Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Contador at 100% is still the best in the world. I don't know when i'll get over his crash in tour 2014, It's been 5 years since i've seen such a contador.

No question, the tdf 2014 would have been great if Alberto hadn't crashed.

 

[jflemaire]

http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-piste/Actualites/Une-nouvelle-epreuve-sur-piste-a-bourges/591123

This says Alberto will participate in a track event at the end of October

What's next? Cyclo-cross?

 

[Metabolol]

If Contador can get into the shape he was in 2014 then he can win the TDF next year. But Froome will be a formidable opponent and they will most likely be very evenly matched in strength (time gaps can be a different story) until the last week. The last week is where Contador potentially has an advantage against Froome. Tinkoff/Saxo have to strengthen their team though, Alberto definitely needs another climber when they go up against teams such Movistar, Astana and Sky. It's not enough with Kreuziger, maybe for smaller races but in the Tour they have to have another good climber who is very consistent.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

If Contador can get into the shape he was in 2014 then he can win the TDF next year. But Froome will be a formidable opponent and they will most likely be very evenly matched in strength (time gaps can be a different story) until the last week. The last week is where Contador potentially has an advantage against Froome. Tinkoff/Saxo have to strengthen their team though, Alberto definitely needs another climber when they go up against teams such Movistar, Astana and Sky. It's not enough with Kreuziger, maybe for smaller races but in the Tour they have to have another good climber who is very consistent.

AC vs Froome vs Quintana all in top form could be very interesting and close I think.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

If Contador can get into the shape he was in 2014 then he can win the TDF next year. But Froome will be a formidable opponent and they will most likely be very evenly matched in strength (time gaps can be a different story) until the last week. The last week is where Contador potentially has an advantage against Froome. Tinkoff/Saxo have to strengthen their team though, Alberto definitely needs another climber when they go up against teams such Movistar, Astana and Sky. It's not enough with Kreuziger, maybe for smaller races but in the Tour they have to have another good climber who is very consistent.

AC vs Froome vs Quintana all in top form could be very interesting and close I think.

Nibali in top form could compete with them too. Unfortunately he will probably ride the giro, which means that we will never see a duel of the big 4 again

 

[Valv.Piti]

Yup, that's sad. I would have loved to see them in multiple years like Ullrich, Basso and Armstrong. And thats why they should switch it around, Aru needs the Giro and he needs to put Landa in his place!

 

[ILovecycling]

I've been away for awhile.. but what a good new this one is..

AlbertoContador info @ Contador_Info Sep 11
@ NieveMikel will sign the @ tinkoff_saxo for next season, good climber Alberto. Via (@ martinmeyers0)

yep its a great news

Apparently Nieve signed for 2 more years at Sky.

confirms it on his twitter...

*** this...I hate Snow basterds

 

[Singer01]

Re: Re:

If Contador can get into the shape he was in 2014 then he can win the TDF next year. But Froome will be a formidable opponent and they will most likely be very evenly matched in strength (time gaps can be a different story) until the last week. The last week is where Contador potentially has an advantage against Froome. Tinkoff/Saxo have to strengthen their team though, Alberto definitely needs another climber when they go up against teams such Movistar, Astana and Sky. It's not enough with Kreuziger, maybe for smaller races but in the Tour they have to have another good climber who is very consistent.

AC vs Froome vs Quintana all in top form could be very interesting and close I think.

after this years ridiculous amount of time trialling, do we not think that next year there will be a lot? if so this increases froomes chances compared to the other 2 (though contador can occasionally pull a big rabbit out of the hat in TTs).

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

If Contador can get into the shape he was in 2014 then he can win the TDF next year. But Froome will be a formidable opponent and they will most likely be very evenly matched in strength (time gaps can be a different story) until the last week. The last week is where Contador potentially has an advantage against Froome. Tinkoff/Saxo have to strengthen their team though, Alberto definitely needs another climber when they go up against teams such Movistar, Astana and Sky. It's not enough with Kreuziger, maybe for smaller races but in the Tour they have to have another good climber who is very consistent.

AC vs Froome vs Quintana all in top form could be very interesting and close I think.

after this years ridiculous amount of time trialling, do we not think that next year there will be a lot? if so this increases froomes chances compared to the other 2 (though contador can occasionally pull a big rabbit out of the hat in TTs).

Occasionally? Pretty much in every GT

If there is a lot of TTing, it decreases Quintana's chances. I don't think it increases Froome's chances compared to Contador, especially if it is a hilly ITT.

