Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Angliru]

Re:

I don't mind Bertie (he's a dog lover so whats not to like?) its just the fact that some of his fans, and its mostly the ones that want him to retie because he doesn't win anymore that get to me, they think he has the right to win every race he turns up at

It may not have been your intention in terms of meaning (in bold), but every rider that enters a race has the right to win. They may not have the strength, talent, guile, tactical expertise, or team support, but they have every right to win as the next guy.

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

I don't mind Bertie (he's a dog lover so whats not to like?) its just the fact that some of his fans, and its mostly the ones that want him to retie because he doesn't win anymore that get to me, they think he has the right to win every race he turns up at

It may not have been your intention in terms of meaning (in bold), but every rider that enters a race has a the right to win. They may not have the strength, talent, guile, tactical expertise, or team support, but they have every right to win as the next guy.

my god you don't half follow me about

 

[Sciocco]

Going to be interesting to see how he goes on Thursday. Never know what's going to happen.

 

[Electress]

Re: Re:

So you are not a victory fan but for some reason you rather prefer him to be a stage winner than The Animator

I would like to see him win a stage while animating the race.
I think you're confusing two things. It's one thing to support him only when he wins (i.e. a victory fan), it's a whole other thing to support him no matter what but wish the very best for him (i.e. me wanting him to go for stages instead)

I must say though that his role as an "animator" is greatly exaggerated. Thrice he's pulled off an incredibly exciting and important long attack in a GT (Alpe d'Huez 2011, Fuente Dé 2012, Formigal 2016). He's also tried and failed many times (2013, 2015). It's like a flip of the coin what we'll see this time. I doubt he'll get anything out of it for himself regardless, besides perhaps some satisfaction because he had an impact on the race.

But the trying and failing is part of the animating, surely? Just because it doesn't always work, doesn't mean to say that the effort does inject a little bit of zest into the competition? The very fact that he has that reputation, to some extent, means that there is the chance of something unlikely. In a period when team dominance has rather stifled individual exploits, that possibility is like a breath of fresh air - I welcome it from virtually any rider willing to attempt it.

 

[Angliru]

Re:

no, they both lost balance on a climb, Sagan tried to elbow an opponent off the road

Get a grip and stop with the lies.

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

So its definitely over now, he finally got to show his hand with good preparation. It isn't surprising to me he chooses to continue to fight for GC, lose a bunch of time and potentially win a stage isn't what Contador does. He is better than that, top-5 still isn't unrealistic.

This Tour can potentially be the end of the Sanchez-Purito-Contador-Valverde era that was so great and the reason I rediscovered cycling again. Thats pretty sad to think about, Valverde crashing and Contador obviously lacking quite a bit against fully prepared riders at their respective peaks. That has been the pattern for a couple of years now and coupled with age and such, it isn't super surprising to see him go down like that. It reminded me a bit of Galibier 2011 when you also had the impression he was a long way from his absolute best.

Is a potential top-5 worth more than a stage win for such a big champion ?

I doubt they would let him get away even with a 4-5 minute deficit.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

No matter what happens in the rest of the Tour and in the coming year(s), Alberto Contador will always be my hero and inspiration. Andy and Team Saxo Bank may have drawn me into cycling, but Alberto (especially from Tour 2011 onwards) kept me in cycling, and made me evolve from a july fan to watching cycling of every kind. As I wrote in the race thread, he is a true legend. Riding with his heart, not his calculator. I, as well as you, all of us can feel privileged and honored that we have had the chance to enjoy his riding while he is still active!

All of the above (except the Andy part ). In my decades of enjoying this sport I've never had a rider that captured my attention for so long in the way Contador has. I truly suffer when he doesn't meet his own lofty expectations, I guess I have a deep emotional stake in his performances. He's been my "home team" since 2007!

None of the above for me. I used to hate Contador...and then I met LaFlo .

