Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[jsem94]

If he needs to lose lots of time to be able to get in a break to have any chance of winning a stage, that is more or less being given a stage win, which I doubt is what he wants. If he wants to win a stage, he needs to beat the big boys fair and square. So unless he's half hour behind it ain't gonna happen so might as well take his chance of a top ten finish.

"Take his chance of a top ten finish"

Lmao. Many are going to fall off. He's shown that he's, along with Chaves, probably the closest to Froome in terms of actual level right now. Not picking him for a top 5 finish is highly questionable.

 

[GrandColombier]

I'm a huge fan of Alberto. Unfortunately it will be difficult to win a stage in this Vuelta. Guys like Majka or Bardet have lost a lot of time during the first week and they will represent a threat for Alberto. Sky will likely let them go in the breakaway. Trek won't be able to chase breakaway including climbers like Majka in the climbs. Of course Bertie is able to catch the break as he did in the Croix de Fer. Majka or Bardet are stronger than Roglic (who blew him up in the Galibier)
In a stage win battle between GC guys, Froome is obviously stronger than him. Unless Froome gives him a stage I don't see how he can win a stage.
He has to lose time to go in a breakaway, but I don't think he will accept to lose time to target only stage wins.

 

[Lv426]

Being a Bertie fan I was disappointed that he decided to carry on this year. I hate seeing riders perform well below their best. But he has surprised me in the last few days . He obviously will try something and let's hope it succeeds. NIbs has been awful.

 

[GrandColombier]

I'm a huge fan of Alberto. Unfortunately it will be difficult to win a stage in this Vuelta. Guys like Majka or Bardet have lost a lot of time and they will represent a threat for him. I mean Sky will likely let them go in a breakaway. Trek is not strong enough to chase breakaways including good climbers like them. Of course Bertie can catch the breakaway as he did in the Croix de Fer. But then Majka will blow him up as Roglic did in the Galibier.
In a stage win battle between GC guys, Froome is obviously stronger and I don't think he will give a stage to Alberto.
The only way would be to lose time, but I don't think he will take it easy in a mountain stage to target only stage wins.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

He should get a top 5 finish but he is already showing weakness from the last stage losing froomes wheel? I would have expected him to stay but the signs are slowly showing. I would like him to go out with a bang but not to embarrass himself by going out trying to win something that is out of reach. His rivals won't give him an inch because of who he is. If he can stay with froome (and not try and beat him) he has a good chance of a decent finish? I think a stage win is out of the question but a high ish GC position is doable.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I don't think he would embarrass himself if he went all out to win and failed. You're asking him to ignore his instincts and ride conservatively - obviously not going to happen.
Of course a stage win is not out of question, it's by no means a given he'll win a stage and personally I think it's unlikely, but so far he looks to be one of the, say, 5 strongest climbers in the race which automatically makes him a candidate for the victory on the majority of the stages that are left. Of course a good part of those stages will go to breaks and he'll need many things to go his way to win in a fight against the other top contenders but it's definitely not "out of question". We don't even know how he'll fare in the real mountains, he might as well emerge as Froome's only challenger and go toe-to-toe with him uphill. Who knows.

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

For me Contador wining stage 15 and stage 20 would eb better than a podium

In order to do tht he may need to bleed time ...but will he do that ?

If he did he would cetainly havea great chance to win both stages .....
Otherwise its podium/top 5

He's never been one to give up minutes in order to free himself from being a threat to his gc rivals and then pursue stage wins. I doubt he will start now. I think he enjoys competing with his rivals, win or lose.

Agree. Alberto will never intentionally bleed time. If it happens it'll be because he didn't have the legs. Otherwise it is Full Steam Ahead!

 

[Electress]

I doubt Contador dislike Froome at all. They often speak before, during the race, and after, always greet each other when they meet, one would say they get along pretty well...

I think Alberto can get along well with anyone and he isn't the kind of person to dislike someone.

Maybe try being a little bit like him????

'I don't give two shits about Froome and his image in the "traditional cycling world".
He doesn't deserve the honor of having Alberto next to him on the podium'.

