Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[hazaran]

"I didn't realize about any of Contador's crashes, because I was riding up front," Valverde said :lol:

At this rate, he isn't going to finish this race.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

"I didn't realize about any of Contador's crashes, because I was riding up front," Valverde said :lol:

At this rate, he isn't going to finish this race.

Classic quote, pretty humorous altho Im actually quite sure it wasn't the intent.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

I wonder if he were to not win anything this spring that maybe he'd be more hungry for a win later in the season. Maybe he'd go for a stage early on in the TdF. Mont du Chat maybe...

No way. He just isn't given any room to attack. Ever. Anyways, that would hardly be a consolation imo.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

When is the last time we've seen him "destroy" the race on a MTF? And anyway he hasn't shown anything at all so far, only hanging at the back, while his rivals like Roglic, Izagirre, Valverde and Henao raced very attentively and look very strong. Add to that his crash, which, for me, hasn't improved his chances
I guess we'll see. Maybe he's changed his approach, but riding at the back of the group and never reacting to attacks is so not his style, combined with his comments before the race that the parcours isn't that great for him, it makes me think he doesn't really believe he can win.

I don't buy that... of course he has a chance to win and he beleives in that. This race is tailormade for contador, even past his prime, he still is the best hilly time trialist of the world. Tomorrow's stage would be perfect to him 6 years ago but now he "only" can hang the likes of henao. I still think he will put 20 seconds in everyone in the TT

A TT is not the best place to recover after two crashes. Even if he only has mainly bruising, he will be stiff and sore. As if a TT is not painful enough.

 

[Sciocco]

Re: Re:

I wonder if he were to not win anything this spring that maybe he'd be more hungry for a win later in the season. Maybe he'd go for a stage early on in the TdF. Mont du Chat maybe...

No way. He just isn't given any room to attack. Ever. Anyways, that would hardly be a consolation imo.

I know, I know. It's just so much more fun when Contador is attacking. Also the Tour is always so boring besides the stupid shit.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I'm gonna take his comments with a pinch of salt. Hoping he gives a good account of himself today, I would like to see something positive to come out of this race as the longer all these set backs continue then come July, his confidence will be trashed! I think we'll find out before on the earlier climbs whether he's gonna be up for it or not and I'm still expecting to see him mummified at the start though.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

A TT is not the best place to recover after two crashes. Even if he only has mainly bruising, he will be stiff and sore. As if a TT is not painful enough.

Exactly. Seems like people on here tend to underrate the consequences of crashes though, especially when Contador is the victim.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

A TT is not the best place to recover after two crashes. Even if he only has mainly bruising, he will be stiff and sore. As if a TT is not painful enough.

Exactly. Seems like people on here tend to underrate the consequences of crashes though, especially when Contador is the victim.

But I assume you are aware and understands why thats the case? I mean, why many people don't believe everything he says to be the truth when it comes to his own injuries.

I don't know about this crash, I think he genuinely is hurting a bit. I was just speaking on the matter generally.

 

[Puccini]

https://twitter.com/borjaf3454/status/850039234320838657

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

A TT is not the best place to recover after two crashes. Even if he only has mainly bruising, he will be stiff and sore. As if a TT is not painful enough.

Exactly. Seems like people on here tend to underrate the consequences of crashes though, especially when Contador is the victim.

But I assume you are aware and understands why thats the case? I mean, why many people don't believe everything he says to be the truth when it comes to his own injuries.

I don't know about this crash, I think he genuinely is hurting a bit. I was just speaking on the matter generally.

Sure he wouldn't be the first rider to sometimes hide how bad his crashes are or exaggerate how bad they affect him. It happens in all sports and it's usually just gamesmanship. Trying to upset the tactics of the other competitors and make them change their plans or make them indecisive. Usually the TV coverage doesn't provide enough information to make an informed view. Obviously if a crash happens in the Tour or another big race, the less your rivals know the better. But there is only so much you can hide.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I feel another 2nd place coming up guys...

He was better than I expected today.

 

[Jspear]

I feel another 2nd place coming up guys...

He was better than I expected today.

Did they climb faster this year? It seemed so fast.... I'm still waiting for the final GC gap. I wonder how much he can gain on Valverde....

 

[Scarponi]

Re: Re:

I wonder if he were to not win anything this spring that maybe he'd be more hungry for a win later in the season. Maybe he'd go for a stage early on in the TdF. Mont du Chat maybe...

No way. He just isn't given any room to attack. Ever. Anyways, that would hardly be a consolation imo.

Reminds one year Cadel Evans got in a break even though he was 30 minutes down. The break asked him to go back as he would be chased. Even a 50% Evans or Contador would decimate and destroy any break a way rider ever

 

[ThePirate81]

Can Alberto take the GC win tomorrow? He deserves it after 5 days of crashes and bad luck.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I feel another 2nd place coming up guys...

He was better than I expected today.

Did they climb faster this year? It seemed so fast.... I'm still waiting for the final GC gap. I wonder how much he can gain on Valverde....

It was a different side of Arrate, a much steeper side. So they shouldn't have been faster than last year, maybe they climbed to the top in a shorter time though because this side is slightly shorter.
He is 3 seconds behind Valverde and Uran and 12 seconds in front of Ion. He is in a good position to fight for the win, but I wouldn't call him the favorite.

 

[Jspear]

Hmm...I'll try not to get to my hopes up, but I think he can take it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Can Alberto take the GC win tomorrow? He deserves it after 5 days of crashes and bad luck.

He can, his rivals will be Valverde, Ion and Uran. Uran is a mystery, he hasn't delivered a good TT in years but he seems in good shape. The 15 flat km are in Ion's advantage, he could take back any time he lost uphill in that part. Valverde has the advantage of knowing everyone's split times and he's in great form so for me he is the favorite.
I expect Alberto to be top-5 in tomorrow's TT and top-3 overall. I don't know where he'll finish exactly. The descent isn't very technical I believe which is good.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Seems like he was afraid to be counter-attacked by Valverde, because he was comfortable behind every acceleration.

 

[GraftPunk]

Bala had a crazy number of attacks today, so I don't blame him.

 

[cellardoor]

Seems like he must be pretty confident for the TT considering he didn't try an attack on the climb.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Seems like he must be pretty confident for the TT considering he didn't try an attack on the climb.

with this finish, an attack was doomed anyway. I don't think it's a matter of confidence but just common sense.

 

[Carols]

Bala is on raging form, he will be the major competition. He can TT when he needs to.

Shame about those lousy 3 seconds, bad luck again. I sure hope he wins tomorrow because losing by seconds again will be a killer

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Bala is on raging form, he will be the major competition. He can TT when he needs to.

Shame about those lousy 3 seconds, bad luck again. I sure hope he wins tomorrow because losing by seconds again will be a killer

I'm not sure I'd survive a loss by less than 3 seconds

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

Seems like he must be pretty confident for the TT considering he didn't try an attack on the climb.

with this finish, an attack was doomed anyway. I don't think it's a matter of confidence but just common sense.

Brutal walls longer than 2k are always a disappointment. You can't attack at all.

The Zoncolan-styled climbs are usually boring.

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

Bala is on raging form, he will be the major competition. He can TT when he needs to.

Shame about those lousy 3 seconds, bad luck again. I sure hope he wins tomorrow because losing by seconds again will be a killer

I'm not sure I'd survive a loss by less than 3 seconds

Me either .

Poor Samu, I love him, but I sure hope he doesn't cost Alberto this race!