Re:
I have to agree. What perplexes me though is that as AC clearly found the right training program in 2014, the year during the Froome dominion he was most competative and arguably capable of matching him blow for blow at the Tour; why has that formula not since been duplicated?
Granted each year is a little bit different, though in theory at least one should be able to match pretty well what one has achieved the previous year. Yet Contador was undoubtedly less fit in 2015 and 2016 and eachof these years he seems to have kept on 1-1.5 kilos more than 2014.
Is it lack of discipline, drive? Why would someone of his caliber continue if either were wanting? Even the former domestique Porte has reached a higher state of fitness than the once captain. If age has indeed caught up with him, wouldn't it be better to retire? Contador has put everything into the Tour this year, but if he can't get ultra-lean and maintain watts, then he surely is merely deceiving himself if he thinks he can fight for victory in France in July (as the poster suggested if it's 85% vs. 85%). The problem for him is time now. He clearly needs to get leaner and maintain power to have any possibility to compete for victory at the Tour.
If, on the other hand, he can match the other Bigs on the next stages climbs, I won't write him off. Otherwise there is no other choice.
dacooley said:well, froome distancing bertie and valverde on clowney little gear was emphatic. from my perspective bertie decided to take it really easy after getting dropped. i can't restrain myself from thinking he looks quite heavy actually. his weight is far from optimal which is weird.
I have to agree. What perplexes me though is that as AC clearly found the right training program in 2014, the year during the Froome dominion he was most competative and arguably capable of matching him blow for blow at the Tour; why has that formula not since been duplicated?
Granted each year is a little bit different, though in theory at least one should be able to match pretty well what one has achieved the previous year. Yet Contador was undoubtedly less fit in 2015 and 2016 and eachof these years he seems to have kept on 1-1.5 kilos more than 2014.
Is it lack of discipline, drive? Why would someone of his caliber continue if either were wanting? Even the former domestique Porte has reached a higher state of fitness than the once captain. If age has indeed caught up with him, wouldn't it be better to retire? Contador has put everything into the Tour this year, but if he can't get ultra-lean and maintain watts, then he surely is merely deceiving himself if he thinks he can fight for victory in France in July (as the poster suggested if it's 85% vs. 85%). The problem for him is time now. He clearly needs to get leaner and maintain power to have any possibility to compete for victory at the Tour.
If, on the other hand, he can match the other Bigs on the next stages climbs, I won't write him off. Otherwise there is no other choice.