Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Tonton]

I don't like Bertie, I'm happy with his demise, Oleg downing his second bottle of vodka as we speak. I'm sorry for LaFlo, a real cycling fan. Mixed emotions...

 

[etymology]

Re:

I can't believe some of the s**t people are saying on here . Contador should retire from the Tour becuse Froome is better . Yeah like that is the attitude of a champion , run away because you are being beaten!!!.......

.....A true champion never runs from a fight even if he loses

this, x10. one more thing for those questioning contador's attempt for the giro/tour double:

a true champion is not afraid to fail.

 

[The Hitch]

sky will get weaker. Maybe not froome, but I think porte and Thomas will get worse just like Porte did in 2013. If the other 3 favs are willing to cooperate, they can try long range attacks and the territory is there.

But like 2013, they might just fight for their piece of the lower podium places.

 

[hfer07]

Quite frankly: I'd love to see him just getting rid completely of his mind any GC ambitions and give us the fans a superb performance with a stage win alike Fuente De or Tirreno. that'd be plenty for me

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

Contador is obviously struggling from having ridden the Giro but whether he would have been able to match Froome anyway is questionable. Contador is going a long way to prove that the double is impossible.

Nibali is complaining the same thing as Contador about how he has difficulty breathing. Could it be Contador and Nibali are in the same bad form? or is the temperature is so hot, makes them hard to breath. But either way, I'm not sugar coating anything. Contador said he has his bad day. Right now, I can only watch the Tour as it is. Maybe the fight for podium isn't so bad to watch. Last year, Nibali first week was flawless. This year, Froome first week was flawless. It's an eerie coincidence similarity. Even Quintana who has been touted as the main challenger this year was eerily in the same position (already at deficit time) as 2013. Contador was more or less similar to 2013.(as far as the vibe about him). Dunno maybe even year is the year of Froome's luck. Who knows.

But good things is compare to the rest who put all their egg into one basket, Contador at least has one GT won this year. So I hope to see contador puts some show for the fans. Would be awesome if Nibali, Contador and Uran decide to throw a havoc into the rest of the contender by joining breakway, attack long distance and go for broke..

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

For those of you who believe he should ride the Tour next year.
What if he doesn't win? What if he never reaches top shape, is beaten by Froome and Quintana, or crashes, or gets ill?
Should he then continue to go for the Tour until he wins or until his body falls apart from age?
Or should he then decide to ride the Giro in 2017?

My point is, it will be very hard for him to win the Tour next year, and in my opinion not very likely. None of us want to see him retire after being defeated. So why not try to win the Giro one last time and finish his career in his home GT?
He could throw in the Olympics Road Race just for *** and giggles.

Yes. He definitely should go to the tour and finish his career at Vuelta. Why tour? I think Tour is the last GT that he hasn't won it since he came back. He has won 2 vuelta and 1 Giro. But he hasn't won Tour since then. That should be a motivation for him. And sure there is a risk he won't win it. But who can guarantee Froome or Quintana will win it either? Froome was flying high in 2013 just to crash to the bottom of the ocean in 2014. Now he is up there again. So, yes I believe in taking your chances. I don't think Alberto wants to leave his career w/o taking another crack of winning the Tour. It will irk him, if he didn't try.

If he goes to the tour, he can peak for his first season just like 2014. Then rest, and ready for the tour. Maybe he can try to win every race that he enters in his early season.

 

[Jelantik]

Reading DB comment.. hm..kinda irk me. But hey, I can't be annoyed, since he has all the bragging right now with unstoppable Froome. I just hope he doesn't put his foot in his mouth too soon.

Brailsford was equally blunt about the under-par performances of Froome’s key rivals such as Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Tejay van Garderen, who all lost chunks of time and virtually any hope of beating Froome in this year’s race.

“I think we saw what we expected to see. I think the signs have ben there with Nibali all week,” Brailsford said dismissively of the 2014 Tour winner. “It’s brave of Contador to try to win the Giro-Tour double but he’s tired and you can see it. TJ (van Garderen) wasn’t one of the top four. He might be in the future but he’s not quite at that level yet.”

 

[sienna]

Re: Re:

Contador is obviously struggling from having ridden the Giro but whether he would have been able to match Froome anyway is questionable. Contador is going a long way to prove that the double is impossible.