No don't. I really quite admire your emotional honesty, Flo. Why pretend, if that's what you feel? We're fans. We're not trying to win some kind of mild-mannered, PC contest. It's only a cycling forum; nothing happens in the real world because we have likes and dislikes. I might feel differently if you were posting in the Froome thread, as it would merely seem provocative, but posting it here? Why on earth not?

Frankly, I feel much the same. I don't want to see Berto next to Froome, because I dislike Froome. I guess in the same way Lance fans didn't enjoy seeing him standing a step down from Berto. Seems like a natural fan response. Since I also happen to think he'd get more pleasure having a stage win, I have no compunction about admitting it. If I felt a podium meant something special to him, maybe I'd want that for him more than I wanted it not to happen for me. I dunno. As Berto isn't about to read or act on it, it hardly matters in any case.

As for Berto not disliking anyone...yeah, not sure I believe that. Which is not to say that he doesn't seem an incredibly nice guy. I just don't think he's naive - what did he say about people after the clen stuff....he learnt who his friends were. He's professional, decent, doesn't indulge in too much personal comment. But I bet he's got some pretty candid opinions, and pretty astute understanding, of the people he rides amongst. Always seems to me he keeps his own counsel, has a few very close confidantes, and the rest he's perfectly fine with engaging with in a warm and friendly way without investing more than that. Very few riders went to his wedding, for eg.

What I want for the rest of the Vuelta is Berto to go all in. I want him to enjoy himself racing like a demon, because I think this is a reflection of who he is, and he has this one chance to express it to the full. So no pottering about with tactics bleeding time or whatever. Just go for it if he feels like it - take the risk. He has absolutely nothing to lose. Who cares about a podium if he's attacking each stage, even if he never wins one? No one is going to fault him for trying and making the race great to watch. If he's got no form, then he won't get podium anyway. If he's got form, then I'm all for him betting it all, and let the chips fall where they may. No time to start playing the averages now.

As Gothe said, boldness has genius, power and magic in it. I want to see the magic for one last time.

 

[LaFlorecita]

If I felt a podium meant something special to him, maybe I'd want that for him more than I wanted it not to happen for me.

This. We'll see what Berto says in the following days. If he really, desperately wants that podium, then I'll hope he gets it. But I'm not so sure.

 

[Ariane]

I doubt Contador dislike Froome at all. They often speak before, during the race, and after, always greet each other when they meet, one would say they get along pretty well...

I think Alberto can get along well with anyone and he isn't the kind of person to dislike someone.

Maybe try being a little bit like him????

'I don't give two shits about Froome and his image in the "traditional cycling world".
He doesn't deserve the honor of having Alberto next to him on the podium'.

No don't. I really quite admire your emotional honesty, Flo. Why pretend, if that's what you feel? We're fans. We're not trying to win some kind of mild-mannered, PC contest. It's only a cycling forum; nothing happens in the real world because we have likes and dislikes. I might feel differently if you were posting in the Froome thread, as it would merely seem provocative, but posting it here? Why on earth not?

Frankly, I feel much the same. I don't want to see Berto next to Froome, because I dislike Froome. I guess in the same way Lance fans didn't enjoy seeing him standing a step down from Berto. Seems like a natural fan response. Since I also happen to think he'd get more pleasure having a stage win, I have no compunction about admitting it. If I felt a podium meant something special to him, maybe I'd want that for him more than I wanted it not to happen for me. I dunno. As Berto isn't about to read or act on it, it hardly matters in any case.

As for Berto not disliking anyone...yeah, not sure I believe that. Which is not to say that he doesn't seem an incredibly nice guy. I just don't think he's naive - what did he say about people after the clen stuff....he learnt who his friends were. He's professional, decent, doesn't indulge in too much personal comment. But I bet he's got some pretty candid opinions, and pretty astute understanding, of the people he rides amongst. Always seems to me he keeps his own counsel, has a few very close confidantes, and the rest he's perfectly fine with engaging with in a warm and friendly way without investing more than that. Very few riders went to his wedding, for eg.

