Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[lenric]

Re: Re:

One more win at the Vuelta for Alberto would tie him with Roberto Heras for the most Vuelta wins (four). If he could later tack a fifth Vuelta win onto his resume (which I think he could realistically do if he committed to the Vuelta for the next several years) he would have sole possession of that record; tie with all the legends of cycling for the most wins at any one Grand Tour; and, depending on your view of his 2010 Tour and 2011 Giro victories, climb into third or a tie for first in the total number of Grand Tours won by a cyclist.

I know Alberto really wants to get a post-ban TdF victory, and I'd love to see him get it. I just think he needs to be realistic about it and not, in chasing that elusive TdF win, squander the opportunity to get additional Grand Tour wins which would help cement his place in the cycling firmament, while he still has the ability to win those Grand Tours.

the last time we saw Contador fit and healthy was in 2014. And he crashed out. You can't beat bad luck. You either gets it or you don't. So I don't believe that TDF is far fetch for Contador. He won every GT every year. Not many can say that. He just needs to have a luck on his side for this year. I hope, this is his last bad luck. Like I said, if he can stay upright for the next days, that's a start. (when things aren't going your way, you gotta take baby step to get back).

You can't beat bad luck, but if you create the conditions for bad luck to happen, then you have a responsability. And Contador, has have already been stated, sometimes has reckless behavior, such in that famous Tour (2014).

There's still time and he can recover. He's almost 34, but he can still recover. I don't know if totally in just 2/3 days, but I really don't believe that stage 5 will be that important.

He still has time and Sagan will help him in the descents. But he must be overly careful from now on. 2/3 falls in 2 days can't be 100% bad luck, but also recklessness/incompetence of his team to protect their leader.

 

[Taxus4a]

Very bad news for cycling. Not just to lose Contador chances for this Tour, what is really bad, but again dont see the best in the best race at the best level to get better conclusions...

Maybe this way is better for Contador, becouse next year he could say he is old, so he could say after his santion except an odd year like 2013 he was better than Froome becouse he beated him in that Vuelta and in some other races and he coudnt be at his best in le Tour. With that and with the big palmares he got before his santion, he and his fans coudl argue some things. It wont count Froome saying his main rival is Quintana, the bets, the results in the dauphiné.. I have my conclusion, but other people could argue another, with less elaborated arguments, but arguable.

Anyway Froome will be likely at the Vuelta... not taking it so seriously like in the Tour, but traying to win it.. so if Alberto is not to be podium he could leave to Olimpics and Vuelta.

As well he could try dest lose too much before the first rest day and later to be ok to figh with another more risky strategy and 2 good ITT for him where at least to show wich is his potential.

He need a quiet day tomorrow for that

He must leave the idea to be at the front with his team all the day now...he must take risk and to waste now less energy than pther riders.

I couldnt see all the stage and I didnt know second crah, but I was surprised Kreuziger working too much from far while Contador was losing time...Contador still deserve more respect.

 

[thehook]

As big a fan as we all are. You gotta believe he is still in it. Yes it looks bad now. Yes it stinks, he worked his butt off for this Tour. He is a CHAMPION. Lets see what the coming days bring. As long as he is signing in and riding lets keep up the hope. He came through in the Giro last year Give him the benefit.
IMHO

 

[movingtarget]

The first week of the Tour is always a nightmare for some of the GC riders. Yesterday it was Porte and Contador for different reasons. It's not looking good for either rider but I hope they both keep fighting on. Contador's injuries have to improve in the next few days for him to have any hope. He did a good job minimizing the time loss as he seemed in a lot of pain at the finish.

 

[Sciocco]

Stage and yellow on the ITT to Megéve. Maybe takes Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc le Bettex as well. Defends against Nairo waits until it's over to attack Quintana on the way up Joux Plane.

 

[gatete]

At the Giro I was very upset when Nibali won even though I've already considered that an impossibility. Ironically that memory is what gives hope in thinking although very tough but not impossible for Alberto. vamosssssss Alberto

 

[Yingge]

Hopefully Alberto can recover from his wounds and not lose any more significant time this week. Then on Saturday, it would be great to see him light the fire at the foot of the Tourmalet and inflict pain of a different kind on the others, like he did in 2011 Stage 19.

 

[dacooley]

Hopefully Alberto can recover from his wounds and not lose any more significant time this week. Then on Saturday, it would be great to see him light the fire at the foot of the Tourmalet and inflict pain of a different kind on the others, like he did in 2011 Stage 19.

isn't boding well for finishing in the yellow jersey in paris. looks like the winning scheme since now is surviving in the pyrenees by minimizing losses, then striking in the alpes in full force.

