Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Carols]

Alberto speaks about Roman. We have a photo that proves Roman is lying.... Berto is moving on, and so am I.

At the finish line Wednesday, Contador downplayed the mix-up, insisting his injuries were more worrying than the polemics after two heavy crashes in the Tour’s first week. On Thursday morning, he had something else to say.

“The team orders were clear, and his decision was something else. That’s the reality,” Contador told journalists. “The team tactics weren’t the problem, it was that Kreuziger acted on his own. We’ve talked about it, and we’ll turn the page on the misunderstanding. We’ll see how far we can get in this Tour.”

Media swarmed around the Tinkoff bus to talk to principal actors. Kreuziger simply shrugged off the episode, saying he didn’t realize Contador was struggling. Tinkoff sport director Steven De Jongh told Dutch journalists that he told Kreuziger over the radio to wait for Contador, but also insisted it was a misunderstanding, and nothing more serious.

Contador saw it another way.

“I didn’t feel abandoned. The situation unfolded as it did, but its more worrying the image that it transmits of Tinkoff,” Contador continued. “It doesn’t affect me, and throughout my career, things like this have happened before. The ambience within the group is good. The most important thing is to recover as best I can before the Pyrénées, and to look at the future with a little more optimism.”

http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/07/tour-de-france/contador-says-kreuziger-should-have-waited-in-stage-5_413655

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

I personally don't get the hate for Kreuziger here. If Alberto was in top form, hadn't crashed and was caught up in a delay that was not his fault and Kreuziger had not stopped to help then I could understand the hate.

But here Alberto is banged up, not in top form and any chances of him winning this tour are now so remote... Kudos to Alberto for continuing, spirit of a champion but I don't think that the other riders should be sacrificing themselves for him given the current situation.

Alberto is not in top form due to crashes he had in first two stages. Otherwise his form is excellent. He should be back in form in next couple of stages, which are critical for him, and in which he need maximal team support. And that's where all the hate for Kreuziger came. He supposed to be his right hand man, he supposed to be with him in moments of trouble, to help him go through this hard days until he recovers. But Kreuziger rode his own race. He needs a new contract, some of you says. Well, I would like to ask all of you who justifies his actions yesterday, I would ask you at the end of the Tour, did Kreuziger acted smartly, or selfishly? And I will guarantee that Contador will finish far, far ahead of this traitor! I will ask then what was the right thing to do! Looking forward to the answers...

Did you see 2013 Tour? Did you see how Kreuziger sacrificed himself for Contador, who then finished just one place in front of him in the GC? He sacrificed his best form ever for Alberto and in every interview he was defending this strategy and he talked about Alberto with huge respect. Since then there were a lot of other races, where he sacrificed himself for Alberto the same way. You call this man a traitor? This year he was supposed to be the leader in Suisse to secure the new contract for himself and instead of that, he was called to help Contador in Dauphine. And again he was loyal to him and worked for the team. Now after one mistake, where he actually wouldnt help Alberto that much anyway, he is dragged through mud, this is getting ridiculous.

Yes I saw the Tour 2013. He sacrificed for his leader, and he rode tremendous Tour and earned great respect for that. That was brilliant for him. But this, yesterday..., he throw all that through the window. He acted like a selfish ***. And he thinks he will earn a better contract with this actions?! What an illusion! He's a quality rider, but he's not a top rider, and he will never be. He had numerous chances, and he shined sometimes, rarely. But most of the time he was mediocre when he was a leader. And that's the ultimate truth, he's a great rider, but not among the very best. He's much more respected as a dom de luxe or a second option, then as a true leader.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

Kreuziger has been loyal until now.

One act isn't enough to give the guy so much ****, maybe he didn't hear it properly. But even if he did it on purpose, i don't blame him. Besides he supported contador a lot during the last years.

He's a good guy too.

Majka on the other hand...

This. *** on Majka all you want. But Kreuziger doesn't deserve half the *** he's getting, even if he completely abandons Alberto now and rides for himself for the rest of the Tour

 

[gooner]

Contador to Trek. One year deal only.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/alberto-contador-to-trek-2017-255867?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

 

[trucido]

Re: Re:

Kreuziger has been loyal until now.

One act isn't enough to give the guy so much ****, maybe he didn't hear it properly. But even if he did it on purpose, i don't blame him. Besides he supported contador a lot during the last years.

He's a good guy too.

Majka on the other hand...

This. **** on Majka all you want. But Kreuziger doesn't deserve half the **** he's getting, even if he completely abandons Alberto now and rides for himself for the rest of the Tour

It's amusing how according to some people here all of Kreuziger's loyal work for Contador can be dismissed by one incident in which he didn't follow orders.

The only person Contador has to blame is himself for not being to stay upright (again) when it matters the most.

