Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[airstream]

In fact Contador would have been dropped by Froome at Valmorel from 400 meters to go if there hadn't been a little little descent before final 150 meters. Froome started sprinting and there was a little gap already which was neutralized with a downhill piece. On the other hand if Contador hadn't made a move back then, Busche could've taken a stage...So Contador obviously felt some reserve. He was pretty good on that day

 

[airstream]

According to himself he was at 75% in Dauphiné, 90% at the start of the Tour and the plan is to hit 100% in the 3rd week.

I think he will lose time on Ax3, but the key is if he can limit it to like 30 secs. That would be more than acceptable.

30 sec at Ax-3? Damn, it would be a blazing defeat. How to put into 2 min in the Alps? I don't think Contador will lose 30 sec at Ax-3, surely if Froome is not head and shoulders better than others. Sky are very likely to give a team initiative to Saxo-Tinkoff at the stage the day after tomorrow.

 

[LaFlorecita]

He couldn't stay with Froome on a plateau in Valmorel so you expect to stay on a 8% climb? You will say it was just Dauphine and he was testing. I will say he would have been the happiest man in the world to beat Froome after all the ko's he got from Froome and even his gregario's this season. It would have been a huge moral thing for him.

I expect him to lose time on the MTF and about a minute in the tt though.

 

[McLovin]

You cut the part I was quoting.

 

[Poursuivant]

According to himself he was at 75% in Dauphiné, 90% at the start of the Tour and the plan is to hit 100% in the 3rd week.

I think he will lose time on Ax3, but the key is if he can limit it to like 30 secs. That would be more than acceptable.

I think losing 30 seconds would be really bad for Contador in scheme of things. If we are going to go along with The theory he will peak third week, then he needs to be strong enough to stay with Froome in early mountains, and then drop him in final week. Froome, so far at least this year, has looked supreme in the mountains. I think Contador's best options are to isolate Froome and Porte as early as possible, and I also think a big early attack like at the Vuelta may be his best option. Tactically Contador is very good, but The time trials could prove too much for him to claw back in my humble opinion.

 

[Netserk]

Contador will lose less than 10 seconds to Froome Saturday and zero Sunday. He will gain in the Alpes.

 

[Cimber]

I think losing 30 seconds would be really bad for Contador in scheme of things. If we are going to go along with The theory he will peak third week, then he needs to be strong enough to stay with Froome in early mountains, and then drop him in final week. Froome, so far at least this year, has looked supreme in the mountains. I think Contador's best options are to isolate Froome and Porte as early as possible, and I also think a big early attack like at the Vuelta may be his best option. Tactically Contador is very good, but The time trials could prove too much for him to claw back in my humble opinion.

Of course he would be disappointed to lose time to Froome on Ax3. I however would expect it. One thing is that the plan is for Contador to peak in the third week, but I also think a part of it is hoping that Froom will go from 100% to maybe 98% from Ax3 till the 3rd week.

 

[LaFlorecita]

You cut the part I was quoting.

I said IF he can stay with Froome he still has a big chance to win. I said I EXPECT him to lose time. Somehow you managed to spin that into me saying I expect him to stay with Froome

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador will lose less than 10 seconds to Froome Saturday and zero Sunday. He will gain in the Alpes.

I hope so but sadly Froome looks really strong and Alberto not.

 

[McLovin]

100%, 75%, 90% and now 98%????!!!!
Are we talking about smartphones in Quadrant? Those percents are just estimations, riders are not computers. You really think a rider can say he is at 98%? Maybe as a joke. 90, 100 are generic numbers...but 98?? Are we talking about Pro Cylcing Manager?
Regarding Bonascre, I think none of us knows what's going to hit us.I'm talking about Froome. Contador fans, Froome fans, Cameron Meyer fans, whatever...we don't have a clue. It's my opinion but I guess everybody feels it, even some don't like to admit it. Let's just hope that whatever this guy is going to do, he's honest. Cycling doesn't need another scam.

 

[ThirdWorld]

I am a big contador fan.

But the things are not good.

Froome is in top form.

We did not know yet about Contador form... he is better than in dauphine... but after the crash... what was already hard got worse.

I will be very happy if contador can stay with froome on saturday!

 

[hfer07]

The theory of Contador losing time this coming Saturday is simply that- a Theory
There are many factors to consider:
Froome may out sprint him to gain a handful of secs- that's a given.
Froome to drop Contador-hhmmm - I hold my breath. Yes- Froome has dropped him in previous races-we know that-but now we're at The Tour,where the "entire competition is at top level"- so single out Contador here to be defeated by Froome is hard, considering that Purito, Quintana, Valverde, Rolland, Pinot-even Andy Schleck -and others will try as well to upset Sky's train & the pressure will be resting on their shoulders to chase down & control-big ask for Kiry, Lopez, EBH & Porte to deliver though....

and that's where Contador will profit from that situation....

remember what I wrote here for the coming stages...

 

[Donkey]

I hope so but sadly Froome looks really strong and Alberto not.

My favourite LaFlorecita, I hope you're not right I believe he can win if he keeps his head cool and he'll be smart.

 

[xrayvision]

oh boy, all this bs starts again

Watch the race and shut the f.. up, nobody knows anything but AC and Riis.


