Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[perico]

Now will people start writing off Nibali the way they were Contador after stage 3? I wouldn't, but curious.

 

[Big Doopie]

Re: Re:

De Jongh saying that Contador is suffering a little bit from his allergies, and sometimes have a little hard time breathing...

omg. here we go again. "allergies".

i'm sure they will be gone post rest day - rain or no rain.

Yes because De Jongh said it will get better as they go south

touche. well played, la flo!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Now will people start writing off Nibali the way they were Contador after stage 3? I wouldn't, but curious.

It's already started, see the Nibali thread. I think it's too early to write him off but if it is his back that's bothering him (he hurt it in the crash apparently) it could be bad.

 

[ad9898]

It's looking good, Alberto is going to crush everyone in the last week, Nibali is finished, Froome burning matches like he did the other day on the flat when Sagan pulled Alberto's group back, Quintana still unknown but over a minute back and likely to lose more tomorrow. Ye of little faith on the Muy stage

 

[cellardoor]

For most of that climb I couldn't pick out Contador in the group - I could see Sagan and Kreuziger but was getting worried about Contador for a while. Then he appeared at the front

 

[Big Doopie]

Re: Re:

Now will people start writing off Nibali the way they were Contador after stage 3? I wouldn't, but curious.

It's already started, see the Nibali thread. I think it's too early to write him off...

agreed.

lemond said both contador on huy and nibali here are bad, bad signs.

however, lemond - though incredibly knowledgeable and savvy - is sometimes stuck in 80s thinking when the prologue itself (and the first week) was a sign of things to come. he should remember 91 when that started to no longer be the case.

 

[bajbar]

The only problem today was the positioning. Contador was so far down before that turn I could hardly watch. Especially when Froome went to the front. There could easily be a split. But Contador looked better today and got right up to the front so that is good.

Nibali though surprised me today. Could just be that he still feels effects of the crash. But the most interesting thing was listening to Rai commentators, where they kept looking excuses everywhere. First it was a mechanical (his chain must have slipped, again ), then suddenly they started thinking about the crash and declared he has a hematoma and that must have been the cause. But they were worried...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Valgren via Rasmus Staghoj.. "If all goes right we can win tomorrow"

 

[cellardoor]

Valgren via Rasmus Staghoj.. "If all goes right we can win tomorrow"

I find it really difficult to call a TTT like this with a few hills, but nothing too serious, but I think they have a decent chance. Main problem might be if Sagan has burnt too many matches in the first week. I think even Basso could be an asset here if they let him hide in the initial flat section, have him go hard in the mid-section and then drop off at the end.

 

[ray j willings]

Bertie looked OK. Not really much to measure by has so many riders came home with the same time.
Just followed wheels like I said he would do.

Come on Bertie and the rest of the Tinkyboys.

 

[perico]

Valgren via Rasmus Staghoj.. "If all goes right we can win tomorrow"

I find it really difficult to call a TTT like this with a few hills, but nothing too serious, but I think they have a decent chance. Main problem might be if Sagan has burnt too many matches in the first week. I think even Basso could be an asset here if they let him hide in the initial flat section, have him go hard in the mid-section and then drop off at the end.

Basso will do fine. He's not that weak in the TTT and rode it on some very skilled CSC squads.

 

[rhubroma]

I actually foresee Basso getting dropped, as he struggled and lost touch in he Giro TT. Perhaps, though, he's better now.

I think AC realized that it wasn't worth wasting any energy before the TTT tomorrow, in addition to having Sagan for the win, which didn't work out.

It would be ironic if Saxo is able to put him ahead of Froome after tomorrow's race. I can't get over how low Froome's body fat is right now. If he doesn't have a bad day he will be hard to beat.

 

[leon993]

I think Contador was fine today. Like what would you do if you exploded
on Huy, and it is was not expected? Do like today - take it easy in start - listen to your body - it is ok - ok let's go. I was so happy to see him behind Froome at finish.

 

[Electress]

Seems to me AC was fine. Looked smooth enough for the 2 secs I saw from the heli shot. Froome was a surprise. I'm not sure why he was pulling at the front - giving Sagan a lead out? Would have been nice to see AC pulling for Sags, and sorry Sagan shut him down inadvertently - that would have been such a nice image of teamwork!

And yeah, the team seems really good. I really hope they can do well tomorrow.

As for Nibali - well, I think he's under so much pressure, I really feel for him. I don't think he came in with quite the form of last year and not much has been working for him. But write him off at your peril…he'll attack like a maniac I think which is probably good for AC as Sky will have to try and control him. All adds to the pressure.

