Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

He really should just be quiet. If he is deliberately off-form here, trying to reach a super peak in the Tour, then what is the benefit to telling everyone? Surely better to get written off and then surprise everyone at the Tour with the new peak form - maybe even go under the radar for the first couple of weeks or so because everyone thinks he's finished.

I just don't see any benefit to giving a running commentary to everyone on how his training and form is going - other than for his own ego.

He needs to keep his teammates confidence in him, if he writes himself off to the press then his teammates will no longer see him as a legitimate tour contender (especially after his performance in the Dauphine). If they don't see him as a legitimate tour contender then he's less likely to get the support he needs on the flats before the mountains, he'll be in a similar situation to what he had at Tinkoff.

That's a fair point, but surely he could just disclose his training plan privately to his team-mates and tell them not to expect much from him until the Tour. I see why it's important about keeping confidence high, but not sure why that has to be done publically through the media.

Also, I'm not sure the problems at Tinkoff started because of below par performances in the one week stage races, it was more because of successive failures in the Tour. And because he'd already crashed and was clearly just holding Kreuziger and Majka back for no good reason last year.

 

[LanLions]

Re: Re:

He really should just be quiet. If he is deliberately off-form here, trying to reach a super peak in the Tour, then what is the benefit to telling everyone? Surely better to get written off and then surprise everyone at the Tour with the new peak form - maybe even go under the radar for the first couple of weeks or so because everyone thinks he's finished.

I just don't see any benefit to giving a running commentary to everyone on how his training and form is going - other than for his own ego.

He needs to keep his teammates confidence in him, if he writes himself off to the press then his teammates will no longer see him as a legitimate tour contender (especially after his performance in the Dauphine). If they don't see him as a legitimate tour contender then he's less likely to get the support he needs on the flats before the mountains, he'll be in a similar situation to what he had at Tinkoff.

That's a fair point, but surely he could just disclose his training plan privately to his team-mates and tell them not to expect much from him until the Tour. I see why it's important about keeping confidence high, but not sure why that has to be done publically through the media.

Also, I'm not sure the problems at Tinkoff started because of below par performances in the one week stage races, it was more because of successive failures in the Tour. And because he'd already crashed and was clearly just holding Kreuziger and Majka back for no good reason last year.

Yeh you're right, it would probably would make more sense to ensure his team mates privately. But you've also got to look at it purely from an ego perspective, it would probably kill Contador inside going into tour and not being regarded by the press and public as a favourite he probably just wants to remind everyone that he will be there in July for his own pride, even if it's tactically not the best idea.

Also, you're right about his Tinkoff problems not being down to his performances in week long stage races, I was just talking purely about the situation within the teams, rather than the causation of said situations, and how he'd avoid in any way possible losing the confidence and support of his team as he seemed to at Tinkoff.

 

[Valv.Piti]

The part I dislike most about Contador is when he constantly needs to tell the media about this being a training ride. God damn, we know it already. Compare that to Valverde who have kept quiet, rode a very good time trial and then proceeded to have a little fun, attacking a long way from home on 3 stages in a row, you know, to test himself.

Where was the part when Contador needed to test himself? One day to attack and go deep? Might as well just have stayed home if this was all about 'the numbers' as he apparantly can't be bothered about this race, as he has said countless of times, and haven't put in a single attack (?) in the entire race.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Guys, I am not saying I think Alberto is the favorite for the Tour (he's not), but I don't understand the gloom and doom here. As La Florecita has pointed out, we effectively learned nothing here. Here's what we know:

1. He looked very strong in the early season. Sure he didn't get a win, but he was consistently very strong. Not as strong as peak Porte or peak Valverde, but consistently right up there, beating each, plus Froome and others, at different times (in stages).
2. He has often maintained too long of a peak, raced too frequently and too hard, and been punished for it in the Tour.
3. He said he would learn from his mistakes and come into the Dauphine undercooked and use it as a training block. This is exactly what many posters here have clamored for.
4. He rode exactly like a rider who is undercooked and using the race as a training block.
5. Same posters who have blasted Alberto for not learning from his mistakes are now blasting him for doing what many had said he should do.

