Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[buchanan]

Re:

That's probably the Dauphiné's leader jersey, not Tour's.

I was also thinking that...But it definitely tries to give the impression its him at the Tour.
Why put up a pic in the Dauphine's leader jersey ( a relatively small race he didn't even win) alongside Grand Tours like the 2015 Giro and 2014 Vuelta which he actually did win? Maybe Tinkoff wouldn't permit an older Tour winning photo of him in his pre Tinkoff days...

 

[infeXio]

Re: Re:

That's probably the Dauphiné's leader jersey, not Tour's.

I was also thinking that...But it definitely tries to give the impression its him at the Tour.
Why put up a pic in the Dauphine's leader jersey ( a relatively small race he didn't even win) alongside Grand Tours like the 2015 Giro and 2014 Vuelta which he actually did win? Maybe Tinkoff wouldn't permit an older Tour winning photo of him in his pre Tinkoff days...

It is from Dauphine in 2014, though..

 

[LaFlorecita]

It is the Dauphiné jersey, I agree it is a bit weird but it doesn't matter too much. It is definitely possible that the team doesn't want him to use pictures from his time at Astana.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto Contador: “I’m more motivated than ever”
http://www.tinkoffteam.com/news/alberto-contador-im-more-motivated-than-ever/

“I went through a good winter period because in Europe we had quite mild weather, something that helped me keep a continuity in my training", explained Alberto Contador. “I also tried to organize my schedule and the non-sport commitments so that I can train. I was able to complete two very good training blocks with the team, one in December in Gran Canaria and another one in January, in Tenerife. There, we also shared two weeks with Oleg Tinkov. Similar to last year, we worked together, he trained with us and we spent good moments. The team worked very well and I already look forward to starting competing".

and

Tinkoff's leader points out that when he hits the start line next week "nearly everybody will have already put on a race number on their backs and finished a race. I'm also eager to start because I enjoy competing as well".

 

[Publicus]

Alberto Contador: “I’m more motivated than ever”
http://www.tinkoffteam.com/news/alberto-contador-im-more-motivated-than-ever/

“I went through a good winter period because in Europe we had quite mild weather, something that helped me keep a continuity in my training", explained Alberto Contador. “I also tried to organize my schedule and the non-sport commitments so that I can train. I was able to complete two very good training blocks with the team, one in December in Gran Canaria and another one in January, in Tenerife. There, we also shared two weeks with Oleg Tinkov. Similar to last year, we worked together, he trained with us and we spent good moments. The team worked very well and I already look forward to starting competing".

and

Tinkoff's leader points out that when he hits the start line next week "nearly everybody will have already put on a race number on their backs and finished a race. I'm also eager to start because I enjoy competing as well".

are these photos recent or from when the training kit was first release? I assume it is the latter.

 

[LaFlorecita]

are these photos recent or from when the training kit was first release? I assume it is the latter.

Yes they are from the beginning of December. Right now he is way leaner

 

[goggalor]

That kit is glorious.

 

[snccdcno]

So damn hyped for Algarve, the great man looks in top shape.

 

[ice&fire]

Contador seems to be on the footsteps of Wiggins. If his u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license he might postpone his retirement:
http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/02/13/56be3e6846163f0f4d8b4610.html

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

Contador seems to be on the footsteps of Wiggins. If his u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license he might postpone his retirement:
http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/02/13/56be3e6846163f0f4d8b4610.html

Will he then ride for his own team?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Contador seems to be on the footsteps of Wiggins. If his u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license he might postpone his retirement:
http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/02/13/56be3e6846163f0f4d8b4610.html

Will he then ride for his own team?

Yes that is the plan.

 

[Gigs_98]

I first thought the training kit looks strange but seeing it on this picture makes me wish it would be tinkoff's real kit for the season

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

Contador seems to be on the footsteps of Wiggins. If his u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license he might postpone his retirement:
http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/02/13/56be3e6846163f0f4d8b4610.html

Will he then ride for his own team?

Yes that is the plan.

Great! Good idea.

 

[ice&fire]

Re: Re:

Contador seems to be on the footsteps of Wiggins. If his u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license he might postpone his retirement:
http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/02/13/56be3e6846163f0f4d8b4610.html

Will he then ride for his own team?

It is not stated as clearly as you say that but the headline says that he's his own leader; and the first sentence states that he will postpone his retirement if his Foundation u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license. Later on it says that he would surely continue one more year if he doesn't get a big win this season.

