Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[peloton]

So some people are now diminishing the careers of Andy S, Sastre, Valverde, Wiggins, Froome and Aru!

Seriously how silly can one get?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I'd like to see Contador try a change of approach next season. Ride the Tour as a stage hunter, building toward a super peak for the Vuelta. It's a waste of time him peaking for the Tour and trying to do well in the GC there, because he can't challenge Froome and Quintana there. And it's been a very long time since he even won a stage there, so that would be something good to aim for. Then he can come into the Vuelta with top shape, hopefully win that if Froome and Quintana are on their way down after the Tour. Perhaps he could even hold the peak then to challenge for Milan-Torino or even Lombardia.

If he tries to peak for the Tour again, he won't win anything.

Contador as a stage hunter............Maybe he should just aim for Algarve...

Before doing that he´d do Giro-Vuelta.

But do you really think that Alberto became a champion with a loser mentality? He´s not Virenke nor Basso. He´s a f****** legend ffs.

+1000000000
Alberto isn't a loser, he rides to win. If he can't win the Tour he should focus on winning other races, Giro, Vuelta, perhaps Tirreno, Pais Vasco, Dauphiné or Tour de Suisse. Stage hunting is for losers (no disrespect) it's for people who aren't among the best in anything except winning from a group of other grade-C riders (again no disrespect, it's totally fine but not for a champion like Alberto)

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

For god's sake the ignorant haters are out to play again. Just go away.

Alberto responds to the people who say he should retire:

"Sinceramente, si acabara mi carrera con un abandono en el Tour y una mala posición Vuelta no me gustaría para nada. Por eso, también pienso en 2017"
"Honestly, if I would end my career with an abandon at the Tour and a bad position at the Vuelta I wouldn't like it at all. Because of this, I also think about 2017.

From that it sounds like he has given up on this Vuelta already. He should at least respect his current team and fight for a podium.

Yes where did you read he won't respect his team? He even said he will try everything to achieve as much as possible but the parcours isn't in his advantage.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

In 2014, these exact words in this thread were considered a blasphemy and immediately sent you to the burning stake.
Either the fanboys have learnt the ignore option or they have started to accept and line up with the reality.

That's right I tend to ignore such comments, not worth getting worked up, just move on.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

For god's sake the ignorant haters are out to play again. Just go away.

Alberto responds to the people who say he should retire:

"Sinceramente, si acabara mi carrera con un abandono en el Tour y una mala posición Vuelta no me gustaría para nada. Por eso, también pienso en 2017"
"Honestly, if I would end my career with an abandon at the Tour and a bad position at the Vuelta I wouldn't like it at all. Because of this, I also think about 2017.

From that it sounds like he has given up on this Vuelta already. He should at least respect his current team and fight for a podium.

Yes where did you read he won't respect his team? He even said he will try everything to achieve as much as possible but the parcours isn't in his advantage.

It just seems a strange thing to say in the middle of the race, that he's looking forward to next season because he doesn't want to finish his career with a bad result in the Vuelta. It's the kind of thing you say after the race, not when you're 5th and in with a chance of the podium.

And moaning about the parcours is pretty poor form as well; it's probably more suitable for him than it is for Quintana, who's just getting on with it quietly and winning the race.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

It just seems a strange thing to say in the middle of the race, that he's looking forward to next season because he doesn't want to finish his career with a bad result in the Vuelta. It's the kind of thing you say after the race, not when you're 5th and in with a chance of the podium.

He was asked by a reporter if he would retire because things were going so well so he replied that it would be ridiculous to retire after such a terrible year and probably wondered if the reporter had lost his mind.

And moaning about the parcours is pretty poor form as well; it's probably more suitable for him than it is for Quintana, who's just getting on with it quietly and winning the race.

He didn't moan about the parcours, a reporter asked if he would try another long-range attack and he said the parcours isn't suited for that but if he sees an opportunity he will take it.
As for Quintana it is clear he is stronger than Alberto both on long climbs and on muritos and he had a way better team for the TTT so why would the parcours ever be better suited to Alberto, because of that single TT?

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

It just seems a strange thing to say in the middle of the race, that he's looking forward to next season because he doesn't want to finish his career with a bad result in the Vuelta. It's the kind of thing you say after the race, not when you're 5th and in with a chance of the podium.