That is a fact.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Kreuziger has been loyal until now.

One act isn't enough to give the guy so much ****, maybe he didn't hear it properly. But even if he did it on purpose, i don't blame him. Besides he supported contador a lot during the last years.

He's a good guy too.

Majka on the other hand...

This. **** on Majka all you want. But Kreuziger doesn't deserve half the **** he's getting, even if he completely abandons Alberto now and rides for himself for the rest of the Tour

It's amusing how according to some people here all of Kreuziger's loyal work for Contador can be dismissed by one incident in which he didn't follow orders.

The only person Contador has to blame is himself for not being to stay upright (again) when it matters the most.

That is a fact.

Also, in most of the GTs that Kreuziger and Majka have ridden with Contador, he's let the team down fairly badly, with seriously mediocre results. Considering he's already well over a minute down and is handling his bike like a Cat 3 amateur, I wouldn't be surprised if they were pretty fed up with him.

 

[Lexman]

Re:

Contador to Trek. One year deal only.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/alberto-contador-to-trek-2017-255867?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

with Hernandez and De Jongh

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re: Re:

Kreuziger has been loyal until now.

One act isn't enough to give the guy so much ****, maybe he didn't hear it properly. But even if he did it on purpose, i don't blame him. Besides he supported contador a lot during the last years.

He's a good guy too.

Majka on the other hand...

This. **** on Majka all you want. But Kreuziger doesn't deserve half the **** he's getting, even if he completely abandons Alberto now and rides for himself for the rest of the Tour

It's amusing how according to some people here all of Kreuziger's loyal work for Contador can be dismissed by one incident in which he didn't follow orders.

The only person Contador has to blame is himself for not being to stay upright (again) when it matters the most.

That is a fact.

I think you touched a good point which is that Contador teammates may feel being let down as well when Contador is already 1.30 behind main rivals. But I think that not all is lost yet. If Contador manages to do well tomorrow on stage 7 I think that it might help to solve problems in the team and get everyone working together again.

 

[rune1107]

Re:

Contador to Trek. One year deal only.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/alberto-contador-to-trek-2017-255867?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

He's clearly not ready to commit to a team for more than one year. I think this deal is brilliant. Keeping options open if Riis starts his new team in 2018 or Alberto's own team is ready to go.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Kreuziger has been loyal until now.

One act isn't enough to give the guy so much ****, maybe he didn't hear it properly. But even if he did it on purpose, i don't blame him. Besides he supported contador a lot during the last years.

He's a good guy too.

Majka on the other hand...

This. **** on Majka all you want. But Kreuziger doesn't deserve half the **** he's getting, even if he completely abandons Alberto now and rides for himself for the rest of the Tour

It's amusing how according to some people here all of Kreuziger's loyal work for Contador can be dismissed by one incident in which he didn't follow orders.

The only person Contador has to blame is himself for not being to stay upright (again) when it matters the most.

That is a fact.

One crash or both crashes? Cause the 2nd one could happen to anyone, and that's the one that hurt his calf

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

Contador to Trek. One year deal only.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/alberto-contador-to-trek-2017-255867?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

Then he will look cool again. I like Trek jersey, simple and classy. And finally he got away from the horrendous yellow Tinkoff and a spoiled brat Oleg. Who cares he wanted to continue and dangling a carrot saying "if Sagan won another two stage, I'll stay. Go away please. The fact that he signs Majka.. for what? GT contender? Meh, Majka is useless when it comes to be a leader. I'm surprised if people still want to ride for him.

Fun thing is now, Schleck is riding for Contador.. lol. That's priceless. :lol:

 

[filipepc]

Re: Re:

Kreuziger has been loyal until now.

One act isn't enough to give the guy so much ****, maybe he didn't hear it properly. But even if he did it on purpose, i don't blame him. Besides he supported contador a lot during the last years.

He's a good guy too.

Majka on the other hand...

This. **** on Majka all you want. But Kreuziger doesn't deserve half the **** he's getting, even if he completely abandons Alberto now and rides for himself for the rest of the Tour

It's amusing how according to some people here all of Kreuziger's loyal work for Contador can be dismissed by one incident in which he didn't follow orders.

The only person Contador has to blame is himself for not being to stay upright (again) when it matters the most.

That is a fact.

I don´t think like that. If Contador let the team down because loosing a minute what would we say about almost the leader every year... And what we would say about that leaders of all the teams when just 3 riders can win a GT each year? This when Tinkoff has a leader that wins almost every year one GRAND TOUR.

Do you think Majka or Kreuziger can win a GT? LOLOLOL. Sure not... So you better think what is or was the best option in the team...

And when a read your apologies for the acts of his teammates i always think if you see this in Sky? I remember froome being stoppedto help bradley, and why? Because THAT was the leader... And if you have a plan you have to be honest with that plan. Tinkoff has a plan? As a Team?

