Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

And what conclusion can you make by comparing his time to Martin's and Dowsett's ones?

That it was a rather good TT

TA 2013 ITT, 9.2km
1 Martin 10'25"
2 Malori +0'06"
10 Dowsett +0'23"
17 Contador +0'30"
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=24110

 

[LaFlorecita]

And what conclusion can you make by comparing his time to Martin's and Dowsett's ones?

That it was a rather good TT

T-A 2013 ITT, 9.2km
1 Martin 10'25"
2 Malori +0'06"
10 Dowsett +0'23"
17 Contador +0'30"
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=24110

Algarve 2014, 13.6km
2 Malori +0'10"
3 Martin +0'12"
4 Contador +0'19"
5 Dowsett +0'24"
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=25664

 

[Jelantik]

“It was a very important week for me in terms of getting in shape through races like these and I felt better for each day. At this point of the season in 2013, I also had a high level in the Tour of Oman finishing second and I had two stage wins within reach. But this year I’ve been doing a better job through the winter and I have a good feeling. I’m really happy with this way of working,” he (EDIT: Contador) concludes.

what does he try to say? his form is now as good as oman, but he got better base form than last year? hence he's feeling better with his form this year.

It's going to be a tough fight for him at TA. I'm sure Froome will try to suffocate him from any chance of winning. (whether it's a stage or overall).

 

[LaFlorecita]

Even Alberto's arms are more muscular than Froome's legs

 

[Butterhead]

You know what, I still prefer to see a normal human being than the anorexic freak Froome.

 

[Publicus]

what does he try to say? his form is now as good as oman, but he got better base form than last year? hence he's feeling better with his form this year.

It's going to be a tough fight for him at TA. I'm sure Froome will try to suffocate him from any chance of winning. (whether it's a stage or overall).[/QUOTE]

You can count on this. One of the things I most admire about Froome--his killer instinct. He was out to humiliate Contador every chance he got last year.

 

[LaFlorecita]

You can count on this. One of the things I most admire about Froome--his killer instinct. He was out to humiliate Contador every chance he got last year.

That is very true I don't like it

 

[Granville57]

Even Alberto's arms are more muscular than Froome's legs

Forget about the pistol. He's got a pair of "guns".

 

[Jelantik]

You can count on this. One of the things I most admire about Froome--his killer instinct. He was out to humiliate Contador every chance he got last year.

I think he is going to do it again this year. He can't give Contador a smell of winning. Coz' once that happen, Contador will gain confidence and it's going to be hard for Froome to deal with at TDF So it's going to be interesting to see at TA.

Looks like Saxo will bring most of their TDF squad? I bet sky will too. And Quintana and Valverde will be there as well. So far moviestar has been firing all cylinder since the gate is open.

 

[TearMeApart]

You can count on this. One of the things I most admire about Froome--his killer instinct. He was out to humiliate Contador every chance he got last year.

do you think any principal rival would do the opposite?

 

[saneguy]

Contador has surely shown much better signs than 2013. But is it enough to beat the "anorexic". I have my doubts. Although I can say one thing - Quintana, Nibali, Valverde and Contador have started this year much better. Maybe not so much for Nbels but he will get there.

And as a joint force of 4 and maybe a few others - i think they can challenge Froome. Skyborg for me totally broke a couple of times last year at the tour most notably stage 9. Froome had to do a lot of work himself. Movistar let go of a chance there.

So a couple of such stages and Froome will eventually break down. All in all am glad all the other contendors are doing well this year incl Contador - great prospects for the tour...

 

[Publicus]

do you think any principal rival would do the opposite?

I do and they have.

 

[TearMeApart]

I do and they have.

A rider who has a proper resource to win all season long doesn't want to inspire the most principal rival. To me, it's an axiom. Contador allowed Evans to win in 2009, because he was never afraid of Evans and even some hauteur towards Evans showed through in his words. Froome is a different story. Contador always feared him since the 2012 Vuelta I think. Naturally, he couldn't sleep well even under the Vuelta since he felt that he didn't beat Froome. Froome became a victim of long successful season. Though, I was hugely surprised how defiantly and recklessly Contador was attacking both in Oman and on Tirreno.

