Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

http://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/mediaplayer/video/contador-trs-mu-par-le-dpart-de-basso-585452.html

 

[Miburo]

I'm sure at night they were always discussing several things that he can only discuss with Basso. No one else of the team knows what kinda pressure contador is on, only basso knows. He knows what it is to win a GT and how it is the day before big MTF's.

But most importantly basso will be fine, 98% is a lot

 

[Pantani Attacks]

It's clear Alberto was crying a lot. His eyes look very puffy there.

 

[Matteo.]

About the race , Alberto didn't say.anything?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

About the race , Alberto didn't say.anything?

No,

 

[Matteo.]

Re: Re:

About the race , Alberto didn't say.anything?

No,

Interesting

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

About the race , Alberto didn't say.anything?

No,

Interesting

They cancelled the scheduled press conference. Basso told the press the bad news, Berto made a few comments about it as did De Jongh, then they left.

edit: typo

 

[ad9898]

Re:

I'm sure at night they were always discussing several things that he can only discuss with Basso. No one else of the team knows what kinda pressure contador is on, only basso knows. He knows what it is to win a GT and how it is the day before big MTF's.

But most importantly basso will be fine, 98% is a lot

I suffered this illness 17 years ago, Basso will almost certainly be fine, it has the highest cure rate even with metastases

Edit... and no I'm not Lance as someone thought I was on the forum a long time ago

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

What we show at the Vuelta was that Contador got a very good preparation as he rode 8 days in le Tour, rest 2 weeks and train for one month previous la Vuelta.

What we saw in la Vuelta is that he lied about his participation and his injuries and his shape, with the help of the media.

What we saw in la Vuelta is that Froome said he was there just thinking in this Tour, becouse he needed a complete GT in his legs in 2015.

He was trying to win last years Vuelta. If he hadn't been trying, he wouldn't have been 2nd.

What we saw in la Vuelta is that Froome did a mistake in the ITT and he started too strong, exploded, losed time an later he did better in the last Km that Contador. Uran was better than Contador and clearly better than Froome (in time) so it was not a super performance from Contador, but not the normal one by Froome.

Knowing how to time your effort in a itt is part of racing. It doesn't change the fact that Contador beat Froome. Just except that. Also losing to Uran isn't something to be ashamed of. His itt was pretty good in 2014.

Whay we show in la Vuelta is that he needed to attack and put time, and Contador was in a similar strengh, and he has a better aceleration, so difficult to drop Contador.

What we saw is that, that way Froome dopred Contador just in the steppest climbs, as Camperona, where to follow wheels is no so important.

IMO SKY didnt ride well the 2 harder mountains stages. When you are similarto Contador in strenth becouse he had a better preparation you cant just put an strong pace, even in a hard climb as Ancares, Contador need to have a previous big effort, not just final climb.

What point are you trying to make here? What we saw is that Contador (for the most part) was stronger than Froome. Froome can be beaten you know.

What we saw is that Contador was in aa great shape, but Valverde came from le Tour, to win San Sebastian, and he was close even when in the first days he was just working for Quintana and doing stupid attacks like in Cordoba and didnt take any bonus...

What are you trying to say here? Do you think Valverde could have beaten AC if he had tried harder?

It has his merit to start training in Lugano and with that determination to go to the Vuelta to win after to have a fissure in his bone, and he was at a hiogh level, he won, congrats, but if you want to believe all that stuff that Froome prepare la Vuelta at the same level that contador did, you can do it, but consider that there is another point of view of all that story...

Do you have some sort of special insight into this "story?" Why don't you share it with links to prove your point....Froome had more time to prepare for the Vuelta. He has no one but himself to blame if he didn't use that time wisely.

The story is not that Contador did the amazing thing to win la Vuelta to froome after to have an important injury just training hard a week... and for that he believe he can get the double..and he failed is becouse it very difficult.

What Contador did was pretty impressive whether you admit it or not. He came back from a pretty bad leg injury to win the Vuelta beating Froome. Sorry, I don't fully understand your wording....are you saying AC failed the double? Has the Tour finished yet?

I respect you think like that, but I like this sport, and I am going to answer to that world of lies that Contador create about his acts. He is like a wizard that know how to put people at his side...(with all the respect is what I think, and well based)

If you are the best, go to the Tour and show you are the best. if he do, he will have my congrats and all my consideration. To be close to Froome after to win il Giro could even be enough for me. But close is not 5 minutes at the end of the Tour, close is maybe not a question of time, but of performance. He wanst close to Froome (or that is not close for me) in Huy, but the Tour is long.

Yes he has duped all these people into liking him with his magic wand. Get real dude. Do you really believe that Froome is a more honest chap?