Nibali is complaining the same thing as Contador about how he has difficulty breathing. Could it be Contador and Nibali are in the same bad form? or is the temperature is so hot, makes them hard to breath. But either way, I'm not sugar coating anything. Contador said he has his bad day. Right now, I can only watch the Tour as it is. Maybe the fight for podium isn't so bad to watch. Last year, Nibali first week was flawless. This year, Froome first week was flawless. It's an eerie coincidence similarity. Even Quintana who has been touted as the main challenger this year was eerily in the same position (already at deficit time) as 2013. Contador was more or less similar to 2013.(as far as the vibe about him). Dunno maybe even year is the year of Froome's luck. Who knows.

But good things is compare to the rest who put all their egg into one basket, Contador at least has one GT won this year. So I hope to see contador puts some show for the fans. Would be awesome if Nibali, Contador and Uran decide to throw a havoc into the rest of the contender by joining breakaway, attack long distance and go for broke..

Bad days shouldn't come on the first big mountain day of the Tour, especially one that has only one col.

 

[contador977]

I think Contador will attack on the decent of the Tourmalet tomorrow or go within 2km of the top, put pressure on Froome. Alberto has pride, he will take risks and make it interesting if he can. Hopefully no one crashes risking on the decents. This tour isnt over, baring a Froome crash or maybe im hoping Alberto just had an off day. I felt somewhat ill watching Contador struggle. IF he is dropped again, id pull out and go for the Vuelta. Call me stubborn or in denial, but I need one more sign of weakness before writing him off.

 

[wwabbit]

Reading DB comment.. hm..kinda irk me. But hey, I can't be annoyed, since he has all the bragging right now with unstoppable Froome. I just hope he doesn't put his foot in his mouth too soon.

Brailsford was equally blunt about the under-par performances of Froome’s key rivals such as Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Tejay van Garderen, who all lost chunks of time and virtually any hope of beating Froome in this year’s race.

“I think we saw what we expected to see. I think the signs have ben there with Nibali all week,” Brailsford said dismissively of the 2014 Tour winner. “It’s brave of Contador to try to win the Giro-Tour double but he’s tired and you can see it. TJ (van Garderen) wasn’t one of the top four. He might be in the future but he’s not quite at that level yet.”

?
He's basically just saying what everyone knows already

 

[cellardoor]

Re:

I think Contador will attack on the decent of the Tourmalet tomorrow or go within 2km of the top, put pressure on Froome. Alberto has pride, he will take risks and make it interesting if he can. Hopefully no one crashes risking on the decents. This tour isnt over, baring a Froome crash or maybe im hoping Alberto just had an off day. I felt somewhat ill watching Contador struggle. IF he is dropped again, id pull out and go for the Vuelta. Call me stubborn or in denial, but I need one more sign of weakness before writing him off.

I'm no expert myself but I think I read elsewhere that the descent of the Tourmalet is not technical (please correct me if wrong). If he is to try something then I think he would need to get a gap near the top first and he is far enough down that he may be given some latitude to do that. I can't see a long-range attack working myself, but still, I'd like to see him at least try.

 

[offbyone]

Frankly, I am surprised Contador isn't doing worst. Trying to achieve 2 long peaks in form for such an extended period is asking a lot. It will be interesting to see if he continues to put up a fight or implodes.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Reading DB comment.. hm..kinda irk me. But hey, I can't be annoyed, since he has all the bragging right now with unstoppable Froome. I just hope he doesn't put his foot in his mouth too soon.

Brailsford was equally blunt about the under-par performances of Froome’s key rivals such as Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Tejay van Garderen, who all lost chunks of time and virtually any hope of beating Froome in this year’s race.

“I think we saw what we expected to see. I think the signs have ben there with Nibali all week,” Brailsford said dismissively of the 2014 Tour winner. “It’s brave of Contador to try to win the Giro-Tour double but he’s tired and you can see it. TJ (van Garderen) wasn’t one of the top four. He might be in the future but he’s not quite at that level yet.”

Oh, Dave Brailsfraud is an arrogant ***, who would have thought

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Today before the stage Yates said the stage didn't suit Contador and we saw that by the riders who were up there like Gallopin , Adam Yates , etc

One of the worst and most ridiculous statement I've ever seen on this forum. Chapeau.

