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Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

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Jun 12, 2013
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Ryaguas said:
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...

So far Froome's maximum capabilities were shown when he attacked Cobo on Pena Cabarga with 1800VAM and only 6.4w/kg at the 2011 Vuelta. Given Sky have said that their tactics will not change, there's only one stage that will suit Froome's tactic of a final km attack, and even then if he left it too late the final km is flat so better sprinters would destroy him.

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

Froome has at no point shown any indication throughout his entire career of being able to replicate the figures that Contador produces when he attacks. So if Contador were to attack as his old self (and not an attack at his current form), and Froome were to match it and counter, I'd certainly be raising my eyebrows in surprise. The fact that Froome would able to even keep up with Contador would be suspicious enough in itself. Big jumps in performance obviously don't happen over night as you are suggesting.

Even the fact that Contador claims he's improved by 15% in a matter of weeks made me surprised. Sky have taken nearly exactly the same approach with Froome as Wiggin's in 2012. Wiggin's form was nearly identical in the Tour as it was throughout the year, so I realistically expect a similar situation with Froome. Both are trying to maintain a high level of form for a long period of time. Froome tried this last year, but to a smaller extent and failed miserably come the Vuelta. Even if Froome were to improve (and i'm being extremely generous toward Froome in saying that), it'd only be by a few percent, which wouldn't make a big difference as the other GC rider's have up to 20% of their form that they can improve by. I also noted last year that Wiggins was less dominant climbing than during the year as riders were at a higher level at the Tour than before and there were more GC riders at the Tour than when Wiggins raced
 
May 19, 2011
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nick101 said:
Whatever you're smoking must be extremely strong :eek:. 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.

That is your personal opinion, I am sure lots of people will disagree with you. :p Btw, I am not a Froom fan and far from it LOL, I don't give a s*** about F's performance. I am just talking things as is. You probably are a new member of this forum, old members know that I am probably one of the most active Froom-bashing members.
 
Jun 9, 2010
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maxmartin said:
that is exactly what I am trying to tell Nick101. We just don't know Froom's real Tour level yet.

I think that He will do great TTs but not climb better than He has shown before... He just doesnt have it... is not a natural grimpeur...
 
May 19, 2011
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Ryaguas said:
I think that He will do great TTs but not climb better than He has shown before... He just doesnt have it... is not a natural grimpeur...

I don't mind that turns out to be true. But after seeing those vein popping arms and legs, oh well SKY is the possibility.:eek:
 
Jun 12, 2013
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maxmartin said:
I don't mind that turns out to be true. But after seeing those vein popping arms and legs, oh well SKY is the possibility.:eek:

Yeah I strongly think Froome will win the hilly ITT, TTT and may win AX-3, but only if Sky change their tactics to allow him to attack earlier (Brailsford said they aren't changing their tactics however). Actually the fact that he has veins indicates muscle, possibly unnecessary muscle, especially in the arms. Almost no muscle at all is needed in arms by a climber so I actually see that as a disadvantage. Schleck (who I'm a fan of) is actually looking probably the skinniest I've ever seen him :). Did Rasmussen who was arguably the skinniest in the peleton at the time need veins? NO

Based on data and comparing results (which is unbiased) Contador has the better possible abilities. And also assuming Froome has been following a similar programme to Wiggins, which is justified? No?, then Froome won't improve at all (in fact his form is more likely to decrease as the tour progresses)
 
May 19, 2011
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nick101 said:
Yeah I strongly think Froome will win the hilly ITT, TTT and may win AX-3, but only if Sky change their tactics to allow him to attack earlier (Brailsford said they aren't changing their tactics however). Actually the fact that he has veins indicates muscle, possibly unnecessary muscle, especially in the arms. Almost no muscle at all is needed in arms by a climber so I actually see that as a disadvantage. Schleck (who I'm a fan of) is actually looking probably the skinniest I've ever seen him :). Did Rasmussen who was arguably the skinniest in the peleton at the time need veins? NO

Based on data and comparing results (which is unbiased) Contador has the better possible abilities. And also assuming Froome has been following a similar programme to Wiggins, which is justified? No?, then Froome won't improve at all (in fact his form is more likely to decrease as the tour progresses)

I sincerely hope what you think will turn out to be true.:D But you don't have to sound so sure and so full, just in case the reality acts differently.:p Tour still needs to be raced!!!
 
Jun 12, 2013
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maxmartin said:
I sincerely hope what you think will turn out to be true.:D But you don't have to sound so sure and so full, just in case the reality acts differently.:p Tour still needs to be raced!!!

