Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Netserk]

It was within the US' rights to drop the bombs. Afaik it did not break any international laws at the time.

 

[Red Rick]

Lets keep this about Contador shall we?

 

[ILovecycling]

To hype the hype train I think that Alberto can really count on Roman this year...actually he looks in monster shape (only visualy ofc)

 

[LaFlorecita]

I really hope Roman is in great shape, it would help Alberto a lot

 

[Valv.Piti]

Tinkoff with a live presentation on 17,00 CET tomorrow, right? Will be interesting to see how much more Sagan will get compared to last year and who takes Hansen's spot

 

[LaFlorecita]

The story is that Sagan wanted a rider on the team (presumably Bodnar) so Alberto had to choose between Hansen and Paulinho even though he wanted both. In the end he chose Paulinho.
I've heard there will be no Russian on the team - very surprising, not sure if it's actually true. And if Tosatto on the team is true as well, I expect this to be the line-up
Contador
Sagan
Majka
Kreuziger
Kiserlovski
Paulinho
Valgren
Tosatto
Bodnar
In which case it's probably good they left Hansen at home instead of Bodnar, I wouldn't feel comfortable with just 2 flat domestiques. Although it would have been better to take Hansen instead of Paulinho of course.
I wouldn't be surprised if Gatto was the rider Sagan demanded either, he would be less useful to pull for long distances on the flat, but he's better in the hills and could also lead out Sagan.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Hmm ok. That sounds plausible, but I think Gatto will be going as Sagan's sole domestique. In that case, I assume Bodnar is out? Valgren surely shouldn't be omitted, he seems in monster shape at the moment (yeah, I know the danish nationals sucks, but..), but what were the rumblings about Tosatto not being ready.. sickness, bad prep, too old?

 

[sir fly]

Re:

The story is that Sagan wanted a rider on the team (presumably Bodnar) so Alberto had to choose between Hansen and Paulinho even though he wanted both. In the end he chose Paulinho.
I've heard there will be no Russian on the team - very surprising, not sure if it's actually true. And if Tosatto on the team is true as well, I expect this to be the line-up
Contador
Sagan
Majka
Kreuziger
Kiserlovski
Paulinho
Valgren
Tosatto
Bodnar
In which case it's probably good they left Hansen at home instead of Bodnar, I wouldn't feel comfortable with just 2 flat domestiques. Although it would have been better to take Hansen instead of Paulinho of course.
I wouldn't be surprised if Gatto was the rider Sagan demanded either, he would be less useful to pull for long distances on the flat, but he's better in the hills and could also lead out Sagan.

That story and selection doesn't sound good to me.
Sagan can have a say when the classics are in question. With all due respect, no matter how strong Green jersey contender is, if you have a multiple GT winner in the team - everything should be subordinated to him. Especially if it's final season of the team... No danger of legal actions 'cause someone's feelings or vanity's hurt. The business is ending and it's all about glory.

 

[Red Rick]

I think the chance is very small, very small that it will make a big difference. Kreuziger and Majka will be there. If he's the best, he only needs to counter Froome or Quintana. There's a very, very fine line where he doesn't get dropped but has no chance in hell on the finishing climbs alone.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Hmm ok. That sounds plausible, but I think Gatto will be going as Sagan's sole domestique. In that case, I assume Bodnar is out? Valgren surely shouldn't be omitted, he seems in monster shape at the moment (yeah, I know the danish nationals sucks, but..), but what were the rumblings about Tosatto not being ready.. sickness, bad prep, too old?

Tinkoff posted an article on their website two weeks ago which said Tosatto, Gatto and several others would be in Livigno for a training camp in July. Which is why many people assumed they were ruled out for the Tour. But now it seems that is not the case.
We will see today

 

[buchanan]

Anyone know what Alberto has been up to past few days? He's been quiet on social media. I guess nursing his cold...
I hope he's been getting in some quality training to take him to the next level.

 

[LaFlorecita]

He posted a photo on Instagram yesterday of him and Jesus during a coffee stop. So at least it appears he is fully recovered, although we don't know how it influenced his form.

 

[robin440]

I want to see contador dropping froome like a stone on stage 2

 

[Simurgh]

Re:

I want to see contador dropping froome like a stone on stage 2

Second that! Would be so sad if he gets dropped yet again (in the Tour generally)

 

[IMA]

Alberto has been seen in Pinto and in Cotos, Morcuera, Navacerrada....training all over that area since last Saturday.

Last photo posted on Instagram was taken in Navacerrada.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Alberto has been seen in Pinto and in Cotos, Morcuera, Navacerrada....training all over that area since last Saturday.

Last photo posted on Instagram was taken in Navacerrada.

What, I thought he was sick?! Just waited until someone noticed him, Michael Rasmussen 2007 style, not the same magnitude tho

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto has been seen in Pinto and in Cotos, Morcuera, Navacerrada....training all over that area since last Saturday.

Last photo posted on Instagram was taken in Navacerrada.

That's good to hear, so he probably wasn't ill or at least it wasn't very serious
In his latest photo on Instagram he looks very skinny

 

[buchanan]

Thanks for the updates on his whereabouts. By the way, where did you see that?
I remember he trained in that area in the week before the 2014 Vuelta. Maybe he considers it his lucky training ground..

 

[Matteo.]

...Paulinho...u_u

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

...Paulinho...u_u

?

 

[LaFlorecita]

No Paulinho or Trofimov but both Tosatto and Gatto - good
No Jesper Hansen - bad
Overall, quite decent but obviously there are stronger teams

Contador
Sagan
Majka
Kreuziger
Kiserlovski
Bodnar
Gatto
Tosatto
Valgren

 

[Matteo.]

Re: Re:

...Paulinho...u_u

?

I was afraid that Albert would bring his friend but fortunately common sense . Unique fact: i'm happy for my good countryman Gatto , but i would have preferred Hansen to support Alberto in the high mountains

 

[Kokoso]

Re:

I really hope Roman is in great shape, it would help Alberto a lot

It would. And it would even good for Kreuziger, don't you think. - No, I don't think it appeared on your mind really :razz:

 

[Miburo]

So where are the whiners that say tinkov wants Russians heh?

Yea now you re quiet lol

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I really hope Roman is in great shape, it would help Alberto a lot

It would. And it would even good for Kreuziger, don't you think. - No, I don't think it appeared on your mind really :razz:

My mistake, I thought this was the Alberto Contador thread. :lol: