Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Publicus]

I lost a lot of respect for RK. He flat out lied, not just once, but several times using different lies. That few minutes of racing followed by his lies is the worst thing he could have done for his 'job interview'. I can't see teams lining up to sign a guy who can't be trusted in a race, and is dishonest.

And what should he, in your opinion, say even if it was his fault? "Sorry guys, I lost my head and I rode for myself?" Even the team would not allow him to say that, because obviously no one wants to admit fault and show weakness. I´m not defending him, if it is true, he should have stayed with Alberto, but what can they do now other than do not admit it. It is very sad, but it happens. They are not machines.

A lot of people forget about the past, which was already mentioned above - Tour 2013 and all of the other stage races when he raced exclusively for Alberto. I think that he does not deserve this trash talk.

He deserves every bit of trash talk he receives. His actions were pretty despicable IMO and clearly demonstrate he's riding for his own self-interest.

 

[Angliru]

I lost a lot of respect for RK. He flat out lied, not just once, but several times using different lies. That few minutes of racing followed by his lies is the worst thing he could have done for his 'job interview'. I can't see teams lining up to sign a guy who can't be trusted in a race, and is dishonest.

And what should he, in your opinion, say even if it was his fault? "Sorry guys, I lost my head and I rode for myself?" Even the team would not allow him to say that, because obviously no one wants to admit fault and show weakness. I´m not defending him, if it is true, he should have stayed with Alberto, but what can they do now other than do not admit it. It is very sad, but it happens. They are not machines.

A lot of people forget about the past, which was already mentioned above - Tour 2013 and all of the other stage races when he raced exclusively for Alberto. I think that he does not deserve this trash talk.

It's not trash talk at least not coming from me. It is a discussion about what transpired. I think it is a valid concern that he says he's riding for Contador and yet his actions show otherwise, at least on stage 5. Maybe he reacted in the moment, looked back, thought that Contador was on his way back to the group and hammered on. If it's job to support his team leader then he failed. He should slowed to give his captain a wheel to follow. He chose not to. He's getting this flack because he deserves it.

 

[Billopoulos]

Kreuziger should be sitting next wheel to Contador, knowing he could crack anytime.
That's what you do for your leader.
Majka should be sent back the moment he lost any chance to win the stage.
That's what you do for your leader.

Even if your leader fails to deliver, he is your leader and you go down with him.

And we are not talking about any great co-leader in a great form here.
That would be the only excuse imo to be allowed to leave your leader.
Kreuziger has no chance of a Top5 this year, the field is a step above him in terms of GC hopes.

 

[spiritualride]

The TV coverage was so poor for me, I don't know what happened. Could anyone give a simple overview? I don't understand what RK did wrong. If it was a case of losing +30 seconds in order to possibly give Contador an extra second or two... I just don't see how that makes sense to waste all that time if I am RK's DS and want to have a highly placed GC rider.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

The TV coverage was so poor for me, I don't know what happened. Could anyone give a simple overview? I don't understand what RK did wrong. If it was a case of losing +30 seconds in order to possibly give Contador an extra second or two... I just don't see how that makes sense to waste all that time if I am RK's DS and want to have a highly placed GC rider.

Nothing. The advantage of drafting at that sort of speeds is ZERO.

 

[rehy90]

Kreuziger really fuc..d up yesterday, but you are all being a bit harsh on him. It would be hard to find a more loyal domestique before yesterday. Contador was really struggling and Kreuziger wouldnt save much time for him if he waited. There are just too many Alberto fanboys here who cant handle the fact, that he is not going to win this year, so they blame Kreuziger now.

 

[Carols]

Re:

The TV coverage was so poor for me, I don't know what happened. Could anyone give a simple overview? I don't understand what RK did wrong. If it was a case of losing +30 seconds in order to possibly give Contador an extra second or two... I just don't see how that makes sense to waste all that time if I am RK's DS and want to have a highly placed GC rider.

Simply put his DS told him 4 Times to wait for Alberto. He claims he never heard but photos show him looking back at Alberto dangling off the back. He then turned forward again and forged ahead for his own interests. Then he essentially lied in a tv interview.

This is the guy who thought he was better then Nibali. Nibs has 4 GTs, one of only 6 guys to ever win all 3 plus a monument. Roman always thought to highly of himself.

I understand he is out for a contract but I wouldn't hire him, he cant be trusted when the chips are down.

Meanwhile just heard about an interview with NBCSN guy and Alberto. Alberto says he hasn't given up but needs time to recover and is still suffering .

 

[jmdirt]

Re: Re:

The TV coverage was so poor for me, I don't know what happened. Could anyone give a simple overview? I don't understand what RK did wrong. If it was a case of losing +30 seconds in order to possibly give Contador an extra second or two... I just don't see how that makes sense to waste all that time if I am RK's DS and want to have a highly placed GC rider.

Nothing. The advantage of drafting at that sort of speeds is ZERO.

