Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[GJB123]

One thing we can be certain of, AC will try and try and will at least animate the race. There is no way he will roll over and play dead, whatever comes.

 

[Metabolol]

Contador will be shelled in the mountains by Froome and Quintana. 2013 is going to happen again. I think Quintana is the only one who can match Froome in the climbs but he has to make up time which will be difficult. Nibali also has a chance but he needs to be ahead of Froome after the first phase of the race.

 

[Electress]

I felt AC shouldn't have swapped wheels to the steeper inside tracked when Froome slowed down on the outside. He lost it there IMO. Which is not to say he would have held it since he sat down pretty quickly.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring. The parcours means there's a good bit of lottery about it. I'm glad he wasn't involved in any of those horrendous crashes today. Or had a mechanical.

Edit: Just this

If I remember correctly AC tried to cover the move (moved out of the wheel of Froome to left side of the road) by Purito and then blew up. A bit overoptimistic on his part as he is well aware that Purito is much better at these kinds of finishes. But Froome did look mighty strong today, so it doesn't bode well if AC doesn't up his game somewhere in the next week or so.

AC couldn't have been feeling that bad to do that - he must have felt that Froome was slowing down and he had the opportunity to pass him but he overcooked it.

 

[ad9898]

Well it wasn't great today for Alberto, 36 seconds isn't a lot but Froome looks good, worryingly he lost Nibali and Quintana too. I'll hold hope until the first MTF, if he loses there it's pretty much over as it won't be a bad day it'll be a trend, lets hope he gets better

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

Contador is the clever rider of the peloton and who better use his strong team, but he should start to understand that although he is young, at least younger than Purito, he cant follow in this new era to better people as Landa or Froome, that way if he doesnt try to follow stronger people than him, he would lose less time and a meritable podium could be for him if he has luck with crashes and problems...

New era? Froome 30yo, do you know? New era is Quintana and Aru, they are leaders, dont put them in the same bag as a domestique like Landa.

New era is not about age.

Both Froome and Contador are in the best age for cycling, Froome need more experience becouse he started late in cycling, co0ntador started 5 years before with a very good school, so froome can improve, for Contador can be 3 years more at the same level, but no improve.

I dont know if Aru is a leader, he is better in the flat than Landa, but Landa is a better climber, at least a better climber than Contador or Aru, but not better than Quintana,, and in a complete and demanding race as le Tour, as well Froome climb better... except in a very hard stage for pure climbers. As well Purito could climb better than Landa, especially in short and very step climbs. Pinot maybe similar, i have my doubts, we will see... and he is clearly better in ITT, but he is not a very good descender...

 

[Metabolol]

Re:

Contador is the clever rider of the peloton and who better use his strong team, but he should start to understand that although he is young, at least younger than Purito, he cant follow in this new era to better people as Landa or Froome, that way if he doesnt try to follow stronger people than him, he would lose less time and a meritable podium could be for him if he has luck with crashes and problems...

He doesn't care about podiums and to me it's obvious he won't have the legs to win but certainly he will try something in the race if possible.

He will get dropped by a bunch of guys in the climbs. I think the only one who can beat Froome on strength is Quintana, but he has lost time already. Nibali could beat Froome by gaining time in different places but he has also lost time already.

Tomorrow's stage will be very important. If Froome can get through the stage well then his only competition will be Quintana.

Landa, Quintana and Froome are the best three climbers in the world.

 

[qwer]

Re: Re:

Contador is the clever rider of the peloton and who better use his strong team, but he should start to understand that although he is young, at least younger than Purito, he cant follow in this new era to better people as Landa or Froome, that way if he doesnt try to follow stronger people than him, he would lose less time and a meritable podium could be for him if he has luck with crashes and problems...

New era? Froome 30yo, do you know? New era is Quintana and Aru, they are leaders, dont put them in the same bag as a domestique like Landa.

New era is not about age.

Both Froome and Contador are in the best age for cycling, Froome need more experience becouse he started late in cycling, co0ntador started 5 years before with a very good school, so froome can improve, for Contador can be 3 years more at the same level, but no improve.

I dont know if Aru is a leader, he is better in the flat than Landa, but Landa is a better climber, at least a better climber than Contador or Aru, but not better than Quintana,, and in a complete and demanding race as le Tour, as well Froome climb better... except in a very hard stage for pure climbers. As well Purito could climb better than Landa, especially in short and very step climbs. Pinot maybe similar, i have my doubts, we will see... and he is clearly better in ITT, but he is not a very good descender...

just stop... landa ins't better climber than contador... and he will never win a gt

 

[Jelantik]

I know everyone is talking down about Froome and cobble. We haven't seen him riding cobble yet (even last year, he crashed out before the cobble). If I have learned so far, everything has been surprising so far. No one thought Nibali would lost almost 1+ minute on day two after his strong performance on ITT. No one thought that Froome finished second today since the climb is supposedly too explosive for him. Well, We might be surprise to see Froome riding well tomorrow, who knows?

