Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Parrulo]

ok

in that case I dearly hope he's not gonna wear that atrocity

He certainly will, specialized is paying for it after all

and they look like tt helmets to me. Also because Alberto's checking out his tt bike and on other pics he's wearing a normal helmet.

I posted two pictures of him wearing the helmet of course

"consistency"

 

[LaFlorecita]

He certainly will, specialized is paying for it after all

What's the point? Why not pay him to wear a normal helmet instead of a tt helmet

yes it's a tt helmet.. it looks ridiculous

"consistency"

No idea what you meant

 

[Taxus4a]

Nothing about the pollen, is there? He was very happy with how he performed during the Dauphine and he is now at the level of where he wants to be. He spoke highly of Richie Porte and said that Ritchie must be watched carefully in the mountain and during time trial.

Alberto know Porte well, he was his domestique, very strong in the TT, but nor in the Giro nor the Tour was in the mountains as the rest of his professional years.

He is not the only one whothink that about Porte, but.. he was already the last Tour there, he did a good job, he was after Rogers in the train, but he was far from Froome rol, Froome was working as well and finished second, and Porte finished 34th overall.

Could Porte do a good job and finish top 10? I think so, but not top 5. There are a lot of strong people for three weeks, Porte it is not so strong in three weeks and long climbs IMO.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

LaFlorecita, how about the latest Saxo cycling video featuring Alberto to bring out a smile in you

http://youtu.be/c2H8DG38AYA

 

[LaFlorecita]

LaFlorecita, how about the latest Saxo cycling video featuring Alberto to bring out a smile in you

http://youtu.be/c2H8DG38AYA

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alex Oates ‏@Velocentric 7m
Alberto looks like he's waiting to speak with his school principal. #TdF

 

[maxmartin]

AC is no opponent against these alien arms(see pic above). The question is can AC match up with legs? LOL

 

[Zweistein]

AC is no opponent against these alien arms(see pic above). The question is can AC match up with legs? LOL

If Froome gives himself cancer with what he is taking, will we have Livefroomy?

 

[Carols]

So what does he have to say???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rRJXndOBVU&feature=em-uploademail

 

[maxmartin]

I don't why Froom's arm pic is deleted from this thread?
But the question is legit, AC obviously is no opponent against F's up-body strength (see pic above and below), the question remains can he match up legs with Froom?

 

[hiero2]

I don't why Froom's freaky arm pic is deleted from this thread?
But the question is legit, AC obviously is no opponent against F's up-body strength, the question remains can he match up legs with Froom?

Because the comments that went with it were clinic references - and I'm not being nice and spending my time editing poster mistakes - unless I have a good reason. Takes up too much of my time and people weren't listening, mostly. FYI. I probably won't say it again.

 

[Carols]

I don't why Froom's arm pic is deleted from this thread?
But the question is legit, AC obviously is no opponent against F's up-body strength (see pic above and below), the question remains can he match up legs with Froom?

No one ever won a GT with their arms...it's the legs that count

I don't think even Alberto knows how his legs will be!!!

 

[maxmartin]

No one ever won a GT with their arms...it's the legs that count

I don't think even Alberto knows how his legs will be!!!

right on, but Froom legs could be in better condition than his arms
I am worried for AC, although I am a fake fan.

What is that word Froom use? Oh, SUPER according to CN article
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-froome-says-hes-in-super-condition

 

[Ferminal]

Saxo were looking pretty good in the skinniness stakes too, the selection of Noval already paying dividends.

 

[maxmartin]

Saxo were looking pretty good in the skinniness stakes too, the selection of Noval already paying dividends.

Pretty good, but not as good as SKY looks. After seeing their current physio condition, I would rather put money on F than AC

 

[nick101]

Contador claims: “It’s difficult to say where I am right now. That will become clearer when the race gets under way. I would say that I am at about 90 per cent right, which is just about where I want to be given the difficulty of the race this year.”

For me it's really surprising for him to be 90% given he was only 75% several weeks ago. How did he gain 15% in a few weeks ??
If he's that fit, then if i were Froome, I'd be extremely worried. Imo Contador at only 90% of his true abilities could match froome on climbs, although we are yet to really see that.

