• The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

Page 194 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.

iZnoGouD

BANNED
Feb 18, 2011
1,325
0
0
This guy is better than Contador

bettiniphoto_0095761_1_full_600.jpg
 
Jan 15, 2013
909
0
0
As Bjarne Riis last year presented its 2012-squad in Saxo Bank's premises in central Copenhagen, he told that he in Rafal Majka, had a rider, we all should pay attention to in the Giro d'Italia. It was a rider who could run gc and also finish high up in the results. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to see whether this was realistic, since a crash in the spring and a subsequent long pause put a stop to the Italian project.
*
Rafal Majka came, however, subsequently reversed at the highest level, and at the Vuelta a Espana, he proved several times that Bjarne Riis hopes of a top position in the Giro was justified. Mountain Stage after mountain stage it was Majka which accounted for the large separation of Captain Alberto Contador, and several times there were few riders back when he had to pull out a few kilometers from the finish of the stages. It was a breakthrough and an effort that meant a lot to the young rider.
*
"For me it was a very important end to the season. You have to remember that I due to my knee injury was a prolonged period of two months where I could not race, nor could do training. After the surgery I could so quietly start my rehabilitation and thus be ready for the Vuelta. "
*
"It was only my second big tour, and I'm still only 23 years old. So to sit left with Alberto in the high mountains was a great experience, and when I occasionally looked back and saw that there was only 5 to 6 riders back, gave me a huge motivation. It proves to myself that I am on the right track, "he explains to Feltet.dk during training camp in Gran Canaria.
*
Physically he lags still slightly
Despite Rafal Majka no longer have knee pain, he is physically still not quite back to where he was before the injury.
*
"Interest in muscle defects I still have some percentages in the right leg, and it can only come back through hard training. Despite this, I feel, however, that I'm even stronger now compared to last year. I can feel that I constantly get built, which was also highlighted by today's (Friday ed.) Mountain test. So therefore I am also very optimistic about the Giro d'Italia. "
*
"I have seen the route and it is really tough. There are many mountains and too long climbs, so it will fit me really well. Most say that they would like to win a stage or finish in the top 10 I would like both things, and while I will of course focus on youth jersey. "
*
Training camps and races awaits first.
Before the Giro d'Italia starts in May, awaits Rafal Majka part training camps and races. First, the Mediterranean Tour, before he goes to Corsica on a training camp. After Tirreno-Adriatico and the Volta a Catalunya before a new training camp at altitude camp. When it is finished, then its the Tour de Romandie before the Italian Grand Tour before the end of the first half of the season.
*
So far, Rafal Majka have not, at least not officially, talked to Bjarne Riis on the objectives for the remainder of the season.
*
"The part we look first at the Giro d'Italia, which is the only thing I focus on the moment. The shape is right now where it should be, so I'll just continue the training program, I have been given, so I'll be in top shape for the Giro, "says Rafal Majka to Feltet.dk.

This is going to be a very interesting season for TST.
 
alexcta said:
Giro for contador

Daniel Benson ‏@dnlbenson
Contador asked on Vandenbroeck. He may have said "I could drop him on my grandmother's bike" I don't know, I don't speak a word of spanish

Daniel Benson ‏@dnlbenson
Contador did say he's aiming for a Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double in 2013.

:confused:
 
Jul 29, 2012
11,703
4
0
LaFlorecita said:
Daniel Benson ‏@dnlbenson
Contador asked on Vandenbroeck. He may have said "I could drop him on my grandmother's bike" I don't know, I don't speak a word of spanish

Daniel Benson ‏@dnlbenson
Contador did say he's aiming for a Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double in 2013.

:confused:

Edit: Looked it up.

Well it's a legit source, meh i don't know if i like it.

I like the giro and i know he can do the double. But maybe he should first see how Froome is when 100% in the tour before doing again the double.
 
Wow it'll be hard or maybe even impossible to beat Wiggins, Nibali, Schleck and Froome in top shape.
I'm cool with this decision as I was first afraid that he had lost the ambition to try something bigger than what he has now. Only downside for now is that Majka won't get free reign at the Giro.
 
May 24, 2010
855
1
0
I think it comes down to F***ing awesome!!!

I don't think it's beyond him, remember he placed 5th after the hardest Giro in many years after some early bad luck, all going well he could nail this!
 
veganrob said:
If he races Giro he will most certainly win. That will leave a very tough Tour. His mates will also have to be top notch and ready.

hmm I don't think so. He will lose a lot of time in the tt vs Wiggins... In top form he could win back that time in the mountains but he won't be in top form.
 
LaFlorecita said:
hmm I don't think so. He will lose a lot of time in the tt vs Wiggins... In top form he could win back that time in the mountains but he won't be in top form.

It wasn't that long ago Albrto beat Fabian in TT at TdF. If he was to regain some of that form he would be very close to Wiggo in ITT
 

airstream

BANNED
Mar 29, 2011
5,122
0
0
LaFlorecita said:
I'm sorry to say this... but he won't ride il Giro, at least he hasn't confirmed it... so Andy still doesn't have a chance to win le tour :D

You know my prediction regarding Tour with or without Contador.

I'm extremely surprised but apparently having already 2 tdf titles he is eager to try the double asap cos' the age will play against him more and more later.
 
airstream said:
You know my prediction regarding Tour with or without Contador.

I'm extremely surprised but apparently having already 2 tdf titles he is eager to try the double asap cos' the age will play against him more and more later.

3* tdf titles since you are trying to see this from Alberto's perspective.

And there is no reason to be surprised because he hasn't confirmed anything, just said the same thing he's been saying since the giro presentation.