Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[ninjadriver]

Re: Re:

Contador always a champion. All-time great stage racer. I hope he doesn't up and leave us too soon. **** the TdF, ride the fun stuff, T-A, VaPV, Giro, Vuelta, among others.

Sciocco: Contador has stated he plans on retiring after the 2016 season. It doesn't appear to be set in stone, but close to it.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/feb/16/alberto-contador-plans-retire-cycling-end-2016

Yes, I know. I'm saying, I hope he doesn't get encouraged and leaves prior to that. Or retires at the end of 2016 even if he believes he could go another year beyond that. I don't want him to race forever either, I like 2017 because its 100th Giro actually.

I heard Contador quoted at the Giro stating that he would never be returning to a future Giro - I can't find the quote online, but the announcers on beIN Sports here in the States (probably a simulcast of British Eurosport with Sean Kelly) quoted him as saying that. My guess is he intends solely focus on TDFs post the 2015 Giro, a strategy with which I do not agree.

 

[Sciocco]

Re: Re:

Contador always a champion. All-time great stage racer. I hope he doesn't up and leave us too soon. **** the TdF, ride the fun stuff, T-A, VaPV, Giro, Vuelta, among others.

Sciocco: Contador has stated he plans on retiring after the 2016 season. It doesn't appear to be set in stone, but close to it.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/feb/16/alberto-contador-plans-retire-cycling-end-2016

Yes, I know. I'm saying, I hope he doesn't get encouraged and leaves prior to that. Or retires at the end of 2016 even if he believes he could go another year beyond that. I don't want him to race forever either, I like 2017 because its 100th Giro actually.

I heard Contador quoted at the Giro stating that he would never be returning to a future Giro - I can't find the quote online, but the announcers on beIN Sports here in the States (probably a simulcast of British Eurosport with Sean Kelly) quoted him as saying that. My guess is he intends solely focus on TDFs post the 2015 Giro, a strategy with which I do not agree.

I thought it was likely, not never. I'll search too.

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

Contador is out and done at this Tour.

Then again, I thought the same at the 2012 Vuelta. However, the next day, the attack at Fuente De happened.

But, seriously, this time he is really gone.

 

[Jspear]

Contador is out and done at this Tour.

Then again, I thought the same at the 2012 Vuelta. However, the next day, the attack at Fuente De happened.

But, seriously, this time he is really gone.

Never say never!

 

[Kwibus]

Contador will try his best this Tour and I think after the Tour we will barely see him again this year.

Next year he will go full TdF again is my bet.

 

[Eclipse]

Contador will try his best this Tour and I think after the Tour we will barely see him again this year.

Next year he will go full TdF again is my bet.

Agreed. Next year = one last proper TdF and then he'll call it a day at the Vuelta

 

[riodouro]

Re: TDF or Vuelta???

riodouro wrote:
"As an Alberto Fan, i dont see any way he can disappoint me, he is always entertaining, he publicly respects his adversaries qualities, they respect him. Even if Alberto Cracks on Tour, even if he doesn't make podium, i dont see how can he disappoint, already won a tour this year, very entertaining too. Hopefully from 2015 forward there will be more GT specialists trying Doubles/Triples GT per Year, more interesting to me. The day he actually ends his career will be a sad day, nothing lasts for ever. But then again i hope he will be a DS some day, so is not that bad, and haters will hate that."

* * * * *
NINJADRIVER:

Given the 21st century failed history of riders attempting to double 2 consecutive same calendar year Grand Tours, and what looked to me like Contador almost cracking on stages 18 and 20 of the Giro, and the fierce field scheduled to ride the TDF with Froome, Quintana and Nibali, wouldn't you rather Contador skip the TDF and win the Vuelta instead???

I give Contador zero shot to win the TDF, given the Giro exhaustion and what looks like a weak TinkoffSaxo climbing squad. Basso and Kreuziger were horrible at the Giro. The fact that Contador took on Astana by himself is a testament to his championship verve and generational greatness.

ZERO SHOT, unfortunately, is coming true. Contador has looked Giro-exhausted the entire TDF. I am saddened that he hasn't chosen to abandon and focus on the Vuelta.

On Stage 10 ending at La Pierre-Saint-Martin, Contador lost time to: Gallopin, Rolland, Porte (badly), Thomas, Gesink and Adam Yates???????????

And on that same stage, Sky finished 1st, 2nd and 6th (Geraint Thomas - what????).

I can understand people being disappointed with Alberto performance so far.
In my case i am only sad thats all, not with Berto, but with some "fans" of him, looks like every time something goes wrong with him, some people despise him, when he is winning he is the best ever.
Looks like some fans take it very personally his failures, as if, they are the ones, who actually have to race, and suffer to perform. Its a shame really.

(i just took the opportunity that i was quoted to write some words about some things im reading were, not to reply to NinjaDriver, directly)

 

[rhubroma]

His mentality is great, but he should have been more prudent and realistic about taking on Froome and Sky at the Tour. Whatever happened this year, something didn't work. He hasn't been firing on all cylinders. After 2013 and then 2014 this is suprising to say the least. That he has been such a great champion makes his current performances an injustice to his legacy. Today could be another drama, though let's wait and see.