He was asked by a reporter if he would retire because things were going so well so he replied that it would be ridiculous to retire after such a terrible year and probably wondered if the reporter had lost his mind.

And moaning about the parcours is pretty poor form as well; it's probably more suitable for him than it is for Quintana, who's just getting on with it quietly and winning the race.

He didn't moan about the parcours, a reporter asked if he would try another long-range attack and he said the parcours isn't suited for that but if he sees an opportunity he will take it.
As for Quintana it is clear he is stronger than Alberto both on long climbs and on muritos and he had a way better team for the TTT so why would the parcours ever be better suited to Alberto, because of that single TT?

Fair enough, I didn't realise you had taken both quotes so much out of context. I do wish though that he'd stop talking so much about his injuries, the parcours and his future plans and just get on with racing - like the other favourites do.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Fair enough, I didn't realise you had taken both quotes so much out of context. I do wish though that he'd stop talking so much about his injuries, the parcours and his future plans and just get on with racing - like the other favourites do.

That's how rest day press conferences work, reporters ask questions and you are expected to answer them

 

[Miburo]

People talk like this vuelta is already over

We don't know how the crash in the tour still affected him and we don't know how this crash 3 days ago affected him.

Yet he was still the 2nd best yesterday at lagos, yet people talk like he ended in the grupetto

 

[portugal11]

Contador 2009 is in the same league of armstrong 2002 or pantani 1998. He would destroy froome 2013 with one leg. Quintana is a pure climber but he never will reach alberto's climbing ability

 

[yaco]

Have to agree with LaFlo this time - You must read the whole transcript or listen to the whole transcript of an interview, to fully understand the context of questions and answers, and also the nuances and tone of interviewer and interviewee - Too many express firm opinions without going through these steps.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

For god's sake the ignorant haters are out to play again. Just go away.

Alberto responds to the people who say he should retire:

"Sinceramente, si acabara mi carrera con un abandono en el Tour y una mala posición Vuelta no me gustaría para nada. Por eso, también pienso en 2017"
"Honestly, if I would end my career with an abandon at the Tour and a bad position at the Vuelta I wouldn't like it at all. Because of this, I also think about 2017.

This is the problem...No one can pass an opinion about Contador that is contrary to you without being called a hater ...If I say how awful you and other have attacked SKY and Froome in the past I will be banned by biased administrators who are Contador fans and accused of trolling. But you can call anyone with an opinion as haters and ignorant. You can call Kreuziger names and wish he never wins and race. You and other on here can call Froome alien and talk in rotten ways about SKY ....this is a bloody joke

I and many others think Contador will never beat Froome or Quintana when they are at their best. If he wants to ride on and try well fine but only his so called fans on here will be gnashimg thier teeth and wailing over his performacne even threathening to drop him if he doesn't win. I amhappy he rides on as he adds to the racing but you guys got to get used of him contending for lesser places. There is hero worship and then there is dilusion ...

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

People talk like this vuelta is already over

We don't know how the crash in the tour still affected him and we don't know how this crash 3 days ago affected him.

Yet he was still the 2nd best yesterday at lagos, yet people talk like he ended in the grupetto

More of the dilusion.He was not second best ... He was beaten by Quitana, Froome, Chaves and others ....how does that make him second best ??

If you wnat to have an honest debate try not to ignore the facts

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

Have to agree with LaFlo this time - You must read the whole transcript or listen to the whole transcript of an interview, to fully understand the context of questions and answers, and also the nuances and tone of interviewer and interviewee - Too many express firm opinions without going through these steps.

Whatever i said in interviews is not always the reality of the situation.People who are so called Contador fans express very strong opinions based on their own views and little else. And have no qualms in calling other posters derogatory terms. But to be caled ignorant and haters is not on.if your opinion does not refelct what some want to hear .

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Have to agree with LaFlo this time - You must read the whole transcript or listen to the whole transcript of an interview, to fully understand the context of questions and answers, and also the nuances and tone of interviewer and interviewee - Too many express firm opinions without going through these steps.

Whatever i said in interviews is not always the reality of the situation. People who are so called Contador fans express very strong opinions based on their own views and little else. And have no qualms in calling other posters derogatory terms. But to be caled ignorant and haters is not on.if your opinion does not refelct what some want to hear .

