Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

If that's true about refusing the 5 month contract then it's just incredibly sad.

Why? I guess he just changed his mind. Thought about it long and hard and figured it was time to say goodbye.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I don't see Alberto as a DS or cycling commentator. I agree he could get a PR job for some company/organization. Will be interesting to see what's next for him.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

If that's true about refusing the 5 month contract then it's just incredibly sad.

Why? I guess he just changed his mind. Thought about it long and hard and figured it was time to say goodbye.

Because he planned to do it for longer, and now because of another disappointment he apparently he doesn't think it's worth doing anymore.

 

[The Hitch]

Re: Re:

Some say "Good riddance" - but it very triste to think that the Vuelta will be the last time we see Alberto race a bike: Certainly -a true gran campeón

I will miss him: might sound weird/creepy but he has been a big part of my life in recent years. Not just in races but also looking for news, photos, social media posts, interviews, everything will change

All good things must come to an end.

But even when this door closes, others will open.

 

[42x16ss]

But I thought everyone at Tinkoff hated him...

https://mobile.twitter.com/mickrogers/status/895257436168359938

Mick was a good team mate. It seemed to be mutual.

Contador was a very popular team mate. Even Armstrong's $$$ struggled to turn people against him.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

If that's true about refusing the 5 month contract then it's just incredibly sad.

Why? I guess he just changed his mind. Thought about it long and hard and figured it was time to say goodbye.

Because he planned to do it for longer, and now because of another disappointment he apparently he doesn't think it's worth doing anymore.

Oh I thought you meant sad in the pathetic kind of way.

 

[LaFlorecita]

But I thought everyone at Tinkoff hated him...

https://mobile.twitter.com/mickrogers/status/895257436168359938

Mick was a good team mate. It seemed to be mutual.

Contador was a very popular team mate. Even Armstrong's $$$ struggled to turn people against him.

From the reactions on social media it seems Alberto is well-liked in the peloton especially among teammates and the Spaniards and Italians.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

If that's true about refusing the 5 month contract then it's just incredibly sad.

Why? I guess he just changed his mind. Thought about it long and hard and figured it was time to say goodbye.

Because he planned to do it for longer, and now because of another disappointment he apparently he doesn't think it's worth doing anymore.

Oh I thought you meant sad in the pathetic kind of way.

Were you questioning my fanboyism?

 

[Pennino]

Such a shame reading so much negative speculation here. I don't know how your minds work, but mine these days is just filled with sadness because of his retirement but also with happiness and curiosity about seeing the legend going to La Vuelta apparently in a good form.

And for the future I guess it will be only more Fundación Contador and FundContaTeam.

 

[LaFlorecita]

What negative speculation?

 

[perico]

Riis is pissed- thinks Contador could've won another Tour.

http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/cykling/riis-aergrer-sig-over-contador-du-kunne-have-vundet-touren-igen/6769757

 

[LaFlorecita]

Riis is pissed- thinks Contador could've won another Tour.

http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/cykling/riis-aergrer-sig-over-contador-du-kunne-have-vundet-touren-igen/6769757

Getting tired of this man.

 

[perico]

Riis is pissed- thinks Contador could've won another Tour.

http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/cykling/riis-aergrer-sig-over-contador-du-kunne-have-vundet-touren-igen/6769757

Getting tired of this man.

Read the rest of the article. Says Contador is basically the greatest modern rider and has much love for him.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Riis is pissed- thinks Contador could've won another Tour.

http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/cykling/riis-aergrer-sig-over-contador-du-kunne-have-vundet-touren-igen/6769757

Getting tired of this man.

Read the rest of the article. Says Contador is basically the greatest modern rider and has much love for him.

It's clear Alberto isn't retiring because he feels he has no chance to win big races anymore - there is a different reason which we can only speculate about so it is strange to me to see Riis "angry".
Also I think Riis has lost touch with reality. Everything he's said about Contador recently makes it sound like Alberto could win anything he wants if he trained properly (implying he isn't doing that now) which is obviously nonsense.

 

[perico]

Riis is pissed- thinks Contador could've won another Tour.

http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/cykling/riis-aergrer-sig-over-contador-du-kunne-have-vundet-touren-igen/6769757

Getting tired of this man.

Read the rest of the article. Says Contador is basically the greatest modern rider and has much love for him.

It's clear Alberto isn't retiring because he feels he has no chance to win big races anymore - there is a different reason which we can only speculate about so it is strange to me to see Riis "angry".
Also I think Riis has lost touch with reality. Everything he's said about Contador recently makes it sound like Alberto could win anything he wants if he trained properly (implying he isn't doing that now) which is obviously nonsense.

