Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[airstream]

You just demonstated you know nothing about the sport. Why on earth would he, in Jan., be anywhere near good form, if he wanted to win 2 gcs?

The fact that he's no longer contemplating the Giro doesn't change that.

It now seems likely that he will try to win the Tour-Vuelta this year, which makes sense in light of the brutal Worlds in Tuscany in Oct. Unfortunately the Vuelta-Worlds being in succession, means that the former is an ideal platform for the later and this has diminished the incentive to ride both the Giro and the Tour for many big names.

On the other hand going for the win in both Tour and Vuelta, especially in light of the difficulty of this year's Spanish event, may leave him without the resources to be on top in the Worlds.

Now I suppose he won't start in the vuelta. And surely he won't start it if he wont win the Tour.

Firsly of all I said this facetiously in a way, but If one reasons like you, what on earth anyone should be on form in january? Right, no one needs, but some guys are riding better. Is Van Garderen on form. I don't think so. It is a competition of off form guys by and large. And considering what limitless credit of talent you give to Contador over anyone else, he should beat other guys being off form too. But it doesnt happen so far.

 

[rhubroma]

Now I suppose he won't start in the vuelta. And surely he won't start it if he wont win the Tour.

Firsly of all I said this facetiously in a way, but If one reasons like you, what on earth anyone should be on form in january? Right, no one needs, but some guys are riding better. Is Van Garderen on form. I don't think so. It is a competition of off form guys by and large. And considering what limitless credit of talent you give to Contador over anyone else, he should beat other guys being off form too. But it doesnt happen so far.

Now you're being ridiculous. It's not a competition of "off-form" guys, but between some further along and others further back. What is a bit unusual is that AC is starting further back than normal, which even he himself has admitted.

I think AC has in the past demonstrated a superior level enough times for us to assume that he has a rather large margin for improvement. If you don't think so then you weren't watching the same sport.

On the other hand it is possible that his rivals are getting better, which is normal as one matures and all the more reason for the Spaniard, still in his prime, to hold back a little at the beginning to have more in the reserves down the road. This year’s road ends in Firenze, which is quite a bit far to be so competitive in January don't you think?

In any case, it's possible that we will already see a much more competitive Alberto at Tirreno-Adriatico

 

[xrayvision]

Now I suppose he won't start in the vuelta. And surely he won't start it if he wont win the Tour.

Firsly of all I said this facetiously in a way, but If one reasons like you, what on earth anyone should be on form in january? Right, no one needs, but some guys are riding better. Is Van Garderen on form. I don't think so. It is a competition of off form guys by and large. And considering what limitless credit of talent you give to Contador over anyone else, he should beat other guys being off form too. But it doesnt happen so far.

I can´t wait to see TJVG or Slagter beat AC at the tour when they are both in top form...Course that is your logic.

Get a grip back to reality, your losing it. Your hate for AC is ridiculous.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Now I suppose he won't start in the vuelta. And surely he won't start it if he wont win the Tour.

Firsly of all I said this facetiously in a way, but If one reasons like you, what on earth anyone should be on form in january? Right, no one needs, but some guys are riding better. Is Van Garderen on form. I don't think so. It is a competition of off form guys by and large. And considering what limitless credit of talent you give to Contador over anyone else, he should beat other guys being off form too. But it doesnt happen so far.

So I guess TJ is a better rider than Nibali, Purito, Alberto, VDB then.

 

[nikohale]

What a pity. I was so excited about this Giro-Tour stuff. Contador is missing a very good opportunity here. I really hope he knows what he is doing!

Anyway, I don't think it is a final decision. There is still time and depending on how he feels he can decide and do both.

 

[Bexon30]

What a pity. I was so excited about this Giro-Tour stuff. Contador is missing a very good opportunity here. I really hope he knows what he is doing!

Anyway, I don't think it is a final decision. There is still time and depending on how he feels he can decide and do both.

I'm gutted too, but don't think it's set in stone just yet. I can't see how a double is achievable realistically unless its a Giro/Vuelta. Lots of decent emerging talent and people going for this years Tour make me think this.
Not writing off a double for a rider in the future but perhaps it won't be Alberto.

 

[airstream]

Now you're being ridiculous. It's not a competition of "off-form" guys, but between some further along and others further back. What is a bit unusual is that AC is starting further back than normal, which even he himself has admitted.

I think AC has in the past demonstrated a superior level enough times for us to assume that he has a rather large margin for improvement. If you don't think so then you weren't watching the same sport.

On the other hand it is possible that his rivals are getting better, which is normal as one matures and all the more reason for the Spaniard, still in his prime, to hold back a little at the beginning to have more in the reserves down the road. This year’s road ends in Firenze, which is quite a bit far to be so competitive in January don't you think?