I think he know what he is doing and will reach top form for the Tour. I don't, however, think his top form is the same as what it was in 2014, 20011, 2009, 2007... As such, I would love for him to win, but I foresee a 3rd - 5th place finish - exactly what I foresaw 4 months ago and 1 week ago.

This all seems pretty straightforward to me. Not sure what the rest of you are seeing that I'm not.

 

[Irondan]

Re:

The part I dislike most about Contador is when he constantly needs to tell the media about this being a training ride. God damn, we know it already. Compare that to Valverde who have kept quiet, rode a very good time trial and then proceeded to have a little fun, attacking a long way from home on 3 stages in a row, you know, to test himself.

Where was the part when Contador needed to test himself? One day to attack and go deep? Might as well just have stayed home if this was all about 'the numbers' as he apparantly can't be bothered about this race, as he has said countless of times, and haven't put in a single attack (?) in the entire race.

He insinuated yesterday that he "might" do something today, but the only thing he did was go backwards..

Good thing it was just a training ride.

 

[Gigs_98]

I honestly didn't find todays stage worrying at all. I actually think it was more positive than the Mont du Chat stage.
This time he didn't look like he was on the limit and didn't want to go into the red. Yesterday was the day where he tried to stay with the best as long as possible and he was 3rd of the gc contenders.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I honestly didn't find todays stage worrying at all. I actually think it was more positive than the Mont du Chat stage.
This time he didn't look like he was on the limit and didn't want to go into the red. Yesterday was the day where he tried to stay with the best as long as possible and he was 3rd of the gc contenders.

Agree with you. Decent time trial despite looking extremely uncomfortable and a decent showing yesterday. MdC wasn't great, but today he didn't seem to be straining himself. I saw a grimace a few times, but as he dropped he was calm, on the radio, not looking anywhere near his limit. Then he just rolled in. Definitely didn't look like a guy trying desperately to hang on.

 

[bambino]

I honestly didn't find todays stage worrying at all. I actually think it was more positive than the Mont du Chat stage.
This time he didn't look like he was on the limit and didn't want to go into the red. Yesterday was the day where he tried to stay with the best as long as possible and he was 3rd of the gc contenders.

3rd? Which one of Bardet, Porte and Fuglsang you don't consider as GC contender?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

So what will he do in the next 3 weeks?

He will probably do a tough training block in Livigno for a week or 2. Then rest and recover.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I didn't find today too worrying either. He didn't look like he was trying too hard. I definitely still think he's a top 5 candidate, perhaps even podium if everything goes well, although I do think that his pride and winning mentality eventually will cost him his chance for a top 3.

 

[No_Balls]

Re: Re:

As far as the whole "not digging too deep" thing is concerned - I do believe him. I believe he rode within himself. Even still, I'm a little disappointed. How much more ground would he have made up going into the red? We will never know, but I think it's safe to say he wouldn't have won the Dauphine. Even yesterday he said that he was trying to stay with Porte, but couldn't. All that said, he still has a lot of work to do before July. July comes around fast.

I'm a bit disappointed with his performance today. Looks like, he is way far back from some of the riders. Even got dropped by no name rider. Either he has a lot of work to do to catch up or he needs a miracle. He might be up there comes TDF, but it might not be enough to win it. Time will tell.

Whats worrying is that the form is supposed to be nearer to his peak form then the current yo-yo'ing we see. Its one thing to arrive completely fresh but then you need the Miles and racing to hit the peak. I hope he gets it right.

On the positive is that Froome looks shite.

 

[Gigs_98]

I honestly didn't find todays stage worrying at all. I actually think it was more positive than the Mont du Chat stage.
This time he didn't look like he was on the limit and didn't want to go into the red. Yesterday was the day where he tried to stay with the best as long as possible and he was 3rd of the gc contenders.

3rd? Which one of Bardet, Porte and Fuglsang you don't consider as GC contender?

Forgot about Bardet. But he wasn't in the yellow jersey group before the last climb so you can't compare his performance with Contador's.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Currently 6th in GC. 10 years ago, he was also 6th in GC in the Dauphine. I'm sure I can find more symmetries with 10 years ago when I look at the ATP winners this year.

