Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Katabatic]

Riding 3 hours a day is hardly anything. A lot of people spend 3 hours a day on their commute to work.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I wasn't criticizing him or anyone, just highlighting his passion for cycling

 

[jflemaire]

Re:

Also, I'm just posting this cause I freaking love that kit (and one post closer to 50k)

I want that jersey!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Also, I'm just posting this cause I freaking love that kit (and one post closer to 50k)

I want that jersey!

Seems to be designed by someone from Colombia
It appears she sells them and ships worldwide
https://www.instagram.com/caroferrercyclingshop/

 

[Leinster]

Valv.Piti wrote:
Contador would have has as good shot as any to win the Giro this year, I believe. Just because I don't have any clue of who are going to win and the fact that he was very good in that Vuelta in 2017, he was truly elite on a couple of stages. Dumo isn't exactly woving people and Froome is declining pretty rapidly all of a sudden, after a slow and steady decline since Tour 2013.

Its all guesswork now. Personally I think if Contador was riding this Giro he’d be getting the exact same view of Yates’ back tire as all the other GC riders, which would inevitably be followed by an all-out suicide attack on the Finestre resulting in bumping him down to 5th or 6th place.

 

[Red Rick]

This is hypothetical peak Contador we're talking about. He'd be in pink with 4 stages and 5 minutes now.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Valv.Piti wrote:
Contador would have has as good shot as any to win the Giro this year, I believe. Just because I don't have any clue of who are going to win and the fact that he was very good in that Vuelta in 2017, he was truly elite on a couple of stages. Dumo isn't exactly woving people and Froome is declining pretty rapidly all of a sudden, after a slow and steady decline since Tour 2013.

Its all guesswork now. Personally I think if Contador was riding this Giro he’d be getting the exact same view of Yates’ back tire as all the other GC riders, which would inevitably be followed by an all-out suicide attack on the Finestre resulting in bumping him down to 5th or 6th place.

I think that was written on the rest day or something like that - I would very much like to take that back. He wouldn't have been able to follow Yates for sure and would probably be around Pozzo, Pinot and Dumo atm.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Valv.Piti wrote:
Contador would have has as good shot as any to win the Giro this year, I believe. Just because I don't have any clue of who are going to win and the fact that he was very good in that Vuelta in 2017, he was truly elite on a couple of stages. Dumo isn't exactly woving people and Froome is declining pretty rapidly all of a sudden, after a slow and steady decline since Tour 2013.

Its all guesswork now. Personally I think if Contador was riding this Giro he’d be getting the exact same view of Yates’ back tire as all the other GC riders, which would inevitably be followed by an all-out suicide attack on the Finestre resulting in bumping him down to 5th or 6th place.

I think that was written on the rest day or something like that - I would very much like to take that back. He wouldn't have been able to follow Yates for sure and would probably be around Pozzo, Pinot and Dumo atm.

I imagine Contador having had like 4 chasse patates trying to follow Yates in the high mountains.

Scrap that. Contador attacks balls deep on the Etna as soon as he notices Froome in difficulty, doesn't look back, brings back Chaves and Yates whips his ass at 5km to go and wins by like 40s or something.

 

[fantomas]

Re: Re:

Also, I'm just posting this cause I freaking love that kit (and one post closer to 50k)

I want that jersey!

Seems to be designed by someone from Colombia
It appears she sells them and ships worldwide
https://www.instagram.com/caroferrercyclingshop/

You just can't go wrong with black. Sky should've kept their black jersey, by far the most tolerable jersey in the peleton, or have changed it to something like this. That's a beautilful jersey.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Valv.Piti wrote:
Contador would have has as good shot as any to win the Giro this year, I believe. Just because I don't have any clue of who are going to win and the fact that he was very good in that Vuelta in 2017, he was truly elite on a couple of stages. Dumo isn't exactly woving people and Froome is declining pretty rapidly all of a sudden, after a slow and steady decline since Tour 2013.

Its all guesswork now. Personally I think if Contador was riding this Giro he’d be getting the exact same view of Yates’ back tire as all the other GC riders, which would inevitably be followed by an all-out suicide attack on the Finestre resulting in bumping him down to 5th or 6th place.

I think that was written on the rest day or something like that - I would very much like to take that back. He wouldn't have been able to follow Yates for sure and would probably be around Pozzo, Pinot and Dumo atm.

I imagine Contador having had like 4 chasse patates trying to follow Yates in the high mountains.

Scrap that. Contador attacks balls deep on the Etna as soon as he notices Froome in difficulty, doesn't look back, brings back Chaves and Yates whips his *** at 5km to go and wins by like 40s or something.

What am I reading

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Valv.Piti wrote:
Contador would have has as good shot as any to win the Giro this year, I believe. Just because I don't have any clue of who are going to win and the fact that he was very good in that Vuelta in 2017, he was truly elite on a couple of stages. Dumo isn't exactly woving people and Froome is declining pretty rapidly all of a sudden, after a slow and steady decline since Tour 2013.