As far as contador, I really hope his form isn't like 2013. He is a little fragile today.. dunno, just my observation. He wanted to follow Froome's wheel, but Froome was superior today. I don't know if he just lacks racing rhythm with the uphill finish comes so early in race or his base form is.. it is what it is. If we can take today as an indication of form, Froome is a little ahead, follow by Nibali, Quintana and (even) Tejay, then Contador. But 3 weeks is a long time, we'll see if Contador gets better or not. So far he is just ok. Not great, not bad. He is more or less like Quintana at the moment. Not sure how good or strong they are yet. Nibali looked strong and so does Froome. Tomorrow stage, Sagan, Benna and Tosa hopefully will proof useful to guide Contador through the cobble. At this point, I have no idea how Contador will peform against the rest of GT tomorrow. Nibali in my mind will come out as a winner tomorrow (not necessarily winning the stage, but gaining time).

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

Contador will be shelled in the mountains by Froome and Quintana. 2013 is going to happen again. I think Quintana is the only one who can match Froome in the climbs but he has to make up time which will be difficult. Nibali also has a chance but he needs to be ahead of Froome after the first phase of the race.

Nibali and Contador can use his tactics and his strong teams in some days as Cauterets, Lacets...even in the descent,, and you have to count always with that strong and clever riders like them... but SKY is the stronger team and he is not wasting his team as much as Saxo do now...so I think SKY will put his train and difficult to attack even in a descent...I hope no, anyway, I prefer any other kind of race, and there are a lot of strong teams that can attack SKY, not just Astana or Saxo.

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

Contador is the clever rider of the peloton and who better use his strong team, but he should start to understand that although he is young, at least younger than Purito, he cant follow in this new era to better people as Landa or Froome, that way if he doesnt try to follow stronger people than him, he would lose less time and a meritable podium could be for him if he has luck with crashes and problems...

New era? Froome 30yo, do you know? New era is Quintana and Aru, they are leaders, dont put them in the same bag as a domestique like Landa.

New era is not about age.

Both Froome and Contador are in the best age for cycling, Froome need more experience becouse he started late in cycling, co0ntador started 5 years before with a very good school, so froome can improve, for Contador can be 3 years more at the same level, but no improve.

I dont know if Aru is a leader, he is better in the flat than Landa, but Landa is a better climber, at least a better climber than Contador or Aru, but not better than Quintana,, and in a complete and demanding race as le Tour, as well Froome climb better... except in a very hard stage for pure climbers. As well Purito could climb better than Landa, especially in short and very step climbs. Pinot maybe similar, i have my doubts, we will see... and he is clearly better in ITT, but he is not a very good descender...

This paragraph makes no sense. So you've come to the conclusion that Landa is a better climber than AC from one gt where AC was riding within himself so he wouldn't be too tired. Then you say that Purito is a better climber than Landa which would make him a better climber than AC. What nonsense!

 

[Simurgh]

Re: Re:

Contador is the clever rider of the peloton and who better use his strong team, but he should start to understand that although he is young, at least younger than Purito, he cant follow in this new era to better people as Landa or Froome, that way if he doesnt try to follow stronger people than him, he would lose less time and a meritable podium could be for him if he has luck with crashes and problems...

He doesn't care about podiums and to me it's obvious he won't have the legs to win but certainly he will try something in the race if possible.

He will get dropped by a bunch of guys in the climbs. I think the only one who can beat Froome on strength is Quintana, but he has lost time already. Nibali could beat Froome by gaining time in different places but he has also lost time already.

Tomorrow's stage will be very important. If Froome can get through the stage well then is only competition will be Quintana.

Landa, Quintana and Froome are the best three climbers in the world.

You underestimate Nibali, who in my opinion, and probably many others, are a better climber than Landa, and so is Alberto. Nibali can do real damage tomorrow, and Contador too (hopefully).

 

[Metabolol]

Zakarin will probably join them at the top next year. I wonder if Zakarin is going to the Vuelta?

 

[bajbar]

So I think Contador can win the Tour if his opponents are Quintana and Nibali. He would at least match them today if he did not follow Froome. But if Froome stays safe and doesn't lose major time somewhere, I don't see Contador following him in the mountains. F**k, I am very depressed. II just want AC to win the Tour and every year sth. goes wrong...

 

[Miburo]

Fleur what happened with you? You used to be slightly different when Contador got beat by froome

 

[Metabolol]

Re: Re:

[quote="Simurgh"

You underestimate Nibali, who in my opinion, and probably many others, are a better climber than Landa, and so is Alberto. Nibali can do real damage tomorrow, and Contador too (hopefully).[/quote]

Nibali will defend himself very well in the climbs but he has to gain time on Froome and Quintana. That is a whole different ballgame.