 

[Red Rick]

Contador in top shape is gonna lose very little time over a flat and a hilly tt vs Froome. It's Quintana who's ***

 

[LaFlorecita]

"Big rabbits" in (semi-)long GT ITT's

2007
TDF 54km 6th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=5741
TDF 55.5km 5th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=5747

2008
Giro 39.4km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=7548
Vuelta 42.5km 4th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=8645

2009
TDF 40.5km 1st http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=12924

2011
Giro 26km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20330
TDF 42.5km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20840

2012
Vuelta 39.4km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=22127

2013
TDF 32km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=24045

2014
Vuelta 34.5km 4th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=26614

2015
Giro 59.4km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=27424

that's quite a few rabbits in fact it is 11 out of 14 medium to long length ITTs he has raced in GTs excluding MTTs

 

[Carols]

"Big rabbits" in (semi-)long GT ITT's

2007
TDF 54km 6th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=5741
TDF 55.5km 5th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=5747

2008
Giro 39.4km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=7548
Vuelta 42.5km 4th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=8645

2009
TDF 40.5km 1st http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=12924

2011
Giro 26km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20330
TDF 42.5km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20840

2012
Vuelta 39.4km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=22127

2013
TDF 32km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=24045

2014
Vuelta 34.5km 4th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=26614

2015
Giro 59.4km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=27424

that's quite a few rabbits in fact it is 11 out of 14 medium to long length ITTs he has raced in GTs excluding MTTs

I'm sure some folks won't let Facts color their opinions though

 

[portugal11]

contador in top shape is better time trialist in gt's than froome...

 

[jens_attacks]

http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-piste/Actualites/Une-nouvelle-epreuve-sur-piste-a-bourges/591123

This says Alberto will participate in a track event at the end of October

shatter wiggins hour record, the right guy to do it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-piste/Actualites/Une-nouvelle-epreuve-sur-piste-a-bourges/591123

This says Alberto will participate in a track event at the end of October

shatter wiggins hour record, the right guy to do it.

Maybe he will focus on that in 2017

 

[Kwibus]

http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-piste/Actualites/Une-nouvelle-epreuve-sur-piste-a-bourges/591123

This says Alberto will participate in a track event at the end of October

shatter wiggins hour record, the right guy to do it.

How can you not love Jens?

 

[SeriousSam]

"Big rabbits" in (semi-)long GT ITT's

2007
TDF 54km 6th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=5741
TDF 55.5km 5th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=5747

2008
Giro 39.4km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=7548
Vuelta 42.5km 4th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=8645

2009
TDF 40.5km 1st http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=12924

2011
Giro 26km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20330
TDF 42.5km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20840

2012
Vuelta 39.4km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=22127

2013
TDF 32km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=24045

2014
Vuelta 34.5km 4th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=26614

2015
Giro 59.4km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=27424

that's quite a few rabbits in fact it is 11 out of 14 medium to long length ITTs he has raced in GTs excluding MTTs

It seems you forgot that the 2013 Tour had another ITT. He came in 15th, more than 2 minutes down.
Looking at placings is a simplistic analysis though. The gaps are much more important and it's clear Contador is expected to gain time against any of the current riders except Froome, and a lot of time against guys like Aru and Quintana. Depending on which Froome shows up, he could lose a lot of time to Froome.

 

[DFA123]

It's quite an interesting dynamic. I think in the first 10 or so days, Froome could easily put minutes into every other GC contender - including Contador. After that, Contador probably at least his equal and may even gain some time on Froome in a final week TT.

However, the problem for Contador is that Quintana would also be strongest in the third week - to the extent that he probably wouldn't lose very much at all. Ideal for Alberto would probably be somewhere towards the end of the second week, when Froome is tiring but Quintana hasn't quite yet peaked.

