Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[No_Balls]

Re:

Froome has had a tendency in both last year's Vuelta and Tour to be quite alert on sprint finishes like that and nick the odd second. I don't think it says much other than Froome is fighting for every second and good at holding the wheels in those sorts of finishes. I think both TJ and Uran were with Contador and lost 4 seconds too, or am I wrong?

Yes. He was between Teejay and Jagger

 

[rhubroma]

Re:

Froome has had a tendency in both last year's Vuelta and Tour to be quite alert on sprint finishes like that and nick the odd second. I don't think it says much other than Froome is fighting for every second and good at holding the wheels in those sorts of finishes. I think both TJ and Uran were with Contador and lost 4 seconds too, or am I wrong?

Good call, this is exactly like I see it. Plus Sky played the vile game of abstaining from the work, when they had just as much to gain. Hope Froome looses big time on the cobbles.

 

[thehook]

Watching the Finale. I was unaware about the 4 seconds until I saw the replay. The Judges were correct to award the split. I don't think AC would want to give 4 seconds to Froome. But in that weather and on day 2, giving 4sec. to stay upright and healthy is a bargain!

Nibs was definitely caught out there BIGTIME! He has Boom to be his big Roleur and they dropped the ball.

Moviestar never bring big guys to sheppard there man. And today it showed. If they get pummeled on the Stones and TTT. It could be lights out for Nairo.

BMC probably road the best stage today out of the GC guys. TJ is looking good. And this could serve him well going forward. Although I think they should have worked more in the group to bury Nibs & Quintana. To help TJ's podium chance. IMHO

TS rode a brilliant stage. Toso as AC bodyguard. Benatti making splits happen. Sagan looks to be in pure Beast Mode. His bridge after the flat was pure strength. Dare I say it "Classic Sagan Power Move" He could be the monster on the stones AC needs.

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

Great stage, great result

Agreed...............

Yes! Especially considering that Alberto was next to Nibali when Bouhanni crashed. Four seconds could be nothing compare to what's still to come in the coming days.

Is there solid info that Bouhanni is the one that held up Nibali?

Just from an interview of Fuglsang who was also there when it happenend

Thanks!

 

[arvc40]

Re: Re:

Froome has had a tendency in both last year's Vuelta and Tour to be quite alert on sprint finishes like that and nick the odd second. I don't think it says much other than Froome is fighting for every second and good at holding the wheels in those sorts of finishes. I think both TJ and Uran were with Contador and lost 4 seconds too, or am I wrong?

Good call, this is exactly like I see it. Plus Sky played the vile game of abstaining from the work, when they had just as much to gain. Hope Froome looses big time on the cobbles.

Sky where pretty lazy in that front group. Would have been different if Contador had a problem. Tactic is follow Contador lead.

 

[perico]

Called it yesterday. Beat Froome. Win the Tour. Nibali was due after the perfect luck he had last year and Quintana would crumble in crosswinds.

It's not over for either of them, but they are going to have to recover and it's more difficult to recover a deficit on Contador than to get one. Today was also payback to Astana for the Giro. Felt kind of nice.

It's not luck at all. It's being there, nibali's crash was bad luck but at the same time he only had 1 teammate with him, if he had his whole team there he might have closed (was small gap at the beginning)

Contador was up there the whole time with his team, i don't see what luck has to do with that. I don't know what the hell quintana was doing for example. Then again he's a fragile rider.

I was referring to last year on the cobbles. Nibali rode brilliantly, but was the only GC contender who didn't suffer from any mechanicals or flats. He was brilliant on that stage, but luck played into the massive time gaps, while he flatted today and undoubtedly spent a ton of energy getting back on during the chase.

 

[No_Balls]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

 

[Electress]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

It must be so frustrating to be as proactive and attacking a mentality as he is and be dealing with others who are essentially defensive and relatively reactive in their approach! Thank God he's the way he is though, makes racing so much more fun.

Sky were probably over-cautious but understandable under those conditions. BMC just mystifying!

 

[Hakkapelit]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

It must be so frustrating to be as proactive and attacking a mentality as he is and be dealing with others who are essentially defensive and relatively reactive in their approach! Thank God he's the way he is though, makes racing so much more fun.

Sky were probably over-cautious but understandable under those conditions. BMC just mystifying!

Yeah, taking a dump on your own MJ is the mystery.

 

[Simurgh]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

It must be so frustrating to be as proactive and attacking a mentality as he is and be dealing with others who are essentially defensive and relatively reactive in their approach! Thank God he's the way he is though, makes racing so much more fun.

Sky were probably over-cautious but understandable under those conditions. BMC just mystifying!

Yeah, taking a dump on your own MJ is the mystery.

It was not like he could hold it to Paris BMC and TJ could really take a big step towards top 5 if they helped in the front group and TJ would've got a greater advantage to his top 5 rivals (Nibali, Pinot, Bardet who all are better uphill if you ask me, or equal to Bardet at least)

Hope Contador will improve further and be in yellow in Paris, what a legend he would be (or perhaps already is? )

 

[rm7]

I dont think Contador will be in contention for the victory tomorrow. Riders like Valverde, JRod, Dan martin is suited for this one, and Froome, Pinot and Nibali looks like they have more punch right now due to more race rhytm. I dont think Contador will loose any significant time, but I think he will focus on Valverdes wheel, because he'll be the favourite, and following him on these kind of finishes guarantee a good position at the end.

