Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Poursuivant]

Attack on the Croix de Fer incoming.

 

[Ikbengodniet]

He looks very relaxed and comfortable. I think we can expect something great wednesday or thursday.

 

[lenric]

Re:

Attack on the Croix de Fer incoming.

It would be great, but it's a long stage and I don't know if he can pull that one off due to his stamina. And let's not forget that there will be a long descent after that mountain. Unless someone goes with him. Bardet?
Maybe an attack at Telegraphe.

 

[perico]

Re: Re:

Attack on the Croix de Fer incoming.

It would be great, but it's a long stage and I don't know if he can pull that one off due to his stamina. And let's not forget that there will be a long descent after that mountain. Unless someone goes with him. Bardet?
Maybe an attack at Telegraphe.

Put Pantano in a group up the road. He's had an anonymous tour so far, almost Zubeldia-esque, so no one would even notice if he was up the road!

 

[Leinster]

Re: Re:

Attack on the Croix de Fer incoming.

It would be great, but it's a long stage and I don't know if he can pull that one off due to his stamina. And let's not forget that there will be a long descent after that mountain. Unless someone goes with him. Bardet?
Maybe an attack at Telegraphe.

Put Pantano in a group up the road. He's had an anonymous tour so far, almost Zubeldia-esque, so no one would even notice if he was up the road!

Why not both Pantano and Zubeldia? The double-ninja.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Steven De Jongh just said in a Dutch TDF talkshow that Berto's potential retirement at the end of the season depends on the rest of the race. So let's hope he has a good week.

 

[lenric]

Re:

Steven De Jongh just said in a Dutch TDF talkshow that Berto's potential retirement at the end of the season depends on the rest of the race. So let's hope he has a good week.

So, maybe no Vuelta if this week he doesn't perform.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Steven De Jongh just said in a Dutch TDF talkshow that Berto's potential retirement at the end of the season depends on the rest of the race. So let's hope he has a good week.

So, maybe no Vuelta if this week he doesn't perform.

I'd say if he retires, he'll definitely ride the Vuelta, regardless of his shape. He'll want a proper goodbye.

 

[arvc40]

Re:

Steven De Jongh just said in a Dutch TDF talkshow that Berto's potential retirement at the end of the season depends on the rest of the race. So let's hope he has a good week.

Indeed !

 

[klintE]

Re:

Steven De Jongh just said in a Dutch TDF talkshow that Berto's potential retirement at the end of the season depends on the rest of the race.

Sad news.

 

[Red Rick]

Damn, I'd hoped a last Giro was all but given.

Anyway, another cool quote

"When I got back from my ride, I saw Alberto limping into the massage room like an old man, but before he went he told me "Steven, today there's no group riding away without me."

 

[Electress]

Serious potential for no Berto? That makes me depressed.

I hope he spends the rest of the tour enjoying himself and putting on a great show.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Ffs, I had hoped to see him at the Giro. On the other hand, if his plans are to ride the Giro, he'll probably skip the Vuelta. The Vuelta field will be very stacked (as always) if he attends.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yeah, it also shocked me a bit to hear it isn't at all certain he'll continue, I thought it was pretty much confirmed. Hopefully he has good sensations this last week and decides to continue for another year. I'd like to see him race the Vuelta of course but if he goes for the Giro next year it would be better to rest, IMO. He can't start building his base for next year while he's still fatigued.

 

[arvc40]

Prefer to see him do Spain and the Tour next year. Froome is.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Prefer to see him do Spain and the Tour next year. Froome is.

This is for sure his last TDF, also according to De Jongh.
I don't know why his race schedule should mirror Froome's.

 

[Electress]

If he's going to Giro, Carols, I will meet you there ! ;o)

 

[Tonton]

Giro-Vuelta would be a great schedule for a final year. But if this year is the last, I would DNS (what's there to win?) and save some energy, come fresher, better prepared at the Vuelta, and cause mayhem.

 

[arvc40]

Re: Re:

Prefer to see him do Spain and the Tour next year. Froome is.

This is for sure his last TDF, also according to De Jongh.
I don't know why his race schedule should mirror Froome's.

I just like to see all the best riders compete at the highest level against each other. I'd rather see him compete and lose to Froome than win a Giro as consolation.

 

[arvc40]

Would you feel the same about him doing Giro if Froome targeted it ?.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Would you feel the same about him doing Giro if Froome targeted it ?.

Froome won't do the Giro if he wins this Tour because then he has the chance for a record equaling fifth Tour.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

Would you feel the same about him doing Giro if Froome targeted it ?.

Froome won't do the Giro if he wins this Tour because then he has the chance for a record equaling fifth Tour.

He won't do the Giro period. Sky wants the biggest prize. Until they get someone able to win it all, English speaking, no way. Thomas could have been that one, but his DNF at the Giro makes it inconclusive. Had he podiumed in Italy, different story.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

wish at least for 1 more giro...

 

[Pennino]

Ouch, that quote hurts. "Heel misschien", "Little chance" that he'll do the Giro. That really sucks. After this year's relatively disappointing Giro with Berto it would be a completely different story.

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Steven De Jongh just said in a Dutch TDF talkshow that Berto's potential retirement at the end of the season depends on the rest of the race.

Sad news.

No wonder there's no news about him signing with Trek. At the beginning of TDF, there's rumour that he'll sign his extension with Trek on the first rest day. Even Trek confirms that they aren't looking for another GC, because they want Contador. Maybe after this hard Tour that pushed him to the limit physically, mentally and emotionally, he changed his mind? Interesting. It feels like so sudden, especially with all this talk to extend with Trek.