Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Oh I see. Well Froome is supposed to be in it for the win, not giving up and settling for second. So he has to drop them all and Alberto need only follow. If he doesn't well then Alberto really only needs to follow Bala and Jrod.

Alberto doesn't have to drop anyone unless he wants the stage win. So he need only do a Purito on them. Stop with the accelerations and ride them in until the final KM. If he feels really good of course he can go sooner .

He can't do a Purito on Purito and Valverde in the final k. No way.

 

[DFA123]

If he follows Froome's wheel he'll probably win the stage. If he responds to every bluff attack from Valverde and Rodriguez he could lose the race.

Depends if his ego can allow one of the other Spaniards to sprint away early on the climb.

 

[Jelantik]

I think Contador will only be concered about Froome tomorrow. He might let attacks by Valverde and Rodriguez go in the unlikely event they try anything outside the last 2km. Contador doesn't need to drop anyone.

that's true. On the other hand, Froome isn't going to let valverde and purito leaves him behind, which bodes well for contador to just follow wheels. And let these 3 attacking each other and save energy. If he can win the stage again, GREAT. Might as well stomp his authority. But first rule of order, his leg must have to be able to hold off Froome. Other wise, sayonara red jersey.

 

[Jelantik]

He can't do a Purito on Purito and Valverde in the final k. No way.

Unless he rides froome's coat tail when he attacks. Clearly valverde and purito can't hold on froome's wheel.

 

[Jelantik]

What I meant is that Froome might not be so eager to ride away from Valverde and Rodriguez again, so Alberto might have to drop them all which could be a problem.

oooo not a chance.. Froome is eager to burry those two. He feels that he is stronger than them or even contador. And I think Froome wants to win the stage. So he has to drop contador to get to red jersey and drop valverde and purito for stage win. Mark my word..

 

[LaFlorecita]

Unless he rides froome's coat tail when he attacks. Clearly valverde and purito can't hold on froome's wheel.

Yeah, that's what I was saying. IF Froome attacks and continues riding with Contador on his wheel, Alberto can win. That doesn't seem very likely though. Froome needs to drop Alberto so won't let Alberto wheelsuck him to the finish. So, Alberto has to drop everyone, including Valverde and Rodriguez, which seems to be an almost impossible task for him.

 

[icefire]

Spanish captain lists Contador in the team for the Worlds!

http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2014/09/12/54132819ca4741c07f8b456c.html

 

[LaFlorecita]

Spanish captain lists Contador in the team for the Worlds!

http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2014/09/12/54132819ca4741c07f8b456c.html

Well in the preselection. It's not the final team yet.

 

[Publicus]

Yeah, that's what I was saying. IF Froome attacks and continues riding with Contador on his wheel, Alberto can win. That doesn't seem very likely though. Froome needs to drop Alberto so won't let Alberto wheelsuck him to the finish. So, Alberto has to drop everyone, including Valverde and Rodriguez, which seems to be an almost impossible task for him.

Just to be clear, he didn't "let" Alberto wheelsuck. He was doing everything he could to drop him. He just couldn't. He'll try again, multiple times, tomorrow. We'll see if Contador is up to the task.

 

[contador977]

I think Contador will only be concered about Froome tomorrow. He might let attacks by Valverde and Rodriguez go in the unlikely event they try anything outside the last 2km. Contador doesn't need to drop anyone.

One bad scenario is having Valverde or Purito storming off the front, who chases? Froome or Contador? Do they work together? Do they call each others bluff and wait for the other to take up the chase? The one who chases knows the other can counter attack them as soon as the junction is made and be dropped. Froome will attack tomorrow and he could drop everyone and ride into or close to the Red Jersey. Its going to be interesting to see how Contador's legs are feeling. I think Contador's form is dropping a bit as the Sky manager eluded too, but maybe they are putting too much stock in Alberto not following Froome attack 2.5km a few days ago.

 

[Red Rick]

One bad scenario is having Valverde or Purito storming off the front, who chases? Froome or Contador? Do they work together? Do they call each others bluff and wait for the other to take up the chase? The one who chases knows the other can counter attack them as soon as the junction is made and be dropped. Froome will attack tomorrow and he could drop everyone and ride into or close to the Red Jersey. Its going to be interesting to see how Contador's legs are feeling. I think Contador's form is dropping a bit as the Sky manager eluded too, but maybe they are putting too much stock in Alberto not following Froome attack 2.5km a few days ago.

You know that you're mentioning Valverde and Purito and attacking from far out in one sentence right? It ain't gonna happen

 

[Netserk]

You know that you're mentioning Valverde and Purito and attacking from far out in one sentence right? It ain't gonna happen

Certainly not were they are helping each other.

 

[Red Rick]

Certainly not were they are helping each other.

It would end up with Froome having to do the work, cause Contador is better at trackstands

 

[contador977]

You know that you're mentioning Valverde and Purito and attacking from far out in one sentence right? It ain't gonna happen

I agree with you but imagine 7 km to go and the attack initially looks strong...why sit and risk losing time? even if the odds are stacked against them they are still sitting 3 and 4 in the GC. Maybe earlier in the race they laugh at the attack from distance but on the second last day, I imagine the leash to be small for everyone. IF the Purito and Valverde attack, Froome is in a position of strength, imo , unless he immediately responds and potentially counters? So many things can happen tomorrow. Froome can take 1 min if Contador doesnt have the legs.

 

[ExtraSpoke]

It would end up with Froome having to do the work, cause Contador is better at trackstands

Damn, you made me spill my beer!

 

[Energy Starr]

You know that you're mentioning Valverde and Purito and attacking from far out in one sentence right? It ain't gonna happen

Bingo. The strategy is very simple. Follow Froome. If AC feels good, jump him for more time gains. If not, follow for as long as possible. Piti and Purito are out of the picture now (barring crashes, bad bonks, etc.)

 

[richwagmn]

You know that you're mentioning Valverde and Purito and attacking from far out in one sentence right? It ain't gonna happen

ha! Purito and Valverde attack with 500m to go.

 

[Angliru]

One bad scenario is having Valverde or Purito storming off the front, who chases? Froome or Contador? Do they work together? Do they call each others bluff and wait for the other to take up the chase? The one who chases knows the other can counter attack them as soon as the junction is made and be dropped. Froome will attack tomorrow and he could drop everyone and ride into or close to the Red Jersey. Its going to be interesting to see how Contador's legs are feeling. I think Contador's form is dropping a bit as the Sky manager eluded too, but maybe they are putting too much stock in Alberto not following Froome attack 2.5km a few days ago.

Implying that they think Contador's form is dropping is more a hope than anything based on an actual accumulation of facts. With minimal support in the mountains and some questionable tactical decisions Contador wore himself out on the last mtf. I don't think it had anything to do with declining form. Froome's attack was perfectly timed with Contador attempting to recover from responding to too many attacks and then that slight moment of hesitation when a rival attacks that if you don't respond immediately, any effort to bridge after the brief pause could potentially put you in the red. Contador will be singularly focused on Froome, stuck to him as if he were his shadow.

 

[ILovecycling]

The goal is obvious. Beat dawg,beat everyone. Enjoy riding The Great one folks

 

[Carols]

“I had to be well positioned on the final short climb because we knew that it was a difficult descent, where the risk of crashes was high. I was very lucky to avoid being dragged down by Dario Cataldo’s crash. I don’t know how I did it, but I'm happy that I got through the day without any problems and I'm already thinking about tomorrow”.

This is the kind of thing that can happen any day.....someone else brings him down Good bike handling skills kept him safe this time!

Hopefully he has rested well and is ready for the challenges he will face today. I'd rest easier if the man had a decent team, but well it is what it is!

 

[Jspear]

“I had to be well positioned on the final short climb because we knew that it was a difficult descent, where the risk of crashes was high. I was very lucky to avoid being dragged down by Dario Cataldo’s crash. I don’t know how I did it, but I'm happy that I got through the day without any problems and I'm already thinking about tomorrow”.

This is the kind of thing that can happen any day.....someone else brings him down Good bike handling skills kept him safe this time!

Hopefully he has rested well and is ready for the challenges he will face today. I'd rest easier if the man had a decent team, but well it is what it is!

His team should be able to help him till the lower slopes of the final climb. After that he can use the Sky train! Towards the end his job is pretty simple - just follow Froome. Just two more stages!

 

[No_Balls]

We could practically call this the last real stage. Doubt anything major will happen on this 9 km time trial and it wont be a teamwork anyway.

We've heard whining bout how his team is weak the last three weeks and here he is, still in red. After everything thats been going down i doubt (although i could be wrong of course) this will be a problem the last real stage.

 

[Carols]

We've heard whining bout how his team is weak the last three weeks and here he is, still in red. After everything thats been going down i doubt (although i could be wrong of course) this will be a problem the last real stage.

He has stayed in red on his own merits. Just one puncture when he was isolated, which has been often, could have been the end. I will Not stop whining about this crappy team. CAS dropped every time when he was supposed to do mountain duty. Pffftttt. Every time the road goes up he is very lucky to have Zaugg left until the final 10 km. Thank goodness for Vuelta stage designs and Alberto the Champion .

 

[TANK91]

Can i just ask why people think it was Contador's TDF to lose, did people no who was the strongest before the crash in the Dauphinee?, Froome had an accleration then he does not have that this race, Contador's acceleration is as good as ever and look at the gap on GC. In what way do people think Contador was in better shape? Im asking this in here as i can't post on the main bit as always say waiting moderation.

 

[Jspear]

Can i just ask why people think it was Contador's TDF to lose, did people no who was the strongest before the crash in the Dauphinee?, Froome had an accleration then he does not have that this race, Contador's acceleration is as good as ever and look at the gap on GC. In what way do people think Contador was in better shape? Im asking this in here as i can't post on the main bit as always say waiting moderation.

Personally I would say Froome and AC both had a even chance at winning the Tour. It was both Froome's and AC's Tour to lose IMO.

As for right now, AC's acceleration does seem to be pretty good right now (I doubt it is as good as it was in July), but he hasn't been able to sustain a high rhythm once he has attacked. His form here is not a reflection of the form he had in July.