The world isn't just about aero. If a team mate drops back, even half way, it often gives you a mental carrot. Not only have I seen it in the pro platoon, but I have been part of it from both sides in the hack platoon.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re: Re:

The TV coverage was so poor for me, I don't know what happened. Could anyone give a simple overview? I don't understand what RK did wrong. If it was a case of losing +30 seconds in order to possibly give Contador an extra second or two... I just don't see how that makes sense to waste all that time if I am RK's DS and want to have a highly placed GC rider.

Nothing. The advantage of drafting at that sort of speeds is ZERO.

The world isn't just about aero. If a team mate drops back, even half way, it often gives you a mental carrot. Not only have I seen it in the pro platoon, but I have been part of it from both sides in the hack platoon.

Contador was giving it his all mentally, like he always does. His problems are purely physical.

 

[Jelantik]

There's nothing more disappointing than reading about how Contador's team disarrays, and we are not even finished the first week. I understand about needing a contract. But didn't kreuziger see how he looked like in front of his peloton and TV viewers around the world? It's one thing to want to get good contract, but it's another thing to do it bluntly in front of million people. Maybe he doesn't care, but he will be riding with his peers again in his new team and the same fans will be watching him. Now everyone knows what his integrity looks like. What is he chasing? top 5? Meh. He needs to get over Richie, Bardet, Pinot, Tejay, even his own team mate Contador.

And the fact that Contador is injured, this is just adding a salt on a wound. I guess, now I'm going to sit back and enjoy the crumbling of Tinkoff team. Maybe this circus is more entertaining than keep arguing about Contador should leave the Tour. I feel sorry for Contador. Even his rival (like Sky and even Brailsford) still shows some respect to him. And his team mate? Geezzz... Contador has never had a team that's trully behind him. Their support is always spotty. Looking at sky or movistar, I'm sure he can be jealous on how their domestique support Quintana or Froome.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

I'm just saying that compared to sunday he was way better and that acceleration of bardet really killed him. If by some miracle he can use his "left leg" again...(if that's really true of course)

From what he is saying it is the leg not the shoulder that is causing the most trouble. I am sure it is worse than he is making out. GVA was never going to be caught. Movistar were testing Contador as there is no love lost between Contador and Valverde. I am sure that was the only reason Movistar were drilling it and there will probably be more of the same tomorrow. But tomorrow Movistar will be looking to test all of the GC riders. I don't think they will be waiting for the third week this year.

 

[mr. tibbs]

Ok, Flo, I give in. Contador on a Trek is preferable to what's happening to him at Tinkoff.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Ok, Flo, I give in. Contador on a Trek is preferable to what's happening to him at Tinkoff.

Interestingly enough there are now reports that sources close to Alberto confirmed he signed for Trek for 1 year and will take Hernandez, his mechanic Muñoz, his massage therapist and DS Steven de Jongh with him, plus possibly Ivan Basso as well. The reports say Alberto wanted a two-year contract but Trek only offered 1 year.
That's interesting to me because just yesterday there were rumors that his brother had contacted Astana.

 

[Carols]

Even his rival (like Sky and even Brailsford) still shows some respect to him.

According to TJVG this AM 'They all smelled Contador's blood'.

Unfortunately even his own team mate

 

[markene2]

Re: Re:

Ok, Flo, I give in. Contador on a Trek is preferable to what's happening to him at Tinkoff.

Interestingly enough there are now reports that sources close to Alberto confirmed he signed for Trek for 1 year and will take Hernandez, his mechanic Muñoz, his massage therapist and DS Steven de Jongh with him, plus possibly Ivan Basso as well. The reports say Alberto wanted a two-year contract but Trek only offered 1 year.
That's interesting to me because just yesterday there were rumors that his brother had contacted Astana.

I would much rather have him go to Astana for one year with Nibali leaving, Vino and Contador got along fine, and he would have a loyal team around him for the TDF

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Even his rival (like Sky and even Brailsford) still shows some respect to him.

According to TJVG this AM 'They all smelled Contador's blood'.

Unfortunately even his own team mate

Reminds me of KImmage commenting on LeMond's sheer inhumane determination and desire to push through pain:

Lemond was in trouble. He had a bout of diarrhea. He rode by me with thirty kms to go, surrounded by his domestiques bringing him to the front. God, the smell was terrible. It was rolling down his legs. I know if it was me, I would stop. But then I am not capable of winning the Tour de France. He is, and I suppose that's the difference...

 

[Sartorius]

Well I lost a lot of respect for Contador now. He is not on Froome/Quintana level anymore even without injuries. He is living legend, but he is declining and he is injured. He has team which is loyal to him (maybe until now). But now they need to fight for new contracts and they are supposed to sacrifice themself for Contador who has very small chance of success? Sorry, but in my opinion, if he has any honor whatsoever he just step down and let his team mates fight for their future.

 

[burning]

Re:

Well I lost a lot of respect for Contador now. He is not on Froome/Quintana level anymore even without injuries. He is living legend, but he is declining and he is injured. He has team which is loyal to him (maybe until now). But now they need to fight for new contracts and they are supposed to sacrifice themself for Contador who has very small chance of success? Sorry, but in my opinion, if he has any honor whatsoever he just step down and let his team mates fight for their future.