Alberto Contador ‏@albertocontador 3h
Thanks @jesushernandez3 @Benna80 @Roman86_K @sergiompaulinho @nicholasroche @mickrogers @Toso_74 &Bejamin Noval,you are GREAT!!! #Tdf2013

 

[Poursuivant]

oh boy, all this bs starts again

Watch the race and shut the f.. up, nobody knows anything but AC and Riis.


Alberto Contador ‏@albertocontador 3h
Thanks @jesushernandez3 @Benna80 @Roman86_K @sergiompaulinho @nicholasroche @mickrogers @Toso_74 &Bejamin Noval,you are GREAT!!! #Tdf2013

Yer we should just close the forum really.

 

[Cimber]

100%, 75%, 90% and now 98%????!!!!
Are we talking about smartphones in Quadrant? Those percents are just estimations, riders are not computers. You really think a rider can say he is at 98%? Maybe as a joke. 90, 100 are generic numbers...but 98?? Are we talking about Pro Cylcing Manager?
Regarding Bonascre, I think none of us knows what's going to hit us.I'm talking about Froome. Contador fans, Froome fans, Cameron Meyer fans, whatever...we don't have a clue. It's my opinion but I guess everybody feels it, even some don't like to admit it. Let's just hope that whatever this guy is going to do, he's honest. Cycling doesn't need another scam.

Talk about missing the point. Ok I will try without the numbers since they seem to confuse you.

The plan is that Alberto should peak in the 3rd week (Riis and Tikov have stated that). Furthermore I expect that they sincerely hope that it will be the opposite situation for Froome, i.e. that his form will slightly deteriorate in the 3rd week (meaning that he will be better on Ax3 than he will in the alpes, while the opposite should be the case with Contador).

Anyways, there is a whole other thread for the Froome vs. Contador discussions so lets continue such discussions there.

 

[ILovecycling]

In 2 days we'll know everything guys or at least 90% from everything. I tend to think other mountain stages won't bring new sensations compared to Ax-3. Contador should attack.

No,he should not.He should wait what Sky and Froome will do.

30 sec at Ax-3? Damn, it would be a blazing defeat. How to put into 2 min in the Alps? I don't think Contador will lose 30 sec at Ax-3, surely if Froome is not head and shoulders better than others. Sky are very likely to give a team initiative to Saxo-Tinkoff at the stage the day after tomorrow.

Why?They like to 'control' the race.Just send Kiri to the front for 150k.

 

[Angliru]

Talk about missing the point. Ok I will try without the numbers since they seem to confuse you.

The plan is that Alberto should peak in the 3rd week (Riis and Tikov have stated that). Furthermore I expect that they sincerely hope that it will be the opposite situation for Froome, i.e. that his form will slightly deteriorate in the 3rd week (meaning that he will be better on Ax3 than he will in the alpes, while the opposite should be the case with Contador).

Anyways, there is a whole other thread for the Froome vs. Contador discussions so lets continue such discussions there.

Are there any links to actual statements from those referenced above that they in fact are anticipating a drop in Froome's form as the Tour progresses? It just seems rather ludicrous to gear one's success on such a variable.

 

[Cimber]

Are there any links to actual statements from those referenced above that they in fact are anticipating a drop in Froome's form as the Tour progresses? It just seems rather ludicrous to gear one's success on such a variable.

No their plan is that Contador is peaking in the 3rd week and will set things straight then. The part about Froome is just my speculation regarding what they hope for on top of that (icing on the cake if it happens so to speak)

 

[Miburo]

Contador don't need a drop in Froome's form, he should only look at himself and if he's still the same man he'll get the job done.

 

[xrayvision]

Yer we should just close the forum really.

I think you totally missed the irony, but on the other hand, whats the point using 2000 posts blabling about the same subject and getting nowhere

 

[TANK91]

Contador will lose less than 10 seconds to Froome Saturday and zero Sunday. He will gain in the Alpes.

Dream on, Froome wont be dropped once, as Alberto cant hurt Froome "THIS YEAR".

 

[TANK91]

So if Contador loses the Tour it will be a defeat of the rider of a higher class?

Yeh their will be no congratulations comming Froome's way that's for sure, it will be Contador is not on form etc. I can promise if Alberto wins I will be in this section straight away giving him credit for the mother of all comebacks but La Flo wont do it to Froome.

 

[TANK91]

Hitch you do make me laugh, what is so wrong about getting into Cycling at a certain time, your probably one of those who think because you watched Cycling longer or before someone then your opinion counts more. It's like if fans sign up in July so be it what is so wrong with watching the TDF and being a fan of a certain rider or team. I can assure you its just like me in 2004 being a big fan of Basso, and I bet when Contador came along their were fans. So when Froome becomes good what is so wrong with supporting them? Lets be honest if Alberto was gruppeto rider he would have hardly any fans just like in 09 with Froome, everyone needs to start somewere. The reason I bought this up is because you seem to always go n about it being a crime to support "Sky".

 

[Publicus]

Find it interesting that so many folks are buying into the "past is prologue" aspect of things, despite Contador's clear statement that he is aiming to peak for the Tour. I think Saturday will not be about Alberto showing his cards, but biding his time. Should be fun .