This is like in live... Better have 2 or 3 truthfriends that many false friends.

You don´t help a leaderjust when he is in the top, you help him, always he needs.

Sory, but this is my opinion. I know Contador isn´t good, that he has bad luck, that the other riders need a good contract, but loyalty is more important than much things in life, at least it should be... And i think that would help them getting a contract better than this behaviour.

I hope he can hold on and try a stage win, even if it´s more important to win the vuelta, because it would be one more GT to the guy.

 

[Lexman]

Re: Re:

Contador to Trek. One year deal only.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/alberto-contador-to-trek-2017-255867?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

Then he will look cool again. I like Trek jersey, simple and classy. And finally he got away from the horrendous yellow Tinkoff and a spoiled brat Oleg. Who cares he wanted to continue and dangling a carrot saying "if Sagan won another two stage, I'll stay. Go away please. The fact that he signs Majka.. for what? GT contender? Meh, Majka is useless when it comes to be a leader. I'm surprised if people still want to ride for him.

Fun thing is now, Schleck is riding for Contador.. lol. That's priceless. :lol:

Schleck is out of contract for next year

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

The best strategy is to look for different goals namely Olympics and Vuelta. It is clear now that he cant be competitive this TDF. Be in the gruppetto for a week or so. A week is enough to recover any minor problems with fitness that he currently has. Then go on the attack (which is what the fans want) for stages in the one day manner - all out- with Nibali in alternate stages. This should be good training for Olympics and Vuelta without fatiguing the legs and should salvage some pride for him. But the decision to do so and free his team up has to be done as quickly as possible with cold rational logic and not with the heart for once. anyway he has nothing to prove to anybody. The fans don't like to see him get dropped again and again even on small mountains.

which olympic Alberto target is? ITT or road race? Road race.. then there's Valverde who will want to be the leader. He got 3rd Giro podium and won a monumental classic. So he got the say that he wanted to lead. Contador missed the national championship. Even Landa dragged his ass to race so he can be considered in Spanish team. So my thought is, if Contador wins TDF, there's no argument as who Spain will ride. If it's ITT, I'm not sure the current Spanish ITT won't be quite happy if he just replaces him.

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Kreuziger has been loyal until now.

One act isn't enough to give the guy so much ****, maybe he didn't hear it properly. But even if he did it on purpose, i don't blame him. Besides he supported contador a lot during the last years.

He's a good guy too.

Majka on the other hand...

This. **** on Majka all you want. But Kreuziger doesn't deserve half the **** he's getting, even if he completely abandons Alberto now and rides for himself for the rest of the Tour

It's amusing how according to some people here all of Kreuziger's loyal work for Contador can be dismissed by one incident in which he didn't follow orders.

The only person Contador has to blame is himself for not being to stay upright (again) when it matters the most.

That is a fact.

I don´t think like that. If Contador let the team down because loosing a minute what would we say about almost the leader every year... And what we would say about that leaders of all the teams when just 3 riders can win a GT each year? This when Tinkoff has a leader that wins almost every year one GRAND TOUR.

Do you think Majka or Kreuziger can win a GT? LOLOLOL. Sure not... So you better think what is or was the best option in the team...

And when a read your apologies for the acts of his teammates i always think if you see this in Sky? I remember froome being stoppedto help bradley, and why? Because THAT was the leader... And if you have a plan you have to be honest with that plan. Tinkoff has a plan? As a Team?

This is like in live... Better have 2 or 3 truthfriends that many false friends.

You don´t help a leaderjust when he is in the top, you help him, always he needs.

Sory, but this is my opinion. I know Contador isn´t good, that he has bad luck, that the other riders need a good contract, but loyalty is more important than much things in life, at least it should be... And i think that would help them getting a contract better than this behaviour.

I hope he can hold on and try a stage win, even if it´s more important to win the vuelta, because it would be one more GT to the guy.

well said. Whatever Kreuziger said.. action speaks louder than word. It's just not cool to do those selfish thing. I know about the contract, but for god shake, there's more better way. What I didn't get, don't you think that the possible suitor should look at what the rider did during the extended of their career. Not just one TDF ride? RK got so many chances to lead Tinkoff and he always come short. Well that should tell you he is not a leader. He is good rider, but that's about it. So why don't show the world that you are the best and loyal domestique even when the chips are down? He got more respect that way than being selfish in front of million people and his peers.

He keeps riding so he can what?? top 10 in GC.. hahahaha... He will be sinking to the bottom of the sea comes 3rd week. Contador on the other hand, even with his Giro leg, he still manages to top 5. One thing that true of what Contador said. It's the image of "Tinkoff" in front of fans, also their current sponsor. Yeah they will fold. But there's still lots of races where this team will be racing.