Not all of them, and not just them

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

For god's sake the ignorant haters are out to play again. Just go away.

Alberto responds to the people who say he should retire:

"Sinceramente, si acabara mi carrera con un abandono en el Tour y una mala posición Vuelta no me gustaría para nada. Por eso, también pienso en 2017"
"Honestly, if I would end my career with an abandon at the Tour and a bad position at the Vuelta I wouldn't like it at all. Because of this, I also think about 2017.

This is the problem...No one can pass an opinion about Contador that is contrary to you without being called a hater ...If I say how awful you and other have attacked SKY and Froome in the past I will be banned by biased administrators who are Contador fans and accused of trolling. But you can call anyone with an opinion as haters and ignorant. You can call Kreuziger names and wish he never wins and race. You and other on here can call Froome alien and talk in rotten ways about SKY ....this is a bloody joke

I and many others think Contador will never beat Froome or Quintana when they are at their best. If he wants to ride on and try well fine but only his so called fans on here will be gnashimg thier teeth and wailing over his performacne even threathening to drop him if he doesn't win. I amhappy he rides on as he adds to the racing but you guys got to get used of him contending for lesser places. There is hero worship and then there is dilusion ...

Good post. Too many attempts by some Contador fans to derail discussion of anything they perceive to be remotely negative. This is a discussion thread, not an appreciation fan club. And any discussion of his season so far; indeed, most of the past five years, is going to have as much negative as positive content.

Absolutely correct as well about the ridiculous expectations heaped on the guy. He's probably one of the five best GC riders in the world; that should be celebrated in itself, rather than constantly building him up as a potential Tour de France winner - when he hasn't come close to doing anything there for six years - then labelling his season as a failure if he doesn't live up to those expectations.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Absolutely correct as well about the ridiculous expectations heaped on the guy. He's probably one of the five best GC riders in the world; that should be celebrated in itself, rather than constantly building him up as a potential Tour de France winner - when he hasn't come close to doing anything there for six years - then labelling his season as a failure if he doesn't live up to those expectations.

This is not some nobody who would be happy to even win a stage we are talking about. He's arguably the best and most successful stage racer of the last decade. He helps those expectations into the world. No one puts more pressure on him than he puts on himself. Each year he says his goal is to win the Tour. When he fails to do so his goal is to win the Vuelta. When he fails to win that race as well, he considers his season a failure. Can you blame his fans for doing the same?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

For god's sake the ignorant haters are out to play again. Just go away.

Alberto responds to the people who say he should retire:

"Sinceramente, si acabara mi carrera con un abandono en el Tour y una mala posición Vuelta no me gustaría para nada. Por eso, también pienso en 2017"
"Honestly, if I would end my career with an abandon at the Tour and a bad position at the Vuelta I wouldn't like it at all. Because of this, I also think about 2017.

This is the problem...No one can pass an opinion about Contador that is contrary to you without being called a hater ...If I say how awful you and other have attacked SKY and Froome in the past I will be banned by biased administrators who are Contador fans and accused of trolling. But you can call anyone with an opinion as haters and ignorant. You can call Kreuziger names and wish he never wins and race. You and other on here can call Froome alien and talk in rotten ways about SKY ....this is a bloody joke

I and many others think Contador will never beat Froome or Quintana when they are at their best. If he wants to ride on and try well fine but only his so called fans on here will be gnashimg thier teeth and wailing over his performacne even threathening to drop him if he doesn't win. I amhappy he rides on as he adds to the racing but you guys got to get used of him contending for lesser places. There is hero worship and then there is dilusion ...

Sorry but saying Contador (who won NINE GTs) was just lucky in all of those wins because Armstrong and/or Froome at the peak of their powers would have annihilated him is what I consider the definition of senseless irrational hating. I think I have the right to demand more respect for this CHAMPION.

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

It just seems a strange thing to say in the middle of the race, that he's looking forward to next season because he doesn't want to finish his career with a bad result in the Vuelta. It's the kind of thing you say after the race, not when you're 5th and in with a chance of the podium.

He was asked by a reporter if he would retire because things were going so well so he replied that it would be ridiculous to retire after such a terrible year and probably wondered if the reporter had lost his mind.

And moaning about the parcours is pretty poor form as well; it's probably more suitable for him than it is for Quintana, who's just getting on with it quietly and winning the race.

