Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Why would they let him win a stage? That makes no sense.

Its about demoralising him. They didn't set out to win every single stage in every race. It's about making sure Contador does not win any, especially against Froome. For example there were certain stages in races this year that meant nothing to the overall GC, where Contador could have won but Sky put in extra effort to make sure he didn't.

It was a clever way of making him feel insignificant next to Froome/Sky.

The only good thing from a Contador fans point of view is that Froome will likely not have the same level of burning desire. I find it very unlikely that Froomes 2014 will match his 2013. In other words he will likely not win as many stage races (but will probably still win the tour)

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Using Airstream as your reference doesn't help your argument. ;-) Seriously though until someone from Saxo other than Contador wins a grand tour or figures prominently in the battle for the top step of one, Contador's presence is justified and even in that circumstance his presence is still etched in stone as a minimum co-captain/leader.

Edit: You clarified you post. The Airstream comment stands though.

Airstream was one of few who said that Froome would tear the competition apart at the Tour

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Airstream was one of few who said that Froome would tear the competition apart at the Tour[/]

I don 't think so.

 

[ferryman]

Airstream was one of few who said that Froome would tear the competition apart at the Tour

No he wasn't, far far far from it.

 

[ferryman]

Its about demoralising him. They didn't set out to win every single stage in every race. It's about making sure Contador does not win any, especially against Froome. For example there were certain stages in races this year that meant nothing to the overall GC, where Contador could have won but Sky put in extra effort to make sure he didn't.

It was a clever way of making him feel insignificant next to Froome/Sky.

The only good thing from a Contador fans point of view is that Froome will likely not have the same level of burning desire. I find it very unlikely that Froomes 2014 will match his 2013. In other words he will likely not win as many stage races (but will probably still win the tour)

Where did it go wrong in Vuelta 2012?

 

[BYOP88]

So Bertie is going for 2 GT beatings in 2014.

 

[The Hitch]

Where did it go wrong in Vuelta 2012?

Have you come up with any arguments that challenge the very obvious point that always gets put to you when you make that comment - that Froome had just podiumed the Tour so was coming down form wise?

Or are you just for ever act as if Contador beat a top form Froome hoping that if you repeat the lie enough times people will start to believe it?

 

[ferryman]

Have you come up with any arguments that challenge the very obvious point that always gets put to you when you make that comment - that Froome had just podiumed the Tour so was coming down form wise?

Or are you just for ever act as if Contador beat a top form Froome hoping that if you repeat the lie enough times people will start to believe it?

Where is the lie in there Hitch?

 

[ferryman]

Have you come up with any arguments that challenge the very obvious point that always gets put to you when you make that comment - that Froome had just podiumed the Tour so was coming down form wise?

Or are you just for ever act as if Contador beat a top form Froome hoping that if you repeat the lie enough times people will start to believe it?

In fact I will make it easier for you. Remembering why I posted in the first place. Do you believe Froome/Sky turned up at Vuelta 2012 other than the fact they thought they could win it and at the same time put one over an on the ropes Contador for 2013. Yes, of course they did. He/they failed. It can happen again.

Happy.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

In fact I will make it easier for you. Remembering why I posted in the first place. Do you believe Froome/Sky turned up at Vuelta 2012 other than the fact they thought they could win it and at the same time put one over an on the ropes Contador for 2013. Yes, of course they did. He/they failed. It can happen again.

Happy.

Of course they did but Froome ran out of steam (as a result of his efforts at the Tour).

 

[Angliru]

Where did it go wrong in Vuelta 2012?

You weren't supposed to remember that!

 

[Angliru]

Brailsford had stated in the past that it was his and Sky's goal to "dominate".
They had to have some belief that Froome could win the Vuelta in 2012. They obviously overestimated how long Froome could maintain the form that he displayed in July, ultimately finishing more than 10 minutes down on the Vuelta gc winner.

 

[Miburo]

So Contador has only a support role in the wc, at least this time he's honest

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

For the new members make sure to not take Contadoraus Schlecks too seriously.

Don't wanna offend the guy but a lot of times the things he says doesn't make any sense. Just an advice.

So Contador has only a support role in the wc, at least this time he's honest

That's extraordinarily rude. I'm sure new members are intelligent enough to evaluate my contributions on their own.

 

[LaFlorecita]

For the new members make sure to not take Contadoraus Schlecks too seriously.

