Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Miburo]

Isnt that what any DS would say about his gc rider? It means nothing, its not even a so called lie, its part of the game in front of the camera and mics, nothing unusual, lets move on.

Contador said to his fans on twitter every day that he was getting better. He even announced that he was gonna be at his best again in tour 2013.

The only reason why i believed contador could win that tour was because of those quotes. For me personally i would have preferred if he didn't say that stuff.

The Contador i know is th guy who doesn't talk big but shows up big. In that tour it was a completely different Contador. The fact that he didn't win wasn't upsetting for me but the way he lost was.

Look at the tour of 2011, Contador made that tour. I didn't really care that he lost. "In defeat you'll know if he's a real champion."

Contador was that in 2011 but not in 2013.

I'm hoping we'll see Contador of 2011 again, not only in strength but especially in mentality.

 

[Butterhead]

Contador said to his fans on twitter every day that he was getting better. He even announced that he was gonna be at his best again in tour 2013.

The only reason why i believed contador could win that tour was because of those quotes. For me personally i would have preferred if he didn't say that stuff.

The Contador i know is th guy who doesn't talk big but shows up big. In that tour it was a completely different Contador. The fact that he didn't win wasn't upsetting for me but the way he lost was.

Look at the tour of 2011, Contador made that tour. I didn't really care that he lost. "In defeat you'll know if he's a real champion."

Contador was that in 2011 but not in 2013.

I'm hoping we'll see Contador of 2011 again, not only in strength but especially in mentality.

I think he meant every word when he said it, and everything he tweeted, -as you say, its not like him to put big words in his mouth, but the opposite.

I think both Berto and the team and trainers are still a bit puzzled why he couldnt perform, but it just happens time to time, you cant explain it it just happens. AC said right before the tour started in Corzica that he was in his best shape, broke his training records etc. but could already see on the first stage that the numbers came out wrong. I don´t know what else in that situation you can say as he did, other than hope things improve and get sorted out, but as we know they didnt.

We all hope to see him at his best, for the sake of cycling and the tour, and for the sake I cant stand watching that anorexic freak on a bike anymore, most ugly thing i have ever seen, and there should be a law against it.

 

[Carols]

AC said right before the tour started in Corzica that he was in his best shape, broke his training records etc. but could already see on the first stage that the numbers came out wrong. I don´t know what else in that situation you can say as he did, other than hope things improve and get sorted out, but as we know they didnt.

Indeed, he said early on something wasn't right that that he would 'try his best'. That was all anyone could do, the best they could that day.

We all hope to see him at his best, for the sake of cycling and the tour, and for the sake I cant stand watching that anorexic freak on a bike anymore, most ugly thing i have ever seen, and there should be a law against it.

+100. Only Soler's style came close to rivaling the anorexic alien in pure ugliness on a bicycle!

 

[Red Rick]

Contador said to his fans on twitter every day that he was getting better. He even announced that he was gonna be at his best again in tour 2013.

The only reason why i believed contador could win that tour was because of those quotes. For me personally i would have preferred if he didn't say that stuff.

The Contador i know is th guy who doesn't talk big but shows up big. In that tour it was a completely different Contador. The fact that he didn't win wasn't upsetting for me but the way he lost was.

Look at the tour of 2011, Contador made that tour. I didn't really care that he lost. "In defeat you'll know if he's a real champion."

Contador was that in 2011 but not in 2013.

I'm hoping we'll see Contador of 2011 again, not only in strength but especially in mentality.

There's a huge difference between 2011 and 2013. In 2011 he improved somewhat towards the Alpes and he was in good enough shape to make attacks that mattered. Last year he wasn't good enough for that. He could either hang on for dear life, or attack and do his best Tiago Machado impression, riding in the front for 10 meters before dropping like a stone and losing minutes

I think he lacked base training tried to compensate that by training too hard during the season. Because he trained so hard he could have been very good before between DL and the Tour, but cause he lacked base training it was too much and he was already tired when the Tour started

 

[Butterhead]

There's a huge difference between 2011 and 2013. In 2011 he improved somewhat towards the Alpes and he was in good enough shape to make attacks that mattered. Last year he wasn't good enough for that. He could either hang on for dear life, or attack and do his best Tiago Machado impression, riding in the front for 10 meters before dropping like a stone and losing minutes

I think he lacked base training tried to compensate that by training too hard during the season. Because he trained so hard he could have been very good before between DL and the Tour, but cause he lacked base training it was too much and he was already tired when the Tour started

It sounds very plausible, I think you are spot on.
He complained about during to much commercial and charity work instead of training like he should, and had to force him self to get ready.

