Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Haven't seen today yet, but wow - so many different interpretations. Sounds like his riding 'sensibly' rather than going for broke for what is the first day of several to come invited a lot of ire. The guy cannot go all out every day. We'll have to see what happens tomorrow, but all this 'wheel-sucking his way to the podium' on other threads is absolutely laughable. I think he'd risk it all for a spectacular day in the mountains if he had the form. I for one will take only 6s - I feared a lot worse, tbh.

Yeah, peoples expectations color their perceptions! For some reason they expected a 2014 Mortirolo Berto instead of the one who is retiring in a week

It's not only that - when you consider how other riders do no attacking day after day, waiting for Contador's disruptive behaviour and sometimes failing to capitalise on that. Talk about holding folk to a different standard! Some days have to be about conserving what he has left in the tank; I only hope tomorrow he has the legs to create some utter carnage.

I think it's fair to hold Contador to a different standard. He's won seven (or nine ) GTs, he;s noto some neo-pro; and he and his fans have stated many times that it's all about the win and riding to entertain above all else. So it's kind of noteworthy and out of the ordinary when he neutralizes every attack that is potentially putting Froome under pressure, without contributing anything himself. I can't recall seeing him ride so defensively when not leading a race or working for a teammate.

 

[skippo12]

Re: Re:

Haven't seen today yet, but wow - so many different interpretations. Sounds like his riding 'sensibly' rather than going for broke for what is the first day of several to come invited a lot of ire. The guy cannot go all out every day. We'll have to see what happens tomorrow, but all this 'wheel-sucking his way to the podium' on other threads is absolutely laughable. I think he'd risk it all for a spectacular day in the mountains if he had the form. I for one will take only 6s - I feared a lot worse, tbh.

Yeah, peoples expectations color their perceptions! For some reason they expected a 2014 Mortirolo Berto instead of the one who is retiring in a week

It's not only that - when you consider how other riders do no attacking day after day, waiting for Contador's disruptive behaviour and sometimes failing to capitalise on that. Talk about holding folk to a different standard! Some days have to be about conserving what he has left in the tank; I only hope tomorrow he has the legs to create some utter carnage.

He got dropped on the final run it, he wasn't holding anything in reserve, he spent it all.....and still they complain. Go figure.

I guess we all want him to be young again and ride like on Etna every outing. I genuinely don't really mind what happens in some ways, so long as he is having fun and racing to the end. It is nice seeing him relaxed. He said he has 7 days left in the legs. So you just know he's going to give it all and leave absolutely nothing in reserve. What more can anyone ask than that?

This...we were robbed of a fight between peak/prime Contador, Froome and Nibali in 2014. Could have been a Grand Tour battle for the ages.
Every time I see the trio going against each other I hope for a throwback performance from Contador and Nibali.
This is the last time we will see Alberto in the peleton and it reminds me of the things that could have been.

 

[Brullnux]

Didn't have it in his legs today which is a shame. Tomorrow might be better.

 

[Carols]

This is the last time we will see Alberto in the peleton and it reminds me of the things that could have been.

I choose to view it as being grateful to have lived long enough to see the very few Truly Great cyclists from Anquetil to Contador.

 

[lenric]

He should have done what was best for him (at least, in his view), which was what he has done.
He looked like *** all day and he was already grimacing before attacking, so he rode to the best of his capacity and tried to capitalize on Nibali's attack, which he done and, as soon as he saw that Froome was reeling them back, what was the point of going further into the red? To lose even more time after that?

Maybe he still had a bit more gas in the tank and is saving it for tomorrow, but even though he's a good rider (despite being a shadow of his former self), no one can be guns blazing every day, not even the mythical 09-11 Alberto Contador.

Imo, he rode smartly today. Risked what he felt he could risk.

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah. He didn't want to blow up himself, but he was hoping Froome woudl break behind.

Not willing to sabotage his chances for doing something crazy later on

 

[bambino]

Re:

He should have done what was best for him (at least, in his view), which was what he has done.
He looked like **** all day and he was already grimacing before attacking, so he rode to the best of his capacity and tried to capitalize on Nibali's attack, which he done and, as soon as he saw that Froome was reeling them back, what was the point of going further into the red? To lose even more time after that?

Maybe he still had a bit more gas in the tank and is saving it for tomorrow, but even though he's a good rider (despite being a shadow of his former self), no one can be guns blazing every day, not even the mythical 09-11 Alberto Contador.

Imo, he rode smartly today. Risked what he felt he could risk.

Yeah maybe. But it's not going to win him the Vuelta.

 

[rune1107]

As I posted yesterday, I believe tomorrow is the page in the roadbook he has earmarked. Perfect short stage to create some chaos, and put all his eggs into one basket. Looks like he went all out today, but without blowing himself up and eventually limiting his losses.

 

[portugal11]

As I posted yesterday, I believe tomorrow is the page in the roadbook he has earmarked. Perfect short stage to create some chaos, and put all his eggs into one basket. Looks like he went all out today, but without blowing himself up and eventually limiting his losses.