 

[Pricey_sky]

And as a joint force of 4 and maybe a few others - i think they can challenge Froome. Skyborg for me totally broke a couple of times last year at the tour most notably stage 9. Froome had to do a lot of work himself. Movistar let go of a chance there.

I think we have already seen last year that the rival teams to Froome won't be ganging up on him. With sponsors becoming more obsessed with the Tours riches/points for finishing in the top 5/6 Movistar and Saxo will be out for themselves there is no doubt about it. I also believe Sky will field a much stronger team to support Froome this year, Henao and Nieve are obviously very good climbers and will greatly bolster the Sky train.

 

[Publicus]

A rider who has a proper resource to win all season long doesn't want to inspire the most principal rival. To me, it's an axiom. Contador allowed Evans to win in 2009, because he was never afraid of Evans and even some hauteur towards Evans showed through in his words. Froome is a different story. Contador always feared him since the 2012 Vuelta I think. Naturally, he couldn't sleep well even under the Vuelta since he felt that he didn't beat Froome. Froome became a victim of long successful season. Though, I was hugely surprised how defiantly and recklessly Contador was attacking both in Oman and on Tirreno.

I think you go too far here. Fear is a pretty strong word and there's a fair amount of projection going on (in that I gather from your avatar you are a Froome fan). I think Froome targeted Contador, rightfully so, because he was considered the best stage racer in the world. It provided him a psychological edge and in some ways, it caught Contador unawares (which, to be fair, may be a bit of projection on my part ). I'm curious to see how AC responds to the across the board thumping he took from Froome in 2013. He usually responds very well under pressure (e.g., see 2009 Tour and 2011 Giro), but I think Froome is a whole different animal than he's encountered before.

 

[Peter von]

I think we have already seen last year that the rival teams to Froome won't be ganging up on him. With sponsors becoming more obsessed with the Tours riches/points for finishing in the top 5/6 Movistar and Saxo will be out for themselves there is no doubt about it. I also believe Sky will field a much stronger team to support Froome this year, Henao and Nieve are obviously very good climbers and will greatly bolster the Sky train.

SKY will bring a scary squad to the Tour, very excided to see their final selection and who is left disappointed. I'm pretty sure we won't see 2 of their 3 best climbing domestiques in the Giro this time around.

On the subject of ganging up on Froome, i would have to say yes and no. Teams like Movistar, Lotto, Garmin, Lampre etc. with guys who hope for a top 5(/3) will only help team up on Froome if he shows weakness during one of the stages, like they would any GC rider.

Nibali and Contador however are going into the Tour with ambitions to win it, for them coming 2nd is still a defeat, so we might see them teaming up on Froome in some way. But not from the start of the race they both still believe they can be the stronger rider in July so they'll try that first.

 

[ILovecycling]

I would not have had JROD over Nibali- Nibali dominated at a few races and still placed higher than JROD at the Vuelta.

But Porte beat Nairo at P-N (the rest of your point is valid though)

And Porte beat Quintana in Paris Nice, and far easier than Quintana did Porte in Pais Vasco at that

Using TDF is dumb. Ryo Hazuki logic. Quintana targeted gc, Porte was a domestique.

Porte on Ax 3 however was something out of this world. He was laughing at the other riders, doing track stands to let them catch up then dropping them again.

You can say Quintana couldnt match him because he went on Paiheres, fair enough, but Porte didnt just beat everyone, he beat everyone, despite being a domestique who was pulling and then doing trackstands. He had so so much left in the tank.

On Alpe he lost a minute to Quintana but again he was taking it so easy, talking to Froome every 2 seconds dropping back for feed then coming back to Froome.

Bolded) it was quintana's first serious race in a first serious season,he was 23 yo and in contrary to Porte he even didnt know how to prepare this good for such an early event ,he didnt have any experience,early season races are tough ones for such a young climber without being it a goal of the season(in contrary Porte had only 2 chances to win in 2013N and Vasco) .he actually rode pretty good race consider these conditions.In Vasco he had experience and confidence after his cataluna win too.