 

[Pantani_lives]

If he's not recovered after one week he won't be recovered after two weeks. Stage 5 is dangerous too, only two days from here...

 

[ILovecycling]

Reports are that "Alberto slept well". God knows what it means and if its true tho.

 

[Armchaircyclist]

Good to hear that he slept well !
I'm surprised at how many just write him off at the moment. A lot of things can happen in a long tour, even Chris Froome can have bad days, not to mention crash out.
IF he takes this tour after crashing on the first two days, it will be Hollywood-material indeed. So fingers crossed for Alberto here

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

Good to hear that he slept well !
I'm surprised at how many just write him off at the moment. A lot of things can happen in a long tour, even Chris Froome can have bad days, not to mention crash out.
IF he takes this tour after crashing on the first two days, it will be Hollywood-material indeed. So fingers crossed for Alberto here

I don't think many are completely writing him off, but losing 40+ seconds on a 2k climb does not bode well, he said yesterday after the stage that he is struggling to pedal the way he wants as he is so sore, it's surely very unlikely much will get better in 48 hours.

Hopefully he does recover a bit over the next 2 days because Wednesday's final 40k's are very testing and he could lose a lot of time there if his body is still hurting.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Re:

Reports are that "Alberto slept well". God knows what it means and if its true tho.

It probably means that he slept well.

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

Good to hear that he slept well !
I'm surprised at how many just write him off at the moment. A lot of things can happen in a long tour, even Chris Froome can have bad days, not to mention crash out.
IF he takes this tour after crashing on the first two days, it will be Hollywood-material indeed. So fingers crossed for Alberto here

I don't think many are completely writing him off, but losing 40+ seconds on a 2k climb does not bode well, he said yesterday after the stage that he is struggling to pedal the way he wants as he is so sore, it's surely very unlikely much will get better in 48 hours.

Hopefully he does recover a bit over the next 2 days because Wednesday's final 40k's are very testing and he could lose a lot of time there if his body is still hurting.

I read that he can't stand properly when climbing. Not sure anyone mentioned it previously but that's massive if it's true and, if it continues, means his tour is done and dusted.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

Good to hear that he slept well !
I'm surprised at how many just write him off at the moment. A lot of things can happen in a long tour, even Chris Froome can have bad days, not to mention crash out.
IF he takes this tour after crashing on the first two days, it will be Hollywood-material indeed. So fingers crossed for Alberto here

Of couse lot of things can happen... Lot of riders can fall, or lose time as Porte yesterday by a punture, getting ill, it is not as things start, but how finish... but the problem is, imagine Contador dont lose time this wesnesday, he is recovering, and he loss time in Pyrinees, and he do a good Alps and even wining the second ITT...he take risk in his strateghy but he dont win le Tour, or he is not even in the podium.. it is for sure, and of course with a good argument, that he couldnt fight for the victory for the crash, and it could be right or not, beciouse if he looks ok thi wesnesday and go up there with the best, it is difficul to think crash is afecting anymore...So we are always with the same discussion. We have olimpic a well and maybe Vueltam but the bet reference is le Tour.

 

[infeXio]

Re: Re:

Good to hear that he slept well !
I'm surprised at how many just write him off at the moment. A lot of things can happen in a long tour, even Chris Froome can have bad days, not to mention crash out.
IF he takes this tour after crashing on the first two days, it will be Hollywood-material indeed. So fingers crossed for Alberto here

I don't think many are completely writing him off, but losing 40+ seconds on a 2k climb does not bode well, he said yesterday after the stage that he is struggling to pedal the way he wants as he is so sore, it's surely very unlikely much will get better in 48 hours.

Hopefully he does recover a bit over the next 2 days because Wednesday's final 40k's are very testing and he could lose a lot of time there if his body is still hurting.

I read that he can't stand properly when climbing. Not sure anyone mentioned it previously but that's massive if it's true and, if it continues, means his tour is done and dusted.

Mmm, De Jongh said the following post stage (http://www.tinkoffteam.com/news/super-sagan-takes-win-yellow-jersey-commanding-effort-tour-de-france-stage-2/):

After 55km Alberto had a bad crash again - a rider came down in front of him and he went over and hurt himself, it was just bad luck. That's the reason why in the final he couldn't stand up to climb and he blew his legs. That was the reason that he lost time.

How long he'll be unable to stand up, though, remains to be seen. Doesn't bode well regardless

 

[Ricco']

At least this year we don't have a cobbles stage like in the last two years. That would be terrible for Contador.

