Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Carols]

As if it was not enough, Tinkoff Saxo finished 7th yesterday of the TTT just like in 2012
Alright now *Superstitious mode Off*

This is getting serious now Dare I ask if they were 19 secs behind?

 

[ILovecycling]

This is getting serious now Dare I ask if they were 19 secs behind?

No,14

 

[icefire]

As if it was not enough, Tinkoff Saxo finished 7th yesterday of the TTT just like in 2012
Alright now *Superstitious mode Off*

Sadly, there isn't any stage with a profile like Fuente Dé 2012 in the last week.

 

[Nilsson]

AC seems to be the one of the top 4 gc men that needs the most tt training to keep up his level, and I don't think he has done much to say the least, over the last month

I don't think so. He's always had a good or at least decent TT in his legs. He's strong and relatively aero by nature. The only problem nowadays seems to be that he is tweaking his position all the time. Even yesterday before the start, apparently he decided to make some changes.

 

[Miburo]

Sadly, there isn't any stage with a profile like Fuente Dé 2012 in the last week.

Stage 20 comes closest, well not really but one of the best to go crazy.

This is a really good stage, if Contador is behind with like 2,3 min i guarantee you he'll attack from 70 km out

I really hope it's a close GC battle at that point still, can be one of the best stages of the year.

 

[BlurryVII]

Valverde new leader of the Vuelta after Castroviejo, like in 2012 ahah

What's next? Valverde to lose time because of a mechanical (Valdezcaray 2012) .

Alberto looked great today, he was up ahead all the time, sprinted to finish top 25 right behind Sanchez and Valverde. Looks promising!

 

[Luigi_Max_Again]

Until he rides a mountain nobody is going to know how he really is, even Contador might not know.

 

[Futuroscope]

I'm not too concerned with the course or trying to predict exactly where the action will be. With the type of riders in this years Vuelta I think they will make it very exciting no matter what. Quintana, Froome and Contador are cyclists who will attack if there is opportunity. Movistar can also use Valverde/Quintana as a one two punch to put pressure on the other teams.

I think it will be an exciting Vuelta.

 

[Carols]

Valverde new leader of the Vuelta after Castroviejo, like in 2012 ahah

What's next? Valverde to lose time because of a mechanical (Valdezcaray 2012) .

Alberto looked great today, he was up ahead all the time, sprinted to finish top 25 right behind Sanchez and Valverde. Looks promising!

This is getting slightly spooky!

Well I hope Sky doesn't cause Bala to crash again that is for sure.

Yes he looks good, day 2 down. Hopefully he is gaining fitness each day. He needs to make it safely to Stage 6. That will tell us much more.

 

[No_Balls]

Valverde new leader of the Vuelta after Castroviejo, like in 2012 ahah

It will be extremely interesting to see the Movistar internal affairs now when Valverde is in red. Its now their "two leaders on road" really are up to the test and given the route he might survive in it a long time. Are their restrictions on Quintana? And behind is AC lurking in the shadow.

I had "buenas sensaciones" watching the stage today.

 

[Futuroscope]

It will be extremely interesting to see the Movistar internal affairs now when Valverde is in red. Its now their "two leaders on road" really are up to the test and given the route he might survive in it a long time. Are their restrictions on Quintana? And behind is AC lurking in the shadow.

I had "buenas sensaciones" watching the stage today.

I don't see any problems. Valverde will be strong as he always in the Vuelta but Quintana will be very strong the last week. Quintana will attack in the last week no matter what team orders are (although I don't think it will come to that, they won't put any restrictions on Quintana). Valverde won't get away with what Lance tried to do to Contador. He won't be strong enough nor will he be able to cause a split in the team.

 

[Luigi_Max_Again]

The main stages for Quintana are 15, 16 and 20. I do not think Valverde will match him on those stages.

 

[yespatterns]

It will be extremely interesting to see the Movistar internal affairs now when Valverde is in red. Its now their "two leaders on road" really are up to the test and given the route he might survive in it a long time. Are their restrictions on Quintana? And behind is AC lurking in the shadow.

I had "buenas sensaciones" watching the stage today.

I am "tranquilo", personally. Just waiting for stage 6.

 

[Carols]

I don't see any problems. Valverde will be strong as he always in the Vuelta but Quintana will be very strong the last week. Quintana will attack in the last week no matter what team orders are (although I don't think it will come to that, they won't put any restrictions on Quintana). Valverde won't get away with what Lance tried to do to Contador. He won't be strong enough nor will he be able to cause a split in the team.

Bala has to much class to attempt a 'Lance'. As soon as Nairo shows his superiority he will work for him. Meanwhile let him enjoy his spot in the limelight. Heck if others fail in their comebacks Movistar could put 2 on the podium

Back to Alberto .

 

[No_Balls]

I don't see any problems. Valverde will be strong as he always in the Vuelta but Quintana will be very strong the last week. Quintana will attack in the last week no matter what team orders are (although I don't think it will come to that, they won't put any restrictions on Quintana). Valverde won't get away with what Lance tried to do to Contador. He won't be strong enough nor will he be able to cause a split in the team.