 

[rm7]

And im basing in on the ITT yesterday where he lacked a little and in the finale today he was also lacking a little bit of punch in the end, when everybody sprinted. It was the same thing at the Vuelta last year, in the first few stages. I remember he came last on a stage with 50 riders at the end when everybody was sprinting.

 

[Miburo]

You can't use the sprint as an argument. In the giro 2011 on the montervergine Contador was gapped at the sprint. 2 days later he destroyed the competition.

 

[rhubroma]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

It must be so frustrating to be as proactive and attacking a mentality as he is and be dealing with others who are essentially defensive and relatively reactive in their approach! Thank God he's the way he is though, makes racing so much more fun.

Sky were probably over-cautious but understandable under those conditions. BMC just mystifying!

I was almost yelling at the screen. Why on earth was BMC, who wants to bring TJ on the podium, win? concerned about a yellow jersey, when Nibali, Quintana and Pinot were off terms? Then what does Sky think that Froome is so superior as to not need to capitalize on the situation?

As I said before, I hope Froome looses 10 minutes on the cobbles.

If BMC and SKY had worked throughout, they'd have been at least 2.5 minutes ahead.

 

[Dedelou]

For Alberto , this first week is all about saving energy, taking advantages of any situations that gives him an edge on the favorites without killing himself.. I can't imagine it would be part of the strategy to go full *** during first stage ITT or risk to mix it up in a sprint finish to avoid loosing a few seconds.. Why spill semen on the floor when Paris is the belle to conquer. All he has to do right now is fine tuning his form and drilling his team for the kill, while reminding his competitors he is here , poised to bring the fight to them. In addition, like today , he can make some of them pay back their debts for hitting him low earlier in the season. Then he can each day that he finish in a great position , safe , stronger, and confident watch the rest of them quake in their kits fearful of the moment when he will unleash his wrath.

 

[Electress]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

It must be so frustrating to be as proactive and attacking a mentality as he is and be dealing with others who are essentially defensive and relatively reactive in their approach! Thank God he's the way he is though, makes racing so much more fun.

Sky were probably over-cautious but understandable under those conditions. BMC just mystifying!

Yeah, taking a dump on your own MJ is the mystery.

So, riding for their MJ, who has no chance of holding on to it for more than a microsecond and has already been dropped, is better than working to ensure a sizeable buffer for their actual team leader, who has a reasonable shot not only at podium but an outside shot at winning? That is a lunatic strategy!

I do think AC seemed less strong than Froome at the very end, but if he missed Froome go initially, that was probably enough for 4s. TJ and Uran were the same, were they not? I think perhaps they just weren't as quick off the mark more than anything. AC not exactly a flat sprinter!

I'm pleased how strong TS seemed at getting and keeping position. And AC's leadership. He really is streets ahead most of the other team leaders out there on the road - just willing to make decisions and commit to them. In conditions like today, being proactive is way better than being on the back foot and waiting for someone else to move.

I feel happier as I think this will have settle the team and AC down a little bit. Let's hope they can build on this in the next few days.

 

[Hakkapelit]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

It must be so frustrating to be as proactive and attacking a mentality as he is and be dealing with others who are essentially defensive and relatively reactive in their approach! Thank God he's the way he is though, makes racing so much more fun.

Sky were probably over-cautious but understandable under those conditions. BMC just mystifying!

Yeah, taking a dump on your own MJ is the mystery.

So, riding for their MJ, who has no chance of holding on to it for more than a microsecond and has already been dropped, is better than working to ensure a sizeable buffer for their actual team leader, who has a reasonable shot not only at podium but an outside shot at winning? That is a lunatic strategy!

I do think AC seemed less strong than Froome at the very end, but if he missed Froome go initially, that was probably enough for 4s. TJ and Uran were the same, were they not? I think perhaps they just weren't as quick off the mark more than anything. AC not exactly a flat sprinter!

I'm pleased how strong TS seemed at getting and keeping position. And AC's leadership. He really is streets ahead most of the other team leaders out there on the road - just willing to make decisions and commit to them. In conditions like today, being proactive is way better than being on the back foot and waiting for someone else to move.

I feel happier as I think this will have settle the team and AC down a little bit. Let's hope they can build on this in the next few days.

No, but it's a consideration. Also an excuse to save yourself if others are already doing the work.

....

TCs collective performance surprised me a little bit today, very good.

 

[Red Rick]

He wasn't dropped. He was badly positioned and got caught behind people letting go, after which he logically couldn't close the gap, as Renshaw was pulling by then.

 

[Jelantik]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

This the difference between Contador vs Froome. Contador is always on the look to exploit his opponents' weakness, while froome is busy riding his own race. You can decide who's tactically better. That's probably why there's no plan B other than ride off his opponent for froome and that's why we see what Contador did today.