 

[Miburo]

Re:

His mentality is great, but he should have been more prudent and realistic about taking on Froome and Sky at the Tour. Whatever happened this year, something didn't work. He hasn't been firing on all cylinders. After 2013 and then 2014 this is suprising to say the least. That he has been such a great champion makes his current performances an injustice to his legacy. Today could be another drama, though let's wait and see.

It's definitely gonna be a drama today, contador never rises up like that after being so bad. Yea there's the tour 2011 alpe d'hueze stage but the day before was just a bad day. This is bad shape.

 

[Miburo]

And rhubroma, i completely disagree with your defintion of legends.

Was ali defeated before? Yes he was. Legends get defeated, they even get crushed, they fail, they *** up. What makes them legends is the way they respond to that, the way they respond to defeat. Contador has proven multiple time he's made of that material and he'll prove that again next year. I'm sure of that

 

[JRTK73]

I can't see how anyone can criticise Contador. He tried to do something unprecedented and it looks like he will fail to do that. Contador simply hasn't come to the tour in top form. He is still the best GT rider of his generation and whatever bad performances he puts in from here on in should not diminish his legacy.

 

[rhubroma]

Re:

And rhubroma, i completely disagree with your defintion of legends.

Was ali defeated before? Yes he was. Legends get defeated, they even get crushed, they fail, they **** up. What makes them legends is the way they respond to that, the way they respond to defeat. Contador has proven multiple time he's made of that material and he'll prove that again next year. I'm sure of that

Contador has had his problems no doubt, but he isn't over the hill. When I think of Ali he either came back to reestablish the hierarchy, or else stayed in the ring a few years too many. That Contador has proven himself many times isn't up for doubt, however, between the Tours of 2013 and 2015 so far he simply has been sub par. He says that another Tour doesn't add anything to his career? Fine, but showing up and being dominated has the opposite effect. So let's say against Froome and Sky this is particularly humiliating.

 

[Miburo]

Subpar in 2014? Ok i'm done with this discussion.

 

[Carols]

Re: TDF or Vuelta???

[quote="riodouro wrote:


I can understand people being disappointed with Alberto performance so far.
In my case i am only sad thats all, not with Berto, but with some "fans" of him, looks like every time something goes wrong with him, some people despise him, when he is winning he is the best ever.
Looks like some fans take it very personally his failures, as if, they are the ones, who actually have to race, and suffer to perform. Its a shame really.
[/quote]

Spoken for truth! There is disappointment and sadness and then there is lambasting him. He said from the very outset he didn't know how he would respond multiple times. Well his body has let him down but I'd never question the mans desire or work ethic. He tried a new plan, it didn't work. He is still a GT legend and I hope he goes out with a big hooray next year! No matter what happens he has already written his name in the grand history of the sport.

edit:sorry for mucking up trying to remove all the quotes!

 

[cellardoor]

Right...Navarro is in the break - get ready for fireworks from AC

 

[rhubroma]

Re:

Subpar in 2014? Ok i'm done with this discussion.

In fact if you actually read what I wrote, 2013 and 2015, 2014 should have served as reenforcement for how to not repeat his debacle of 2013 at the Tour. My point is that evidently that didn't sink in deep enough and this can't be applauded.

I'm also well aware that he wanted the double, but I ask myself how did he think it would have been even remotely possible against Froome with his current form? Yes he won the Giro, but without shining, and that certainly won't compensate for the Tour if he continues like this.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Subpar in 2014? Ok i'm done with this discussion.

In fact if you actually read what I wrote, 2013 and 2015, 2014 should have served as reenforcement for how to not repeat his debacle of 2013 at the Tour. My point is that evidently that didn't sink in deep enough and this can't be applauded.

I'm also well aware that he wanted the double, but I ask myself how did he think it would have been even remotely possible against Froome with his current form? Yes he won the Giro, but without shining, and that certainly won't compensate for the Tour if he continues like this.

You said 'between the 2013 and 2015 Tours'

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Subpar in 2014? Ok i'm done with this discussion.

In fact if you actually read what I wrote, 2013 and 2015, 2014 should have served as reenforcement for how to not repeat his debacle of 2013 at the Tour. My point is that evidently that didn't sink in deep enough and this can't be applauded.

I'm also well aware that he wanted the double, but I ask myself how did he think it would have been even remotely possible against Froome with his current form? Yes he won the Giro, but without shining, and that certainly won't compensate for the Tour if he continues like this.

You said 'between the 2013 and 2015 Tours'

Ok, I get the ambiguity. I did not mean 2014 obviously, but his perfomances at 2013 Tour and this one.

 

[rm7]

The pollen allergi number today is level 3 on a scale on 1-5. It's slightly higher than the other days.

But the rainshower could very well make it less. Rolf Sørensen says that he had the same problem sometimes in his career, but it was in the spring where his lungs would feel double size.

We could see a better Contador today.

 

[Matteo.]

Being dropped by 1/ 1.30min will be good today

 

[LaFlorecita]

More rain pls.

 

[Arredondo]

He will make the podium for sure.

More rain indeed!

 

[riodouro]

Nice to see Contador with all the GC Guys

 

[TommyGun]

He is definitely getting better, even a small attack to test his legs. Maybe not all hope is lost for the Alps.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Better day for him...hung on to every attack and that looked like more of a tester than anything else when he did a mini surge. He should be solid for the Alps