Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Netserk]

To gain time on Froome, if they all worked together they could have put serious time into him. And now Froome just happens to be 3 seconds away from taking Valverde's 2nd.

Yes, if Valverde rode for 2nd place it would have been much smarter to pull hard yesterday, but he rode for 1st place and did the right thing.

 

[Carols]

Yes it was a grand victory, but AC only attacked within the last K.

I watched again, and it was before the 1km banner...no? He definitely had attacked and was way ahead before a banner, but there was no red flag on it.

 

[rhubroma]

In the leaders jersey it was not Contador's job to pace Froome. It's called privilege of rank.

Froome, on the other hand, had no choice but to keep pacing AC (not having been able to drop him), in order to gain as much time on Valverde as possible.

Cantador did what logic and the race demanded: keep Froome on max, then blow by him inside 1k to take the stage win.

Mission accomplished.

 

[BigMac]

Yes, if Valverde rode for 2nd place it would have been much smarter to pull hard yesterday, but he rode for 1st place and did the right thing.

Had he ridden for second, most would be calling him a loser with no ambitions.

 

[Carols]

Yes, if Valverde rode for 2nd place it would have been much smarter to pull hard yesterday, but he rode for 1st place and did the right thing.

Despite common opinion I have always maintained the Valverde rides to his strengths. Yesterday I certainly didn't call him a wheelsucker but am tired of defending him and getting jumped on here LOL!

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

To gain time on Froome, if they all worked together they could have put serious time into him. And now Froome just happens to be 3 seconds away from taking Valverde's 2nd. And for the record, I wasn't coming down on Valverde for his tactics yesterday almost at all. They were understandable given the last GC stage.

By the way, drop the insults or you may soon be seeing some time away from the forum.

NO problem being away from the forum... go right ahead.

Why should Piti and Purito want to gain time on Froome first? They were still in the race for the win, Valverde at least, Purito less, but looks like he doesn't really have it anyway this year, otherwise I'd expect him to come out ahead of Valverde yesterday. If you don't beat Contador, gaining time on Froome gives you second place. there's no point, Valverde isn't some second year pro for whom a Vuelta-podium is a great achievement. Go for the win, let Contador worry about Froome, try to get time on Contador. 100% the right thing by Valverde yesterday. Which isn't always the case, often he does refuse turns for no reason I understand really, not the case yesterday.

 

[Jspear]

I watched again, and it was before the 1km banner...no? He definitely had attacked and was way ahead before a banner, but there was no red flag on it.

Chris Froome and AC were together @ 1 K to go.

It wasn't until about 40 seconds into the last K that AC attacked...still a great win.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I watched again, and it was before the 1km banner...no? He definitely had attacked and was way ahead before a banner, but there was no red flag on it.

I think I know which banner you're talking about, I was trying to see how fast Alberto went in the final km, and I saw one banner which was a few m before the 500m to go sign.

 

[Bexon30]

In the leaders jersey it was not Contador's job to pace Froome. It's called privilege of rank.

Froome, on the other hand, had no choice but to keep pacing AC (not having been able to drop him), in order to gain as much time on Valverde as possible.

Cantador did what logic and the race demanded: keep Froome on max, then blow by him inside 1k to take the stage win.

Mission accomplished.

Great outcome today, perfect for Contador and he never looked in difficulty. On another point I'm more impressed by Froome's performance today as they opened a huge gap quickly. If only he would leave Sky I almost might like him.
In terms of style though Alberto is impossible to beat, classy riding, chapeau!

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

Why do you assume it is Contador-fans who bashed Valverde yesterday?

I don't assume, I know.

 

[BigMac]

Why do you assume it is Contador-fans who bashed Valverde yesterday? Pitis never been a popular man on these boards.

And there is a world of difference in marking your overall lead with marking the overall leader.

It was two self-proclaimed Contador fans who felt the need to bump his thread after the stage and write '**** him', or '**** this guy'.

 

[T-Nielsen]

I don't assume, I know.

How.......