Its all guesswork now. Personally I think if Contador was riding this Giro he’d be getting the exact same view of Yates’ back tire as all the other GC riders, which would inevitably be followed by an all-out suicide attack on the Finestre resulting in bumping him down to 5th or 6th place.

I think that was written on the rest day or something like that - I would very much like to take that back. He wouldn't have been able to follow Yates for sure and would probably be around Pozzo, Pinot and Dumo atm.

I imagine Contador having had like 4 chasse patates trying to follow Yates in the high mountains.

Scrap that. Contador attacks balls deep on the Etna as soon as he notices Froome in difficulty, doesn't look back, brings back Chaves and Yates whips his *** at 5km to go and wins by like 40s or something.

What am I reading

Me realising that Christador might not come back after being gone for 3 Grand Tours this time?

 

[LaFlorecita]

That's sad

 

[fantomas]

Oh boy. Reading through this thread should make me happy and evoke fond memories, instead it's making me finally realise that the panache, style and splendor of Contador is forever gone from the peloton.

 

[fantomas]

Sorry for reposting, but I'm in an emotional state of mind.

"ADIOS PISTOLERO

Contador is a story about a talent who became a campione, about a campione who became a campionissimo, about a campionissimo who became a legend who became an icon before hanging up the bike.

So, why did Contador reach this status, among spectators and both active and retired bike racers? First of all it’s about panache. No bike racer in recent times, and very few throughout history, have so unequivocally been an exponent of this approach to bike racing. His answer, when recently asked by Bicisport how he feels about modern cycling, was very characteristic. ”I hate watt racing,” he said. To Contador cycling isn’t about computer calculations, but panache, imagination, bravery, and glory. Things that, combined, are what made the greatest cycling poets’ pens overflow – not with blue ink, but with red lifeblood. That was back in the eras of Bartali, Coppi, Anquetil, Ocana, and Merckx. And things that for more than one hundred years have made millions flock from near and far to remote and desolate mountains to get a short glimpse of their heroes.

A result is in itself only of interest to historians and accountants. In it self sterile, like watts and radios are by nature. This is also the reason why there will most likely never be written a beautiful text about Froom – despite the indisputable fact that he is a great athlete. He is a man who never himself alone takes the bull by the horns, but always – until the final 5 kilometers – drafts, spending as much energy as a Daihatsu Charade, while others create greatness by burning hay like a Ferrari Testarossa, winning no hearts – though winning bike races. Bringing joy to only sponsors and the banker. Sadly, now we can look forward to more of that, and lovers of true and classic bike racing will have to find consolation in one-day races, where ”accountant racing” is not as shamelessly rewarded.

The other day I had a long talk with Riis (Bjarne, ed.) about Contador, and among other things I asked him what he considered Contador’s biggest weakness. ”That he won’t listen,” The Eagle replied. Not wanting to listen will no doubt cost you in some areas, but it’s also part of Contador’s greatness. Most of his greatest performances came from efforts likely no sports director would have ever encouraged.

Yesterday’s stage (Angliru, ed.) was a grand example of Contador’s bravery and ambitious way of racing. The peloton knew he was willing to almost die to take the win on Angliru, and they were expecting him to attack relatively early on he ascent. Instead he chose to risk life and limb on the wet descent and already be on the attack at the foot of Angliry. A very, very risky strategy when you want to win, and you know there are 6 Sky riders 20 seconds behind you. But Contador wants to both win and go big. And then you have to act the part. Reading the comments in the international cycling media, it was a day that moved many and will go down in the history of cycling.

Contador’s endless series of bad luck, starting with the ill-fated leg fracture in 2014, have undoubtedly cost him a lot of results, but his always blazing morale – against all odds – has at the same time made him much more popular than he was, back when everything went his way. And lately he has often said that he was determined to do great things and things of beauty, because it wasn’t until now he realized, how much that meant to his fans and to the spectators.

And he most certainly has accomplished things of beauty. And I will humbly thank him for the many great and emotional moments his presence in the peloton have given me.

This afternoon I will walk the 2 kilomtres to the finish line here in Madrid and say to him: Adios Pistolero."

 

[Carols]

Re:

Sorry for reposting, but I'm in an emotional state of mind.

"ADIOS PISTOLERO

Contador is a story about a talent who became a campione, about a campione who became a campionissimo, about a campionissimo who became a legend who became an icon before hanging up the bike.

So, why did Contador reach this status, among spectators and both active and retired bike racers? First of all it’s about panache. No bike racer in recent times, and very few throughout history, have so unequivocally been an exponent of this approach to bike racing. His answer, when recently asked by Bicisport how he feels about modern cycling, was very characteristic. ”I hate watt racing,” he said. To Contador cycling isn’t about computer calculations, but panache, imagination, bravery, and glory. Things that, combined, are what made the greatest cycling poets’ pens overflow – not with blue ink, but with red lifeblood. That was back in the eras of Bartali, Coppi, Anquetil, Ocana, and Merckx. And things that for more than one hundred years have made millions flock from near and far to remote and desolate mountains to get a short glimpse of their heroes.