AC has done the Tour and proved that he is the best. He is at the point in his career where winning just another Tour won't do it for him. His palmares are so impressive (compared to someone like Froome for example) that he wants to go for the Giro-Tour double to motivate himself.

Anyway when he almost won in Muur de Bretagne in 2011, he rode and won the Giro, and he had that spark... and when he droped Andy in Gap (same climb this year will climb, I think, a second categorized) he had that spark...but when he losed 4 minutes in Galibier what not a question of spark, he hadnt that level and regularity he thinks now he can have after Giro. (I dont Know why Alberto say this is a new experience for him )

Cheers!

His 2011 season was very different in terms of how he prepared for the Giro and Tour. That's why he says it's a new experience.

 

[Jelantik]

my heart goes to Basso. When I opened CN, I was shocked to read the news about Basso. I hope a speedy recovery for Basso. As for TS team, I'm sure this is going to be an emotional tour. Hopefully it gives them more reason and more motivation to win instead of just the double thing

I read Froome's interview.. he sounded like someone who's flying in the top of the pole (since he is now). But interesting to read Nibali's comment. I gotta give it to him, blunt and to the point.

Nibali also hit back when asked about his big-four rivals in this year’s Tour.
“Quintana has been hiding and I think that’s a sign he’s on form. Froome is definitely on better form but Nairo still got to show what he is capable of...”
“Alberto (Contador) has raced in parallel with Quintana and we’ve also got to discover what he can do this year, while van Garderen has got to show his worth on the real climbs.”

He also hopes that Slongo was right, Froome is going to fade on the alps. As far as contador, i can't remember exactly in 2011. Did contador loose contact on the first real mountain stage after his couple crash or not? (Galibier i think). Can't remember? I thought at that time, his TDF chance were trully unravelled. I really hope tomorrow I won't see him got dropped.

 

[sir fly]

I'll be surprised if Contador doesn't try anything tomorrow.
He always attacks on the first uphill finish of a race and surely would like to make the time he's already lost as soon as possible.

 

[Miburo]

Re:

I'll be surprised if Contador doesn't try anything tomorrow.
He always attacks on the first uphill finish of a race and surely would like to make the time he's already lost as soon as possible.

No he doesn't.

Didn't do it in the vuelta 2014 or tour 2013 or tour 2011 or tour 2010 or giro 2008.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

I'll be surprised if Contador doesn't try anything tomorrow.
He always attacks on the first uphill finish of a race and surely would like to make the time he's already lost as soon as possible.

I think he will just try to follow tomorrow.
If he can follow Froome and feels good, he will attack, of course.

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

I'll be surprised if Contador doesn't try anything tomorrow.
He always attacks on the first uphill finish of a race and surely would like to make the time he's already lost as soon as possible.

No he doesn't.

Didn't do it in the vuelta 2014 or tour 2013 or tour 2011 or tour 2010 or giro 2008.

You've got an "A".
Sit down.

 

[Miburo]

Main Doctor of astana said nibali is mentally tougher than froome. But then he said "I've worked with contador for a few years, he's mentally the strongest"

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Main Doctor of astana said nibali is mentally tougher than froome. But then he said "I've worked with contador for a few years, he's mentally the strongest"

 

[arvc40]

Re: Re:

I'll be surprised if Contador doesn't try anything tomorrow.
He always attacks on the first uphill finish of a race and surely would like to make the time he's already lost as soon as possible.

I think he will just try to follow tomorrow.
If he can follow Froome and feels good, he will attack, of course.

I hope he shows he can follow at least. Get bored with watching predicable sport these days.

 

[ray j willings]

If Bertie is feeling good and spots a chance to attack he will. Nibs is def going to try some early attacks ,he has to.

 

[KyoGrey]

It would be nice if Alberto manages a big solo win this Tour and before crossing the line he uprolls his maillot to show a support message ala:

VA POR TI
IVAN

 

[Miburo]

I'll be already happy if he wins a stage and puts up a fight in this tour.

 

[Taxus4a]

Alberto, he must be very afected, he was his room mate and they were good friends, and alberto worked for him in 2007 in Discovery some times..
today the rest of the things has no importance.

Knowing Alberto he will try to win even with more will, or at least to win an stage for him.

 

[Miburo]

I don't think AC needed any more motivation. But who knows, i don't know him personal after all.

 

[RownhamHill]

Re:

I don't think AC needed any more motivation. But who knows, i don't know him personal after all.

I don't think he needed anymore motivation either, but that's not to say he hasn't just got some more anyway!

 

[Cimber]

Kinda worrying that Berto says he has lost his spark compared to the others. His spark is what has always made him stand out

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Kinda worrying that Berto says he has lost his spark compared to the others. His spark is what has always made him stand out

Sure it's worrying if he is being honest. He could also still find his spark in the next 2 weeks.