When was the last time there was a Danish rider as good as Fuglsang right now

 

[Netserk]

A decade ago there was a much better one...

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

A decade ago there was a much better one...

Rasmussen never did something like this tho, he was a super-peaker and basically only cared about TdF. Fuglsang is the more consistent and probably more gifted rider.

Needless to say tho, Rasmussen is still in a completely different league. At least for me personally.

 

[Katabatic]

Too many reactionary hot takes. Contador is definitely past his best and no longer among the very, very best (if you only include the top 4-5 cyclists in the world as the very best), but he's also not almost 4 minutes worse than Dan Martin and Louis Meintjes. This lines up perfectly with what he said going into the race.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think Cardoso secured a Tour spot at this race. He was very strong.
Irizar as well.

 

[Forever The Best]

Re: Re:

Good point by DFA in this thread. Contador's form is not good and it may be incredible in the Tour as Contador says but isn't it better to not say that he will be incredible in the Tour?

@lenric Contador this spring almost won PN and was 2nd in Catalunya and PV.

@LaFlorecita You say that Contador can retire anytime he wants, which I agree but he shouldn't lie to the people that he can win X race. We, the fans will support him at CT level too but he shouldn't give his fans false hope. Because that ends up in disappointment.

And that user called Andro is the one who's obsessed with Contador that he makes trolling posts about him, insults the people who like him, not us

Damn, so harsh. Everyone's entitled to their opinion and to voice it. If you don't like ignore it. It's as simple as that.

what would you say if I started posting that Froome should retire?
It is just disgusting and disrespectful to say he "should" retire. It should be the man's own decision and should not be influenced by what some irrelevant fans on the internet say.

here you go again... since when you hold back from using disgusting and disrespectful statements about AC opposition? Like to bash other riders? great, then put up with others criticising your riders as well. Simple as that.

As to AC. he won't be able to improve his conditions to the bigger extent than Porte, Froome, Bardet or anyone else come the Tour, so the podium will be a great accomplishment. to win, he'll need a real miracle, something like a massive echelone stage where all the teams of big contenders should be distanced by quite a big margin.

Are you Nostradamus?

 

[jmdirt]

I just looked, and the sky (small 's') is not falling. AC's form could be falling into place perfectly.

 

[filipepc]

I dind´t like what i saw in this Dauphiné. Hope of this race was a kind of a plan is what is rest of what i saw.

Contador was and is by far my favorite rider since Pantani and Ulrrich, so it´s not easy to accept that maybe he isn´t more capable of winning a GT ( being in a top 5 or 10) i think he still can. But we have to accept if he fail in next Tour.

I´m still calm, not because i think he will do it, because my eyes saw this race, but because i can accept a defeat. Some of you should do it too.

This is just bike race ok, and he is one of the best ever GT´s cyclists. Let´s see his last tour tell us.

Be calm.

 

[rick james]

its rather sad that a lot of you talk about him just retiring, glory hunters, only happy when he's winning, enjoy him while he is still here In the peloton

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

its rather sad that a lot of you talk about him just retiring, glory hunters, only happy when he's winning, enjoy him while he is still here In the peloton

For once we agree!

 

[portugal11]

Re:

its rather sad that a lot of you talk about him just retiring, glory hunters, only happy when he's winning, enjoy him while he is still here In the peloton

Some hacker entered in your account :surprised:
Hats off for you

 

[filipepc]

That´s what i do, i enjoy him, and i enjoy a good race like it was today in general.

I hope he can deliever a good Tour, and make some good attacks, if not so, i still enjoy him. So i don´t miss any race every year especcially those he´s in.

I will repeat, be calm, there´s no reason to hates and bad behaviours between the forum members.

 

[gunara]

I come to realization that speculating about Contador's form ahead of big races have been one of the major theme of cycling talks in the last 6 years at least. And the way he somehow delivered results in tough situations, or else unspectacularly failed, always drew such colorful reactions which gave way to even more speculations. Him as an enigma is the only thing that match the rise of Sky empire as pro cycling main story since, I think.

P.S:
And this thread has 3,5 millions views so far, LOL, none other come close, like him or not, that's Contador for you, and everyone.