tour - Vuelta next year and with that form build up for Il Giro - Tour in 2017 and with that maybe retire

Nibali has a really good form and you could see it today, Dawg is still building up and Nairo we still dont know, Le Tour is going to be interesting... for AC Im not asking for 2009 form just a 2011 Giro form and I'll be happy

Tour-Vuelta-Giro-Tour is impossible. Indurain said he still felt the effects of his Giro-Tour double a year later. No way Contador can contest let alone win 4 GTs in a row.

I agree with you, LaFlorecita, that 4 Grand Tours in a row is a bridge too far; I think 2 in a row is impossible, unless it's a Vuelta/Giro double with the off season in between. Plus Contador promised to retire after 2016 anyway.

Since Taxus doesn't like Alberto (I did not know that), I'll ask you - would you rather Alberto finish 5th in the 2015 Tour, or win the Vuelta???

Win the Vuelta.
But I would rather see him try to win the Tour. I don't want him to give up on his dream and head off to the Vuelta with his tail between his legs.