2)it has nothing to do with logic,it is about what you see on your screen.
Man,I cant admit that Porte was better at ax trois,because he simply was NOT.Quintana rode for himself almost from the bottom of Pailhares,Porte was saving himself and exploded the field at ax trois thats true but then he was pretty weak in comparison with quintana who rode almost 30 km alone. And trackstand and laughing?Are you kidding me?it was Basso-like smile,he was suffering and he wasnt doing any trackstand he simply was looking back but he didnt slow down.
And next day?BANG,he exploded like that Island volcano.lol he didnt have anything in the tank!
On Alpe it was comparable you are right but what about Semnoz.And pls I dont want to hear that joke with controling Contador,thats utter bs.

 

[ILovecycling]

what does he try to say? his form is now as good as oman, but he got better base form than last year? hence he's feeling better with his form this year.

It's going to be a tough fight for him at TA. I'm sure Froome will try to suffocate him from any chance of winning. (whether it's a stage or overall).[/QUOTE]

You can count on this. One of the things I most admire about Froome--his killer instinct. He was out to humiliate Contador every chance he got last year.

Its not killer instinct but it is hater instinct.He doesnt like Contador and thats why he wants to beat him so bad, prove himself that he is better than the best GT cyclist of last decade.imo its a great motivation for him too.

 

[jens_attacks]

i appreciate that at froomey too. he doesn't mess around.

i will make a thread if i don't forget with a week to go for tirreno's epic battle

it will already start here imo:

 

[LaFlorecita]

Its not killer instinct but it is hater instinct.He doesnt like Contador and thats why he wants to beat him so bad, prove himself that he is better than the best GT cyclist of last decade.imo its a great motivation for him too.

Yep and I don't like that

i appreciate that at froomey too. he doesn't mess around.

i will make a thread if i don't forget with a week to go for tirreno's epic battle

it will already start here imo:

I am afraid jens it won't be an epic battle. or maybe Kwiat can challenge The Dawg. Think Berto will be 3rd again

 

[peloton]

Its not killer instinct but it is hater instinct.He doesnt like Contador and thats why he wants to beat him so bad, prove himself that he is better than the best GT cyclist of last decade.imo its a great motivation for him too.

Highly doubt it's a hate thing, remember that Froome was in talks to signing with Saxo, until Sky offered him a better contract.
They seem to be in friendly terms still, but both seem pretty nice lads off the bike, so not a surprise.

If it wasn't the unreal way Froome has rocketed to the top, with his beyond ugly style on the bike, I could actually like him, I do like aggressive racing after all.
But if.

 

[ILovecycling]

Yep and I don't like that



I am afraid jens it won't be an epic battle. or maybe Kwiat can challenge The Dawg. Think Berto will be 3rd again

Neither do I,thats why Im so looking forward to victory pistol shot at one of the Tour mountain stages.

 

[ILovecycling]

Highly doubt it's a hate thing, remember that Froome was in talks to signing with Saxo, until Sky offered him a better contract.
They seem to be in friendly terms still, but both seem pretty nice lads off the bike, so not a surprise.

If it wasn't the unreal way Froome has rocketed to the top, with his beyond ugly style on the bike, I could actually like him, I do like aggressive racing after all.
But if.

imo it is hate thing,Froome was really bad when Contador had his best years,but mentaly Froome has winning nature so imo he hated the fact he cant even go uphill.



As for TA,its a pity there are so dull stages.Its not proper mountain stage like in Trentino...

 

[happytramp]

Sky are weak when they are not in control. If every non-MTF stage was raced like a classic their puny mountain domestiques would really struggle to cover the breaks.

 

[will10]

Sky are weak when they are not in control. If every non-MTF stage was raced like a classic their puny mountain domestiques would really struggle to cover the breaks.

It does help if you have say, four of the eight strongest guys.

Sky have only really fell to bits once when it counts, which IMO was more to do with too many matches burnt on Ax-3 than the approach of their rivals.