Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[sacrifice&hardwork]

He means business!!!! He's definitely ready for whatever comes his way. It's just sad to know that 2016 could be his last season.

He has about four months left to really know whether he'll officially hang up his wheels after competing at the Olympics next year.

 

[robin440]

Can he please throw the black shoes in the trash?

 

[amih77]

By the way, shouldn't he ride with Tinkoff-Saxo kit until the end of 2015?

 

[gerundium]

Re:

By the way, shouldn't he ride with Tinkoff-Saxo kit until the end of 2015?

Because it's technically the same team i don't think so. they have been training the entire trainingcamp already in the new zebra training outfit as well...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

By the way, shouldn't he ride with Tinkoff-Saxo kit until the end of 2015?

Officially yes, but I doubt the UCI can be arsed to enforce that rule. And like gerundium posted, the entire team, including the new signings, have been training in the new training kit. I guess it's also hard to make a clear distinction between a true training and showing off the new jersey.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Tremble and despair!

 

[Brullnux]

God he's fat

 

[peloton]

Re:

Tremble and despair!

Wow, looking very fit already!
Liking the bike paint too

 

[LaFlorecita]

Did you guys see Alberto used the image I created of his 9 GT wins in his tweet?

Edit:

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Did you guys see Alberto used the image I created of his 9 GT wins in his tweet?

Just went and looked. Real cool.

He should have given you kudos for editing.

 

[Carols]

Re:

Did you guys see Alberto used the image I created of his 9 GT wins in his tweet?

Edit:

Awesome!!!

Plus he looks in great shape for post holidays. I love the kit and the bike.

 

[rhubroma]

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

This, but I have confidence.

 

[Miburo]

Not bad fleur, could have been someone else tweeting it and not Contador himself though (i assume others sometimes manage his twitter). But maybe he knows your twitter or even checks out this forum xD

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

Yes if you consider the US Postal2 version we have with Sky, for which no risks or soul where the Tour is given absolute priority. But what this sport needs is not more science and calculation, but more passion and panache. By contrast Contador has dared twice to do the Giro-Tour double, but when he's placed everything on the Tour (and considering the major hickups of his career, first with Astana when they weren't invited to the Le Grande Boucle and secondly with the Clen case, then he's been just as reliable as Froome). Here I'm thinking of 09 and 14.

At any rate I would not at all be surprised if there were forces at work that have favored certain outcomes above others. And the history of the sport, unfortunately, teaches us that this wouldn't be the first time. Sky is a guarantee, whereas Oleg is pulling out embittered over the outcome of his presence in the sport.

 

[damian13ster]

Re: Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

Yes if you consider the US Postal2 version we have with Sky, for which no risks or soul where the Tour is given absolute priority. But what this sport needs is not more science and calculation, but more passion and panache. By contrast Contador has dared twice to do the Giro-Tour double, but when he's placed everything on the Tour (and considering the major hickups of his career, first with Astana when they weren't invited to the Le Grande Boucle and secondly with the Clen case, then he's been just as reliable as Froome). Here I'm thinking of 09 and 14.

At any rate I would not at all be surprised if there were forces at work that have favored certain outcomes above others. And the history of the sport, unfortunately, teaches us that this wouldn't be the first time. Sky is a guarantee, whereas Oleg is pulling out embittered over the outcome of his presence in the sport.

]
Bolded part is simply not true. You can put a lipstick on a pig all you want, but 2013 did happen.
Froome never arrived n a Tour in a bad shape since 2012, so consistency is better with Froome, and that is not even close. I think he also has a bit of an advantage in top level, but that can still be debated

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

Yes if you consider the US Postal2 version we have with Sky, for which no risks or soul where the Tour is given absolute priority. But what this sport needs is not more science and calculation, but more passion and panache. By contrast Contador has dared twice to do the Giro-Tour double, but when he's placed everything on the Tour (and considering the major hickups of his career, first with Astana when they weren't invited to the Le Grande Boucle and secondly with the Clen case, then he's been just as reliable as Froome). Here I'm thinking of 09 and 14.

At any rate I would not at all be surprised if there were forces at work that have favored certain outcomes above others. And the history of the sport, unfortunately, teaches us that this wouldn't be the first time. Sky is a guarantee, whereas Oleg is pulling out embittered over the outcome of his presence in the sport.

]
Bolded part is simply not true. You can put a lipstick on a pig all you want, but 2013 did happen.
Froome never arrived n a Tour in a bad shape since 2012, so consistency is better with Froome, and that is not even close. I think he also has a bit of an advantage in top level, but that can still be debated

But Alberto has been competing at the Tour since 2007 and Froome since 2012

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

Yes if you consider the US Postal2 version we have with Sky, for which no risks or soul where the Tour is given absolute priority. But what this sport needs is not more science and calculation, but more passion and panache. By contrast Contador has dared twice to do the Giro-Tour double, but when he's placed everything on the Tour (and considering the major hickups of his career, first with Astana when they weren't invited to the Le Grande Boucle and secondly with the Clen case, then he's been just as reliable as Froome). Here I'm thinking of 09 and 14.

At any rate I would not at all be surprised if there were forces at work that have favored certain outcomes above others. And the history of the sport, unfortunately, teaches us that this wouldn't be the first time. Sky is a guarantee, whereas Oleg is pulling out embittered over the outcome of his presence in the sport.

But Froome has only focused on the Tour since then, which is exactly what I said. Alberto has not, but when he has he was ready.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

But Froome has only focused on the Tour since then, which is exactly what I said. Alberto has not, but when he has he was ready.

