Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Re: 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....

I think Alberto really rates Valgren and Valgren said he will support Alberto again in the Tour this year. Alberto also rates Boaro but I think he will do the Giro.
I just hope Jesus and Sergio won't be in the team. For all I care they take Jesus as the team mascot just so Alberto has someone to share a room with. But I don't want them to occupy two precious spots on the team.

 

[Jakub]

Re: 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....

I think Alberto really rates Valgren and Valgren said he will support Alberto again in the Tour this year. Alberto also rates Boaro but I think he will do the Giro.
I just hope Jesus and Sergio won't be in the team. For all I care they take Jesus as the team mascot just so Alberto has someone to share a room with. But I don't want them to occupy two precious spots on the team.

That's another problem. I hope that nobody in Tour squad will have ridden Giro too, except for Majka. i fear otherwise, though :-(

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/02/contador-says-it-is-more-and-more-likely-he-will-continue-in-2017/

Speaking to the Spanish publication AS, he said that he would continue racing if he is successful in setting up his own team, and if it is of a sufficiently high level.

“The possibility of the project going forward is now 50 percent,” he said, saying that the intended setup would be of the “top level to compete in the Tour de France.”

That in turn floats the possibility that he wants to ride the Tour in 2017, giving himself two more shots to win it again.

He is in contact with several sponsors and is aiming for a budget of 15 million euro per year.

And:

Contador is due to begin his season on Wednesday in the Volta ao Algarve and said that he was feeling good. “I start with confidence and enthusiasm because I’ve done a good job in the winter, with peace of mind.”

However he quashed any thoughts that he might be ready to immediately challenge his rivals. “I know I am going to lack rhythm and that I begin later compared to other riders, but the goals are long-term and I am sure that everything will go well.”

Get ready

 

[Miburo]

Now what do you know? He intends to continue racing after 2016? And who was flamed for saying he was lying his ass off when he said that this was his last year...xD

 

[Miburo]

And he's gonna crush Algarve. After every *** year he strikes back even harder, that's real champions for you. Sadly enough we got robbed from seeing it in the tour of 2014.

 

[zoolander]

The idea of Contador for his prof. team is creating a new one, apart from the fundacoin. This will remain as U23 and junior team for development.

His brother siad they ar in conversation with 6 sponsors but no name has came at the moment.

 

[Jakub]

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/02/contador-says-it-is-more-and-more-likely-he-will-continue-in-2017/

Speaking to the Spanish publication AS, he said that he would continue racing if he is successful in setting up his own team, and if it is of a sufficiently high level.

“The possibility of the project going forward is now 50 percent,” he said, saying that the intended setup would be of the “top level to compete in the Tour de France.”

That in turn floats the possibility that he wants to ride the Tour in 2017, giving himself two more shots to win it again.

He is in contact with several sponsors and is aiming for a budget of 15 million euro per year.

And:

Contador is due to begin his season on Wednesday in the Volta ao Algarve and said that he was feeling good. “I start with confidence and enthusiasm because I’ve done a good job in the winter, with peace of mind.”

However he quashed any thoughts that he might be ready to immediately challenge his rivals. “I know I am going to lack rhythm and that I begin later compared to other riders, but the goals are long-term and I am sure that everything will go well.”

Get ready

How many riders from Tinkoff is he gonna hire?
Jesus, Sergio for sure...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

The idea of Contador for his prof. team is creating a new one, apart from the fundacoin. This will remain as U23 and junior team for development.

His brother siad they ar in conversation with 6 sponsors but no name has came at the moment.

Oh, interesting, thanks for sharing

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/02/contador-says-it-is-more-and-more-likely-he-will-continue-in-2017/

Speaking to the Spanish publication AS, he said that he would continue racing if he is successful in setting up his own team, and if it is of a sufficiently high level.

“The possibility of the project going forward is now 50 percent,” he said, saying that the intended setup would be of the “top level to compete in the Tour de France.”

That in turn floats the possibility that he wants to ride the Tour in 2017, giving himself two more shots to win it again.

He is in contact with several sponsors and is aiming for a budget of 15 million euro per year.

And:

Contador is due to begin his season on Wednesday in the Volta ao Algarve and said that he was feeling good. “I start with confidence and enthusiasm because I’ve done a good job in the winter, with peace of mind.”

However he quashed any thoughts that he might be ready to immediately challenge his rivals. “I know I am going to lack rhythm and that I begin later compared to other riders, but the goals are long-term and I am sure that everything will go well.”

Get ready

How many riders from Tinkoff is he gonna hire?
Jesus, Sergio for sure...

I don't know how many but the plan is to have some riders from Tinkoff plus some of its staff. Obviously some riders from the U23 ranks will move up to the Pro team. He plans on having this team be international. And as I said before, the initial plan was to have an announcement by April/May on the final details of the team. If it's earlier than that even better.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Now what do you know? He intends to continue racing after 2016? And who was flamed for saying he was lying his ass off when he said that this was his last year...xD

You said he was a liar and would race on regardless. He said he would stop unless he had some misfortune at the Tour or managed to set up his own project. This doesn't prove you were right, it just doesn't prove you were wrong.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I don't know how many but the plan is to have some riders from Tinkoff plus some of its staff. Obviously some riders from the U23 ranks will move up to the Pro team. He plans on having this team be international. And as I said before, the initial plan was to have an announcement by April/May on the final details of the team. If it's earlier than that even better.

Let's play a game, which riders will he take with him from Tinkoff?

