Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Would be bad news for Wiggins and Nibali, but good news for the Giro

It would be nice but then Andy might win the Tour

 

[jyhjyh]

Alberto was on the stage at the TdF 2013 presentation, Andy for unknown reasons was not.
So I believe Alberto/Saxo-Tinkoff will be invited.

 

[Gloin22]

It would be nice but then Andy might win the Tour

Nah.

Froome will be in much better shape. Without saying anything. Andy rode his last GT in 2011, he will not be at his best anyway.

2nd. Froome will destroy him in the TT's. 3rd, he's as good climber as him I'd say.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Nah.

Froome will be in much better shape. Without saying anything. Andy rode his last GT in 2011, he will not be at his best anyway.

2nd. Froome will destroy him in the TT's. 3rd, he's as good climber as him I'd say.

Perhaps an Andy of 2011. But no way Froome would have followed Andy up tourmalet

 

[cineteq]

If the Mick Rogers transfer is true, this is really looking like it can be a quite the team for AC next year

So that means if Saxo gets invited to the Tour, then they'll have two leaders. Since all Skys or ex Skys have earned the right to ride for themselves...Oh uh...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto was on the stage at the TdF 2013 presentation, Andy for unknown reasons was not.
So I believe Alberto/Saxo-Tinkoff will be invited.

That doesn't matter. It's about WHEN they get invited.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

That doesn't matter. It's about WHEN they get invited.

Quite frankly, I don't believe Contador when he says that, even if he's sincere in his intentions. There's just too much at stake for the team and the sponsors in the Tour for the man the team is built around to be allowed to skip it. Particularly when they've invested in a much improved team specifically to help him win the Tour.

Sure, they could send a credible team to the Tour without him and pick up a top 10 or whatever. But ultimately they've got a top notch support squad with no other real contender for the win to put it at the service of.

On a related note, if Rogers has joined and given that Sky will be splitting their resources between Giro and Tour, it's entirely possible that Saxo could have the strongest team at the Tour as well as the biggest favourite.

Contador, Kreuziger, Roche, Rogers, CAS... is an insanely strong way to start a team sheet. Contador could cause absolute mayhem in the mountains with that lot at his service. And it will also make it extremely difficult to catch him out with a clever tactical move, because he will will be very tough to isolate.

 

[airstream]

it is secondary. Real battle starts when everyone is isolated. If Kreuziger and Roche will have to salvage Contador, it can only mean he won't win.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

it is secondary. Real battle starts when everyone is isolated.

Well, yes it's secondary, but it's not insignificant. JRod, for instance, might well have won the Vuelta if he had a stronger team when things went nuts. The Tour might have looked very different if Wiggins hadn't had super strong support. Contador has always had to rely on his own strength against riders who have often had stronger teams. There are even fewer opportunities open to those riders if he has the stronger team.

 

[Carols]

Contador, Kreuziger, Roche, Rogers, CAS... is an insanely strong way to start a team sheet. Contador could cause absolute mayhem in the mountains with that lot at his service. And it will also make it extremely difficult to catch him out with a clever tactical move, because he will will be very tough to isolate.

Alberto will isolate himself by attacking....the question will be Who can go with him

 

[LaFlorecita]

Hurrah Alberto says he didn't mean he'd retire when his contract is finished.

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://mm.lastampa.it/multimedia/cuneo/lstp/34739/

 

[The Hitch]

Quite frankly, I don't believe Contador when he says that, even if he's sincere in his intentions. There's just too much at stake for the team and the sponsors in the Tour for the man the team is built around to be allowed to skip it. Particularly when they've invested in a much improved team specifically to help him win the Tour.

Sure, they could send a credible team to the Tour without him and pick up a top 10 or whatever. But ultimately they've got a top notch support squad with no other real contender for the win to put it at the service of.

On a related note, if Rogers has joined and given that Sky will be splitting their resources between Giro and Tour, it's entirely possible that Saxo could have the strongest team at the Tour as well as the biggest favourite.

Contador, Kreuziger, Roche, Rogers, CAS... is an insanely strong way to start a team sheet. Contador could cause absolute mayhem in the mountains with that lot at his service. And it will also make it extremely difficult to catch him out with a clever tactical move, because he will will be very tough to isolate.