What is quite clear is that Bala could strenghten his position (why shouldnt he?) pretty much until the second-last week including a highly intresting TT in between. Nairo will go for it but i am not convinced the team will sanction it by then if he has say 2-3 minutes on hand. Of course, it is all depending on the differences between them.

Its not just only Lance/Alberto thats there been whining back and forth in situations like this: Indurain/Perico 1990, Ullrich/Riis -96 and -97. With the difference that the examples was to poor in contrast to their teammates to mark a difference.

 

[No_Balls]

I am "tranquilo", personally. Just waiting for stage 6.

Seems like the wisest course

 

[Luigi_Max_Again]

What is quite clear is that Bala could strenghten his position (why shouldnt he?) pretty much until the second-last week including a highly intresting TT in between. Nairo will go for it but i am not convinced the team will sanction it by then if he has say 2-3 minutes on hand. Of course, it is all depending on the differences between them.

Its not just only Lance/Alberto thats there been whining back and forth in situations like this: Indurain/Perico 1990, Ullrich/Riis -96 and -97. With the difference that the examples was to poor in contrast to their teammates to mark a difference.

Perhaps if Valverde is clearly winning by stage 15 Quintana will be shackled. However I do not see how that is going to happen.

 

[No_Balls]

Perhaps if Valverde is clearly winning by stage 15 Quintana will be shackled. However I do not see how that is going to happen.

My predictions are also based on wheter he will wear the shirt for that long (although the option is there) which is not sure at all. But yeah, i really dont see Nairo getting schackled here. He's too good for that. But you'll never know.

Anyway, back to topic.

 

[ILovecycling]

I hope dawg and berto will hold nairo's wheel in most diffcult stages.valverde?no way.
(only if he has minutes on him)


Alberto looked a bit nervous,but stayed safe.venga venga

 

[Netserk]

I don't see any problems. Valverde will be strong as he always in the Vuelta but Quintana will be very strong the last week. Quintana will attack in the last week no matter what team orders are (although I don't think it will come to that, they won't put any restrictions on Quintana). Valverde won't get away with what Lance tried to do to Contador. He won't be strong enough nor will he be able to cause a split in the team.

Yes in the last week Quintana will attack for sure, but if Valverde still has the jersey in stage 6 do you think Quintana will be allowed to attack and take the jersey from his team mate?

 

[Jelantik]

It will be extremely interesting to see the Movistar internal affairs now when Valverde is in red. Its now their "two leaders on road" really are up to the test and given the route he might survive in it a long time. Are their restrictions on Quintana? And behind is AC lurking in the shadow.

I had "buenas sensaciones" watching the stage today.

exactly my thought. Quintana isn't shy to tell the world that he wanted to be in the tour. Instead he got sent to the giro. Now Vuelta, I don't think, he will be playing second fiddle to valverde either (my sense). And valverde even though he said Quintana is the leader but he said he won't ride to loose time either. With valverde on the leader jersey might give more motivation for him to gain more time everyday. This should be interesting

I hope AC is getting his fitness day by day. First mountain stage will tell us where he is.

 

[Alcanelo]

Valverde will ruin another potential GT for Quintana

 

[No_Balls]

exactly my thought. Quintana isn't shy to tell the world that he wanted to be in the tour. Instead he got sent to the giro. Now Vuelta, I don't think, he will be playing second fiddle to valverde either (my sense). And valverde even though he said Quintana is the leader but he said he won't ride to loose time either. With valverde on the leader jersey might give more motivation for him to gain more time everyday. This should be interesting

I hope AC is getting his fitness back day by day. First mountain stage will tell us where he is.

Says he felt a little after the team time trial and this morning but that it disappears more or less on the bike. Guess it could have been worse.

“It's true that I was suffering a bit this morning with my leg, but luckily on the bike the discomfort is minimal,” Contador said. “I got through the day and now I’m recovering, so I'm happy with how things are going.”

http://m.cyclingnews.com/news/riding-on-the-front-remains-a-habit-for-contador-at-vuelta-a-espana

 

[BlurryVII]

Yes in the last week Quintana will attack for sure, but if Valverde still has the jersey in stage 6 do you think Quintana will be allowed to attack and take the jersey from his team mate?

I agree with this, as long as Valverde has the red jersey, quintana most likely won't have the permission to attack.

In my opinion, Nairo's best allies against valverde will be his rivals somehow. He only needs to follow others attacks and wait for valverde to be dropped behind.

That might happen on la Zubia, Purito will definitely have to take some time back, and you never know what may come from AC and/or Froome.

 

[sulgpallur]

I agree with this, as long as Valverde has the red jersey, quintana most likely won't have the permission to attack.

In my opinion, Nairo's best allies against valverde will be his rivals somehow. He only needs to follow others attacks and wait for valverde to be dropped behind.

That might happen on la Zubia, Purito will definitely have to take some time back, and you never know what may come from AC and/or Froome.

Valverde will drop like all the time in the Tour and Nairo will not pace him up.