I always cheer for champions who enter the twilight of their career. At this point, it's not about the fame, the money, they have plenty of both: it's about pride, about love for the sport, the feeling that they got one big fight left in them, defy the odds...

Alberto Contador has a lot of fans, worldwide. I feel bad for them as it becomes clear that it's over. A big stage win? Izoard? That would be nice...

 

[Electress]

Re: Re:

No matter what happens in the rest of the Tour and in the coming year(s), Alberto Contador will always be my hero and inspiration. Andy and Team Saxo Bank may have drawn me into cycling, but Alberto (especially from Tour 2011 onwards) kept me in cycling, and made me evolve from a july fan to watching cycling of every kind. As I wrote in the race thread, he is a true legend. Riding with his heart, not his calculator. I, as well as you, all of us can feel privileged and honored that we have had the chance to enjoy his riding while he is still active!

All of the above (except the Andy part ). In my decades of enjoying this sport I've never had a rider that captured my attention for so long in the way Contador has. I truly suffer when he doesn't meet his own lofty expectations, I guess I have a deep emotional stake in his performances. He's been my "home team" since 2007!

None of the above for me. I used to hate Contador...and then I met LaFlo .

I always cheer for champions who enter the twilight of their career. At this point, it's not about the fame, the money, they have plenty of both: it's about pride, about love for the sport, the feeling that they got one big fight left in them, defy the odds...

Alberto Contador has a lot of fans, worldwide. I feel bad for them as it becomes clear that it's over. A big stage win? Izoard? That would be nice...

May be I'm living in la la land, but I feel it's over doing it to suggest 'it's over'. Perhaps my expectations are diminished these days, but my hopes are not. I still believe 'write him off at your peril'. And I don't think I'll stop hoping that there will be some epic rides and unexpected glory until he finally retires. Even if it turns out to be delusion - well, I'm quite happy in my delusion to be honest. :lol:

 

[Netserk]

Just wait for the magic of the second rest day

 

[hrotha]

Re:

Just wait for the magic of the second rest day

Wrong thread?

 

[Netserk]

Didn't seem to work on Mortirolo

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

I don't mind Bertie (he's a dog lover so whats not to like?) its just the fact that some of his fans, and its mostly the ones that want him to retie because he doesn't win anymore that get to me, they think he has the right to win every race he turns up at

It may not have been your intention in terms of meaning (in bold), but every rider that enters a race has a the right to win. They may not have the strength, talent, guile, tactical expertise, or team support, but they have every right to win as the next guy.

my god you don't half follow me about

You require a chaperone otherwise you get yourself into trouble. You should be thanking me.

 

[Jelantik]

This is interesting:

Alberto Contador: I don't know why Nairo Quintana pushed me

http://www.cyclingpub.com/article/2453/Alberto+Contador:+I+don't+know+why+Nairo+Quintana+pushed+me

Good news is he promised to enjoy the tour. Good for him. I'm hoping he gets better and found his leg at least at some point, because he said 3rd week should be entertaining. WATCH OUT

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

In this Tour, 2017, they won't let Contador win a stage as things stand today. Froome et al respect, or fear, Contador too much to let him get away. Only if Alberto were to lose 30 minutes more on GC would he be given the go ahead for a stage win.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re:

Contador to pull off the greatest mountain exploit of all time.

"I want to believe."

I'm with you Mulder. Let's take down this alien.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

So you are not a victory fan but for some reason you rather prefer him to be a stage winner than The Animator

I would like to see him win a stage while animating the race.
I think you're confusing two things. It's one thing to support him only when he wins (i.e. a victory fan), it's a whole other thing to support him no matter what but wish the very best for him (i.e. me wanting him to go for stages instead)

I must say though that his role as an "animator" is greatly exaggerated. Thrice he's pulled off an incredibly exciting and important long attack in a GT (Alpe d'Huez 2011, Fuente Dé 2012, Formigal 2016). He's also tried and failed many times (2013, 2015). It's like a flip of the coin what we'll see this time. I doubt he'll get anything out of it for himself regardless, besides perhaps some satisfaction because he had an impact on the race.