 

[Califootman]

Darn it. I was hoping Contador would sign with Astana. Yeah, it would mean playing second fiddle to Aru, but he could let Aru flounder in the Tour for a couple years while he hoovered up Giros and Vueltas. Then again, Astana's supporting cast doesn't seem as strong as it used to be.

 

[the-big-bad-wolf]

Re:

Contador to Trek. One year deal only.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/alberto-contador-to-trek-2017-255867?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

I'm curios to see if from tommorow they will help him. That would be nice. What climbers did trek bring to this Tour ?

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re: Re:

Contador to Trek. One year deal only.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/alberto-contador-to-trek-2017-255867?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

I'm curios to see if from tommorow they will help him. That would be nice. What climbers did trek bring to this Tour ?

Mollema, Schleck and Zubeldia.

If they can sign a couple of climbing doms Trek will be a good fit for him.

 

[Red Rick]

That's not good enough I think. I think I've only seen Mollema work as a dom once, and he's got a quite a low base level. Doubt he'll be happy to see Contador coming

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

That's not good enough I think. I think I've only seen Mollema work as a dom once, and he's got a quite a low base level. Doubt he'll be happy to see Contador coming

Why? It's not like he is a contender for GT anyway. He has his chances to be a leader. So far is goose egg. Having Contador, at least he can learn one or two things from him and besides it releases some of the pressure off him.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re: Re:

The best strategy is to look for different goals namely Olympics and Vuelta. It is clear now that he cant be competitive this TDF. Be in the gruppetto for a week or so. A week is enough to recover any minor problems with fitness that he currently has. Then go on the attack (which is what the fans want) for stages in the one day manner - all out- with Nibali in alternate stages. This should be good training for Olympics and Vuelta without fatiguing the legs and should salvage some pride for him. But the decision to do so and free his team up has to be done as quickly as possible with cold rational logic and not with the heart for once. anyway he has nothing to prove to anybody. The fans don't like to see him get dropped again and again even on small mountains.

which olympic Alberto target is? ITT or road race? Road race.. then there's Valverde who will want to be the leader. He got 3rd Giro podium and won a monumental classic. So he got the say that he wanted to lead. Contador missed the national championship. Even Landa dragged his *** to race so he can be considered in Spanish team. So my thought is, if Contador wins TDF, there's no argument as who Spain will ride. If it's ITT, I'm not sure the current Spanish ITT won't be quite happy if he just replaces him.

Froome is targeting both. What Froome can attempt Contador certainly can

 

[the-big-bad-wolf]

Re: Re:

Contador to Trek. One year deal only.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/alberto-contador-to-trek-2017-255867?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

I'm curios to see if from tommorow they will help him. That would be nice. What climbers did trek bring to this Tour ?

Mollema, Schleck and Zubeldia.

If they can sign a couple of climbing doms Trek will be a good fit for him.

+ arredondo, zoidl

 

[Taxus4a]

The actitude of Kreuziger is more stupid becouse he would have reached the same time if he drops at the same time tha Cotador. If he started as leader meybe he could fight for the pidium.. but he was working for Sagan, so now he is not going to fight for GC...

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

The best strategy is to look for different goals namely Olympics and Vuelta. It is clear now that he cant be competitive this TDF. Be in the gruppetto for a week or so. A week is enough to recover any minor problems with fitness that he currently has. Then go on the attack (which is what the fans want) for stages in the one day manner - all out- with Nibali in alternate stages. This should be good training for Olympics and Vuelta without fatiguing the legs and should salvage some pride for him. But the decision to do so and free his team up has to be done as quickly as possible with cold rational logic and not with the heart for once. anyway he has nothing to prove to anybody. The fans don't like to see him get dropped again and again even on small mountains.

which olympic Alberto target is? ITT or road race? Road race.. then there's Valverde who will want to be the leader. He got 3rd Giro podium and won a monumental classic. So he got the say that he wanted to lead. Contador missed the national championship. Even Landa dragged his *** to race so he can be considered in Spanish team. So my thought is, if Contador wins TDF, there's no argument as who Spain will ride. If it's ITT, I'm not sure the current Spanish ITT won't be quite happy if he just replaces him.

Froome is targeting both. What Froome can attempt Contador certainly can

yeah that. Froome is the winner of two TDF. He got the bragging rights to be on both. None of English team mate are better than him. Contador on the other hand, got Valverde to deal with. And Valverde is riding for team Valverde. Winning TDF will put Contador in better spot to be the outright Spain leader.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Seems the deal with Trek is all but confirmed, a shame, I really don't like the team and their kit. And he definitely won't do Giro/Vuelta at that team, at Astana or Etixx that would still be a possibility.