Riis isn't really angry, Flo. You have to remember that it was a two way street. Alberto won a lot for Bjarn, and Bjarn stood by Alberto during dark times. There's a mutual love there.

 

[Netserk]

He's neither pissed nor angry. A better translation of "ærgre sig" is upset, annoyed or disappointed. He thinks it's unfortunate that he's retiring, since he believes that he still has more left in him.

Which matches my own feelings quite well. I would personally much prefer if he also raced next year.

 

[Pennino]

I think we all kind of have that feeling haven't we? Alberto could absolutely have won some more Tours. And I certainly believe Riis have some credibility here.

@Flo all this speculations why he's retiring, possible fights with Trek, it's really annoying. It could be perfectly true but there's absolutely no record of it in my view.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Bjarne Riis certainly is an idiot tho, theres no way around it. The media is giving that man far too much airtime recently - link me an article where he actually says something that isn't negative. Pretty much always complaining or critisizing.

 

[infeXio]

Re:

Bjarne Riis certainly is an idiot tho, theres no way around it. The media is giving that man far too much airtime recently - link me an article where he actually says something that isn't negative. Pretty much always complaining or critisizing.

Often, though, he's actually being asked for a critical view or perspective on a matter, not necessarily proactively being negative. The Danish (sports) journalists are often horrid at getting any meaningful answers, as they care more about sensationalism and hot takes rather than useful answers - it's borderline sad.
In regards to Contador, however, I don't get the sense that he has anything but respect for the man.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I don't think Riis has anything against Contador but his comments are unnecessarily negative and critical IMO, especially if he has a good relationship with Alberto.
He can be disappointed with Alberto's retirement as all of us are but it's Alberto's decision and we have to respect that. He will have his reasons for it and will have thought about it very well.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

I don't think Riis has anything against Contador but his comments are unnecessarily negative and critical IMO, especially if he has a good relationship with Alberto.
He can be disappointed with Alberto's retirement as all of us are but it's Alberto's decision and we have to respect that. He will have his reasons for it and will have thought about it very well.

Riis loves Contador, absolutely adores him.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I don't think Riis has anything against Contador but his comments are unnecessarily negative and critical IMO, especially if he has a good relationship with Alberto.
He can be disappointed with Alberto's retirement as all of us are but it's Alberto's decision and we have to respect that. He will have his reasons for it and will have thought about it very well.

Riis loves Contador, absolutely adores him.

I know

 

[Carols]

I am touring in Scotland and just heard the news... it is good I am busy! congrats to grande Campeon, one of the very best I have witnessed in the last 50+ years! Long may his Legend live on to inspire new cyclists. He will be sorely missed

Hi Carols, I tried to PM you but not sure it worked. Jist of it was, hope you are enjoying Scotland and if you are passing near to North Queensferry, I would be delighted to meet up and buy you a coffee/lunch and talk all things Alberto North Queensferry is just under the rail/road bridges about 8 miles from Edinburgh airport

Wow sorry I missed this,i've been off line! Last night I was at the Tattoo, awesome, and left Edinburg this am. now I'm just outside Inverness, heading tk Skye by tomorrow pm. so sorry to have missed your Kind Offer!

 

[ferryman]

I am touring in Scotland and just heard the news... it is good I am busy! congrats to grande Campeon, one of the very best I have witnessed in the last 50+ years! Long may his Legend live on to inspire new cyclists. He will be sorely missed

Hi Carols, I tried to PM you but not sure it worked. Jist of it was, hope you are enjoying Scotland and if you are passing near to North Queensferry, I would be delighted to meet up and buy you a coffee/lunch and talk all things Alberto North Queensferry is just under the rail/road bridges about 8 miles from Edinburgh airport

Wow sorry I missed this,i've been off line! Last night I was at the Tattoo, awesome, and left Edinburg this am. now I'm just outside Inverness, heading tk Skye by tomorrow pm. so sorry to have missed your Kind Offer!

To my shame as an Edinburgher, I've never been to the Tattoo You will love Skye My Mum was born not far from Inverness, so I love it up there The offer stands if you are passing near NQ on your way South Enjoy, but look oot for the midges on Skye

 

[Electress]

Even for a rider and fighter like Contador, it must get harder and harder to sacrifice for one more win - he's won so much after all. I have wondered whether what happend to Porte this tour, and the crashes AC has had recently, have also taken their toll on his motivation and mental energy needed to continue. And perhaps there are family reasons we'll not know about. He spent a long time living in a place he didn't much like, and even though he's moved back to Pinto, the amount of time away from family must get wearing.

Whatever - I only hope he won't disappear. He's been a big inspiration for me.