I can just see Contador sitting quietly in the GC group on Ax-3 and letting Froome pointlessly gain 10 seconds in one of his final km attacks, then the next day biding his time and following Froome if he attacks. Then come Ventoux, Contador would be virtually peaking, and do a massive attack like on Etna from 7kms out and gain over a minute. If he needed to gain more time he would do the same thing on the Alpe, although from closer to the finish. Well that's what I strongly suspect happening if Contador is that fit, and if Sky will continue with the same tactics like they say they are going to.

 

[maxmartin]

Contador claims: “It’s difficult to say where I am right now. That will become clearer when the race gets under way. I would say that I am at about 90 per cent right, which is just about where I want to be given the difficulty of the race this year.”

For me it's really surprising for him to be 90% given he was only 75% several weeks ago. How did he gain 15% in a few weeks ??
If he's that fit, then if i were Froome, I'd be extremely worried. Imo Contador at only 90% of his true abilities could match froome on climbs, although we are yet to really see that.

I can just see Contador sitting quietly in the GC group on Ax-3 and letting Froome pointlessly gain 10 seconds in one of his final km attacks, then the next day biding his time and following Froome if he attacks. Then come Ventoux, Contador would be virtually peaking, and do a massive attack like on Etna from 7kms out and gain over a minute. If he needed to gain more time he would do the same thing on the Alpe, although from closer to the finish. Well that's what I strongly suspect happening if Contador is that fit, and if Sky will continue with the same tactics like they say they are going to.

baseline could be hugely different, F's baseline is 1000, AC's baseline is 100, So F's 1% equals AC's 10%. So without knowing their baseline number, these percentage changes means nothing.

 

[nick101]

baseline could be hugely different, F's baseline is 1000, AC's baseline is 100, So F's 1% equals AC's 10%. So without knowing their baseline number, these percentage changes means nothing.

What are you talking about??
Contador said he's 90%, that means 90% of his best possible form. His best possible form is Verbier. Please don't try and tell me Froome could've demolished Contador on Verbier, because no he couldn't and has shown nowhere near the abilities needed to do so ever

 

[Ryaguas]

Alberto looks pretty fit in the pics...

BUT... I think he is bluffing right now... but if Sky/Froome believes that He is at 90% then that could make froome attack and be more agressive from the beggining and burn himself in the process while Alberto will try just to follow and try to gain sometime if he sees an openning somewhere... althought we know Alberto and he will attack and will attack big time... maybe an Etna? could be... but Im pretty sure that he will give a nice spectacle...

As I said in Andy's thread... will be interesing if Froome since he will try to mark his territory, will he follow Andy's attacks or Bala's or Purito's? if He gives them too much time he could lose the tour... in just a sec with a mechanical or crash or w/e...

From Alberto, I think that He will check the field and could be working with Andy or Purito or Bala to gain time on Froome... right now is everybody against Froome... there are not official alliances but they will try to shutdown Froome ASAP...


BTW... Froome sucks and Contador ROXs... hahaha

 

[Ryaguas]

What are you talking about??
Contador said he's 90%, that means 90% of his best possible form. His best possible form is Verbier. Please don't try and tell me Froome could've demolished Contador on Verbier, because no he couldn't and has shown nowhere near the abilities needed to do so ever

mmmm I wouldnt count Verbier for obvious reasons... I prefer to say that 90% form is Giro 2011 form... with that form Contador can win the Tour easily with 3min over the 2nd...

The question is can he replicate that form this year? I think He can and will do it... Im so anxious right now...

 

[maxmartin]

What are you talking about??
Contador said he's 90%, that means 90% of his best possible form. His best possible form is Verbier. Please don't try and tell me Froome could've demolished Contador on Verbier, because no he couldn't and has shown nowhere near the abilities needed to do so ever

that is exactly I am trying yo tell you. LOL We might have not yet seen F operating at his maximum level

 

[nick101]

Alberto looks pretty fit in the pics...