But the trying and failing is part of the animating, surely? Just because it doesn't always work, doesn't mean to say that the effort does inject a little bit of zest into the competition? The very fact that he has that reputation, to some extent, means that there is the chance of something unlikely. In a period when team dominance has rather stifled individual exploits, that possibility is like a breath of fresh air - I welcome it from virtually any rider willing to attempt it.

And this presupposes big budgets, national interests, market shares and the consequent impact this makes on the overall economy of the sport, its governance, desired outcomes. In summation, these are thehegemonic business interests of sport, which, as elsewhere in these times, have an impact that has become absolute. And this explains why team sponsorship has taken over indivdual class. It isn't by chance consequently that the sport moved from Continental leadership to British leadership over the past decade, nor that previosuly US Postal was covered up at the expense of other talents and interpretations of the sport. The push toward scientific, rationalist, efficiency and corporate formulas that have been coopted and transformed into a mania by Sky, whose economic resources can stack the odds in its favor on top of it all, dictate outcomes. Now even mediocre riders and track racers under its transformative regime, become irresistable forces that level mountain passes and generate never ending streams of watts to control 200 plus K courses.

The days when a Lemond could win the Tour on ADR are long since in the past.

PS: Over these past years Froome has been backed by Sky, Dave Braisford and, until recently, British Cycling. By contrast Contador has been supported by Oleg Tinkov and Ivan Basso. Where were they respectively going to arrive?

 

[iGROTROn]

If Alberto is ok on Thursday, Iam 1000 % sure....he will attack.Vamos Alberto!!

 

[LaFlorecita]

In this Tour, 2017, they won't let Contador win a stage as things stand today. Froome et al respect, or fear, Contador too much to let him get away. Only if Alberto were to lose 30 minutes more on GC would he be given the go ahead for a stage win.

Same here. I'm sure Froome won't allow him to ride away for a stage with the current gaps. Not sure it's fear or anything though, throughout the years it has just seemed like he doesn't want him to get any kind of glory, even in smaller stage races.

 

[Pennino]

For now, I would just be really really really satisfied seeing him one - just freaking ONE! - more time on a brutal attack uphill. As a last salute from the last real GC man from the real era to all the science robots around.

BRUTAL ATTACK ALBERTO CONTADOR. Vamos.

 

[movingtarget]

In this Tour, 2017, they won't let Contador win a stage as things stand today. Froome et al respect, or fear, Contador too much to let him get away. Only if Alberto were to lose 30 minutes more on GC would he be given the go ahead for a stage win.

Same here. I'm sure Froome won't allow him to ride away for a stage with the current gaps. Not sure it's fear or anything though, throughout the years it has just seemed like he doesn't want him to get any kind of glory, even in smaller stage races.

I don't think Froome makes that mistake in consecutive GTs. Contador would have to be much further down GC for that to happen and it wouldn't be a large break either. Contador will probably go for a stage win. At the same time I don't think Froome would want Contador sneaking off the front with Bardet but that's what Bardet needs to pressure Sky but most of the other GC riders are happy to sit back and protect their positions at this stage of the race anyway. The best chance is for Astana and Bardet's team to attack on the same stage and of course Quintana will sit on the back and go along for the ride. Froome will miss Thomas but the way Kwia is riding it probably won't matter much.

 

[LaFlorecita]

In this Tour, 2017, they won't let Contador win a stage as things stand today. Froome et al respect, or fear, Contador too much to let him get away. Only if Alberto were to lose 30 minutes more on GC would he be given the go ahead for a stage win.

Same here. I'm sure Froome won't allow him to ride away for a stage with the current gaps. Not sure it's fear or anything though, throughout the years it has just seemed like he doesn't want him to get any kind of glory, even in smaller stage races.