You're right but those two climbs in the final... they will go uphill more than a hour and I fear for contador's stamina

 

[lenric]

Re: Re:

He should have done what was best for him (at least, in his view), which was what he has done.
He looked like **** all day and he was already grimacing before attacking, so he rode to the best of his capacity and tried to capitalize on Nibali's attack, which he done and, as soon as he saw that Froome was reeling them back, what was the point of going further into the red? To lose even more time after that?

Maybe he still had a bit more gas in the tank and is saving it for tomorrow, but even though he's a good rider (despite being a shadow of his former self), no one can be guns blazing every day, not even the mythical 09-11 Alberto Contador.

Imo, he rode smartly today. Risked what he felt he could risk.

Yeah maybe. But it's not going to win him the Vuelta.

But he would never win the Vuelta no matter what, we're in 2017, so that never was really on the table.

 

[LaFlorecita]

As I posted yesterday, I believe tomorrow is the page in the roadbook he has earmarked. Perfect short stage to create some chaos, and put all his eggs into one basket. Looks like he went all out today, but without blowing himself up and eventually limiting his losses.

You're right but those two climbs in the final... they will go uphill more than a hour and I fear for contador's stamina

Yeah, I don't expect anything out of this world from him. I will be delighted if he manages to limit his losses to just a couple of seconds, like today.

 

[fantomas]

Let's not forget, prime Contador is among the top-3 climbers of all time, and Contador in general is top-3 GT rider only surpassed by Merkcx and Hinault.

 

[Climber123]

Whatever happens today, he will go all in today. The stage is short and he has a chance.

 

[Matteo.]

The question is: all out for what purpose? I think his vuelta is going beyond predictions after what happened in July. but to think that winning the GC is impossible for various reasons. even winning a stage is becoming more and more complicated. this is to say that a long range attack just to make the show is useless., and would end only with his "death". especially when you are at 40s from the podium, and at the moment you are superior to your direct opponent (chaves). it is much better to make the race on the Colombian(and the third place) without venturing into impossible businesses.

 

[Climber123]

Re:

The question is: all out for what purpose? I think his vuelta is going beyond predictions after what happened in July. but to think that winning the GC is impossible for various reasons. even winning a stage is becoming more and more complicated. this is to say that a long range attack just to make the show is useless., and would end only with his "death". especially when you are at 40s from the podium, and at the moment you are superior to your direct opponent (chaves). it is much better to make the race on the Colombian(and the third place) without venturing into impossible businesses.

All-out as in attacking without looking back instead of just marking his opponents. A long-range attack would be suicide unless he can form an alliance with someone. Kelderman and Zakarin were lucky yesterday that the pace slowed and this allowed them to come back. For a podium he needs to get rid of them.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re: Re:

The question is: all out for what purpose? I think his vuelta is going beyond predictions after what happened in July. but to think that winning the GC is impossible for various reasons. even winning a stage is becoming more and more complicated. this is to say that a long range attack just to make the show is useless., and would end only with his "death". especially when you are at 40s from the podium, and at the moment you are superior to your direct opponent (chaves). it is much better to make the race on the Colombian(and the third place) without venturing into impossible businesses.

All-out as in attacking without looking back instead of just marking his opponents. A long-range attack would be suicide unless he can form an alliance with someone. Kelderman and Zakarin were lucky yesterday that the pace slowed and this allowed them to come back. For a podium he needs to get rid of them.

For a podium he just needs to ride a good time trial (something close to his best can take back the necessary time). But whether he will do that, and more to the point whether he just wants third place, we shall see today.

I want a podium, but I also want to see a long range 'suicide' attack

 

[elfed68]

Dare I dream that AC is going to make time on this attack, would be so beautiful!!

 

[benzwire]

Well I guess we can hope for a good TT, but it looks like the podium is now out of reach. Maybe drop some time and go for a stage win now?
In any case, he has tried and animated the race more than the other favorites.
One more week until retirement....

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Damn. I really need to find a next gen rider to cheer for. The masochism of being an AC fan in 2017 (in GTs). Heart of a champion, as always. No risk, no reward. But I wonder if he'd abandoned his champion's heart and stayed tucked in the bunch, would Lopez have gained so much? Zakarin? Would he have held on to Froome's wheel instead of coughing up 41 seconds?

 

[portugal11]

Re:

Well I guess we can hope for a good TT, but it looks like the podium is now out of reach. Maybe drop some time and go for a stage win now?
In any case, he has tried and animated the race more than the other favorites.
One more week until retirement....

He doesn't care about the podium. He just cares about a good show

 

[Carols]

His Lion Heart is Strong, but the legs betray him yet again. But he was a Lion until the end, always trying to gain the win. Age it gets all of them

 

[skippo12]

Really eurosport: "glorious loser" is the headline for Contador.

 

[Matteo.]

So sorry Alberto, but you chose your destiny.
But maybe you know you didn't have the legs

 

[Scarponi]

How would a rider go like Contador if he attacked from that far out in 2009 Tour form? Would he have put another minute on Lopez? I wish he did these attacks when he was at his best, it would have been carnage

 

[Tonton]

Contador deserved much better today...