Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

I'm not partisan. I wouldn't want emergency brain surgery in Dar-es-Salaam either. But Nairobi is closer, since Kili is on the border.

Neither would I. And I'm afraid Alberto might push himself too far. He does not seem like someone who would give up and he might not listen to his body's warning signals.

 

[Electress]

Neither would I. And I'm afraid Alberto might push himself too far. He does not seem like someone who would give up and he might not listen to his body's warning signals.

I agree. Altitude sickness is very unpredictable in who suffers it and to what degree.

I am really hoping that they rethink this and go elsewhere.

BT No_Balls, that is one hell of a picture.

 

[Arnout]

I'm not partisan. I wouldn't want emergency brain surgery in Dar-es-Salaam either. But Nairobi is closer, since Kili is on the border.

Fyi Tanzania has the best doctors of Africa. I've heard a story from someone who was dangerously injured, repaired in a normal hospital in Dar-es-Salaam, then returned back to the superior west. When he went to the hospital there the doctor there said that he'd rarely seen such a nice surgery job.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

I agree. Altitude sickness is very unpredictable in who suffers it and to what degree.

I am really hoping that they rethink this and go elsewhere.

You and Flo are incredibly risk-averse. Almost all altitude-related health issues and deaths on Kili arise because of "stupid people." Short version.

It's not particularly risky, IMO, if the "boot camp" (ha) is properly organized (and I don't think Tinkoff are a bunch of amateurs). I did the summit hike some ten years ago and would have no issues whatsoever if my mom would want to do the same. The risks are minute if you come prepared and abort mission when you don't handle the altitude well enough.

I'd say Contador is far more likely to die from road cycling than from "climbing" freaking Kilimanjaro.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It is irresponsible to take the risk. Dying is not the only consequence of illness.

 

[Red Rick]

When was the last time we've heard anything recent about the aneurysm thing? I seriously doubt it's something to sorry about. You might as well worry about everything then

 

[LaFlorecita]

When was the last time we've heard anything recent about the aneurysm thing? I seriously doubt it's something to sorry about. You might as well worry about everything then

No one is saying he'll get a stroke again. However, his brain is hypersensitive which means he still gets seizures.

 

[Arnout]

No one is saying he'll get a stroke again. However, his brain is hypersensitive which means he still gets seizures.

Source?

Considering he is happy to pedal at 200 heartstrokes per minute uphill, with temperatures often above 30 degrees, I'd say there may still be a risk but not a big one.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Source?

Considering he is happy to pedal at 200 heartstrokes per minute uphill, with temperatures often above 30 degrees, I'd say there may still be a risk but not a big one.

Just google Contador brain hypersensitive.

Also, exercise is not a known trigger for seizures.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Just google Contador brain hypersensitive.

Also, exercise is not a known trigger for seizures.

Is there anything to suggest that Contador doesn't take high altitude well?

I don't know why you doubt Tinkoff that much. If anyone knows if it's irresponsible or not it's them.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Is there anything to suggest that Contador doesn't take high altitude well?

I don't know why you doubt Tinkoff that much. If anyone knows if it's irresponsible or not it's them.

Altitude is a potential trigger for seizures. So yes, that suggests he won't take high altitude well.

But aside from that, I think it is a stupid idea anyway. It is just more PR bull****.

 

[Arnout]

Yeah I really don't see the point. Normal companies tend to do those things for motivational purposes, as employees can meet each other and employer can get to know each other in an informal setting. But for a cycling team, where the riders already spend a lot (probably too much) time with each other in small hotels in faraway places? I'd be more fruitful to do a weekend of consulting to meet each other in a formal setting.

 

[ILovecycling]

Is there anything to suggest that Contador doesn't take high altitude well?

I don't know why you doubt Tinkoff that much. If anyone knows if it's irresponsible or not it's them.

Because she doesmt like Oleg at all

 

[Netserk]

It's not exactly new for Bjarne to do such a camp. I don't get all the fuss, it'll probably be a good thing, not just for PR purposes.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's not exactly new for Bjarne to do such a camp. I don't get all the fuss, it'll probably be a good thing, not just for PR purposes.

I honestly don't see the advantages of this compared to normal team building activities. It's just normal "team building" with an added risk, and that close to 50% won't complete. Besides, there is very little team work involved. It seems to me there are less pros than cons. But hey, everything for some media attention.

 

[Jspear]

Altitude is a potential trigger for seizures. So yes, that suggests he won't take high altitude well.

But aside from that, I think it is a stupid idea anyway. It is just more PR bull****.