Nico Roche observation:

“Chris Froome is relaxed and focused – you see it in the way he races. Alberto is always worried about making the most of opponents’ weaknesses, where Froome is more confident in his own capabilities and just tries to ride off,” Roche explained.

“Froome thinks more about his own ride rather than planning through attacking. You’ve seen it many times – riders attack and Froome keeps his tempo. Alberto sees his opponents having trouble on a wet descent and he puts the hammer down.

Maybe if someone finally matches Froome ride off style, he got nothing to shake their opponent. Maybe Tejay's preparation to keep up w/ Froome finally pays off.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/tour-de-france/contador-targets-opponents-weaknesses-froome-rides-his-own-race-180425

 

[ad9898]

Glad Contador's experience and tactics bought him some good luck for a change. However the rider who had the most luck today was Nibali, he lost 1.28 yet he should've been fined and docked another minute for blatant drafting of the cars after he punctured and even that wouldn't have been as bad as it could have been as without the cars he'd never have caught that second group.

 

[The Hitch]

Re:

Glad Contador's experience and tactics bought him some good luck for a change. However the rider who had the most luck today was Nibali, he lost 1.28 yet he should've been fined and docked another minute for blatant drafting of the cars after he punctured and even that wouldn't have been as bad as it could have been as without the cars he'd never have caught that second group.

TBF he was unlucky to puncture. Punctures are unfortunate evils the sport has to deal with, that have very little to do with skills.

I'm never really against riders bending the rules a little to get back after a puncture, because no matter what happens you are losing time/ energy through no fault of your own.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

Glad Contador's experience and tactics bought him some good luck for a change. However the rider who had the most luck today was Nibali, he lost 1.28 yet he should've been fined and docked another minute for blatant drafting of the cars after he punctured and even that wouldn't have been as bad as it could have been as without the cars he'd never have caught that second group.

TBF he was unlucky to puncture. Punctures are unfortunate evils the sport has to deal with, that have very little to do with skills.

I'm never really against riders bending the rules a little to get back after a puncture, because no matter what happens you are losing time/ energy through no fault of your own.

+1. And if you ask the other contenders, I don't think they have a problem with what he did today.

 

[Forunculo]

"Contador wants war"

It's always nice having something different from football as main topic on Marca front

 

[cellardoor]

Re:

Glad Contador's experience and tactics bought him some good luck for a change. However the rider who had the most luck today was Nibali, he lost 1.28 yet he should've been fined and docked another minute for blatant drafting of the cars after he punctured and even that wouldn't have been as bad as it could have been as without the cars he'd never have caught that second group.

Nibali was strong yesterday, he'd have got back to the group with or without the cars. In any case, the group would wait as they needed Astana working on the front. Plus they had the whole team there to send back and help him if required.

 

[rhubroma]

Post-race comments. Always brings a smile when he lands those little jabs at Sky for being tactically inept but, yes, staring at watts and searching for gains only gives you that much.

“I'm happy with the way we raced today. It was a day where one could build time advantages. It's a pity there was number of teams such as BMC or Sky that didn't start working until late in the stage. However, at the end they gave us a hand and I'm satisfied with the result. In what regards myself, it wasn't very tiring and in addition we avoided having any crashes”, says Alberto Contador, who had Sagan, Bennati, Rogers and Kreuziger alongside him in the diminished front group:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/contador-cautious-after-gaining-ground-at-tour-de-france-sagan-2nd-after-hectic-stage/

This the difference between Contador vs Froome. Contador is always on the look to exploit his opponents' weakness, while froome is busy riding his own race. You can decide who's tactically better. That's probably why there's no plan B other than ride off his opponent for froome and that's why we see what Contador did today.

Nico Roche observation:

“Chris Froome is relaxed and focused – you see it in the way he races. Alberto is always worried about making the most of opponents’ weaknesses, where Froome is more confident in his own capabilities and just tries to ride off,” Roche explained.

“Froome thinks more about his own ride rather than planning through attacking. You’ve seen it many times – riders attack and Froome keeps his tempo. Alberto sees his opponents having trouble on a wet descent and he puts the hammer down.

Maybe if someone finally matches Froome ride off style, he got nothing to shake their opponent. Maybe Tejay's preparation to keep up w/ Froome finally pays off.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/tour-de-france/contador-targets-opponents-weaknesses-froome-rides-his-own-race-180425

Roche really should choose better words. Froome looks at his power meter and makes a level-headed calculation, without much fantasy or panache. Contador I wouldn't say is "worried" about expoiting any weaknesses of others, but he is a "racer" and will try to inflict damage anytime, anywhere and under any circumstances, without stricktly relying upon what his video says.

Froome may wish he had taken more advantage of the situation yesterday before the cobbles, when his power meter will be effectively useless.

As per the comment about Nibali drafting off the caravan to get back in, well, the reality is in cases like that (puncture, mechanical or crash) the jury simply doesn't apply the rule. Get over it. It has never been applied in those circumstance, for which it is effectively tolerated and rightly so.