 

[Jelantik]

Just watched the replay for the second times,.. uff.. i was a little worry not seeing Contador upfront. He was far too back. But all in all, he is ok. He either did a smart ride by not burning his energy or he was doing a damage prevention to not loose time. Froome as usual flashing his dominance by speeding energy to chase everyone. Surprising performance by Nibali. But nothing to take from that. Long climb will be a sure tell. Pretty sure he is more and more under pressure to start chipping off his deficit. Currently the media is putting Froome and TJ on the top of the flag pole. Uran, Quintana, Nibali, Contador are just quietly riding under the noise of the media. Good for Contador. Not so much of the talk like in the Giro. He can do his own thing tranquilo and get ready for the mountain.

Tomorrow TTT is a crucial stage. What's everyone prediction. According to this article, TS will be the biggest looser (i hope contador can proof them wrong). http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/2015_tour_de_france_stage_9_preview/
BMC is touted to win the stage and putting TJ on yellow (that must make his head grow so big like jack in the box. Sorry not big fan of TJ). I hope other team will topple them off. (priceless ). I hope TS has a great ride tomorrow. it's a bit complicated stage with hill 4% and at the end 6%. Pleaaase no time bleeed from sky or tejay freakin garderen..

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

De Jongh saying that Contador is suffering a little bit from his allergies, and sometimes have a little hard time breathing...

omg. here we go again. "allergies".

i'm sure they will be gone post rest day - rain or no rain.

maybe he needs the nose ring like what froome is wearing (Another marginal gain courtesy of sky).. but lol maybe won't help with his allergies .. instead making him looks like a spanish bull..

 

[Ryaguas]

Contador still not that smooth as I thought, but not bad as we witnessed in Huy.

The team looks strong so they should deliver in the TTT, but dont want to hype them too much so I dont jinx them haha

Venga muchachos!

 

[ILovecycling]

Just watched the replay for the second times,.. uff.. i was a little worry not seeing Contador upfront. He was far too back. But all in all, he is ok. He either did a smart ride by not burning his energy or he was doing a damage prevention to not loose time. Froome as usual flashing his dominance by speeding energy to chase everyone. Surprising performance by Nibali. But nothing to take from that. Long climb will be a sure tell. Pretty sure he is more and more under pressure to start chipping off his deficit. Currently the media is putting Froome and TJ on the top of the flag pole. Uran, Quintana, Nibali, Contador are just quietly riding under the noise of the media. Good for Contador. Not so much of the talk like in the Giro. He can do his own thing tranquilo and get ready for the mountain.

Tomorrow TTT is a crucial stage. What's everyone prediction. According to this article, TS will be the biggest looser (i hope contador can proof them wrong). http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/2015_tour_de_france_stage_9_preview/
BMC is touted to win the stage and putting TJ on yellow (that must make his head grow so big like jack in the box. Sorry not big fan of TJ). I hope other team will topple them off. (priceless ). I hope TS has a great ride tomorrow. it's a bit complicated stage with hill 4% and at the end 6%. Pleaaase no time bleeed from sky or tejay freakin garderen..

Stupid arguments imo, Tossato bad TT rider and Valgren not in best form, lol how they figured that out

Looks like they think Dowsett and Malori are in a great shape same with Porte and Astana's lol

Cmon Saxo!Smash them

 

[peloton]

Valgren via Rasmus Staghoj.. "If all goes right we can win tomorrow"

I find it really difficult to call a TTT like this with a few hills, but nothing too serious, but I think they have a decent chance. Main problem might be if Sagan has burnt too many matches in the first week. I think even Basso could be an asset here if they let him hide in the initial flat section, have him go hard in the mid-section and then drop off at the end.

Basso will do fine. He's not that weak in the TTT and rode it on some very skilled CSC squads.

He cost the Giro TTT win tho. Hope he makes long pulls tomorrow before dropped

 

[Malmeren]

Riis said in an interview with Danish TV2 that he thought Contador looked better, and that he was coming into form. I think, baring the ttt, that Contador is very much still in the mix. Basically it's a question of Contador racing into form - as all the favorites probably do - and maybe, just maybe, hitting his peak at the right time, i.e. 3. week. Without losing substantial time before that, mind you.
Froome might be hitting peak slightly too early. The same goes without a doubt for TJ. I can not see him holding his form from Dauphiné onto Alpe d'Hues.
Big question mark on Quintana and Nibali.
Right now Froome is the stronger rider (but we suspected he would be). I think he'll be ahead after the Pyreenees, but then we'll start to see a levelling out. In the 3. week it'll probably be as much about hitting your peak on clock as guts and guile (as another poster so eloquently put it).

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

Riis said in an interview with Danish TV2 that he thought Contador looked better, and that he was coming into form. I think, baring the ttt, that Contador is very much still in the mix. Basically it's a question of Contador racing into form - as all the favorites probably do - and maybe, just maybe, hitting his peak at the right time, i.e. 3. week. Without losing substantial time before that, mind you.
Froome might be hitting peak slightly too early. The same goes without a doubt for TJ. I can not see him holding his form from Dauphiné onto Alpe d'Hues.
Big question mark on Quintana and Nibali.
Right now Froome is the stronger rider (but we suspected he would be). I think he'll be ahead after the Pyreenees, but then we'll start to see a levelling out. In the 3. week it'll probably be as much about hitting your peak on clock as guts and guile (as another poster so eloquently put it).