BUT... I think he is bluffing right now... but if Sky/Froome believes that He is at 90% then that could make froome attack and be more agressive from the beggining and burn himself in the process while Alberto will try just to follow and try to gain sometime if he sees an openning somewhere... althought we know Alberto and he will attack and will attack big time... maybe an Etna? could be... but Im pretty sure that he will give a nice spectacle...

As I said in Andy's thread... will be interesing if Froome since he will try to mark his territory, will he follow Andy's attacks or Bala's or Purito's? if He gives them too much time he could lose the tour... in just a sec with a mechanical or crash or w/e...

From Alberto, I think that He will check the field and could be working with Andy or Purito or Bala to gain time on Froome... right now is everybody against Froome... there are not official alliances but they will try to shutdown Froome ASAP...


BTW... Froome sucks and Contador ROXs... hahaha

Yeah totally agree, especially about that last bit

Contador isn't ruling out an alliance with the Spaniards, so it's likely: "but there may well be circumstances when riders’ objectives do overlap." Their goals of podium and Contador's goal of winning are compatible and both ultimately need the same result to achieve: destroying FroomeSKY. So I definitely don't see why an alliance isn't possible. At a Vuelta, Contador agreed to allow Valverde a stage win, but Valverde cracked so Contador went for the stage instead. There certainly is a compatibiltiy between the Spaniards and the appeal of an all Spain podium would certainly appeal more than having Froome around. Not sure about Schleck working with Contador, especially after the chain gate incident.

“The route this year provides a lot of opportunities. There are some short mountain stages where you can take a risk and make attacks from a long way out if things have got complicated in the overall standings. But if things go to plan I won’t be thinking about tactics until after the second time trial."
Again Contador leaves open the possibility of an alliance which would likely be needed to do a similar attack as Schleck did in 2011. Also Contador strongly hints that he will attack after the second TT - Ventoux or Alpe d'Huez??

that is exactly I am trying yo tell you. LOL We might have not yet seen F operating at his maximum level

Whatever you're smoking must be extremely strong . Froome has already said that he's been peaking for most of the year, so an increase by that much would only occur with Clinic related products. Froome can only climb at 1600 VAM and put out a maximum of 6.4w/kg. Whereas before his comeback, Contador was doing climbs at over 1800VAM and 7w/kg - he was doing those figures in multiple stages in GT's he raced in per year. Contador has only been back from his comeback for only 8 months, so it's unrealistic to expect him to do that currently, but if he peaks for the TDF then those figures will be evident in his climbing. You're obviously a Froome fan so massively over-estimate Froome's abilities. I am neither a Froome or Contador fan so I actually can see who's the better rider from a neutral point of view. You may get your wish of Froome winning. As I said before, it's not whether Froome is better than Contador (he clearly isn't), it's whether Contador can reach his old form that will determine who wins the TDF.

 

[Ryaguas]

that is exactly I am trying yo tell you. LOL We might have not yet seen F operating at his maximum level

That's the problem.. maybe Froome's max level is the one already displayed on Dauphine... or the last Tour or in La Vuelta '11... his TT skills are really good but climbing skills are overrated tho...

I think that Contador will show him how the Tour raced... He wont be a dominating machine but He will win it...

 

[Ryaguas]

Again Contador leaves open the possibility of an alliance which would likely be needed to do a similar attack as Schleck did in 2011. Also Contador strongly hints that he will attack after the second TT - Ventoux or Alpe d'Huez??

Well yeah Chaingate wasnt a good chapter between Andy and Contador but on the road everything can happen... from my POW, I can see an long attack from Andy and then Alberto trying to bridge and then working together, Andy for the stage win and Contador to win sometime agaisnt Froome... OFC that could happen if Contador is maybe a minute back on Froome and Andy is not going for GC and only stage wins... and other variables... but that could happen in some universe haha

 

[maxmartin]

That's the problem.. maybe Froome's max level is the one already displayed on Dauphine... or the last Tour or in La Vuelta '11... his TT skills are really good but climbing skills are overrated tho...

I think that Contador will show him how the Tour raced... He wont be a dominating machine but He will win it...

that is exactly what I am trying to tell Nick101. We just don't know Froom's real Tour level yet.