What I want for the rest of the Vuelta is Berto to go all in. I want him to enjoy himself racing like a demon, because I think this is a reflection of who he is, and he has this one chance to express it to the full. So no pottering about with tactics bleeding time or whatever. Just go for it if he feels like it - take the risk. He has absolutely nothing to lose. Who cares about a podium if he's attacking each stage, even if he never wins one? No one is going to fault him for trying and making the race great to watch. If he's got no form, then he won't get podium anyway. If he's got form, then I'm all for him betting it all, and let the chips fall where they may. No time to start playing the averages now.

As Gothe said, boldness has genius, power and magic in it. I want to see the magic for one last time.

Spot on: totally agree

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

As Alberto would say; "quick remind"

I know one person who will sleep better during races with AC's retirement ---- Froome ---- ha-ha. My consolation for this Vuelta if AC does not win it is that he messes up Froome's rhythm and gives him some parting nightmares....on the road.

Poor Froome, really poor..... these nightmares...

Btw, after 11th stage Contador will be ca. 10 min behind Froome.

Let's see.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I guess Alberto will attack today "and now, is time for attack"

 

[dacooley]

with AC possibly not having the physique to win the vuelta himself, not letting froome to win is getting fan number one priority.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

with AC possibly not having the physique to win the vuelta himself, not letting froome to win is getting fan number one priority.

Have you not seen on the last 10 pages that all Contador fans are hoping for right now is a stage win or are you stirring the pot again?

 

[Angliru]

Re:

with AC possibly not having the physique to win the vuelta himself, not letting froome to win is getting fan number one priority.

Someone's living in an alternate reality.

 

[portugal11]

Tomorrow there will be rain, contador to win the stage mark my words!

 

[Pennino]

Re:

with AC possibly not having the physique to win the vuelta himself, not letting froome to win is getting fan number one priority.

Froome may win, but he has for once to spit blood for it. Sick of him coming out relatively fresh as the winner while the others are nearly dead. I want to see pure racing for the top spots and it seems that only Berto gives me that.

But Froome cracking under a BRUTAL ATTACK from the one and only maestro.... aargh just stop dreaming too much.

 

[Billopoulos]

It's difficult to crack Froome anyway, but just imagine Froome out of the race for one reason or another... Contador will go mad trying to take the time back from the other guys! :twisted:

Contador says that he knows the route and is expecting it to be a complicated day, particularly with the weather forecast.

Let's see if that turns true.

 

[Climber123]

So... how will Bertie go today? I say he will be second or third from the GC guys after an initial attack from the group.

 

[Lexman]

so will the rain hinder hi performance of help him, how does he normally ride in rain?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

so will the rain hinder hi performance of help him, how does he normally ride in rain?

As far as I know, he prefers rain over high heat.
Not sure if he necessarily prefers rain over dry weather.

 

[portugal11]

Re: Re:

so will the rain hinder hi performance of help him, how does he normally ride in rain?

As far as I know, he prefers rain over high heat.
Not sure if he necessarily prefers rain over dry weather.

He prefers rain. He already said one time that he can breath better on tough conditions like rain.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

so will the rain hinder hi performance of help him, how does he normally ride in rain?

As far as I know, he prefers rain over high heat.
Not sure if he necessarily prefers rain over dry weather.

He prefers rain. He already said one time that he can breath better on tough conditions like rain.

Yeah but I believe that's related to the rain clearing pollen out of the air. We know he has pollen allergies.
I don't know if there are high pollen counts in Spain right now.

 

[portugal11]

Re: Re:

so will the rain hinder hi performance of help him, how does he normally ride in rain?

As far as I know, he prefers rain over high heat.
Not sure if he necessarily prefers rain over dry weather.

He prefers rain. He already said one time that he can breath better on tough conditions like rain.

Yeah but I believe that's related to the rain clearing pollen out of the air. We know he has pollen allergies.
I don't know if there are high pollen counts in Spain right now.

Maybe he is like rui costa, rui prefers dry weather but he knows that he can adapt to rain and cold weather better than almost the entire peloton so he can take advantage in those conditions

 

[portugal11]

This is looking good for contador. A shame that he doesn't have any teammate in the front group