In any case, it's possible that we will already see a much more competitive Alberto at Tirreno-Adriatico

No, I'm being ironic and playing kind of antithesis. If he had had won the stage, part of fans would inevitably have told: "Look, I told you! If this off form Contador wins, others are helpless. I look forward to July!". But when he didn't win, expectations are the same and positive moments are desperately sought out in anything, say, badly prepared Nibali. It looks very comical for an impartial fan. I don't know. Probably it is the case only for me.

 

[infeXio]

Do you call yourself impartial then? l0l

 

[Carols]

Do you call yourself impartial then? l0l

He calls himself Impartial? ROTFLMAO

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

I'm gutted too, but don't think it's set in stone just yet. I can't see how a double is achievable realistically unless its a Giro/Vuelta. Lots of decent emerging talent and people going for this years Tour make me think this.
Not writing off a double for a rider in the future but perhaps it won't be Alberto.

If Alberto races the giro and wins convincingly then goes on to the tour and finishes anything other than 1st, his season will essentially be deemed a failure. If he skips the giro then wins tour he will be deemed to be back on top. He could go on to the Vuelta and finish 95th and nobody would really care. Winning the 100th edition of the tour is most important to riis, saxo and the rest of the sponsors.

He has technically not won the tour since 2009 and I hope he focuses 100 % on it

 

[cineteq]

He has technically not won the tour since 2009 and I hope he focuses 100 % on it

It's a fact
Contador: I will not race the Giro d'Italia

 

[maltiv]

Good news about Contador dropping the Giro this year. As much as I would respect his decision to ride it, I'm glad that he'll focus on the TDF this year. We need a real battle in the mountains this year and I'm not sure if Contador would've been able to do the double. Now he can perhaps try the Tour-Vuelta double instead, which is a lot less risky.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Sensible decision, I don't think anyone will think the less of him for dodging Wiggins.

 

[Bexon30]

Sensible decision, I don't think anyone will think the less of him for dodging Wiggins.

Wiggins won't be at the Tour....? Wiggins main focus should be retaining the tour. So his main Giro focus would suggest to me he is the dodger.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

When people erroneously thought Contador would ride the Giro, the suggestion around these silly parts was that Wiggins would dodge him.

Apparently what is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander.

In any case, talk of dodging is just childish nonsense entertained on these boards, and both riders should try to maximise their own results as best they see fit.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Wiggins won't be at the Tour....? Wiggins main focus should be retaining the tour. So his main Giro focus would suggest to me he is the dodger.

Around here it's sacrilege to suggest the Tour is a bigger race than the Giro, but you're bashing Wiggins and defending Contador, so it will get a pass on this occasion.

 

[Bexon30]

Around here it's sacrilege to suggest the Tour is a bigger race than the Giro, but you're bashing Wiggins and defending Contador, so it will get a pass on this occasion.

I wasn't trying to suggest this. Just that Wiggins should be more focused onto retaining Tour, especially with it being a special year and all.
As other posters said already Riis and Bertie would be crazy not to make it their main focus. Personally it's going to be such a close fought Tour this year, at least that's what I'm hoping for.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Sensible decision, I don't think anyone will think the less of him for dodging Wiggins.

Luckily you're not serious otherwise this would have been one of the most ridiculous posts ever.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Do you call yourself impartial then? l0l

He calls himself Impartial? ROTFLMAO

this is brilliant

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Around here it's sacrilege to suggest the Tour is a bigger race than the Giro, but you're bashing Wiggins and defending Contador, so it will get a pass on this occasion.

It is not?
Well that was news to me.
Giro is funnier to watch sure, but if I had to choose between atour title and a giro one, I would go for the tour, and so would 90% of this forum (perhaps with the exception of some italian forum members)

 

[LaFlorecita]

When do tell did he stop being the best rider in the world????

indeed, he is still the best rider in the world. Best stage racer, best climber and a great tter so best rider. I think the person is mistaking "best rider in the world" for "best rider of the year".

 

[LaFlorecita]

It is not?
Well that was news to me.
Giro is funnier to watch sure, but if I had to choose between atour title and a giro one, I would go for the tour, and so would 90% of this forum (perhaps with the exception of some italian forum members)

Indeed, although you hear a lot of people saying that Tour >>>>>>>>>>> Giro which I do not agree with. But tour is more prestigious without a doubt.

 

[Bexon30]

Indeed, although you hear a lot of people saying that Tour >>>>>>>>>>> Giro which I do not agree with. But tour is more prestigious without a doubt.

And then this year will be for obvious reasons. Alberto needs to stamp his name all over this.
He perhaps takes more pleasure riding the Giro though.

 

[Carols]

indeed, he is still the best rider in the world. Best stage racer, best climber and a great tter so best rider. I think the person is mistaking "best rider in the world" for "best rider of the year".

Oh I see, he only won the Vuelta last year because he couldn't compete in other races and somehow got displaced????

By someone who didn't have to compete against the best rider in the world I imagine

 

[Eshnar]

Michele Acquarone ‏@micacquarone

@dnlbenson "The secret is not to take care of the butterflies, it is to take care of the garden so that the butterflies come up to you"