And you are Einstein ? as exampled by your Macbeth type posts of irrational doom and gloom
Yates said the stage didn't suit Contador on cycling podcast ...go see
You don't like the truth so you insult people... very mature

Then Yates doesn't know Alberto. In the past he's performed very well on single-climb stages.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I think some of you are being hard on him. There's no way likes of Gallopin would easily outclimb AC usually, simply the only reason he is this bad, is because of the Giro. And it was such a tough Giro for him, with an absolutely pisspoor team, remember how isolated he was on Stage 20? He had far too many days like that, for it to not make an impact.

Talking of Gallopin, did anyone notice when Contador was initally "dropped" he seemed to be reacting to Gallopin veering into him?

Initially I thought it was a case of someone in front of him dropping, but I quickly noticed he was just completely cooked (well I had already noticed earlier on that he wasn't looking great)

 

[LaFlorecita]

Really don't know what some are so depressed about. Contador is a legend and 3 , 2 or 6 tours doesn't matter much to him. Cycling isn't everything in life. He seems pretty relaxed about it. There are obviously a lot of things we don't know which could explain the current situation. Sky seems to have a good connection with the UCI and a lot of big interests there.

Contador is getting more and more tired of this whole circus. Doesn't like the sacrifices he has to make. It began after his 'positive' in the Tour, no matter how you look at it, he got back stabbed badly there. He wanted to retire right there. Still he managed to continue and comeback in a poetic way in the Vuelta. After that he has been pretty much directionless, looking for motivation. He finished it off by going for the double twice, something nobody in the current age dares to even think about.

Yep and I can't blame him. Cycling hasn't been very kind to him and he wants to be with his family and friends and dogs. So be it and we must accept it

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

I can't believe some of the s**t people are saying on here . Contador should retire from the Tour becuse Froome is better . Yeah like that is the attitude of a champion , run away because you are being beaten!!!

Or Contador is too fat and hasn't trained after we heard yesterday that he spent 120 of the last 180 days with Ivan Basso What were they doing ...Blueberry farming ?

You guys are not fans of Contador you only want the 'kill' and if he can't deliver it then you throw him to the wolves
You are not worried about his humiliation only your own ...you have invested energy in knocking his opponents and biging him up and if he is not delivering then he must leave the race so you don't have to look upon your own 'humiliation'

You are not fans of cycling you are fans of combat but only if winning

A true champion never runs from a fight even if he loses

Today before the stage Yates said the stage didn't suit Contador and we saw that by the riders who were up there like Gallopin , Adam Yates , etc

And the first 9 stages and a rest day and then into such a brutal climb at the end was a shock to nearly everyone. Some top climbers were dropped before climbing began at all
SKY were surprised a how easy they had it ...but I'd be surprised if Quintana & Contador don't pull time back in the Alps

You are looking at it the wrong way. We want him to abandon, because we care about him. We don't want him to see humiliated. We want what is best for him and that is not getting beaten into submission like a puppy. If he was in any sort of shape to try something crazy, then by all means, stay in the race and make it hell for Sky. But he isn't. He's in terrible shape, and we're in for a repeat of 2013 when he barely tried and if he tried, he got 3 meters and was reeled back in. Team Sky will never allow him to take a stage, even if he's 30 minutes down. Not fun for us fans, but not for Alberto either. Like I said, if there's nothing left to fight for, why fight?

 

[Matteo.]

Re: Re:

I can't believe some of the s**t people are saying on here . Contador should retire from the Tour becuse Froome is better . Yeah like that is the attitude of a champion , run away because you are being beaten!!!

Or Contador is too fat and hasn't trained after we heard yesterday that he spent 120 of the last 180 days with Ivan Basso What were they doing ...Blueberry farming ?

You guys are not fans of Contador you only want the 'kill' and if he can't deliver it then you throw him to the wolves
You are not worried about his humiliation only your own ...you have invested energy in knocking his opponents and biging him up and if he is not delivering then he must leave the race so you don't have to look upon your own 'humiliation'

You are not fans of cycling you are fans of combat but only if winning

A true champion never runs from a fight even if he 'll lose some mins he should retire. The nightmare of 2013 is concrete ann none wants to see him struggle. Berto for first

Today before the stage Yates said the stage didn't suit Contador and we saw that by the riders who were up there like Gallopin , Adam Yates , etc

And the first 9 stages and a rest day and then into such a brutal climb at the end was a shock to nearly everyone. Some top climbers were dropped before climbing began at all
SKY were surprised a how easy they had it ...but I'd be surprised if Quintana & Contador don't pull time back in the Alps

You are looking at it the wrong way. We want him to abandon, because we care about him. We don't want him to see humiliated. We want what is best for him and that is not getting beaten into submission like a puppy. If he was in any sort of shape to try something crazy, then by all means, stay in the race and make it hell for Sky. But he isn't. He's in terrible shape, and we're in for a repeat of 2013 when he barely tried and if he tried, he got 3 meters and was reeled back in. Team Sky will never allow him to take a stage, even if he's 30 minutes down. Not fun for us fans, but not for Alberto either. Like I said, if there's nothing left to fight for, why fight?

