Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Some rumors going on he didn't want to start because Roman was on the team.
No idea if it's true, mind.

Also, apparently Bauke is not too pleased that he's joining Trek. I probably wouldn't be either in his shoes, so fair enough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksc85bFfoPk

lol.. i thought this is a video of bauke said he wasn't happy about contador.

well aside from that.. contador has always been around his patsy. That's probably one thing that I wasn't so hot about him. I wish him a bit more open. It was like that whenever he went on racing. But when Oleg bought the team, he doesn't have that luxury anymore. Even Trek only let him bring his best friend Jesus and his trainer De Jongh. None of his press officer, even his trusted mechanic and also his other friend paulinho.

The problem with Oleg is.. the fact that he bad mouthing contador to other people. And other people will tell other people. That's how the rumor/gossip start. Everyone has their opinion before they even work with him. Having Oleg bath mouthing contador in the public, isn't really doing any good for contador with a new team. As much as I'm not a fan of Sky, but I never see Brailsford criticizing Froome like that. Or even Unzue. That's just "a class" act. You either have it of you don't. He was angry to Contador because he blamed contador for not making the WT ranking?

 

[ontheroad]

Egotistical and classless until the end was Tinkoff. Just not a very nice person, whatever he said privately to Contador is his own business but to castigate him in such a manner in public is just downright degrading. Whatever about his assessment of Contador as a bike rider he came across as having an actual hatred for Contador personally which is a different matter.

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re: Re:

Some rumors going on he didn't want to start because Roman was on the team.
No idea if it's true, mind.

Also, apparently Bauke is not too pleased that he's joining Trek. I probably wouldn't be either in his shoes, so fair enough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksc85bFfoPk

lol.. i thought this is a video of bauke said he wasn't happy about contador.

well aside from that.. contador has always been around his patsy. That's probably one thing that I wasn't so hot about him. I wish him a bit more open. It was like that whenever he went on racing. But when Oleg bought the team, he doesn't have that luxury anymore. Even Trek only let him bring his best friend Jesus and his trainer De Jongh. None of his press officer, even his trusted mechanic and also his other friend paulinho.

The problem with Oleg is.. the fact that he bad mouthing contador to other people. And other people will tell other people. That's how the rumor/gossip start. Everyone has their opinion before they even work with him. Having Oleg bath mouthing contador in the public, isn't really doing any good for contador with a new team. As much as I'm not a fan of Sky, but I never see Brailsford criticizing Froome like that. Or even Unzue. That's just "a class" act. You either have it of you don't. He was angry to Contador because he blamed contador for not making the WT ranking?

It is not nice in my opinion but I don't think that Contador has to worry about rumours. He has been in cycling for a long time now and people in the sport probably know him well by now so rumours shouldn't be a problem.

 

[WheelofGear]

Calling Contador "a sad person" in public is pretty low. He is another type of character than Tinkov but not a sad one.

But he is right about everything else. Contador will not even be able to win a one-week race in 2017. He is done.

 

[Forever The Best]

So Tinkov blames Contador for crashing out of the Tour?Horrible interview.Good that he gets out of cycling.

 

[hfer07]

After Tinkov's farewell trash talk, there is no doubt in my mind on why Contador seemed not fully motivated this season despite an apparent good shape- who wants to perform in an environment like that? I cannot imagine how desperate is he to fulfill his contract, leave it behind and start fresh his last chapter at peace

 

[Red Rick]

Somewhere, Tinkoff is looking at this thread and silently nodding to himself thinking "damn, that interview had exactly the effect I wanted to"

 

[No_Balls]

The trolls plaguing this un-moderated thread should be aware that although some of Tinkoffs statement have points its the manner of the statement that many (including me) have problem with. Criticising Contador for being too focused on the Tour while at the same time lashing out at the only one capable of winning Olegs favorite competition in Olegs team is not a side you would like to take boys. Can we have better Froome-trolls please?

After Tinkov's farewell trash talk, there is no doubt in my mind on why Contador seemed not fully motivated this season despite an apparent good shape- who wants to perform in an environment like that? I cannot imagine how desperate is he to fulfill his contract, leave it behind and start fresh his last chapter at peace

I would like to believe that but he has performed earlier in a very hostile team called Astana. Im pretty sure Alberto has enough dedication to overcome that and as far as have been told i doubt he have had much to deal with Oleg during this year.

 

[lenric]

Re:

Olegs Interview to CN:

Oleg about Contador: “ I don’t like him. Even in the team, most of the riders don’t like him. He ended up having a bad relation with almost everyone, apart from his little Spanish group.

Personally I think Alberto should stop riding because he’s not as strong anymore. I stopped owning the team at the right moment, at the top. He’s a great champion and so should stop now. I think he’s going to be like a limping duck. He’s going to look stupid. At the Vuelta he was dropped by the best four or five riders, next year it will be by the best 20 riders. I don’t think he’s ever going to win another Grand Tour. He should forget about it and quit.

CN: You seem angry with Contador. What happened?