 

[arvc40]

Re: Re:

Reports are that "Alberto slept well". God knows what it means and if its true tho.

It probably means that he slept well.

Yeagh, it probably means that he slept well. Like when you sleep well.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

i'll say this.
IF Froome wins this TOur, there is no argument for Cotnador as far as 2010's go. Its a wash.

I'll still give Contador a chance to come back, or maybe quintana can hurt Froome's legacy, but if it happens. all the arguments about how Contador is better because in the least important gt he beat froome twice, while Froome's been dominating the one that actually matters, need to take a back seat

7 GTs over 3 Tours any day

Its 5, not 7 and 2 are asterixed

5? I already discounted 2010 and 2011

Nvm, just read that you're only talking about this decade, in which case I agree with your original post

Who looks at only one decade? Murray is about on par with Federer this decade. See how much it matters?

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

Good to hear that he slept well !
I'm surprised at how many just write him off at the moment. A lot of things can happen in a long tour, even Chris Froome can have bad days, not to mention crash out.
IF he takes this tour after crashing on the first two days, it will be Hollywood-material indeed. So fingers crossed for Alberto here

I don't think many are completely writing him off, but losing 40+ seconds on a 2k climb does not bode well, he said yesterday after the stage that he is struggling to pedal the way he wants as he is so sore, it's surely very unlikely much will get better in 48 hours.

Hopefully he does recover a bit over the next 2 days because Wednesday's final 40k's are very testing and he could lose a lot of time there if his body is still hurting.

I read that he can't stand properly when climbing. Not sure anyone mentioned it previously but that's massive if it's true and, if it continues, means his tour is done and dusted.

Mmm, De Jongh said the following post stage (http://www.tinkoffteam.com/news/super-sagan-takes-win-yellow-jersey-commanding-effort-tour-de-france-stage-2/):

After 55km Alberto had a bad crash again - a rider came down in front of him and he went over and hurt himself, it was just bad luck. That's the reason why in the final he couldn't stand up to climb and he blew his legs. That was the reason that he lost time.

How long he'll be unable to stand up, though, remains to be seen. Doesn't bode well regardless

Thanks, that's what I saw but couldn't remember where. Doesn't bode well at all, especially as it's very difficult to know until the Tour hits the mountains.

 

[The Hitch]

Re: Re:

i'll say this.
IF Froome wins this TOur, there is no argument for Cotnador as far as 2010's go. Its a wash.

I'll still give Contador a chance to come back, or maybe quintana can hurt Froome's legacy, but if it happens. all the arguments about how Contador is better because in the least important gt he beat froome twice, while Froome's been dominating the one that actually matters, need to take a back seat

7 GTs over 3 Tours any day

Its 5, not 7 and 2 are asterixed

5? I already discounted 2010 and 2011

Nvm, just read that you're only talking about this decade, in which case I agree with your original post

Who looks at only one decade? Murray is about on par with Federer this decade. See how much it matters?

We all know (though can't say it) that Froome was "different" before 2011.

Obviously Contador's domination prior to that puts him over Froome career wise.

But Contador and Froome clearly have a rivalry and if Froome wins this Tour, then we can say he has absolutely dominated the rivalry. Even though Contador won gts back when Froome couldn't finish in the autobus, so he may retire the better rider, Froome dominated the rivalry (if he wins this tour).

Since you use a tennis example, well its like Nadal and Federer was in 2011. Federer had more grand slams and was the better all time player, but Nadal was dominating the rivalry and making Federer cry.

Only its even more one sided when it comes to Contador vs Froome.

 

[Red Rick]

Well, Feddie is 2-9 in Slams vs Nadal, so I'd say it's not quite that bad

 

[Billopoulos]

From FB:
https://www.facebook.com/tinkoffsport/videos/vb.121540094614638/844411122327528/?type=2&theater&notif_t=live_video&notif_id=1467453627261090

Anyone to translate what he says?
I can probably understand that the wounds are just superficial (?)

 

[Miburo]

Boy oh boy i hope for quintana and Froome that Contador isn't fully recovered in the 3rd week. It's gonna be a massacre.

 

[The Hitch]

Re:

From FB:
https://www.facebook.com/tinkoffsport/videos/vb.121540094614638/844411122327528/?type=2&theater&notif_t=live_video&notif_id=1467453627261090

Anyone to translate what he says?
I can probably understand that the wounds are just superficial (?)

They ask how he woke up.
He answers - "bad"
He hopes to get better day by day. Thinks tomorrow will be easier. Says he thinks he has real good form (pre wounds of course). Wants to hang in there till Pyranees.