Think about 2011 Tour, when Voeckler was struggling on Galibier, he gave nod to Rolland to ride for himself but according to AC fans, Rolland should have slaved for him to save like 20 seconds on Alpe instead of going for a stage win. AC knows that he's done for GC, yet he still wastes his teammates effort for absolutely no reason.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Re:

Well I lost a lot of respect for Contador now. He is not on Froome/Quintana level anymore even without injuries. He is living legend, but he is declining and he is injured. He has team which is loyal to him (maybe until now). But now they need to fight for new contracts and they are supposed to sacrifice themself for Contador who has very small chance of success? Sorry, but in my opinion, if he has any honor whatsoever he just step down and let his team mates fight for their future.

You'd swear Majka and Kreuziger were unknown unproven quantities. Majka has some astounding results in his back pocket while RK is one of the most consistent and reliable super doms/fringe GC contenders of the last decade.

 

[jilbiker]

Re: Re:

Ok, Flo, I give in. Contador on a Trek is preferable to what's happening to him at Tinkoff.

Interestingly enough there are now reports that sources close to Alberto confirmed he signed for Trek for 1 year and will take Hernandez, his mechanic Muñoz, his massage therapist and DS Steven de Jongh with him, plus possibly Ivan Basso as well. The reports say Alberto wanted a two-year contract but Trek only offered 1 year.
That's interesting to me because just yesterday there were rumors that his brother had contacted Astana.

I would much rather have him go to Astana for one year with Nibali leaving, Vino and Contador got along fine, and he would have a loyal team around him for the TDF

Vino and Contador got on fine? What world was that? They had at best a polite professional relationship. I still blame Vino for everything that happened to AC in the 2010 tour. I felt Bertie was very unsettled in that tour especially with Vino having his own agenda.

A 1 year deal is good. I can't imagine another year of age, then picture 2 years down the line...the way he rides cannot be sustained at that age. Very different way of riding for Valverde or Horner so lets not compare.

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

Well I lost a lot of respect for Contador now. He is not on Froome/Quintana level anymore even without injuries. He is living legend, but he is declining and he is injured. He has team which is loyal to him (maybe until now). But now they need to fight for new contracts and they are supposed to sacrifice themself for Contador who has very small chance of success? Sorry, but in my opinion, if he has any honor whatsoever he just step down and let his team mates fight for their future.

Well I lost my respect for you, if I ever had one! What a load of c..p!

 

[jmdirt]

Re: Re:

Well I lost a lot of respect for Contador now. He is not on Froome/Quintana level anymore even without injuries. He is living legend, but he is declining and he is injured. He has team which is loyal to him (maybe until now). But now they need to fight for new contracts and they are supposed to sacrifice themself for Contador who has very small chance of success? Sorry, but in my opinion, if he has any honor whatsoever he just step down and let his team mates fight for their future.

Think about 2011 Tour, when Voeckler was struggling on Galibier, he gave nod to Rolland to ride for himself but according to AC fans, Rolland should have slaved for him to save like 20 seconds on Alpe instead of going for a stage win. AC knows that he's done for GC, yet he still wastes his teammates effort for absolutely no reason.

What kind of comparison is that?! The greatest GC rider of his generation TV!

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

The TV coverage was so poor for me, I don't know what happened. Could anyone give a simple overview? I don't understand what RK did wrong. If it was a case of losing +30 seconds in order to possibly give Contador an extra second or two... I just don't see how that makes sense to waste all that time if I am RK's DS and want to have a highly placed GC rider.

Nothing. The advantage of drafting at that sort of speeds is ZERO.

Really? Are they on Angliru, or Zoncolan, where drafting didn't mean much? I thought they were on 5% hill. Am I wrong?

 

[burning]

Re: Re:

Well I lost a lot of respect for Contador now. He is not on Froome/Quintana level anymore even without injuries. He is living legend, but he is declining and he is injured. He has team which is loyal to him (maybe until now). But now they need to fight for new contracts and they are supposed to sacrifice themself for Contador who has very small chance of success? Sorry, but in my opinion, if he has any honor whatsoever he just step down and let his team mates fight for their future.

Think about 2011 Tour, when Voeckler was struggling on Galibier, he gave nod to Rolland to ride for himself but according to AC fans, Rolland should have slaved for him to save like 20 seconds on Alpe instead of going for a stage win. AC knows that he's done for GC, yet he still wastes his teammates effort for absolutely no reason.

What kind of comparison is that?! The greatest GC rider of his generation TV!

I think you forgot that Voeckler was in yellow for 10 days

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re: Re:

The TV coverage was so poor for me, I don't know what happened. Could anyone give a simple overview? I don't understand what RK did wrong. If it was a case of losing +30 seconds in order to possibly give Contador an extra second or two... I just don't see how that makes sense to waste all that time if I am RK's DS and want to have a highly placed GC rider.

Nothing. The advantage of drafting at that sort of speeds is ZERO.

Really? Are they on Angliru, or Zoncolan, where drafting didn't mean much? I thought they were on 5% hill. Am I wrong?

What? I was unable to watch yesterday's stage —was Contador REALLY dropped on a 5% gradient?