Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Captain_Obvious]

Can anyone tell me more about what happened on stage 14 when Alberto asked Valverde not to attack? What was that all about?

 

[SeriousSam]

Valverde eventually caught Alberto Contador - his nearest rival in the GC - and despite apparent protestations from Tinkoff-Saxo rider not to attack him, Valverde did just that and increased his advantage over the former Tour de France winner to 21 seconds.

“This is a competition, Alberto needs to understand that” Valverde said following the stage, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais. “I and my team are working to win the Tour with Quintana, but if I make the podium it would be incredible.”

He later said in a press release from his team: “When I reached him, Contador asked me for some turns and I told him I couldn't take them, because Nairo was ahead. This is racing: he's doing his job, mine is to take care of Nairo, and he was the one who had to push.”

I prefer this rather more colourful tale of what happened though: http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2015/07/18/actualidad/1437244465_847018.html

Esto es una competición”, dijo Valverde.

 

[Captain_Obvious]

Fair enough.

 

[Matteo.]

Do i really undestand ?!
Alberto would pleaded to not drop ?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Do i really undestand ?!
Alberto would pleaded to not drop ?

This comes from a Spanish news website.

The odd thing is, that the quote of Alberto begging Valverde not to drop him, isn't attributed to either of them. It's just "there". Kind of as if the journalist just made it up.
My guess is, that Alberto asked Valverde to take a turn, Valverde didn't want, Alberto got annoyed and said something like "so are you going to ride away from me again?" Alberto said after the stage, "I knew he wouldn't cooperate and would then ride away, it happened many times in la Vuelta".

 

[Matteo.]

Re: Re:

Do i really undestand ?!
Alberto would pleaded to not drop ?

This comes from a Spanish news website.

The odd thing is, that the quote of Alberto begging Valverde not to drop him, isn't attributed to either of them. It's just "there". Kind of as if the journalist just made it up.
My guess is, that Alberto asked Valverde to take a turn, Valverde didn't want, Alberto got annoyed and said something like "so are you going to ride away from me again?" Alberto said after the stage, "I knew he wouldn't cooperate and would then ride away, it happened many times in la Vuelta".

it is impossible for someone like Alberto that cries for help , come on. Probably this journalist is a hater and supporter of Valverde

 

[Señor_Contador]

"No me arranques, no me arranques" is not a cry for help unless taken out of context.

In a Clotaire Rapaillean way, it's like saying "let's ride up together," although the literal meaning is "don't ride away, don't ride away".

My issue isn't Valverde, we all know he does not like Alberto, my issue is with Alberto asking him to work to bridge the gap to Froome/Quintana. Is he really that out of it?

 

[Mr.White]

Don't believe in this story. Contador probably asked for help, Valverde refused because of Quintana up the road, then rode away, nothing sensational there!

 

[Señor_Contador]

Re:

Don't believe in this story. Contador probably asked for help, Valverde refused because of Quintana up the road, then rode away, nothing sensational there!

I personally find it hard to believe Alberto would ask Valverde of all people for help.

 

[SeriousSam]

Must have been a moment of weakness and vulnerability.

 

[cineteq]

Re: Re:

I personally find it hard to believe Alberto would ask Valverde of all people for help.

Ha ha ha. Even harder to understand why Valverde had to answer.

 

[Matteo.]

Re:

Must have been a moment of weakness and vulnerability.

We hadn't any doubts thay you think that way : Berto was desperate and pleading

 

[SeriousSam]

Meanwhile, you seem to think El Pais just made up the entire incident. Sure thing.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Meanwhile, you seem to think El Pais just made up the entire incident. Sure thing.

No, the incident wasn't made up. The quote, yes, because neither Valverde nor Contador mentioned Alberto "begging" Valverde not to attack him to the journalist.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto:
"I can assure you I will try to make things happen if I have even 1 gram of force. Tomorrow is an unpredictable stage."

I hope this isn't another case of him repeating over and over again that he will attack at every opportunity, while never actually attacking

 

[ray j willings]

It seems to me that Bertie asked Valverde to ride and Valverde refused because Quintana is up the road.
Valverde attacked when he knew that the time gap would not close.


Bertie still tired but seems to have a bit more spark.

 

[Scarponi]

Alberto:
"I can assure you I will try to make things happen if I have even 1 gram of force. Tomorrow is an unpredictable stage."

I hope this isn't another case of him repeating over and over again that he will attack at every opportunity, while never actually attacking

I hope so to but you never can come out say I'm done and dusted.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

It seems to me that Bertie asked Valverde to ride and Valverde refused because Quintana is up the road.
Valverde attacked when he knew that the time gap would not close.


Bertie still tired but seems to have a bit more spark.

Indeed

@Jorgeescorial: Valverde: "Ayer Contador me decía que pasara, sólo eso, se ha dado más polémica de la que hay. Él es 100% peligroso y hay que vigilarle"

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://www.klasikoa.net/eu/2015/teams-and-riders

Berto is on the startlist for Clasica San Sebastian

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Fwiw
The organizers of Clasica San Sebastian have said Alberto will race
And Jesper Hansen said to the Danish media that he would like to race the Vuelta.... in service of Alberto
And I think it was Majka, who, when asked if he would lead at the Vuelta, said "well Alberto might still ride it"
I don't know why... It's obvious he's exhausted. He might completely tire himself out for next season also.

that would be the biggest mistake of cycling DS(rider) ever made

that might be Oleg in the making? AC already looks knackered right now. Everyday we couldn't tell whether he'll get drop or hanging there. He keeps saying he is feeling better. I'm not his body, so I don't know how recovery from fatigue of 3 weeks GT felt like and how a human body con recover for so much stress by going into another 3 weeks GT. I guess this is the challenge that he wants it.. suffering like a dog with a gamble of win or loose. Or who knows, he might be in the verge of peaking his form, after hitting rock bottom first week. But what do I know? All I know, logically, going to Vuelta seems really crazy idea.

 

[jens_attacks]

Tomorrow, we have fun

Vamos!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Tomorrow, we have fun

Vamos!

Albertito for the stage win!

I am dreaming

 

[Red Rick]

Isn't it restday tomorrow?

 

[King Boonen]

Re:

Isn't it restday tomorrow?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stages

 

[BlurryVII]

Re:

Tomorrow, we have fun

Vamos!

Oh yea the famous Col de Manse show

Nothing will happen as usual, it's a *** route and climb. If he makes some difference on strength then good point for the rest of the race but if you call fun the fact that he takes insane risks in the descent for 5 seconds then no thanks.