Contador did look better than Mur. As far as, Froome, probably his tactic is to pile up as much as time before week 3 and then ride defensively on the last week. 2013, he destroyed the field on the first mountain stage. As for Contador, although he practically lost the most of his time deficit on Mur, he hasn't been that impressive. He is okay. But if it's true that he is riding into form, then loosing 48 seconds in the first week isn't that bad. (at least it's not 1 1/2 minutes. Judging from his interview, he seems optimistic with his team for TTT. But this is stage 9. Pass the 8 days typical a week long race, and after a very hard first4 days, fatigue bound to sink in. I hope TS has been using their resource properly in the first 8 days and they can off load it on stage 9.

 

[Malmeren]

Acutally just watched the Rute de Sud final stage. Anyone not seeing a confident Contador there are oblivious. Now, I don't think neither Contador nor Quintana were at their best, but Quintana clearly showed, at least, weaknesses in the decent.
I don't hope for any rider to crash, but if this race race comes alive, boy oh boy, Contador (and Nibali) has the upper hand.

 

[Ryaguas]

Re: Re:

Riis said in an interview with Danish TV2 that he thought Contador looked better, and that he was coming into form. I think, baring the ttt, that Contador is very much still in the mix. Basically it's a question of Contador racing into form - as all the favorites probably do - and maybe, just maybe, hitting his peak at the right time, i.e. 3. week. Without losing substantial time before that, mind you.
Froome might be hitting peak slightly too early. The same goes without a doubt for TJ. I can not see him holding his form from Dauphiné onto Alpe d'Hues.
Big question mark on Quintana and Nibali.
Right now Froome is the stronger rider (but we suspected he would be). I think he'll be ahead after the Pyreenees, but then we'll start to see a levelling out. In the 3. week it'll probably be as much about hitting your peak on clock as guts and guile (as another poster so eloquently put it).

Contador did look better than Mur. As far as, Froome, probably his tactic is to pile up as much as time before week 3 and then ride defensively on the last week. 2013, he destroyed the field on the first mountain stage. As for Contador, although he practically lost the most of his time deficit on Mur, he hasn't been that impressive. He is okay. But if it's true that he is riding into form, then loosing 48 seconds in the first week isn't that bad. (at least it's not 1 1/2 minutes. Judging from his interview, he seems optimistic with his team for TTT. But this is stage 9. Pass the 8 days typical a week long race, and after a very hard first4 days, fatigue bound to sink in. I hope TS has been using their resource properly in the first 8 days and they can off load it on stage 9.

Contador monster recovery will be the factor for this Tour, even when age is catching up He still is one of the riders with the best recovery in the sport. After 1 week racing and several hard stages He is getting racing rythm and is looking better everyday, the whole team is looking great as the days go.

Now there are 2 possibilities, Froome arrived to Le Tour in peak and that's why we have seen him very active and agressive in this 1st week, because He knows that he is in alien form and needs to use it wherever he can because he is going to fade in the 3rd week, and the other one is that He is still building up form and He can reach thermonuclear form in the next weeks. So could be bad news for Contador because is He is not going to peak and Dawg is going to eat him alive. But if Contador can race into form and Dawg fades or keep this form I can see Contador winning this tour and outracing Dawg in the next weeks.

BTW could be true the comments about Froome always nervous, today he gave me that impression the way that he rode the hill pulling on the front and expending energy for no reason in a hill that doesnt suit him.

 

[rhubroma]

I'm starting to think that Froome has peaked too early and since he won the Dauphine it seems reasonable that he can't hold this form till Alpe d'Huez. Having said that, people will I think need to strap their seatbelts on next week in the Pyrenees, where he will go balistic.

But if Riis is right that Contador will be coming into peak form in say the last ten days and if his team can keep him in the game today and if he can defend himself well enough in this weeks mountain stages, then he still has a chance to topple the freak.

I realize that's a lot of ifs, however, I really can't see Froome being able to carry his winning Dauphine form and his ridiculous state right now all the way through to Paris. If he does then he's untouchable though and I'll be left wondering that Sky must have some really super beet juice.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

I actually foresee Basso getting dropped, as he struggled and lost touch in he Giro TT. Perhaps, though, he's better now.

I think AC realized that it wasn't worth wasting any energy before the TTT tomorrow, in addition to having Sagan for the win, which didn't work out.

It would be ironic if Saxo is able to put him ahead of Froome after tomorrow's race. I can't get over how low Froome's body fat is right now. If he doesn't have a bad day he will be hard to beat.

Basso will be the first to get dropped but he does great delivering bottles. Time to retire.