Hasn't he always done altitude training though (on a bike)??....

 

[LaFlorecita]

Hasn't he always done altitude training though (on a bike)??....

2500m is not 5000m

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Here's Contador at 3200+ meters above sea level:

https://www.facebook.com/eduardo.chozas/posts/100437633435289

https://www.facebook.com/contador/p...00333175311/10151197233130312/?type=1&theater


He doesn't exactly go out of his way to avoid it. Sure Kili is much taller, but if he didn't take high altitude well he'd already know. You don't have to climb Everest to find that out.

 

[sir fly]

Kilimanjaro camp is a message to Froome.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Here's Contador at 3200+ meters above sea level:

https://www.facebook.com/eduardo.chozas/posts/100437633435289

https://www.facebook.com/contador/p...00333175311/10151197233130312/?type=1&theater


He doesn't exactly go out of his way to avoid it. Sure Kili is much taller, but if he didn't take high altitude well he'd already know. You don't have to climb Everest to find that out.

Well I guess we'll see what happens, it's not like Riis will change plans, either way it is a stupid idea.

 

[Electress]

You and Flo are incredibly risk-averse. Almost all altitude-related health issues and deaths on Kili arise because of "stupid people." Short version.

It's not particularly risky, IMO, if the "boot camp" (ha) is properly organized (and I don't think Tinkoff are a bunch of amateurs). I did the summit hike some ten years ago and would have no issues whatsoever if my mom would want to do the same. The risks are minute if you come prepared and abort mission when you don't handle the altitude well enough.

I'd say Contador is far more likely to die from road cycling than from "climbing" freaking Kilimanjaro.

My mum had epilepsy and brain sensitivities, and I would certainly not have encouraged her to climb Kili. Even balancing the medication to not have fits on a day to day level can be complicated and she wasn't that extreme. Even a small fit on the side of a mountain in Britain isn't funny, let alone half way up a 5,600 m or whatever mountain in Tanzania.

And I am probably one of the least risk averse people - I used to be a polar scientist - I've had my fair share of high jinks in extremely hostile environments. But as a consequence, I have a very healthy respect for what altitude sickness can do to even the healthiest of souls.

I'm not saying AC wouldn't be fine. Perhaps he could jog up Kili and not think twice. He might react brilliantly to altitude. But he won't know just from having tooled about in tenerife or the Alps at a max of 3000 m because altitude sickness can be very arbitrary in who it affects and how.

I'm equally sure you're right in that he'll have doctors there with him and that you're right in that his risk of both injury and fatality is probably higher in absolute terms road cycling. But he can't do his job without taking those risks and he is, to a large extent, in control of them. This is just a bit of fun. Is it worth it just for a bit of a jolly?

And I love Oleg!!

 

[LaFlorecita]

My mum had epilepsy and brain sensitivities, and I would certainly not have encouraged her to climb Kili. Even balancing the medication to not have fits on a day to day level can be complicated and she wasn't that extreme. Even a small fit on the side of a mountain in Britain isn't funny, let alone half way up a 5,600 m or whatever mountain in Tanzania.

And I am probably one of the least risk averse people - I used to be a polar scientist - I've had my fair share of high jinks in extremely hostile environments. But as a consequence, I have a very healthy respect for what altitude sickness can do to even the healthiest of souls.

I'm not saying AC wouldn't be fine. Perhaps he could jog up Kili and not think twice. He might react brilliantly to altitude. But he won't know just from having tooled about in tenerife or the Alps at a max of 3000 m because altitude sickness can be very arbitrary in who it affects and how.

I'm equally sure you're right in that he'll have doctors there with him and that you're right in that his risk of both injury and fatality is probably higher in absolute terms road cycling. But he can't do his job without taking those risks and he is, to a large extent, in control of them. This is just a bit of fun. Is it worth it just for a bit of a jolly?

And I love Oleg!!

Great post except for the last sentence

 

[Electress]

Great post except for the last sentence

Ah, Oleg is great … so long as you don't take anything he says seriously nor trust him 1 iota.

Kilimanjaro camp is a message to Froome.

Sir Fly, I shouldn't be at all surprised if you were right… the only thing which makes me warm to the idea...

 

[May0maniac]

It's not exactly new for Bjarne to do such a camp. I don't get all the fuss, it'll probably be a good thing, not just for PR purposes.

Now that Ivan and Bjarne are back together they can finally start filming Overcoming 2, i firmly belive thats the reason for the camp.

 

[Red Rick]

Chances might be bigger on high altitudes, but the absolute risk is gonna be very small still.