 

[Miburo]

Now i wonder who that big sponsor could be...

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

Contador seems to be on the footsteps of Wiggins. If his u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license he might postpone his retirement:
http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/02/13/56be3e6846163f0f4d8b4610.html

Will he then ride for his own team?

It is not stated as clearly as you say that but the headline says that he's his own leader; and the first sentence states that he will postpone his retirement if his Foundation u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license. Later on it says that he would surely continue one more year if he doesn't get a big win this season.

I really hope he doesn't have to come back. It would be even harder to get a top result next year. Him one year older, riders like Aru (who I think is still developing) will only be stronger.

 

[oldcrank]

Re:

Contador seems to be on the footsteps of Wiggins. If his u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license he might postpone his retirement:
http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/02/13/56be3e6846163f0f4d8b4610.html

The Equipos de la Fundacion Alberto Contador kit
is nice. I really do like the colour scheme a lot.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Contador seems to be on the footsteps of Wiggins. If his u23 team gets a strong sponsor and a pro license he might postpone his retirement:
http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2016/02/13/56be3e6846163f0f4d8b4610.html

The Equipos de la Fundacion Alberto Contador kit
is nice. I really do like the colour scheme a lot.

I liked the previous kit more,

Current kit:

But new kit sponsor, new bike sponsor so changes had to made

 

[Sciocco]

If Contador keeps on riding, on his team, and they became pro-continental. Think he'll get pretty much any wild card he wants? And if it's a big sponsor some good riders to ride the races with him? I bet most small stage races would hand him a wild card and the Giro and Vuelta for sure. Maybe the tour wouldn't? Not a bad thing.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

If Contador keeps on riding, on his team, and they became pro-continental. Think he'll get pretty much any wild card he wants? And if it's a big sponsor some good riders to ride the races with him? I bet most small stage races would hand him a wild card and the Giro and Vuelta for sure. Maybe the tour wouldn't? Not a bad thing.

They would need to sign some good riders. Right now they only have youngsters and while there are some promising talents among those, they have very little experience in racing on a high level. But if they sign say 4-5 riders to add to those youngsters, I am sure they would get a wildcard to the Vuelta. Giro too, if Contador races for them, because the Giro wants him in their 100th edition. TDF, maybe, but I would advise against accepting the invitation. Either way they should get a really nice schedule thanks to Alberto's name. Just look at the Wiggins team.

 

[whynotme101]

Looking at the route, particularly with the flat time trial, should be a win for a ablerto in Algave

 

[Jakub]

Looking at the Ruta del Sol and Algarve squads I hope that this year Tinkoff will really send the best team to TdF.
Bertie, Roman, Rafal, Trofimov - for sure
Sagan, Bennati, Tosatto - for almost sure

those are 7, the two more should come from these: Boaro, McCarthy, Kiserlovski,

no place for Sergio or Jesus, I don't say it glad, but it's like that.

all that considering Michael Rogers is not healthy, if he is and is in a good form, he should be of course there too.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I 100% agree except Valgren will most probably also race the Tour. In that case there is only 1 spot left for McCarthy, Boaro, Kiserlovski. As much as I appreciate Kiserlovski and everyone knows I like Boaro but I would choose McCarthy for his versatility. I really hope they don't waste 2 spots on Jesus and Sergio.

 

[Cannibal72]

Re:

If Contador keeps on riding, on his team, and they became pro-continental. Think he'll get pretty much any wild card he wants? And if it's a big sponsor some good riders to ride the races with him? I bet most small stage races would hand him a wild card and the Giro and Vuelta for sure. Maybe the tour wouldn't? Not a bad thing.

In the (unlikely, I think) event ASO don't register their events in the World Tour, they'll be blocked from inviting some of the World Teams. They'll want Contador in for legitimacy and prestige, and anyway any team with Contador on it would be automatically way better than all the other ProConti outfits.

 

[Jakub]

Re:

I 100% agree except Valgren will most probably also race the Tour. In that case there is only 1 spot left for McCarthy, Boaro, Kiserlovski. As much as I appreciate Kiserlovski and everyone knows I like Boaro but I would choose McCarthy for his versatility. I really hope they don't waste 2 spots on Jesus and Sergio.

Why Valgren? To have 4 Rolleurs? I prefer Boaro, to be honest.
Jesus should be out of play IMHO, last year he already was, but Sergio is still there and that makes me nervous. The last year's giro should be a lesson. Mortirolo could happen again and there could be no more Antons in the peloton if you know what I mean....