Fortunately I don't think the French will really want to put a long flat TT too early in the race, which could easily kill the GC as a contest if Froome is at his best.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I actually think Nibali, Contador, Quintana and Froome at this time are relatively equal.. Froome has declined from his 2012-2013 years, rather drastically this year, due to him rightfully not really focusing on that area. Contador is probably the more gifted TT'er, but I think he is relatively equal to Nibz, while Quintana is a tad worse, but I dont really think that much. On a flat 50 km ITT I would be a little surprised to see more than 2 minutes between those 4 riders in top condition, with Contador and Nibali not losing more than 1 minute to Froome, but should the Tour organizers throw a curveball and get back to 100 ITT kilometers, Froome definetely has the higher ceiling at this point if he really puts in the work.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

I actually think Nibali, Contador, Quintana and Froome at this time are relatively equal.. Froome has declined from his 2012-2013 years, rather drastically this year, due to him rightfully not really focusing on that area. Contador is probably the more gifted TT'er, but I think he is relatively equal to Nibz, while Quintana is a tad worse, but I dont really think that much. On a flat 50 km ITT I would be a little surprised to see more than 2 minutes between those 4 riders in top condition, with Contador and Nibali not losing more than 1 minute to Froome, but should the Tour organizers throw a curveball and get back to 100 ITT kilometers, Froome definetely has the higher ceiling at this point if he really puts in the work.

I think it's doubtful that Froome has really declined with no way back, or if, as you say, it's just that he hasn't worked on it much recently. Since his transformation in 2011, there have been five long time trials in the GT that has been his main focus of the season. In those five he has finished either 1st or 2nd every time (being beaten only by Martin or Wiggins) and has put a lot of time into all the GC contenders in every one.

So, when there has been a significant TT in the main GT he has targetted, he's basically been up there with the very best time triallists in the world, whether it has been flat or hilly. I can't believe that he will have lost that ability, considering he showed it for a fairly sustained period - not just a one off performance.

Contador is a level below that imo, and has been since 2009, but he has the better recovery in GT's, so by the third week there is probably very little between them.

 

[fungusbear]

Re: Re:

I actually think Nibali, Contador, Quintana and Froome at this time are relatively equal.. Froome has declined from his 2012-2013 years, rather drastically this year, due to him rightfully not really focusing on that area. Contador is probably the more gifted TT'er, but I think he is relatively equal to Nibz, while Quintana is a tad worse, but I dont really think that much. On a flat 50 km ITT I would be a little surprised to see more than 2 minutes between those 4 riders in top condition, with Contador and Nibali not losing more than 1 minute to Froome, but should the Tour organizers throw a curveball and get back to 100 ITT kilometers, Froome definetely has the higher ceiling at this point if he really puts in the work.

I think it's doubtful that Froome has really declined with no way back, or if, as you say, it's just that he hasn't worked on it much recently. Since his transformation in 2011, there have been five long time trials in the GT that has been his main focus of the season. In those five he has finished either 1st or 2nd every time (being beaten only by Martin or Wiggins) and has put a lot of time into all the GC contenders in every one.

So, when there has been a significant TT in the main GT he has targetted, he's basically been up there with the very best time triallists in the world, whether it has been flat or hilly. I can't believe that he will have lost that ability, considering he showed it for a fairly sustained period - not just a one off performance.

Contador is a level below that imo, and has been since 2009, but he has the better recovery in GT's, so by the third week there is probably very little between them.

Froome said that he never practiced TT's this year because there were was such a lack of TT miles in this years Tour. If next years Tour includes a large TT, then Froome will undoubtedly put in a very strong performance

 

[LaFlorecita]

"Big rabbits" in (semi-)long GT ITT's

2007
TDF 54km 6th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=5741
TDF 55.5km 5th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=5747

2008
Giro 39.4km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=7548
Vuelta 42.5km 4th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=8645

2009
TDF 40.5km 1st http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=12924

2011
Giro 26km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20330
TDF 42.5km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20840

2012
Vuelta 39.4km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=22127

2013
TDF 32km 2nd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=24045

2014
Vuelta 34.5km 4th http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=26614

2015
Giro 59.4km 3rd http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=27424

that's quite a few rabbits in fact it is 11 out of 14 medium to long length ITTs he has raced in GTs excluding MTTs

It seems you forgot that the 2013 Tour had another ITT. He came in 15th, more than 2 minutes down.
Looking at placings is a simplistic analysis though. The gaps are much more important and it's clear Contador is expected to gain time against any of the current riders except Froome, and a lot of time against guys like Aru and Quintana. Depending on which Froome shows up, he could lose a lot of time to Froome.

No, I did not forget that. I suggest you read my post again.

And no, it is very unlikely he will lose a lot of time to Froome. Like I showed above, in GTs, Alberto very very often puts in incredible ITT performances, especially when he is in great shape.

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah damn you Flo, leaving out the only 2 bad tt results. I mean screwing up 2 out of 13 tt's obviously means you're a horrible tt'er. Purito level even.

 

[Red Rick]

3rd page, RIP forum

 

[LaFlorecita]

No news lately