 

[Carols]

Chris Froome and AC were together @ 1 K to go.

It wasn't until about 40 seconds into the last K that AC attacked...still a great win.

Wow you are correct. I wonder what the other banner was....as I said it didn't have the red kite and no distance on it. I know I'm not crazy there was a banner

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think I know which banner you're talking about, I was trying to see how fast Alberto went in the final km, and I saw one banner which was a few m before the 500m to go sign.

Wow you are correct. I wonder what the other banner was....as I said it didn't have the red kite and no distance on it. I know I'm not crazy there was a banner

.........

 

[Carols]

It was two self-proclaimed Contador fans who felt the need to bump his thread after the stage and write '**** him', or '**** this guy'.

So all of us have to endure crap because of 2 people? Maybe PM them? I'm one of Balas biggest supporters on this forum!

 

[Cimber]

@saddleblaze: Contador's win over Froome was a victory for aesthetics as well as sheer power and raw climbing ability #LaVuelta

 

[Afrank]

NO problem being away from the forum... go right ahead.

Why should Piti and Purito want to gain time on Froome first? They were still in the race for the win, Valverde at least, Purito less, but looks like he doesn't really have it anyway this year, otherwise I'd expect him to come out ahead of Valverde yesterday. If you don't beat Contador, gaining time on Froome gives you second place. there's no point, Valverde isn't some second year pro for whom a Vuelta-podium is a great achievement. Go for the win, let Contador worry about Froome, try to get time on Contador. 100% the right thing by Valverde yesterday. Which isn't always the case, often he does refuse turns for no reason I understand really, not the case yesterday.

Valverde still could have sprinted ahead of Contador at the finish to take some extra seconds while at the same time helping with the pace earlier in the climb yesterday. Then he could have gained more time on Froome for future stages, just in case something like today happened.

But like I said before, I understand Valverde's reasons for not attacking or taking pulls yesterday. I think it would benefit him in the long run to help with the pulls a bit, but I don't have a real big problem with the tactics he employed. This is the Contador thread though, so probably should continue this discussion the the Valverde thread.

 

[BigMac]

So all of us have to endure crap because of 2 people? Maybe PM them? I'm one of Balas biggest supporters on this forum!

I know you are, Carols. I was just answering a question. Never did I generalize, just read my posts. You will always find the word 'some' in them.

 

[Carols]

I know you are, Carols. I was just answering a question. Never did I generalize, just read my posts. You will always find the word 'some' in them.

okay Guess the fridge got me riled LOL!

 

[BigMac]

okay Guess the fridge got me riled LOL!

Oh, and, almost forgot: Great tactics by Contador today.

 

[Carols]

I think I know which banner you're talking about, I was trying to see how fast Alberto went in the final km, and I saw one banner which was a few m before the 500m to go sign.

Oh thank goodness someone else saw the banner. I wasn't hallucinating twice LOL!

 

[Jspear]

Oh thank goodness someone else saw the banner. I wasn't hallucinating twice LOL!

You aren't crazy. I saw it as well. You are talking about this one.

 

[richwagmn]

Maybe try to calm down a little.

Contador did wheelsuck Froome today. But it has to also be acknowledged that Contador in the red jersey had less reason to take a turn today then Valverde had to suck Contador and Purito yesterday. Plus many would say that his attack in the final made up for his wheelsucking before hand.
___________________

Very glad to see Contador win today. He deserves it.

Contador rode with his head today. No need to help Froome at all (he knew this, Froome knew this).

I don't think he's much worried about Purito or Valverde at this point. Froome on the other hand... He's seen what he can do.

 

[Carols]

You aren't crazy. I saw it as well. You are talking about this one.

Yes there it is!!!

 

[Afrank]

The fridge in the blue trees, moving our conversation to the Valverde thread.

Contador rode with his head today. No need to help Froome at all (he knew this, Froome knew this).

I don't think he's much worried about Purito or Valverde at this point. Froome on the other hand... He's seen what he can do.

I agree.