A result is in itself only of interest to historians and accountants. In it self sterile, like watts and radios are by nature. This is also the reason why there will most likely never be written a beautiful text about Froom – despite the indisputable fact that he is a great athlete. He is a man who never himself alone takes the bull by the horns, but always – until the final 5 kilometers – drafts, spending as much energy as a Daihatsu Charade, while others create greatness by burning hay like a Ferrari Testarossa, winning no hearts – though winning bike races. Bringing joy to only sponsors and the banker. Sadly, now we can look forward to more of that, and lovers of true and classic bike racing will have to find consolation in one-day races, where ”accountant racing” is not as shamelessly rewarded.

The other day I had a long talk with Riis (Bjarne, ed.) about Contador, and among other things I asked him what he considered Contador’s biggest weakness. ”That he won’t listen,” The Eagle replied. Not wanting to listen will no doubt cost you in some areas, but it’s also part of Contador’s greatness. Most of his greatest performances came from efforts likely no sports director would have ever encouraged.

Yesterday’s stage (Angliru, ed.) was a grand example of Contador’s bravery and ambitious way of racing. The peloton knew he was willing to almost die to take the win on Angliru, and they were expecting him to attack relatively early on he ascent. Instead he chose to risk life and limb on the wet descent and already be on the attack at the foot of Angliry. A very, very risky strategy when you want to win, and you know there are 6 Sky riders 20 seconds behind you. But Contador wants to both win and go big. And then you have to act the part. Reading the comments in the international cycling media, it was a day that moved many and will go down in the history of cycling.

Contador’s endless series of bad luck, starting with the ill-fated leg fracture in 2014, have undoubtedly cost him a lot of results, but his always blazing morale – against all odds – has at the same time made him much more popular than he was, back when everything went his way. And lately he has often said that he was determined to do great things and things of beauty, because it wasn’t until now he realized, how much that meant to his fans and to the spectators.

And he most certainly has accomplished things of beauty. And I will humbly thank him for the many great and emotional moments his presence in the peloton have given me.

This afternoon I will walk the 2 kilomtres to the finish line here in Madrid and say to him: Adios Pistolero."

We lost so much when he hung up the wheels it makes me weep. He was a throwback to the days of Grand Panache!

But another will come, he always has. We just need to be patient and hopefully live long enough!

 

[fantomas]

Of course someone else will come along, but until then there's no other. Panache, style, bravery and strength. It's not like they're by the dozen. Who went before him?

 

[Leinster]

Re: Re:

Oh boy. Reading through this thread should make me happy and evoke fond memories, instead it's making me finally realise that the panache, style and splendor of Contador is forever gone from the peloton.

We lost so much when he hung up the wheels it makes me weep. He was a throwback to the days of Grand Panache!

But another will come, he always has. We just need to be patient and hopefully live long enough!

Are you guys missing the current Giro, or just ignoring it?

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Oh boy. Reading through this thread should make me happy and evoke fond memories, instead it's making me finally realise that the panache, style and splendor of Contador is forever gone from the peloton.

We lost so much when he hung up the wheels it makes me weep. He was a throwback to the days of Grand Panache!

But another will come, he always has. We just need to be patient and hopefully live long enough!

Are you guys missing the current Giro, or just ignoring it?

Because obviously 2 weeks of a GT equate 11 years of madness in GTs.

Panache isn't just riding away into the distance when you're much better than everyone else.

 

[Pantani Attacks]

https://youtu.be/lXkriKhqVhk?t=32m25s

Recently came across this again. Goosebumps every time, "como la moto....como la bala, como la bala!!"

 

[Carols]

Re:

Of course someone else will come along, but until then there's no other. Panache, style, bravery and strength. It's not like they're by the dozen. Who went before him?

Pantani was the last of his ilk. Rode with his heart, guts and panache, no matter the consequences! Before him you have to go back to Hinault.

As I said one has to live long enough, my time is running out.....

 

[Scarponi]

Re:

https://youtu.be/lXkriKhqVhk?t=32m25s

Recently came across this again. Goosebumps every time, "como la moto....como la bala, como la bala!!"

With all the plodders going around now you forgot how vicious his accelerations were

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

https://youtu.be/lXkriKhqVhk?t=32m25s

Recently came across this again. Goosebumps every time, "como la moto....como la bala, como la bala!!"

_O_

 

[Valv.Piti]

Como Bala?

 

[LaFlorecita]

We're quoting Berto now, ultimate proof he is a legend
https://twitter.com/cattamat/status/998995520998854657

 

[LaFlorecita]

Nice kit, nice bike