Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[SeriousSam]

If Contador loses more than a handful seconds it's over, there's no way he will be able to beat Quintana and Froome if they are peaking for this Vuelta. And that's generously assuming Contador regains top form and that his climbing is marginally better than Froome's (which has yet to be demonstrated. For now, Froome is the best climber in the world)

 

[damian13ster]

I think it'd rather mean the opposite. He seems unsure of his capabilities.

Thinking: 'No, not going for it even if its there for the taking, I can always make up time later' Now that would be stupid.

Gaining time over other guys in GC (any amount of time) if the cost for that is minimal is the very definition of being smart. He positionned himself for it, executed it perfectly and got reward for it. Simple as that.

 

[Alcanelo]

If Contador loses more than a handful seconds it's over, there's no way he will be able to beat Quintana and Froome if they are peaking for this Vuelta. And that's generously assuming Contador regains top form and that his climbing is marginally better than Froome's (which has yet to be demonstrated. For now, Froome is the best climber in the world)

Nearly choked reading this...not even close.

 

[Afrank]

I guess it's true what wuyts said "Contador is the only spaniard who is really well know in spain outside the cycling community.'

Suck it Valverde!

 

[damian13ster]

Wtf do you need him to do to prove he is the best climber?

Destroying absolutely everyone in TdF 2013 wasnt enough? Being the strongest in Tour 2012 as well as Vuelta not enough?


I don't even like the guy but your response is among the most stupid ones I read on this forum

 

[UpTheRoad]

Wtf do you need him to do to prove he is the best climber?

Destroying absolutely everyone in TdF 2013 wasnt enough? Being the strongest in Tour 2012 as well as Vuelta not enough?


I don't even like the guy but your response is among the most stupid ones I read on this forum

Froome was the strongest climber in the 2012 Vuelta? By what criteria?

 

[damian13ster]

Vuelta 2011 of course.

Anyway, still believe thats enough to make a case for him being best climber in the world, and although of course somebody might have a different opinion, saying 'nearly choked on this' and its not even close is not anywhere near the truth

 

[No_Balls]

There are few doubts Froome played a crucial roll in Wiggins win in the borefest of a Tour (against a decimated field) two years ago. The same goes for his win last year against contenders that best could be described as sub-par their level, and a one year younger Nairo.

There is nothing that has convinced me this year that Dawg is the same rider as in 2012/2013. He seemed flummoxed and downbeat when AC followed his wheel in Dauphine, a race which he crashed himself out of contention. Just to repeat the same procedure in Tour de France a month later. Despite this, and the knowledge of Froomes fracture, we are to believe that he is miraculously at his 2013-level, probably based on that brutal sprint which saw him gained a breathtaking 2 seconds to his loss from the poor TTT he did a couple of days ago.

There a couple of questionsmarks hanging around Alberto as has been made perfectly clear but none around Froome if im correct? He is at his 2013 level?

 

[peloton]

Wtf do you need him to do to prove he is the best climber?

Destroying absolutely everyone in TdF 2013 wasnt enough? Being the strongest in Tour 2012 as well as Vuelta not enough?


I don't even like the guy but your response is among the most stupid ones I read on this forum

Get your facts straight and go to the Froome thread.
Thanks

 

[LaFlorecita]

Nearly choked reading this...not even close.

Yup, strange stuff. But please, everyone, can we stick to Alberto, and discuss Froome elsewhere?

 

[peloton]

Contador told his team to attack today, I hope that's a good sign about his leg

 

[Red Rick]

If Contador loses more than a handful seconds it's over, there's no way he will be able to beat Quintana and Froome if they are peaking for this Vuelta. And that's generously assuming Contador regains top form and that his climbing is marginally better than Froome's (which has yet to be demonstrated. For now, Froome is the best climber in the world)

OMG, I did it, I time traveled back to one random day in july 2013

 

[Alcanelo]

A raw Quintana was a better climber than a prime Froome ever was/will be. Not to mention countless and it really is countless others.

 

[ferryman]

I guess it's true what wuyts said "Contador is the only spaniard who is really well know in spain outside the cycling community.'

The Italian boy is turning to his mate, 'Nah let's forget it, I told you Nibali wasn't here'

 

[Electress]

Hi, just wanted to drop by and introduce myself - I've always been a fan, but I'm full of admiration for his being here. I'm also curious to understand just what condition he's in. I'd like to think he's playing deep and is feeling better than might be expected, but to be honest, I think he's being pretty straight - he wants to compete, but isn't sure just how his leg and form will hold up when it's really tested. But today was great and shows what fighting spirit he has. His presence certainly animates things.

 

[Kotar_Rhakoz]

Contador, at his best, is the best GT GC rider in the world.
He is better than Froome, Quintana, Nibali and anyone else that can be named.

He is not going to be at his best so that gives the others a big chance of defeating him.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Contador, at his best, is the best GT GC rider in the world.
He is better than Froome, Quintana, Nibali and anyone else that can be named.

He is not going to be at his best so that gives the others a big chance of defeating him.

However it could be argued he has not been at his best for far too many occasions, would this year's Tour been different? unfortunately we could not find out.

 

[Taxus4a]

Contador, at his best, is the best GT GC rider in the world.
He is better than Froome, Quintana, Nibali and anyone else that can be named.

He is not going to be at his best so that gives the others a big chance of defeating him.

He is at his very best of his life. Or if he is not right now, according his words before the Vuelta, he would be better at the end. So, if he attack in the small climb finish and put time on other favourites, if he try to cut the race with the wind, if he is always in the front and if he was part of a team that got a good result in the initial TTT (exactly the same than Purito in the Tour, who didnt lied about go for stages ), at the end of the Vuelta he could put 5 minutes to his rivals in Pan do Zarco.

He is not the best and he has his chances becouse the rest are not at his best, at least Froome and Valverde didnt have the best preparation for the race.

Contador is better than his previous plan to ride Tour an Vuelta full gas.
This is of course better.

if you want to believe anything of his previous words about problems with knee, he was out of the Vuelta, etc, is your problem.

Reallity is that after to be in big form he rode a week in the Tour, he got out from the Tour fresh but with some competition (Froome was just a little), he stopped just 3 weeks (or even less, who knows), and he has been one month training hard for the Vuelta.

It is a preparation to be at his best or to get his best in the next week.
but Quintana said he is not at his best when he has rode Burgos...

So, except Uran, everybody is a little Contador way...

Purito has a good preparation as well.

 

[BlurryVII]

Hi, just wanted to drop by and introduce myself - I've always been a fan, but I'm full of admiration for his being here. I'm also curious to understand just what condition he's in. I'd like to think he's playing deep and is feeling better than might be expected, but to be honest, I think he's being pretty straight - he wants to compete, but isn't sure just how his leg and form will hold up when it's really tested. But today was great and shows what fighting spirit he has. His presence certainly animates things.

Hi, and welcome en el Pueblo de Contador

Contador, at his best, is the best GT GC rider in the world.
He is better than Froome, Quintana, Nibali and anyone else that can be named.

He is not going to be at his best so that gives the others a big chance of defeating him.

That is Spot on. Cheers.

 

[BlurryVII]

@Taxus4a Are you serious? you wrote so much bull****, I can't even reply to everything

- Quintana is having the ideal preparation for this Vuelta, no crash, Burgos in the legs, training since June for this only goal, and you're saying he is "a little bit Contador way"
and "Everybody is a little contador way" Are you actually serious?

- Froome resumed training much earlier than Contador, he just had little injury in wrist and hand, not a deep incision to the bone in his right leg.

- "He is at his very best" Nope he isn't, if he is then he'll just trash all the GC guys today.
If he struggles and gets dropped, then he is in average shape or bad shape depends on how much time he loses, as simple as that, is it difficult to understand?

 

[Jelantik]

well stage 6 is finally here. Now we will get our answer. Does he bluffing his way or does his form sucks?

I have no expectation for tomorrow. Just hoping that he can hang with the rest.

 

[Helvellyn]

@Taxus4a Are you serious? you wrote so much bull****, I can't even reply to everything

- Quintana is having the ideal preparation for this Vuelta, no crash, Burgos in the legs, training since June for this only goal, and you're saying he is "a little bit Contador way"
and "Everybody is a little contador way" Are you actually serious?

- Froome resumed training much earlier than Contador, he just had little injury in wrist and hand, not a deep incision to the bone in his right leg.

- "He is at his very best" Nope he isn't, if he is then he'll just trash all the GC guys today.
If he struggles and gets dropped, then he is in average shape or bad shape depends on how much time he loses, as simple as that, is it difficult to understand?

I don't think the claim is necessarily that Quintana and Froome have had the same obstacles as Contador. But are Quintana and Froome going to be at their absoluste best, i.e. Tour '13 level and Giro '14 for Quintana? Nibali last year at the Vuelta was evidence that peaking for a second time is normally slightly off the first peak. For Froome, he has spent more than a year training and racing to peak for the Tour. He peaked (more or less) and then crashed out. He then has to readjust everything to peak again for the Vuelta. Some riders have done that successfully in the past, but there's good reason to think that the less than perfect build up will mean he will be slightly off top form. It only takes a rider to be very slightly off their best to make a massive difference to how they are able to race. It's not about dumbing down Contador's injuries/preperation, but holding out hope that even a sub-par Contador could do something against a Quintana and Froome that may not be at their absolute best.

 

[BlurryVII]

I don't think the claim is necessarily that Quintana and Froome have had the same obstacles as Contador. But are Quintana and Froome going to be at their absoluste best, i.e. Tour '13 level and Giro '14 for Quintana? Nibali last year at the Vuelta was evidence that peaking for a second time is normally slightly off the first peak. For Froome, he has spent more than a year training and racing to peak for the Tour. He peaked (more or less) and then crashed out. He then has to readjust everything to peak again for the Vuelta. Some riders have done that successfully in the past, but there's good reason to think that the less than perfect build up will mean he will be slightly off top form. It only takes a rider to be very slightly off their best to make a massive difference to how they are able to race. It's not about dumbing down Contador's injuries/preperation, but holding out hope that even a sub-par Contador could do something against a Quintana and Froome that may not be at their absolute best.

The guy (namely Taxus) tries as hard as he can to demonstrate us AC will be in the form of his life in this Vuelta using nonsensical arguments and stupid assumptions, so that he can rub it in our faces when he loses to other guys who are much better prepared.

Also you said "Nibali last year at the Vuelta was evidence that peaking for a second time is normally slightly off the first peak"

I'll give another example later but I don't see where you guys saw Nibali stronger at the Giro than at the vuelta? A bit of a low average power output (5.64), which perhaps is normal due to extreme conditions, not much of a tough competition Uran 2nd, old evans 3rd (as usual with Nibali), when he had to face Horner who delivered much more wattage at the Vuelta.

But anyway, you can disagree with that, what about Rodriguez 2012? Much, much stronger at the Vuelta. Smoking everyone on steep parts, AND responding most of AC attacks when he struggled beating Hesjedal at the Giro, he didn't even have to repond any attack and couldn't gain serious time on him on the Stelvio.

So to get back on topic, people shouldn't try to reverse the situation here, Quintana has to be in his best form, he's the big favourite, and the pressure is on him not on anyone else's shoulders. He's had all the time to prepare it. It's up to him.

 

[Kotar_Rhakoz]

well stage 6 is finally here. Now we will get our answer. Does he bluffing his way or does his form sucks?

I have no expectation for tomorrow. Just hoping that he can hang with the rest.

We get AN answer. He might do okay or even better but there is the question of how his leg will recover from the effort on the final climb. He might be able to push through the pain for one stage but if his leg gets worse due to the climbing then he still might not make it through the rest of the race.

For me until he gets through every stage up to and including stage 17 there has to be doubts about him finishing the race.

 

[ILovecycling]

We get AN answer. He might do okay or even better but there is the question of how his leg will recover from the effort on the final climb. He might be able to push through the pain for one stage but if his leg gets worse due to the climbing then he still might not make it through the rest of the race.

For me until he gets through every stage up to and including stage 17 there has to be doubts about him finishing the race.

Good point,thats why I dont think this stage is so important.Of course its important to not get dropped by other big guns but maybe it won't tell us anything about his leg.

Venga venga