Don't wanna offend the guy but a lot of times the things he says doesn't make any sense. Just an advice.

So Contador has only a support role in the wc, at least this time he's honest

Yes, it sucks. I wanted him in rainbows next season.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Bad news, Alberto confirmed his role is to work for Valverde and Rodriguez and make sure the race ends in a sprint from a small group

 

[Red Rick]

Bad news, Alberto confirmed his role is to work for Valverde and Rodriguez and make sure the race ends in a sprint from a small group

He's gonna close every gap on Froome to let him know next season is gonna be a lot harder

 

[LaFlorecita]

He's gonna close every gap on Froome to let him know next season is gonna be a lot harder

I was just hoping he could do well but that seems impossible now

 

[The Hitch]

Do you believe Froome/Sky turned up at Vuelta 2012 other than the fact they thought they could win it and at the same time put one over an on the ropes Contador for 2013. Yes, of course they did. He/they failed. It can happen again.

Happy.

They probably knew it was very unlikely that he would win as he had such a disadvantage.

They just gave it a try is all. And showed off the sponsor which at the end of the day is what its about.

And had they won it wouldn't have meant anything for the Tour.

Brailsford had stated in the past that it was his and Sky's goal to "dominate".

Since when does citing Brailsfraud prove anything?

The guy is on record 1 month before Chris Froome broke out at the Vuelta saying clean riders are the ones who show potential from a young age.

 

[The Hitch]

Bad news, Alberto confirmed his role is to work for Valverde and Rodriguez and make sure the race ends in a sprint from a small group

Contador also lied about tactics in the 2013 Tour, remember

I don't know if that is going to happen. Spain riding for a sprint with Sagan as 2nd favourite isnt neccesarily the best idea.

Any DS who uses the team Spain have assembled (the best one) on that course, as a sprint train, well, they should marooned on some pacific island together with whatever ****er was the Ds of Movistar on Stage 9 of the TDF.

 

[Miburo]

Contador also lied about tactics in the 2013 Tour, remember

I don't know if that is going to happen. Spain riding for a sprint with Sagan as 2nd favourite isnt neccesarily the best idea.

Any DS who uses the team Spain have assembled (the best one) on that course, as a sprint train, well, they should marooned on some pacific island together with whatever ****er was the Ds of Movistar on Stage 9 of the TDF.

Exactly i don't believe anything Contador says anymore

If he has good sensations he'll go for it. Purito and piti don't care about gold anyways, aslong as they get a medal

 

[trevim]

Exactly i don't believe anything Contador says anymore

If he has good sensations he'll go for it. Purito and piti don't care about gold anyways, aslong as they get a medal

That's completely spot on. They should all attack hard as hell to get rid of Sagan, Gilbert and every other fast rider. If they're good enough, Purito or Valverde can be there and win the sprint; if not it doesn't matter at least they rode to win.

 

[The Hitch]

Exactly i don't believe anything Contador says anymore

If he has good sensations he'll go for it. Purito and piti don't care about gold anyways, aslong as they get a medal

Murito ****ed up his 2012 Giro but aside from that I don't know if thats true. He earned that lombardia win fully last year. This year it was being too attacking that maybe cost him in Liege. Hes attacked even further out in Liege before.

In the Vuelta last year it was quite the contrary, he raced for 1st at the expense of 2nd (which he could have guaranteed easily by cooperating with Contador on Ancares or Lagos)

He attacks late on, sure, but usually thats because so often the finishes these days are geared to him, at the Vuelta anyway. And he does tend to win them. 10 gt stages in 3 years at Katusha. Since 2010 I think only cav has more.

 

[Dedelou]

That's completely spot on. They should all attack hard as hell to get rid of Sagan, Gilbert and every other fast rider. If they're good enough, Purito or Valverde can be there and win the sprint; if not it doesn't matter at least they rode to win.

The under 23 rode the course at about 24 miles per hour and the rate of attrition was high as usual. With 3 laps to go any of the teams who still have more than 3 guys in the front group will be able to do damage. Spain should be able to use Alberto at that time to really hurt the competition and then drop out.

 

[ElChingon]

Bad news, Alberto confirmed his role is to work for Valverde and Rodriguez and make sure the race ends in a sprint from a small group

There doesn't seem to be a place for him at the dinner table either: