Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[hfer07]

I do believe Contador is perhaps tired of Le Tour.

He has stated previously Le Tour has been a nightmare for him since he started participating in the race, from his current team being banned from entry, to teammates backstabbing/sabotaging him, then popping +, arriving in poor shape, and lately dealing with crashes... I mean... It is worth it, mind it alberto's?

 

[BlurryVII]

I guess a guaranteed Giro is better than a 30% chance to win the Tour to Contador at this point.Oh well.

30% chance? Yeah, because of all the random crashes at the Tour, not because of Froome.

 

[Piz Buin]

Sad to hear this. I guess he's given up trying to win the pinnacle of stage racing again.

I guess a guaranteed Giro is better than a 30% chance to win the Tour to Contador at this point. Oh well.

I guess you didn't saw the vuelta then

 

[Arredondo]

I don't believe Alberto. It's only september still.

 

[SeriousSam]

30% chance? Yeah, because of all the random crashes at the Tour, not because of Froome.

No because of everything including the strength of his competition. If Froome didn't take part it would obviously be greater. The bookmakers have them both at about 30-35%. Or had. With this announcements, they are going to offer better odds for Contador.

 

[SeriousSam]

I guess you didn't saw the vuelta then

No idea what you're getting at. Hopefully you aren't doubting that the Tour is the biggest race in cycling, and the pinnacle of stage racing.

 

[Dr. Juice]

Never ceases to amaze. This was my wish. Giro + Tour.

He'll win the Giro I'm sure. Then he has to recover very well and ride himself into shape in the first week. Measuring the efforts will be crucial - he sure will be in the fight for the first 2-3 positions in the Tour but winning is another thing.
He might be a little bit less fresh in the Tour than Froome or Quintana ( assuming no one rides the Giro) but if he has no crashes like in 2011 he is ready to take the fight.

 

[Piz Buin]

No idea what you're getting at. Hopefully you aren't doubting that the Tour is the biggest race in cycling, and the pinnacle of stage racing.

No, not at all. but after what happened this vuelta. I'd say his chances of winning the next tour are pretty good. (without giro before of course)

 

[escheator]

This is awesome! We're in for a treat, if no stupid crashes happen like in this TdF.

Announcing now is a good PR and AC is probably tired of TdF and putting all eggs in one basket. Although the GT triple is maybe too hard inside one year, if he can win Giro and TdF he would have consecutive triple, though not in one year, but anyway, a triple. Has anyone already done it?

 

[BlurryVII]

I guess he'll go for a very light racing schedule before the Giro and will do ton of base work in altitude to be able to be strong both in Giro and Tour.

Better not expect lot of fireworks from him early in the season.
Next year won't look anything like this year.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Very surprised by this but credit to Alberto, at least now Nibali won't just stroll to another GT win and will have to give his all.

 

[Ryaguas]

This is awesome! We're in for a treat, if no stupid crashes happen like in this TdF.

Announcing now is a good PR and AC is probably tired of TdF and putting all eggs in one basket. Although the GT triple is maybe too hard inside one year, if he can win Giro and TdF he would have consecutive triple, though not in one year, but anyway, a triple. Has anyone already done it?

Nop never so it would be the 1st in history.

He is going to do the double cuz is the only thing that he is missing in GTs, besides winning a monument and a classic. He knows that the moment is now to do it before he gets too old. With De Jongh he has a new approach to his trainning and way of racing, he knows better his body and He knows that he can do it.

What is the most interesting is that he has Froome's numbers and understood his tactics, He knows that he can match it and surpass it. What is missing is an strong team for both of the GTs. He could have a great team for TDF but is not going to be that strong for Il Giro.

 

[Ryaguas]

I guess he'll go for a very light racing schedule before the Giro and will do ton of base work in altitude to be able to be strong both in Giro and Tour.

Better not expect lot of fireworks from him early in the season.
Next year won't look anything like this year.

prepare for a season with moar than 3000+ CQ points

 

[Jancouver]

Berti + Nib riding Giro = the only beneficiary is Froome and everyone else targeting TDF for GC.

That being said, Berti winning Giro & Tour would be epic but very unlikely

 

[contador977]

Contador might depend heavily on strong form from his team-mates and have Basso with him in the mountains at the Giro as a plan to conserve energy for an attempt at a double. He could attack only once to get a 1 minute buffer, then ride defensively and follows wheels. Attempt to win the Giro by a small margin to save some reserves for the Tour. I cant see how he will be fresh enough to beat Quintana or Froome with the Giro in his legs and being strong in the 3rd week of the Tour but he might have Majka working for him and Kreuziger. Maybe this injury to his knee showed that he can stay off the bike for a bit and then rediscover some form. Im pretty surprised that he is riding the Giro though but I think its a good thing. I thought he might focus on the Tour 100% next year.

 

[Hugo87]

Giro + Contador = Amazing

Such good news.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto wants 3x3

 

[icefire]

Contador lied about his non participation in the Vuelta. This time is different.

 

[Arredondo]

prepare for a season with moar than 3000+ CQ points

Well, if he really does Giro-Tour, he will not get as many points he uses to do in the spring, and will finish his season after the Tour. Will be really difficult to get that amount of points

 

[Jspear]

I don't believe Alberto. It's only september still.

No I think we can believe that he will go to the Giro. He needs a 3rd Giro to go with his Tour and Vuelta wins. Now, If he comes out saying that he is not doing the Vuelta after the Tour, then I won't believe that. I think he is setting some very high goals for himself next year.

 

[Jancouver]

Contador might depend heavily on strong form from his team-mates and have Basso with him in the mountains at the Giro as a plan to conserve energy for an attempt at a double. He could attack only once to get a 1 minute buffer, then ride defensively and follows wheels. Attempt to win the Giro by a small margin to save some reserves for the Tour. I cant see how he will be fresh enough to beat Quintana or Froome with the Giro in his legs and being strong in the 3rd week of the Tour but he might have Majka working for him and Kreuziger. Maybe this injury to his knee showed that he can stay off the bike for a bit and then rediscover some form. Im pretty surprised that he is riding the Giro though but I think its a good thing. I thought he might focus on the Tour 100% next year.

Its amazing how many people around here thinks that Kreuziger will be riding anytime soon. Dont get me wrong, he would be an excellent support for Alberto but in reality he will just not be around to help.

 

[Miburo]

Contador wants to do the tripple I think

Yea i agree, contador isn't ***, he must think he's a chance.

His number must have been insane in the tour that he thinks he can beat froome and the other guys after riding the giro.

 

[Netserk]

This is awesome! We're in for a treat, if no stupid crashes happen like in this TdF.

Announcing now is a good PR and AC is probably tired of TdF and putting all eggs in one basket. Although the GT triple is maybe too hard inside one year, if he can win Giro and TdF he would have consecutive triple, though not in one year, but anyway, a triple. Has anyone already done it?

Both Merckx and Hinault have.

 

[contador977]

Its amazing how many people around here thinks that Kreuziger will be riding anytime soon. Dont get me wrong, he would be an excellent support for Alberto but in reality he will just not be around to help.

U should read my post carefully. I said might. I'm aware that in cycling it can take years for things to get resolved.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Sad to hear this. I guess he's given up trying to win the pinnacle of stage racing again.

That's just a stupid post. Are you the same guy as JimmyFingers?

The guy just beat Froome after a broken leg. If he does the Giro, he's clearly going for the double.