I don't think Froome makes that mistake in consecutive GTs. Contador would have to be much further down GC for that to happen and it wouldn't be a large break either. Contador will probably go for a stage win. At the same time I don't think Froome would want Contador sneaking off the front with Bardet but that's what Bardet needs to pressure Sky but most of the other GC riders are happy to sit back and protect their positions at this stage of the race anyway. The best chance is for Astana and Bardet's team to attack on the same stage and of course Quintana will sit on the back and go along for the ride. Froome will miss Thomas but the way Kwia is riding it probably won't matter much.

That's my point, I doubt Froome will allow him to go for a stage win.

 

[jilbiker]

In this Tour, 2017, they won't let Contador win a stage as things stand today. Froome et al respect, or fear, Contador too much to let him get away. Only if Alberto were to lose 30 minutes more on GC would he be given the go ahead for a stage win.

Same here. I'm sure Froome won't allow him to ride away for a stage with the current gaps. Not sure it's fear or anything though, throughout the years it has just seemed like he doesn't want him to get any kind of glory, even in smaller stage races.

I totally agree, Froome seems to have made it a personal mission to keep the trophy cupboard of AC empty. Even when they are not going for a win, he pushes extra hard to make sure AC will not get any kind of glory or cheer. I ask what did AC do to this fella. That mania to make AC feel down and bad is one of the things I don't like about Froome, why I can't get on his boat. He wants to prove "I am better than AC". Fine but I also get the sense that he also does not want AC to get any sort of victory or feel good. Its a dark aspect of Mr F. Is it insecurity? What more do you need to make you feel am a rock star rider, you already have multiple TDFs. And how does making riding life miserable for AC make you a rock star? does not add up.

 

[Carols]

Contador plans to keep enjoying La Grande Boucle, now with new objectives. "After the last stage and with all the crashes, the possibilities for me in the General Classification have gone away completely. If I recover, I think the third week will be very entertaining.

"I am a very optimistic rider and I will try to do it the best I can. I will enjoy the Tour with a new approach."

Sounds good to me! Vamos Alberto

 

[cellardoor]

In this Tour, 2017, they won't let Contador win a stage as things stand today. Froome et al respect, or fear, Contador too much to let him get away. Only if Alberto were to lose 30 minutes more on GC would he be given the go ahead for a stage win.

Same here. I'm sure Froome won't allow him to ride away for a stage with the current gaps. Not sure it's fear or anything though, throughout the years it has just seemed like he doesn't want him to get any kind of glory, even in smaller stage races.

I totally agree, Froome seems to have made it a personal mission to keep the trophy cupboard of AC empty. Even when they are not going for a win, he pushes extra hard to make sure AC will not get any kind of glory or cheer. I ask what did AC do to this fella. That mania to make AC feel down and bad is one of the things I don't like about Froome, why I can't get on his boat. He wants to prove "I am better than AC". Fine but I also get the sense that he also does not want AC to get any sort of victory or feel good. Its a dark aspect of Mr F. Is it insecurity? What more do you need to make you feel am a rock star rider, you already have multiple TDFs. And how does making riding life miserable for AC make you a rock star? does not add up.

This was true in the past but I haven't seen any evidence of it in the last couple of years. I don't think Froome will be concerned about Contador winning a stage. But if Contador is around 5 mins down and goes in a breakaway then Sky are going to want to keep that under control and you can't blame them.

 

[Pennino]

Froome can win another 10 TdF's in his boring "Oh well luckily the team does a great job protecting me" fashion. No way that's going to make him even half as good as Alberto. Even a Tour-Vuelta double won't bring him close. The post-ban Contador alone is greater than Froome will ever be.

And that's just very sad reality. That such a figure who's dominating GC racing for almost half a decade now still receives laughter and that he isn't going to be nowhere near Alberto's stature. Because some freaking island that doesn't want to be part of Europe either had to be brought into road racing. So, so cruelly sad. Why has this Rupert Murdoch guy to ruin it all for us cycling fans...