Tomorrow Nibali has to pull back a lot of time on Froome, because he won't do it in the mountains.

 

[TommyGun]

Re: Re:

Contador is the clever rider of the peloton and who better use his strong team, but he should start to understand that although he is young, at least younger than Purito, he cant follow in this new era to better people as Landa or Froome, that way if he doesnt try to follow stronger people than him, he would lose less time and a meritable podium could be for him if he has luck with crashes and problems...

He doesn't care about podiums and to me it's obvious he won't have the legs to win but certainly he will try something in the race if possible.

He will get dropped by a bunch of guys in the climbs. I think the only one who can beat Froome on strength is Quintana, but he has lost time already. Nibali could beat Froome by gaining time in different places but he has also lost time already.

Tomorrow's stage will be very important. If Froome can get through the stage well then his only competition will be Quintana.

Landa, Quintana and Froome are the best three climbers in the world.

Taxus, is this your new account?

 

[Metabolol]

Re: Re:

Contador will be shelled in the mountains by Froome and Quintana. 2013 is going to happen again. I think Quintana is the only one who can match Froome in the climbs but he has to make up time which will be difficult. Nibali also has a chance but he needs to be ahead of Froome after the first phase of the race.

Nibali and Contador can use his tactics and his strong teams in some days as Cauterets, Lacets...even in the descent,, and you have to count always with that strong and clever riders like them... but SKY is the stronger team and he is not wasting his team as much as Saxo do now...so I think SKY will put his train and difficult to attack even in a descent...I hope no, anyway, I prefer any other kind of race, and there are a lot of strong teams that can attack SKY, not just Astana or Saxo.

Certainly Contador will be able to limit the time he loses by being smart and tactical but it won't be enough. We already saw this in the Giro. But this time the competition is more difficult and he is also more tired.

Only Quintana can go mano a mano with Froome in the climbs at this moment.

 

[rm7]

We'll get some more answers at stage 8, where Contador finished 2nd in 2011.

His form doesn't seem to be bad, but he's simply overrating himself sometimes and then he blows up, just like in the Giro. He's clearly lacking race rhythm, so i hope that he'll get that in the next 4 days, and then can come in same time as the other at bretagne.

 

[Simurgh]

Re: Re:

[quote="Simurgh"

You underestimate Nibali, who in my opinion, and probably many others, are a better climber than Landa, and so is Alberto. Nibali can do real damage tomorrow, and Contador too (hopefully).

Nibali will defend himself very well in the climbs but he has to gain time on Froome and Quintana. That is a whole different ballgame.

Tomorrow Nibali has to pull back a lot of time on Froome, because he won't do it in the mountains.[/quote]

I think he can, perhaps by long range attacks. Nibali was very strong last year, and he seems to me to be the 2nd strongest right now (Froome only a bit stronger). If Contador finds good legs in the last part of the race and Froome fading a bit in the 3rd week as in 2013, a Froome in yellow would be vulnerable, and that can be Nibalis (and Contadors, if he hasn't lost buckloads of time) chance.

 

[rm7]

Contador said that he maybe lacked a bit of sugar at the end.

 

[No_Balls]

Re: Re:

This thread is in dire need of a Landa-filter.

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Contador will be shelled in the mountains by Froome and Quintana. 2013 is going to happen again. I think Quintana is the only one who can match Froome in the climbs but he has to make up time which will be difficult. Nibali also has a chance but he needs to be ahead of Froome after the first phase of the race.

Nibali and Contador can use his tactics and his strong teams in some days as Cauterets, Lacets...even in the descent,, and you have to count always with that strong and clever riders like them... but SKY is the stronger team and he is not wasting his team as much as Saxo do now...so I think SKY will put his train and difficult to attack even in a descent...I hope no, anyway, I prefer any other kind of race, and there are a lot of strong teams that can attack SKY, not just Astana or Saxo.

Certainly Contador will be able to limit the time he losses by being smart and tactical but it won't be enough. We already saw this in the Giro. But this time the competition is more difficult and he is also more tired.

Only Quintana can go mano a mano with Froome in the climbs at his moment.

at this moment, quintana is 1.56 behind Froome. He is still a lot time to make up to Froome. And looking out Froome's form at the moment.. he isn't TJ or Thibaut either.

 

[qwer]

i'm sick of taxus, mod please ban him!!!!

 

[BlurryVII]

Re:

We'll get some more answers at stage 8, where Contador finished 2nd in 2011.

His form doesn't seem to be bad, but he's simply overrating himself sometimes and then he blows up, just like in the Giro. He's clearly lacking race rhythm, so i hope that he'll get that in the next 4 days, and then can come in same time as the other at bretagne.

Yes, he'll be better on Bretagne than today, it'll more interesting to see. Today was too early exactly like I said yesterday. But he'll win the Tour in the mountains later in the race.

 

[Jelantik]

does he look good or ..?