My guesses:
Paulinho (although he may retire)
Hernandez
Bennati
Maybe Boaro

Staff: Faustino for sure and Basso

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

LaFlorecita - Those sound plausible. He may even keep de Jongh. And maybe buy Peter

But we have to thank Movistar for their part in 'pushing' Alberto into wanting to have his pro team

 

[sir fly]

I’m certainly very happy with how my ‘numbers’ [data] are looking right now. But whilst it’s true that maths and numbers play an increasingly important role in modern cycling overall, at the same time, the sport’s not all about that. However, my numbers are better than in previous years at this exact point in time, and that’s definitely a good thing.

That's a relief.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

LaFlorecita - Those sound plausible. He may even keep de Jongh. And maybe buy Peter

But we have to thank Movistar for their part in 'pushing' Alberto into wanting to have his pro team

De Jongh also has plans to set up his own team and he just said to a Dutch news outlet that it is possible he and Alberto combine their plans if they don't succeed in finding the necessary sponsors.

 

[Jakub]

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/02/contador-says-it-is-more-and-more-likely-he-will-continue-in-2017/

Speaking to the Spanish publication AS, he said that he would continue racing if he is successful in setting up his own team, and if it is of a sufficiently high level.

“The possibility of the project going forward is now 50 percent,” he said, saying that the intended setup would be of the “top level to compete in the Tour de France.”

That in turn floats the possibility that he wants to ride the Tour in 2017, giving himself two more shots to win it again.

He is in contact with several sponsors and is aiming for a budget of 15 million euro per year.

And:

Contador is due to begin his season on Wednesday in the Volta ao Algarve and said that he was feeling good. “I start with confidence and enthusiasm because I’ve done a good job in the winter, with peace of mind.”

However he quashed any thoughts that he might be ready to immediately challenge his rivals. “I know I am going to lack rhythm and that I begin later compared to other riders, but the goals are long-term and I am sure that everything will go well.”

Get ready

How many riders from Tinkoff is he gonna hire?
Jesus, Sergio for sure...

I don't know how many but the plan is to have some riders from Tinkoff plus some of its staff. Obviously some riders from the U23 ranks will move up to the Pro team. He plans on having this team be international. And as I said before, the initial plan was to have an announcement by April/May on the final details of the team. If it's earlier than that even better.

Thinking about that I would like to see ongoing cooperation with Roman Kreuziger, but I would say Roman might choose Etixx, Rafal Majka might choose a team which will provide him TdF leader place, because he's not really type for Giro - too cold.
I don't believe Sagan would be possible, that would be disaster for the rest of the squad salary possibilities.
On the other hand, some riders for Classics must be hired.

We will see

 

[hfer07]

I just saw a picture of him during the Fundacion Contador team and- god damn-he looks skinny

 

[LaFlorecita]

I just saw a picture of him during the Fundacion Contador team and- god damn-he looks skinny

He looks scarily thin. Ammattipyoraily noticed it too.
https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/699198892588601344?s=09

Never seen him this thin at this point, hopefully the engine is working too. And we will see if his TT skills have been compromised.

 

[Miburo]

The setting up of a project was gonna happen for sure so yea he was lying. You're in some serious denial if you think Contador was considering retiring when he's only 33.

 

[hfer07]

Re:

The setting up of a project was gonna happen for sure so yea he was lying. You're in some serious denial if you think Contador was considering retiring when he's only 33.

Can we speculate about a possible Contador-Riis collaboration?

 

[arvc40]

I just saw a picture of him during the Fundacion Contador team and- god damn-he looks skinny

He looks scarily thin. Ammattipyoraily noticed it too.
https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/699198892588601344?s=09

Never seen him this thin at this point, hopefully the engine is working too. And we will see if his TT skills have been compromised.

Saw these shots earlier. Looks mega lean. One shot you can see it through his leg warmers. Gonna bring it this year big time !.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

The setting up of a project was gonna happen for sure so yea he was lying. You're in some serious denial if you think Contador was considering retiring when he's only 33.

It's not that weird if the rumors are true, that he doesn't really want to make the sacrifices anymore. Carlos Arribas wrote in Rouleur Magazine that he is "tired, sad, misunderstood and very lonely" in other words he does not want to be a cyclist anymore.

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

The setting up of a project was gonna happen for sure so yea he was lying. You're in some serious denial if you think Contador was considering retiring when he's only 33.

It's not that weird if the rumors are true, that he doesn't really want to make the sacrifices anymore. Carlos Arribas wrote in Rouleur Magazine that he is "tired, sad, misunderstood and very lonely" in other words he does not want to be a cyclist anymore.

Which issue of Roleur was that?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

The setting up of a project was gonna happen for sure so yea he was lying. You're in some serious denial if you think Contador was considering retiring when he's only 33.

It's not that weird if the rumors are true, that he doesn't really want to make the sacrifices anymore. Carlos Arribas wrote in Rouleur Magazine that he is "tired, sad, misunderstood and very lonely" in other words he does not want to be a cyclist anymore.

Which issue of Roleur was that?

55 I think, I got pictures of the pages sent to me (don't tell anyone ) so not sure
I thought the article was a bit sensationalist but still some interesting quotes in there. Also from infamous Dr Celaya

 

[Metabolol]

That is great news, I hope to see him run his own team at the highest level. Maybe even Valverde vs Contador, the GM battle.

 

[KyoGrey]

For all the great deeds he has achieved on the bike, the creation of another big professional team in Spain could arguably be the best accomplishment of his career.

The Fundación Contador that he started with his brother some years ago is already one of the references in the amateur level in Spain at several agegroups. So he clearly has the tools, he only needs the money.

Spanish economy is obviously not in its top form (although not as bad as portrayed sometimes), but we are still a country with a great number of big companies. The potential for big sponsors for someone like Contador is there and I think that the question is whether sponsoring a big cycling team nowadays compensates the risk of scandals.