Tinkov: I’m angry because we didn’t win the WorldTour ranking because he either crashed, he was sick or abandoned. He didn’t ride Lombardia and I don’t know if he didn’t ride on purpose but I don’t like it. It’s ****. For the money he earns, that shouldn’t happen. Valverde was sick three days ago but he rode Lombardia and finished top ten. That’s class.
Contador won’t be at the farewell party because I told him: you’re sick, stay at home, you can’t bring a virus to the party and make the other guys sick before the World Championships. I think the party will be better without him anyway because he’s a sad person.

While I may agree with him, I also think he was harsh.
Contador is having a hard time realizing he can no longer be as good as the best of the best, which damages his credibility to ask for full support from his team, particularly with his introverted personality, but Tinkov was really harsh.

Anyway, he hasn't lied.

 

[Angliru]

@MacBair
In an attack or act of aggression like the one Contador was party to initiating, one doesn't know what the outcome will be, only that they are hoping to catch their rivals unawares. There is a high end and a low end of expectation and hope in terms of the ultimate outcome. The high end is that Froome and his team completely blow up in their efforts to minimize their losses and lose big minutes. That Quintana has a bad day and bonks and loses whatever time advantage he has over Contador. The low end is what transpired. Froome lost enough time that he lost any chance to win the Vuelta. Contador took time out of Froome in hopes that Quintana and Froome may crack in the later mountain stage and Quintana too (unlikely but nothing ventured nothing gained). Contador simply ran out of gas after his effort on that pivotal stage. One would think that an effort like that would garner praise and admiration but instead only thumbsucking and whining about someone riding simply to prevent someone else from winning instead of trying to win themselves.

Oleg Tinkoff is entitled to his opinion and I have the right to tear him a new one if I don't agree with it and I don't.

 

[hrotha]

As always when Tinkov speaks, I'm most amazed by those who think basic manners and decency shouldn't apply to him because he's rich and paying the bills. I hope you have more self-respect than that in how you deal with your employers in your personal lives.

 

[damian13ster]

Meh, Tinkoff being an honest ***.
Contador not being liked by his teammates and being a diva when things dont go his way.

Nothing new here. Seen it for last 3-4 years

 

[Big Doopie]

tinkov is a pr!ck.

good riddance.

however, i have no doubt contador rubbed many the wrong way. the constant lies and excuses to try to explain why he couldn't compete with the best, when everyone - particularly the riders - knew full well why he was no longer what he had "built his reputation on".

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

As always when Tinkov speaks, I'm most amazed by those who think basic manners and decency shouldn't apply to him because he's rich and paying the bills. I hope you have more self-respect than that in how you deal with your employers in your personal lives.

My old employers are pure trash. They deserve no respect.

Guess the company (It's a Bank, ain't that a coincidence, it's almost like banks are led by selfish, horrible people)

 

[snccdcno]

ING is my guess.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

ING is my guess.

Bingo! :lol:

 

[gregrowlerson]

Leader: Alberto Contador

Alberto Contador was someone who really impressed me immensely. In team meetings for example, he would really take charge and go around the room, pointing out to each rider what he was expecting of him, what they did or didn't do right the day before. He really put a lot of pressure on his teammates, but in a good way. He was probably the best leader I've ridden for in the way he conducted himself. He was just a ferocious competitor, never say die and just hard. Despite all his talent, he's just hard.

I think he can just go to the next level, he's extremely impressive.

It certainly makes you go deeper when he's sitting on your wheel and you're drilling it for him. It makes you go that little bit further, that little bit deeper because it's probably going to blow everyone's doors off and put him in a better spot. It's really motivating.

Baden Cooke about Alberto in his dreamteam.

This year there indeed seemed to be problems in the team, but Im not sure if thats really AC's fault.

I have also heard Mick Rogers say very nice things about Alberto, and I don't think that Richie Porte is particularly anti him (although he obviously prefers Froome).

Maybe it's just the Australians. We are a weird bunch

As for the "sad person" claim; ridiculous. You would probably find a higher percentage of drinkers (who are apparently 'happy' party animals) who are depressed to non drinkers. And Alberto is regularly posting Instagram photos of the beauty in this world outside of his veins (lovely lakes, gorgeous greenery, majestic mountains), and taking selfies, with a smile. He may well be in the very top percentile of people in the world in regards to happiness.

Unless we are talking about his demeanor after finishing second at Paris-Nice. Now that was a sad person

 

[No_Balls]

Meh, Tinkoff being an honest *.
Contador not being liked by his teammates and being a diva when things dont go his way.

Nothing new here. Seen it for last 3-4 years

No he is being stupid.

As from the article it says AC ENDED up having badly relationship with "almost everyone" hinting that it wasnt any problem before that. Which of course is understandable if your entire team stabs you in the back at your main goal of the season (Tour) while at the same time falling out with the owner. Majka, Kreuziger and the other chamois-sniffers of mere survival tactics will take their boss side per default.

 

[thehook]

When you agree to take the Kings Gold...You become the Kings Man.