I dont know what that team will do in the ttt though. In the vuelta they could win it but at the tour sky will smash them bmc too(if it matters) and maybe radioshack as well

And in the mountains -wiggins porte henao/uran, kiryenka, id rather have froomes mountain.team too. Could end up being froome trying to defend a 1 min lead from ttt and first itt through the mountains and like the early vuelta 2012 stages, contador unable.to drop him.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I dont know what that team will do in the ttt though. In the vuelta they could win it but at the tour sky will smash them bmc too(if it matters) and maybe radioshack as well

And in the mountains -wiggins porte henao/uran, kiryenka, id rather have froomes mountain.team too. Could end up being froome trying to defend a 1 min lead from ttt and first itt through the mountains and like the early vuelta 2012 stages, contador unable.to drop him.

How is froome ever going to get a minute on Alberto in the tt and the ttt

 

[The Hitch]

How is froome ever going to get a minute on Alberto in the tt and the ttt

40 in the ttt,20 in the i.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

40 in the ttt,20 in the i.

How long is the ttt?

 

[serfla]

40 in the ttt,20 in the i.

I'd say contrary.

 

[robertocarlos]

@ hitch
I think you are over estimating sky's climbing ability. Side from the uran I don't think any other rider on sky mentioned can win a mtf when everybody is trying. Yes porte, henao, and kiryenka are really strong domestics, but I see them more like riders to protect leads our to keep gaps close. I think that b if tjv had had a slightly better classification on the tour and no obligation to Evans he would have put the hurt on team sky on the stage where he was called back to help cadel. I think if we get a dedicated and in form kreuziger e will have one of the best domestics ever for Contador.

 

[Parrulo]

lol TJVG a better climber then henao, now i have heard everything.

after the ttt and first itt froome will be lucky if he has 30 seconds on contador.

 

[robertocarlos]

I am not saying that tejay was better than the Colombian. What I am saying is that sky seemed a bit shocked when that had put a minute them. Tejay is not a better climber than henao, but for the time being the bmc rider is a better grand tour rider. this might be because he is being brought along as the next gt rider for bmc, I don't know what henao's goal is down the line. I do agree with your comment on Frome.

 

[Miburo]

it is secondary. Real battle starts when everyone is isolated. If Kreuziger and Roche will have to salvage Contador, it can only mean he won't win.

I agree, it's easier though to make damage with a great team but with Contador at 100% it's all irrelevant. Having 8 novals is then good enough.

 

[LaFlorecita]

40 in the ttt,20 in the i.

I say 20 in the ttt and 0-10 in the tt

 

[Miburo]

lol TJVG a better climber then henao, now i have heard everything.

after the ttt and first itt froome will be lucky if he has 30 seconds on contador.

Froome will be lucky if he's ahead, aren't there some small mountains in the first days? Testing him

Besides, 30km is Contador's perfect distance, with some hills on it i would even say he's top 3 in the world when the itt is in a stage race, especially in a GT.

 

[The Hitch]

I'd say contrary.

SKy have 5 great tters - Wiggins Froome Porte Thomas, EBH
Saxo have 2 - Contador Rogers

Saxo also have Kreuziger who is good but Sky will have Kiriyenka and Knees and maybe someone like Dowsett or Eisel. Saxo meanwhile have to pull Noval Majka Hernandez Roche CAS.

Seems clear to me Sky will destroy saxo in the ttt.

 

[Pentacycle]

I say 20 in the ttt and 0-10 in the tt

The first TT is quite flat, at least that's what you'd expect if you finish close to Mont Saint Michel. Contador will lose about half a minute under normal circumstances with strong coastal wind and long flat parts), but if he's riding in yellow after the Ax-3 Domaines stage the difference could be much less.

SKy have 5 great tters - Wiggins Froome Porte Thomas, EBH
Saxo have 2 - Contador Rogers

Saxo also have Kreuziger who is good but Sky will have Kiriyenka and Knees and maybe someone like Dowsett or Eisel. Saxo meanwhile have to pull Noval Majka Hernandez Roche CAS.

Seems clear to me Sky will destroy saxo in the ttt.

Bennati is a strong ttt'er for the Tour too, if he rides ofc.