Another thing, is it fair to say that this year is the first year where he really could focus and didnt have to deal with doping accusations, too much commercial work etc but purely could get on the program without distractions and get his core training in place over the winter, and that is what we seen the result from this spring. Now we just need to see the old Alberto back as well in July, but I think he will give the freak a run for his money, without a doubt, and I would not write him off so easily like some members in here do.

 

[Jelantik]

It sounds very plausible, I think you are spot on.
He complained about during to much commercial and charity work instead of training like he should, and had to force him self to get ready.

Another thing, is it fair to say that this year is the first year where he really could focus and didnt have to deal with doping accusations, too much commercial work etc but purely could get on the program without distractions and get his core training in place over the winter, and that is what we seen the result from this spring. Now we just need to see the old Alberto back as well in July, but I think he will give the freak a run for his money, without a doubt, and I would not write him off so easily like some members in here do.

well said. Plus now his training is more structured. No more gut feeling. But gut feeling + scientific data. I'm glad he open minded to de jongh idea of training altitude, and focus more on a lot more structure training + pay attention to details and not over train. We have seen the result. He is one talented rider, with that kind of talent + his work ethic + scientific data, outer space is the limit

 

[rhubroma]

The difference between Contador 2013 and 2014 is one of weight and preparation intensity. I think he,and Riis, must have learned that Froome and Sky upped the level last year and the Spaniard thus has to be much more professional as a result.

It remains to be seen whether or not it will be enough to vanquish his main rival at the Tour, but a rider of his class certainly has a fighting chance. But everything must be done perfectly. By contrast, as far as Contador was concerned, last your could be termed imperfection personified.

 

[Butterhead]

The difference between Contador 2013 and 2014 is one of weight and preparation intensity. I think he,and Riis, must have learned that Froome and Sky upped the level last year and the Spaniard thus has to be much more professional as a result.

It remains to be seen whether or not it will be enough to vanquish his main rival at the Tour, but a rider of his class certainly has a fighting chance. But everything must be done perfectly. By contrast, as far as Contador was concerned, last your could be termed imperfection personified.

It´s a bit funny because I always felt Berto was very professional with a large knowledge base regarding training, equipment, preparation etc also with the more scientific parts of it, but after last year and after hearing what Riis had to say, it sounds to me they must have had their battles about how he should train and prepare, also long before the 2013 season started, probably the whole time he have been with the team. I´m surprised Riis must have accepted, that AC do things his way, and did nothing to change it.
So 2013 have also been a wake up call for both of them.

I don´t know if he can beat Froome but I know he can make it much tougher for him than last year, and no presents will be handed out this year, the freak will have to work for it, and im sure he will.

 

[Pippo_San]

I think people are overhyping Velasco way too much.
Can't see anything different than last year come July.

 

[Afrank]

I think people are overhyping Velasco way too much.
Can't see anything different than last year come July.

I highly doubt we'll see the Contador of 2013 at the Tour this year. He's already shown his earlier season form to be far far better then it was at any point in 2013. We may get a similar result (Froome finishing ahead of Contador in the end), but it'll be a different and better Contador Froome will be facing. One that will give him a much bigger challenge IMO.

 

[Angliru]

I highly doubt we'll see the Contador of 2013 at the Tour this year. He's already shown his earlier season form to be far far better then it was at any point in 2013. We may get a similar result (Froome finishing ahead of Contador in the end), but it'll be a different and better Contador Froome will be facing. One that will give him a much bigger challenge IMO.

Agreed. How can anyone think that Contador won't be stronger than in 2013 after seeing the difference in his performances this year?

 

[Jelantik]

I think people are overhyping Velasco way too much.
Can't see anything different than last year come July.

