Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Nibali still likes his pizza too much

He should do like Contador and only eat salads in the off season or snack on beansprouts like Froome

 

[webbie146]

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20140710_01174939

claims nibali has 6.5% fat and Westra has 5%.

is this a good number or a bad one? how will this reflect in stage 13+

The optimal fat percentage differs per athlete. At a certain point losing more fat is not a option anymore, because the athlete will lose power output + recovery ability. Nibali has done a lot of GT's now and he knows what his optimal fat % is.

Athlete A can have a 5% fat percentage, and athlete B 6% but that does not mean always mean he is 'sharper'. Athlete B could lose power output at 4% so he will be 5% at the start of the tdf. Athlete B loses power at 5% so he will start the tdf at around 6%

During the tdf those initial numbers will lower because u always lose weight during a GT.

It's all about finding the optimal number for the athlete, differs per person.

Let's say Nibali get's down to 5%. His power output goes from 430 to 410W. This would mean in the flat TT he would perform worse, in the mountains it would not help either because his output is down. That Contador is around 5% and Nibali 6/6,5% does not say anything about how the will perform.

 

[movingtarget]

Astana have a pretty good team for the mountains:

Scarponi, Westra, Kangert, and Birdsong are all quality climbers. Grivko also looks to be climbing well.

I am not as optimistic as you. Scarponi has seen better days as has Grivko, Westra is not a climber but can do the job similar to Kyrienka for Sky, Birdsong was great on the cobbles but often goes missing on the big climbs although he has improved in recent times. The good thing for Astana is there is no team really that has a dominant team of climbers. Contador is without Kreuziger and Hernandez, Rogers did the Giro as did Majka. Sky is down to 7 riders but still look ok for the mountains. BMC and Garmin are not that strong either so the mountains will probably be more of a battle of the team leaders instead of one team dominating the others. The French teams should place some riders in the lead group. Movistar should do well in the mountains but no Quintana for Valverde. I don't see Nibali having team mates with him when the real attacks start happening.

 

[murali]

The optimal fat percentage differs per athlete. At a certain point losing more fat is not a option anymore, because the athlete will lose power output + recovery ability. Nibali has done a lot of GT's now and he knows what his optimal fat % is.

Athlete A can have a 5% fat percentage, and athlete B 6% but that does not mean always mean he is 'sharper'. Athlete B could lose power output at 4% so he will be 5% at the start of the tdf. Athlete B loses power at 5% so he will start the tdf at around 6%

During the tdf those initial numbers will lower because u always lose weight during a GT.

It's all about finding the optimal number for the athlete, differs per person.

Let's say Nibali get's down to 5%. His power output goes from 430 to 410W. This would mean in the flat TT he would perform worse, in the mountains it would not help either because his output is down. That Contador is around 5% and Nibali 6/6,5% does not say anything about how the will perform.

so, in short we will have to wait for mountains to know whether this good or not.

 

[Carols]

Interview on NBCSN with Nicco this AM. He said Jesus us much better and is staying with the team for a few days to ensure he is okay. They will find an alternate roomate for Alberto when he leaves the race, no idea who. But that Alberto will sorely miss Jesus.

He seemed a bit hesitant when asked how Alberto's condition is. It seemed to me, he rather reluctantly said 'Good'. Trying not to read anything into that. He did say they can make up the time and Alberto can win. But he wasn't convincing, at least to me

 

[Red Rick]

I remember people doubting Contador after he got gapped in the uphill sprint up to Montevergine di Mercogliano in the 2011 Giro. 2 day's later Contador erupted on the Etna

 

[No_Balls]

It seemed to me, he rather reluctantly said 'Good'. Trying not to read anything into that. He did say they can make up the time and Alberto can win. But he wasn't convincing, at least to me

Are we supposed to believe that specific riders chances reveals during interviews with one of their teammates now? Nicco was some minutes ago interviewed by Eurosport and sounded very optimistic and upbeat of Albertos chances.

Could also be part of a mindgame. I don´t think they are that troubled with the talk about Alberto "peaked to early" and Nibalis talk about "attack is best defense". It only plays in AC´s hands.

 

[Carols]

Nicco was some minutes ago interviewed by Eurosport and sounded very optimistic and upbeat of Albertos chances.

LOL! Riis may have smacked him in the head after the other interview

Guess I'm worrying needlessly....LaFlo will understand

 

[Netbalp]

I remember people doubting Contador after he got gapped in the uphill sprint up to Montevergine di Mercogliano in the 2011 Giro. 2 day's later Contador erupted on the Etna

Back then Nibali was a weaker climber.

 

[LaFlorecita]

LOL! Riis may have smacked him in the head after the other interview

Guess I'm worrying needlessly....LaFlo will understand

Yes I understand

 

[LaFlorecita]

I remember people doubting Contador after he got gapped in the uphill sprint up to Montevergine di Mercogliano in the 2011 Giro. 2 day's later Contador erupted on the Etna

Yes and when he attacked on the little bump on the stage to Tropea 1 day later a lot of people said he was in bad form because he was going for bonus seconds... The day after.... BOOM

 

[murali]

at this point of time, i wud rather have nibali believe tht the gap is sufficient.

nothing better than having nibbles fight the wrong battle.

 

[murali]

how many are with bertie?
i think i counted 5. not sure.

 

[LaFlorecita]

how many are with bertie?
i think i counted 5. not sure.

At the moment just Morkov

 

[pigoonse]

Speaking to NBCSN in an interview on now, Riis says it is too hard to judge where Contador is right now (in regard to form). The good news: He's fit and ready and we will see in the mountains.

 

[maxmartin]

AC is even afraid of TJVG lol

 

[LaFlorecita]

AC is even afraid of TJVG lol

Keep underestimating him. Jeez.

 

[Miburo]

AC is even afraid of TJVG lol

Yea of course...It's not that Contador his team is riding in the front to keep him safe like they've been doing the whole week in the last 15 km. No that can't be it...

If you think Contador is afraid of TJ you need to work on your cycling knowledge or maybe you're just trolling.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yea of course...It's not that Contador his team is riding in the front to keep him safe like they've been doing the whole week in the last 15 km. No that can't be it...

If you think Contador is afraid of TJ you need to work on your cycling knowledge or maybe you're just trolling.

It looks to me like maxmartin is just desperately looking for clues that Contador is in bad shape.

 

[murali]

Happy that AC finished the stage safely in the lead group.


rogers adn roche looked good today. Majka is still riding in the back.

tomorrow is going to be interesting

 

[maxmartin]

Yea of course...It's not that Contador his team is riding in the front to keep him safe like they've been doing the whole week in the last 15 km. No that can't be it...

If you think Contador is afraid of TJ you need to work on your cycling knowledge or maybe you're just trolling.

you are the one accusing others trolling, LMAO!

 

[maxmartin]

It looks to me like maxmartin is just desperately looking for clues that Contador is in bad shape.

that is called careful observation and deduct a logical conclusion. You crazy fan girls will never understand.

 

[webbie146]

so, in short we will have to wait for mountains to know whether this good or not.

Yes, correct

 

[LaFlorecita]

that is called careful observation and deduct a logical conclusion. You crazy fan girls will never understand.

Logical would be: Saxo has been riding to keep Contador on the front for the past week, they probably did the same this time, riding to let Contador start the final climb in the first part of the peloton. And guess what, that's exactly what Bjarne said after the stage.

 

[fantomas]

He just said in a post-stage interview that he thinks the final climb tomorrow suits Nibali (and Valverde) better.