Yes agreed. For me Froome has the most to lose. I'm not full I'm just saying what is true. The only thing to really compare Froome's form is Wiggin's last year imo it does give a realistic prediction. Both followed exactly the same build up and approach so it's highly possible that Froome's form in the Tour will be similar percentage to Wiggins at last years Tour. Wiggin's didn't gain form last year so it's completely justified to say Froome won't gain form either.
 
Jun 9, 2010
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Froome's form wont be going up... the only way is to maintain or go down...

Contador in other hand the only way is up unless something weird happens... the other big question marks for me are Bala's and Purito's form...
 
Aug 22, 2012
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Oh yeah! I visited the Tour website and the first thing that came out was Alberto! :)



In the article from this picture, they quote Andy as the 2010 Tour winner. But if you visit Alberto's rider profile, he is listed as both the 2010 Tour and 2011 Giro winner... okay then letour.fr, I'll take it...
 
Ryaguas said:
Froome's form wont be going up... the only way is to maintain or go down...

Contador in other hand the only way is up unless something weird happens... the other big question marks for me are Bala's and Purito's form...

lol Ryaguas where were you all this time?:confused::D welcome back! just in time for the big showdown

in my opinion froome has such a great form that he will attack on pailheres, no waiting for bonascre. because in the second and third week things might change so better take them by surprise. brailsford said something like that too

alberto i don't know if he can match up froomey in the first week but later he should do it
 
Jul 29, 2012
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maxmartin said:
that is exactly what I am trying to tell Nick101. We just don't know Froom's real Tour level yet.

Contador had an insane W/Kg on that climb. I don't wanna go in clinic but Froome will never get that or he will never be allowed since that clearly indicates something that will make sky look real bad.
 
Oct 17, 2011
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nick101 said:
Yeah I strongly think Froome will win the hilly ITT, TTT and may win AX-3, but only if Sky change their tactics to allow him to attack earlier (Brailsford said they aren't changing their tactics however). Actually the fact that he has veins indicates muscle, possibly unnecessary muscle, especially in the arms. Almost no muscle at all is needed in arms by a climber so I actually see that as a disadvantage. Schleck (who I'm a fan of) is actually looking probably the skinniest I've ever seen him :). Did Rasmussen who was arguably the skinniest in the peleton at the time need veins? NO

Based on data and comparing results (which is unbiased) Contador has the better possible abilities. And also assuming Froome has been following a similar programme to Wiggins, which is justified? No?, then Froome won't improve at all (in fact his form is more likely to decrease as the tour progresses)

Froome atm look like someone who has not eaten in 2 months -.-
Don't worry sky made sure Froome is not even 1 gram overweight lol
 
Jan 15, 2013
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BN1r29PCcAAVfqN.jpg:large



Berto in TDF 2005, putting his inhalator in his pocket, don´t remember who said he never had allergy problems in July...
 
Jan 3, 2011
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xrayvision said:
BN1r29PCcAAVfqN.jpg:large



Berto in TDF 2005, putting his inhalator in his pocket, don´t remember who said he never had allergy problems in July...

He havent had any problems which have caused him to perform badly. The inhalator etc was enough. But at least here is an excuse then ;) But he has said that his allergy normally isnt a big problem in the Tour

xrayvision said:
Depends much upon which allergy you have and where you are. Let´s hope it´s not gonna be a problem.

http://www.pollens.fr/docs/vigilance.html?PHPSESSID=800d7e4c1454b5eab9c3632e06d96c30

Ye do anyone know wether it is grass or not that he is allergic to? IIrc he said that he usually suffers from allergy in may and june. I suffer from grass allergy but I have never had any problems in may as the "grass season" usually kicks off in the beginning of June, and if that season was delayd by two weeks as the article suggest then Contador shouldnt have suffered much from allergy in Dauphiné (which took place from June 2nd to June 9th), but he did. To me that suggest that it is not grass he is allergic to be something else.

Then again, it could be cos pollen seasons differ from country to county
 
Jan 3, 2011
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Maybe it Birch tree pollen?

Back in 2010 he suffered massively from allergy in CI, which was at the end of march. The birch season usually begins to wear off in end may-beginning of june, but if it was late this season that might have still been high in Dauphiné

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010...ening-stage-at-criterium-international_109578

"Double Tour de France champion Alberto Contador endured a painful start to the Criterium International on Saturday when he suffered an allergy attack during the opening stage"
 

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