Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[dastott]

Not really a fan of his but chapeau, great ride after the crash. Is this man the hardest in the peloton?

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Re:

Not really a fan of his but chapeau, great ride after the crash. Is this man the hardest in the peloton?

it's the same way boxers roughen up their skin by practicing being hit a lot. He thoughens up by hitting the tarmac at least o nce a week during training

 

[Valv.Piti]

Really good performance. Happy for him, would have been sad to see him lose a minute or two due to a crash. Its definitely looking promising for a great race now if he can keep this up for the following days.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

You misunderstand me, when contador is dropped he'll lose a lot.

Contador isn't like froome, when he drops, he's done for, he'll lose way more than any other rider that drops. Always, it's unlike any other rider but that's the way Contador rolls.

Today was a miracle

An August miracle. I bet he could have hold on to Froome for longer, but am certain it really was a point of emphasis going into today not blowing completely up Contador-special style.

This is how he should race when he isn't at 100% or what he used to be. He is one of the best if not the best at pacing himself in hilly/mountain time trials so why shouldn't he be able to it in a RR?

 

[PremierAndrew]

Yeah after yesterday's crash, finally lost hope in him. But after today, I once again think that we have a 4 time Vuelta winner on our hands at the end of 2016

 

[Pantani Attacks]

Re:

Contador "today was ok"
Reporter "it was just ok?"
Cotnador "it would've been good if I had dropped everybody"

Contador underrating himself is always a dangerous thing. Usually when he plays down his chances in a sulky way he's being honest but when he underrates himself in a bullish way it means he has fire in the belly.

 

[peloton]

I'm cautiously optimistic.
He really needs to stop crashing though, not good fans health either

 

[filipepc]

Hello.

Yesterday i was sad, today when i saw his leg in the morning i had a good feeling, a good vibe.

I went to a party so i didn´t follow all the stage, but i was following by cyclingnews live, and when it come to the last km´s i went to a room to watch.

I saw is position in the begining of the mountain and i stayed a lot better... If he was like that, he wouldn´t loose much, and it goes more or less well... At least better thn what i expected yesterday.

I´m glad he was ok, now he as to recover and let´s see... Be calm and confident, just that...

Froome isn´t so strong as it´s normal, and without the train the music is diferent... Quintana looks very well, let´s see if he hang on until the end... There is still much race, tomorrow is another day, the dream remains live :razz:

i want to believe...

 

[Electress]

i do believe.

 

[HelloDolly]

Well only 2 men looked happy on ITV4 interviews ...Quintana and Contador

 

[perico]

I've got to give a shout out to Jesus. First time in ages he hasn't looked like garbage, and is really riding his heart out. You can tell that this group truly loves riding for Contador and are willing to sacrifice their health for him. Bennati and Hernandez, Paulhino, and Gogl have ridden themselves into the ground for Alberto. Jesus might not be such a bad grimpeur for the TdF next year... As long as there isn't a TTT.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re:

You misunderstand me, when contador is dropped he'll lose a lot.

Contador isn't like froome, when he drops, he's done for, he'll lose way more than any other rider that drops. Always, it's unlike any other rider but that's the way Contador rolls.

Today was a miracle

Yes it was

There are not an additional twenty pages on this thread

But there ought to be

 

[cellardoor]

I almost turned off the TV when Contador dropped from Froome and Quintana. Glad I didn't

 

[lenric]

Chapeau to Contador.
Though I'm well aware that he's an unfortunate fan of tarmac, I hope he forgets his second love (after her wife, quite possibly his dog also) for 2 weeks and keeps his ass on his bike to get his 4th Vuelta. Tough it will be, 'cause Masters Quintana and Froome a pain in the ass are going to be.

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

I'm gonna rewatch this **** 20 times, contador passing froome. It feels good

lol.. you and I.. i re-watched it.. dunno already how many times.

 

[Jelantik]

I've got to give a shout out to Jesus. First time in ages he hasn't looked like garbage, and is really riding his heart out. You can tell that this group truly loves riding for Contador and are willing to sacrifice their health for him. Bennati and Hernandez, Paulhino, and Gogl have ridden themselves into the ground for Alberto. Jesus might not be such a bad grimpeur for the TdF next year... As long as there isn't a TTT.

Maybe that's why they left Kreuziger out to go to some GP something with Sagan. Good group helps Contador mentally.

 

[Miburo]

We've seen many battles of Contador.

Now it's Contador and Froome vs Movistar. Will be awesome, a long range attack of both of them is a wet dream (atm froome doesn't need that though)

 

[Red Rick]

Do you mean long range in general terms or in Vuelta terms?

 

[hrotha]

Re:

Do you mean long range in general terms or in Vuelta terms?

I don't think Contador can take back the time he's already lost by simply Puritoing it up the muritos (unless he does a spectacular ITT), so I wager he will probably need to pull some long-range cycling (in general terms). Froome might not need to.

 

[Netserk]

Re:

Do you mean long range in general terms or in Vuelta terms?

Like when Froome led out Contador twice two years ago

 

[Billopoulos]

Yesterday morning everyone was close to admit that Contador was pretty much out of the race.
Someone can be a bit optimistic now about Contador's chances.
But before raising his ambitions, Contador needs to survive today as well.

La Vuelta is long this year, there are so many MTF all over the next days, so the race won't be won today or tomorrow.
Even two or three minutes differences can be eliminated in the last days.

As far as the riders are concerned, my humble view:
-Contador can only get better, starting from the day after the rest day. Until then, today and tomorrow, he might just be there following wheels.
-Quintana seems at the best shape amongst the favs, but I have my doubts he can last until the end. I reckon the last week will be tough for him.
-Froome seemed to underperform yesterday, but don't write him off. Covadonga will be the first place to show the first signs of his real form.
-Chaves is a big questionmark atm...
-Valverde is already doing a miracle. :lol:

Aubisque will clear things up a bit, but it will only be the beginning of the real race. From then on will we see real time differences and the rider to improve his form at that point will be the favorite to win.

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

Do you mean long range in general terms or in Vuelta terms?

I don't think Contador can take back the time he's already lost by simply Puritoing it up the muritos (unless he does a spectacular ITT), so I wager he will probably need to pull some long-range cycling (in general terms). Froome might not need to.

As of now, he is 99'' behind. I don't think it's a stretch to think the same will be the case (more or less) at the rest day. After that there are four main places where he can take time: Peña Cabarga, Aubisque, Mas de la Costa and the ITT. If Quintana has a level similar to last year, and Contador improves close to '14 Vuelta shape (probably not), I think those four stages are enough. If Quintana has a bad day like in Andorra, I think it's likely that Contador will win.

I'm not sure what you expect of the ITT. Surely, Contador will take at least 30'' over 37km, no? Up to a minute should be doable.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Do you mean long range in general terms or in Vuelta terms?

I don't think Contador can take back the time he's already lost by simply Puritoing it up the muritos (unless he does a spectacular ITT), so I wager he will probably need to pull some long-range cycling (in general terms). Froome might not need to.

Not 100% sure. If he takes, say, 30s in the TT, he only needs 1 more minute plus bonus seconds. That's for example half a minute on Aubisque and half a minute on Aitana. Of course, he must not lose more time and if Quintana stays strong, he will have to do some long-range action.

 

[hrotha]

My point is that I don't think he will be better than his rivals in a straight murito/MTF sprint competition. Not worse either if he's in a Vuelta-winning shape, but not better.

 

[Netserk]

Fair enough, we'll know more after Wednesday.