He didn't moan about the parcours, a reporter asked if he would try another long-range attack and he said the parcours isn't suited for that but if he sees an opportunity he will take it.
As for Quintana it is clear he is stronger than Alberto both on long climbs and on muritos and he had a way better team for the TTT so why would the parcours ever be better suited to Alberto, because of that single TT?

Fair enough, I didn't realise you had taken both quotes so much out of context. I do wish though that he'd stop talking so much about his injuries, the parcours and his future plans and just get on with racing - like the other favourites do.

Maybe the line of questioning is focused on these topics because of his position in the gc. He can't control the questions that he is asked. If he simply decided to not talk to the media we would have folks on here bawling about his "bad attitude" and "lack of class". Dude can't win.

 

[dacooley]

Re: Re:

For god's sake the ignorant haters are out to play again. Just go away.

Alberto responds to the people who say he should retire:

"Sinceramente, si acabara mi carrera con un abandono en el Tour y una mala posición Vuelta no me gustaría para nada. Por eso, también pienso en 2017"
"Honestly, if I would end my career with an abandon at the Tour and a bad position at the Vuelta I wouldn't like it at all. Because of this, I also think about 2017.

This is the problem...No one can pass an opinion about Contador that is contrary to you without being called a hater ...If I say how awful you and other have attacked SKY and Froome in the past I will be banned by biased administrators who are Contador fans and accused of trolling. But you can call anyone with an opinion as haters and ignorant. You can call Kreuziger names and wish he never wins and race. You and other on here can call Froome alien and talk in rotten ways about SKY ....this is a bloody joke

I and many others think Contador will never beat Froome or Quintana when they are at their best. If he wants to ride on and try well fine but only his so called fans on here will be gnashimg thier teeth and wailing over his performacne even threathening to drop him if he doesn't win. I amhappy he rides on as he adds to the racing but you guys got to get used of him contending for lesser places. There is hero worship and then there is dilusion ...

Sorry but saying Contador (who won NINE GTs) was just lucky in all of those wins because Armstrong and/or Froome at the peak of their powers would have annihilated him is what I consider the definition of senseless irrational hating. I think I have the right to demand more respect for this CHAMPION.

Frankly speaking i dont think you have considering 'respect' you give all bertie' s challengers.

 

[Red Rick]

I think that's quite enough

take one of these

 

[LaFlorecita]

Remember that in 2014, during the stage to la Farrapona a motor rider crashed and passed away, after the stage the riders decided to give away the prize money of that stage to his wife and 3 children. Yesterday the Guardia Civil gave Alberto an award as a sign of their gratitude.

https://twitter.com/pasamontesluis/status/770373480298713088

 

[HelloDolly]

I hope Contador rides on...I hope he wins this Vuelta ...I hope he comes back next year and wins the Giro/Vuelta double

He is the rider I like the most of the big 3 ...he is the more human , transparently flawed , he wants it most ..prepared to put it on the line ....all these endear him most to me

But if he wins this GT he will do it as an underdog as he is not at the level of Froome or Quintana.
He will want some luck and alot of cjonas

It could happen but probablity is low. In the meantime can his fans who demand respect for him also respect that while he will always entertain he will not always win anymore

As for 2009 versus today ...the sport and performance is continully improving.. Hinault was a great champion but maybe (I don't know) Indurain at his best might have left Hinault at his best behind

 

[Scarponi]

When Froome is is 35 and has another 8 GTs (rides not wins) under his belt we can compare the careers, they all fall

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

I hope Contador rides on...I hope he wins this Vuelta ...I hope he comes back next year and wins the Giro/Vuelta double

He is the rider I like the most of the big 3 ...he is the more human , transparently flawed , he wants it most ..prepared to put it on the line ....all these endear him most to me

But if he wins this GT he will do it as an underdog as he is not at the level of Froome or Quintana.
He will want some luck and alot of cjonas

It could happen but probablity is low. In the meantime can his fans who demand respect for him also respect that while he will always entertain he will not always win anymore

As for 2009 versus today ...the sport and performance is continully improving.. Hinault was a great champion but maybe (I don't know) Indurain at his best might have left Hinault at his best behind

He's never won all the time. I don't think any fan expects him to win every race and of course it seems natural he will win less as he gets older. Does that mean his fans aren't allowed to be disappointed when he doesn't win?