Oleg OWNS 100% of the Team . He signs the checks. He can say whatever he wants, IMHO

Not going to hit any clinic talk. But I will drop some NYC Street Lingo. "AC has been touched once" If he was or was not liked on the Team. Who cares? He crashed out of the Tour. And came into what should have been well rested in LaVuelta. He could not hold Nairo or Froomes wheels. When he needed to. Or put time into them. Not even a Podium. He should have rode Il Lombardia. HE CHOSE NOT TO. He let HIS TEAM DOWN! He cashed big Tinkoff checks. Ride your bike and get the team the #1 Ranking. IMHO.

I'm a HUGE AC fan. I own his LaVuelta Tribute bike. He is a LONG WAY from where he was. He has taken major steps back.

 

[orangerider]

Agreed 100%. I respect Olga a lot more than I ever have after that interview. He speaks the truth all the way through on things others shy away from because they fear backlash from sponsors and not being invited to post-race parties by the organizers. The Vuelta fraud this year that he mentioned, for example, was no mystery, seen by all in high definition, yet brushed aside by those who also had influential power. Some of these guys have their lives so dependent around the cycling scene that they cannot afford to risk upsetting someone in power. Olga not like that .

Olga also clearly respects Contador but makes it adamant that he doesn't have the abilities anymore... also seen repetitively by the camera. He's down, toast. Beaten by no-namers.

The lack of him riding Lombardia also very suspect and seems an unforgiveable backstabbing if he really just had a runny nose or no worse than that.

Meh, Tinkoff being an honest *.
Contador not being liked by his teammates and being a diva when things dont go his way.

Nothing new here. Seen it for last 3-4 years

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

Tinkov is a piece of ****. Honest but a terrible human being.

Highly social people like him will never be able to get introverts like Contador (or myself for that matters)..

Piece of ...t and terrible human being?

That's why he spent $50M to pay Berto, Sagan etc. If it wasn't for him, the team would be long gone ... years ago.

BTW Do you say the same about your employer? I can tell you never owned a business and have no idea what it takes to run a business/team and what the owners should expect from their employees.

A lot of bosses show classic signs of psychopathy.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/04/25/the-disturbing-link-between-psychopathy-and-leadership/#7664db0b2740

I don't understand why people should respect their bosses or employers... They pay me and I don't make negative statements in public (because you'd probably end up being fired, rightfully so), but I THINK what I want. Respect needs to be earned, it's not god-given. Tinkov certainly hasn't earned my respect. And I certainly won't feel sad when something terrible happens to such people. Why would I care what happens to billionaires anyway? Plenty of less fortunate people suffering.

And how does sponsoring a pro cycling team make him immune to being a terrible human being?

 

[damian13ster]

Re: Re:

Tinkov is a piece of ****. Honest but a terrible human being.

Highly social people like him will never be able to get introverts like Contador (or myself for that matters)..

Piece of ...t and terrible human being?

That's why he spent $50M to pay Berto, Sagan etc. If it wasn't for him, the team would be long gone ... years ago.

BTW Do you say the same about your employer? I can tell you never owned a business and have no idea what it takes to run a business/team and what the owners should expect from their employees.

A lot of bosses show classic signs of psychopathy.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/04/25/the-disturbing-link-between-psychopathy-and-leadership/#7664db0b2740

I don't understand why people should respect their bosses or employers... They pay me and I don't make negative statements in public (because you'd probably end up being fired, rightfully so), but I THINK what I want. Respect needs to be earned, it's not god-given. Tinkov certainly hasn't earned my respect. And I certainly won't feel sad when something terrible happens to such people. Why would I care what happens to billionaires anyway? Plenty of less fortunate people suffering.

And how does sponsoring a pro cycling team make him immune to being a terrible human being?

Got some serious case of jealousy here . I for one appreciate straight forward, non-PC bosses. Matter of preference and insecurities.

And to some previous poster:
Ended up could also mean that they received him with open mind and tolerated wgen he was serving a purpose to a team. Once he wasnt superior as an athlete, his personality wasnt tolerated anymore. We can speculate all we want. They dont like him, and if you want you can blame entire team outside of spaniards instead of a person that is not liked by vast majority of coworkers. Whatever makes you happy

 

[dacooley]

quite interesting that suggesting 'we'll f**k sky', 'contador is way stronger than froome', 'quintana doesn't have pedigree to win grand tours' was absolutely normal as those thoughts didn't defame bertie. however, once someone badmouths sacred cow, it immediately becomes nearly a crime.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

ING is my guess.

Nice one Brother

 

[Pennino]

Re:

quite interesting that suggesting 'we'll f**k sky', 'contador is way stronger than froome', 'quintana doesn't have pedigree to win grand tours' was absolutely normal as those thoughts didn't defame bertie. however, once someone badmouths sacred cow, it immediately becomes nearly a crime.

Absolutely. You can like Oleg or not, he's always coherent.

But I can also fully understand the frustration on the side of Berto's fans, because especially this year he had a nearly worthless team on his side. And maybe he failed in the Vuelta, in the Tour and also in not riding iLombardia, but that's never cancelling his oldskool racing in the spring, which not only delivered Tinkoff a decent amount of points but moreover brought goddamn honour to their jersey.