I'm really sorry and sad , but you are right.
He could wait for Plateau to understand if he was in bad day or in terrible shape. If he will loose some mins the nightmare of 2013 is concrete and none wants to see him struggle. Berto for first

 

[contador977]

http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/article/2015/07/15/contador-i-couldnt-breathe-and-still-cant

Contador was realistic about his performance today, but refused to admit defeat.

“The Tour is a very long race and it’s true that today I wasn’t in top shape, nevertheless I can also be in a situation where my shape is much more similar to the shape Froome had today," he said.

"I don’t take it for granted that he will win the Tour. We have just entered the mountains and the race is not concluded yet.”



Im not sure if this interview is translated or not? ITs encouraging for him to say he can be in the same shape as Frooome showed today?? Wow.

 

[Journey Man]

Re: Re:

Maybe you're view of success is wrong, Florecita.

Entertaining; inspiring; moving. Those are worthy qualities of a hero. If Contador can attack a few stages; get us on our feet cheering, whether the move comes off on not, then he's got my support as a fan.

I'd certainly like to see some collusion between riders to break the deadlock of modern cycling. I find it hard to suspend disbelief when looking at Sky, but what to do? I have to assume they're clean, as we all do. But, Christ, I find the black train riding to a specific power intolerably dull. One of the worst elements of the USPS era was the entire team and calendar built around the Tour. There should be greater respect for the UCI points leader. At the end of it all, the maillot jaune is still a climber's jersey despite the last two editions first weeks.

Venga, Contador!

 

[Singer01]

Reading DB comment.. hm..kinda irk me. But hey, I can't be annoyed, since he has all the bragging right now with unstoppable Froome. I just hope he doesn't put his foot in his mouth too soon.

Brailsford was equally blunt about the under-par performances of Froome’s key rivals such as Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Tejay van Garderen, who all lost chunks of time and virtually any hope of beating Froome in this year’s race.

“I think we saw what we expected to see. I think the signs have ben there with Nibali all week,” Brailsford said dismissively of the 2014 Tour winner. “It’s brave of Contador to try to win the Giro-Tour double but he’s tired and you can see it. TJ (van Garderen) wasn’t one of the top four. He might be in the future but he’s not quite at that level yet.”

Oh, Dave Brailsfraud is an arrogant ****, who would have thought

factually correct though.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Maybe you're view of success is wrong, Florecita.

Entertaining; inspiring; moving. Those are worthy qualities of a hero. If Contador can attack a few stages; get us on our feet cheering, whether the move comes off on not, then he's got my support as a fan.

That's my point. He's not in good enough shape to attack.

 

[staubsauger]

Froome, Froome, Froome ....

You forget one thing: Contador simply is spend from the Giro!

Mission accomplished Mister Martinelli!

Must be pretty funny for Nibali, Aru, Landa & Vino to realize that apparently there's only cyclist their directeur sportif really cared about this season!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Froome, Froome, Froome ....

You forget one thing: Contador simply is spend from the Giro!

Mission accomplished Mister Martinelli!

Must be pretty funny for Nibali, Aru, Landa & Vino to realize that apparently there's only cyclist their directeur sportif really cared about this season!

He isn't spent. Shouldn't be, anyway. He is just in all around bad shape.

 

[staubsauger]

Re: Re:

Froome, Froome, Froome ....

You forget one thing: Contador simply is spend from the Giro!

Mission accomplished Mister Martinelli!

Must be pretty funny for Nibali, Aru, Landa & Vino to realize that apparently there's only cyclist their directeur sportif really cared about this season!

He isn't spent. Shouldn't be, anyway. He is just in all around bad shape.

Yeah, because he had to dig deep in the Giro. This is it.

Normally he should still be able to podium or at least get a Top 5. Unless he really misses any sharpness.

But the double is gone. Martinelli got his job done, when he pressured him the whole Giro long. Well, maybe not his job ... but his destinaton.^^