Except in 2013, damian13ster was right about that.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

But Froome has only focused on the Tour since then, which is exactly what I said. Alberto has not, but when he has he was ready.

Except in 2013, damian13ster was right about that.

But 2013 was his annus horribilus. I think that exception can be granted for the roler coaster ride his career was on at that time (and I'm not sure it is over: read Oleg).

I'd like to see Froome beyond the confines of coveted Sky (US Postal 2) deal with that. And, on that, where was Froome in his career before Sky??? Hanging on to a Giro motorcycle, that's where.

 

[Electress]

Re: Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

Yes if you consider the US Postal2 version we have with Sky, for which no risks or soul where the Tour is given absolute priority. But what this sport needs is not more science and calculation, but more passion and panache. By contrast Contador has dared twice to do the Giro-Tour double, but when he's placed everything on the Tour (and considering the major hickups of his career, first with Astana when they weren't invited to the Le Grande Boucle and secondly with the Clen case, then he's been just as reliable as Froome). Here I'm thinking of 09 and 14.

At any rate I would not at all be surprised if there were forces at work that have favored certain outcomes above others. And the history of the sport, unfortunately, teaches us that this wouldn't be the first time. Sky is a guarantee, whereas Oleg is pulling out embittered over the outcome of his presence in the sport.

I would agree with much of this. And whilst one can't ignore 2013, surely virtually winning a GT every year demonstrates a rather high degree of reliability in attaining the required form? I recall Sky having a rather shaky 2014, so things haven't gone according to plan all the time for them either.

I have a suspicion ( perhaps coloured by personal desire, I admit, ) that neither Sky nor Froome will have it all their way in 2016.

 

[damian13ster]

Re: Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

Yes if you consider the US Postal2 version we have with Sky, for which no risks or soul where the Tour is given absolute priority. But what this sport needs is not more science and calculation, but more passion and panache. By contrast Contador has dared twice to do the Giro-Tour double, but when he's placed everything on the Tour (and considering the major hickups of his career, first with Astana when they weren't invited to the Le Grande Boucle and secondly with the Clen case, then he's been just as reliable as Froome). Here I'm thinking of 09 and 14.

At any rate I would not at all be surprised if there were forces at work that have favored certain outcomes above others. And the history of the sport, unfortunately, teaches us that this wouldn't be the first time. Sky is a guarantee, whereas Oleg is pulling out embittered over the outcome of his presence in the sport.

I would agree with much of this. And whilst one can't ignore 2013, surely virtually winning a GT every year demonstrates a rather high degree of reliability in attaining the required form? I recall Sky having a rather shaky 2014, so things haven't gone according to plan all the time for them either.

I have a suspicion ( perhaps coloured by personal desire, I admit, ) that neither Sky nor Froome will have it all their way in 2016.

It is possible it won't be a great year for Sky. Focusing on Giro as well will mean weaker team in Tour. Plus I don't see Thomas' highest level being equivalent of Porte's. Poels will have to be in best shape of his life to offset that loss.
I am just saying that since 2012 Froome was never in bad form at the start of any race he targeted (Vuelta wasnt a main target in 2014) so I don't think rhubroma's argument had any merit.

 

[staubsauger]

Quintana ain't gonna wake up earlier. But Aru might just do what he did at last years Giro and attack, attack, attack never mind. And that's actually Contador's big chance to caught out a vulnerable Froome at some point of the Tour!

just my 2 cents.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Seems like all the "pundits" have given up on Alberto. Just read Gianni Mura's thesis that if Quintana doesn't wake up earlier than he did in this year's Tour, then Froome wins again. AC wasn't even considered among the contenders and this isn't the first time I've read such write-offs. Hope he makes them all eat their words.

Their memory doesn't go further than 2015, and then they've even forgotten the circumstances and everything .

I'd give Contador the advantage if they're both 100%, but I think Froome is more reliable to reach it

Yes if you consider the US Postal2 version we have with Sky, for which no risks or soul where the Tour is given absolute priority. But what this sport needs is not more science and calculation, but more passion and panache. By contrast Contador has dared twice to do the Giro-Tour double, but when he's placed everything on the Tour (and considering the major hickups of his career, first with Astana when they weren't invited to the Le Grande Boucle and secondly with the Clen case, then he's been just as reliable as Froome). Here I'm thinking of 09 and 14.

At any rate I would not at all be surprised if there were forces at work that have favored certain outcomes above others. And the history of the sport, unfortunately, teaches us that this wouldn't be the first time. Sky is a guarantee, whereas Oleg is pulling out embittered over the outcome of his presence in the sport.

I would agree with much of this. And whilst one can't ignore 2013, surely virtually winning a GT every year demonstrates a rather high degree of reliability in attaining the required form? I recall Sky having a rather shaky 2014, so things haven't gone according to plan all the time for them either.

I have a suspicion ( perhaps coloured by personal desire, I admit, ) that neither Sky nor Froome will have it all their way in 2016.

It is possible it won't be a great year for Sky. Focusing on Giro as well will mean weaker team in Tour. Plus I don't see Thomas' highest level being equivalent of Porte's. Poels will have to be in best shape of his life to offset that loss.
I am just saying that since 2012 Froome was never in bad form at the start of any race he targeted (Vuelta wasnt a main target in 2014) so I don't think rhubroma's argument had any merit.

Well, well, well, it's the genious of cycling himself. Lookey here fella. Now I never said your boy wasn't prepared when he targeted his Big shebang, but only when AC has he's been good. Of course this means your argument, if that's what it is to be called, is plain stupid, other then having merit.