I don't think it's a hype. Last year probably. Last year, we have waited and waited and patiently think that his early season was just typical and he would be strong. Yeah we did caught of his hype last year. This year, it's different. He was far better than 2013. He wil be much more stronger than last year. If you want to talk about hype, that would be nibali. He seems to still chase his form. Considering at the beginning of the year, he is being tauted as Froome's main rivalry, so far he hasn't showed up yet. Froome even beat him with his half form in romandie. It will be a long year for Nibali.

 

[The Hitch]

Who had Nibali as Froome's main rival?

 

[Jspear]

Who had Nibali as Froome's main rival?

I don't remember specifics as to who had Nibali as Froome's main rival but - After Nibali had won the Giro and been 2nd at the vuelta, once he stated the tour as his big 2014 goal, certain news sources (I'm pretty sure I read some articles on CN) started talking about him as Froome's new big rival. Contador had had a poor season (poor by his standards), and Nibali had done so well in 2013 (beating Froome in Tirreno), at the time it was uncertain as to were Quintana would ride, I guess they thought he was the logical candidate to take on Froome this year.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

Agreed. How can anyone think that Contador won't be stronger than in 2013 after seeing the difference in his performances this year?

I also think a lot of people overlook AC's mental attitude. He really wants to win. His desire is second to none. Don't be fooled by those baby brown eyes.

 

[Butterhead]

I think people are overhyping Velasco way too much.
Can't see anything different than last year come July.

You mean except from his 6 wins already this year compared to his only 1 victory for the whole year in 2013, yeah I see theres no difference, its so obvious, how could we all miss that.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Who had Nibali as Froome's main rival?

Oh, over here sir, over here, I do, I do!

 

[RichieTheBest]

You mean except from his 6 wins already this year compared to his only 1 victory for the whole year in 2013, yeah I see theres no difference, its so obvious, how could we all miss that.

he's much weaker than in the best years if the rider with 1 win gets a biggercredit

 

[Butterhead]

Oh, over here sir, over here, I do, I do!

Im not sure I understand his question, but I seldom do.

 

[Pentacycle]

I don't remember specifics as to who had Nibali as Froome's main rival but - After Nibali had won the Giro and been 2nd at the vuelta, once he stated the tour as his big 2014 goal, certain news sources (I'm pretty sure I read some articles on CN) started talking about him as Froome's new big rival. Contador had had a poor season (poor by his standards), and Nibali had done so well in 2013 (beating Froome in Tirreno), at the time it was uncertain as to were Quintana would ride, I guess they thought he was the logical candidate to take on Froome this year.

Many believed that Contador's career was in decline, thinking 2013 was his 'true level'. Everybody can have an annus horribilis though, but that's not something you can predict in the winter. The top riders are so close together(even Froome) that a small problem can mean the end of your aspirations for the season.

In January it wouldn't have been strange if you thought of Nibali(or Quintana) as Froome's main rival. But the first races of the season are often the indicator for who'll dominate in July, and you only have to look at San Luis to know that Nibali would lack something this year. Contador, Quintana and Froome were flying at the start of their season, and it's plausible that these three together will win all GT's this season.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I also think a lot of people overlook AC's mental attitude. He really wants to win. His desire is second to none. Don't be fooled by those baby brown eyes.

Yes we know Contador is focused on winning, However you think Froome doesn't want to win either and isn't obsessively focused on another Tour win? Just wanted to win isn't enough, you need to be in perfect shape. Whoever wins this Tour will 100% deserve it.

 

[Butterhead]

he's much weaker than in the best years if the rider with 1 win gets a biggercredit

Trolls down to the right------------>
And really, stop making a fool out of your self.

 

[Butterhead]

Yes we know Contador is focused on winning, However you think Froome doesn't want to win either and isn't obsessively focused on another Tour win? Just wanted to win isn't enough, you need to be in perfect shape. Whoever wins this Tour will 100% deserve it.

Nope!! ****ing irritating char thing, why dont you remove this BS

 

[Pricey_sky]

Nope!! ****ing irritating char thing, why dont you remove this BS

No thanks, we will just have to agree to disagree. Nobody deserves to win a race just because they want it!!! It's about hard work, sacrifice and dedication.

 

[RichieTheBest]

No thanks, we will just have to agree to disagree. Nobody deserves to win a race just because they want it!!! It's about hard work, sacrifice and dedication.

the forum member calls opponent the freak expressely. no ground for further debate