Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

64 kilos and 'chubby'. Makes me laugh seeing the heffalumps wandering the UK streets these days.

Everything is relative

 

[Amazinmets73]

He was chubby in 2013

We need to see ribs here

Cyclists breathe through their stomachs. Almost anyone can appear to have a beer gut when they're inhalaling deeply

 

[Amazinmets73]

Anyone have a good estimate on Contador's barefoot height? I know he's listed at 5'9, but the listed heights of pro athletes are often exaggerated.

 

[Amazinmets73]

Everything is relative

Yup, come to America. The UK has nothing on us when it comes to fat slobs gallumping about.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Anyone have a good estimate on Contador's barefoot height? I know he's listed at 5'9, but the listed heights of pro athletes are often exaggerated.

176-177 cm so 5'9-5'9 1/2 is all I've ever read

 

[Publicus]

Anyone have a good estimate on Contador's barefoot height? I know he's listed at 5'9, but the listed heights of pro athletes are often exaggerated.

I've met him in person. His listed height is pretty accurate.

 

[LaFlorecita]

FYI

http://sub23.fundacioncontadorteam.com/enric-mas-invitado-al-proximo-training-camp-de-tinkoff-saxo/
Enric Más, invitado al próximo Training Camp de Tinkoff

Google translate

Enric Mas, invited by Tinkoff-Saxo To next training camp in Sicily


Enric Mas, from the Specialized-Sub 23 Team, has been invited by Tinkoff-Saxo Team of Bjarne Riis to next training camp of Russian team, held in Sicily from next January 9th. The Mallorcan rider, who turns 20 on January 6, is the first rider of Alberto Contador Foundation passing a test with a team of top level, after one year ago Álvaro Cuadros became the first professional of the Foundation signed with Etixx Continental, then development team of Omega Pharma-Quick Step.

Enric is "muy contento"
Enric Mas Nicolau @EnricMasNicolau · 3h 3 hours ago
Muy contento de poder estar en el trainning camp del @tinkoff_saxo. Espero aprender el máximo posible!

wow!

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://sworkswew1n.com/2014/12/15/riis-contador-wants-to-make-history/

For Contador who recently turned 32 years old, it is natural to take on such a big challenge and be the leader of a big group. For the rider who is often described as the best in the world, the role suits his nature. “I have always been an outspoken person,” he says and recalls how he told Manolo Saiz what he wanted to eat at the Vuelta a Mallorca when he was just a 20-year-old neo-pro. He also recalls how he wanted to show who was the strongest when he attended the first training camp with Lance Armstrong and so was first at the top of the training climbs.

“But that can not be done now. Now this is very detailed and specific with watts. Each has zones from Z1 to Z5 and a threshold. Earlier those words were like Chinese but now they are common. And the new coaches will determine the area where you have to train. There is a certain number of watts that you have to stay below and you need to respect that,” Contador said. “My power allows me to reach the finish before the others but it is not like a few years ago when the group training was like a race.”

According to new coach Patxi Vila, Contador’s second zone corresponds to the fifth and maximal zone for other riders which says a lot about his quality. However, very few in the team know the real values of his weight and watts. While other riders send their data to all coaches on a daily basis, he only sends them to his personal coach Steven De Jongh.

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://www.marca.com/2014/12/15/ciclismo/1418665172.html?cid=SMBOSO34503&s_kw=Twitter&t=1418667130

part 1 of interview with Alberto

use google translate

 

[Kwibus]

Thanks for the interviews LaFlo.

Interesting part about the watts during training. In my world a better performance in cycling doesn't mean clinic directly, allthough I'm not naive, but it's obvious that something has changed in cycling the last couple of years.

 

[Miburo]

I wish someone would have recorded those training climbs of Contador and Amrstrong.

They were prob more competitive than the tour that year since Contador started training later so LA had an edge.

 

[Electress]

Cheers for the interviews, LaFlo.

According to new coach Patxi Vila, Contador’s second zone corresponds to the fifth and maximal zone for other riders which says a lot about his quality. However, very few in the team know the real values of his weight and watts

I'm not surprised they don't share them. If that's true, it would just depress the other riders in the team.

 

[Red Rick]

This is great stuff Flo. He's still got an enigmatic edge to him, which is kinda cool

 

[Netserk]

http://www.marca.com/2014/12/15/ciclismo/1418665172.html?cid=SMBOSO34503&s_kw=Twitter&t=1418667130

part 1 of interview with Alberto

use google translate

Isn't he aware that there isn't an ITT next year in Ruta del Sol?

P. Nunca es tarde. ¡Al fin va a conocer la Vuelta a Andalucía!
R. Sí, será mi primera Ruta del Sol. La he elegido por el nivel que tiene y también porque es televisada [Eurosport la ofrecerá]. Este deporte también es publicidad y hay que favorecer en lo posible a los espónsors. Mi nivel no será el de las grandes citas. Hay una CRI y dos finales en alto, no sé sin en repechos o puertos. No voy a llegar en el mejor punto.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Isn't he aware that there isn't an ITT next year in Ruta del Sol?

Perhaps he'll ride Pais Vasco after all

 

[Carols]

For Contador who recently turned 32 years old, it is natural to take on such a big challenge and be the leader of a big group.

It is all about the challenge and the legacy. As he says in the other interview adding either a Giro or a Tour adds little to his legacy now. Ah, but the Double that is heroic

He also recalls how he wanted to show who was the strongest when he attended the first training camp with Lance Armstrong and so was first at the top of the training climbs.

Lance must have loved that--NOT! Always competitive and wanting to be the best that is Berto .

According to new coach Patxi Vila, Contador’s second zone corresponds to the fifth and maximal zone for other riders which says a lot about his quality.

I'm not surprised at all. Genetically he was born a champion. His Mind, race savvy, will and determination make him Formidable. No one wins 8 GTs without being superior to the average elite rider.

 

[TANK91]

You think Contador goes for the Vuelta if he takes out the Giro/TDF double?

 

[Carols]

You think Contador goes for the Vuelta if he takes out the Giro/TDF double?

Of course he will if the legs still turn!

 

[Jspear]

You think Contador goes for the Vuelta if he takes out the Giro/TDF double?

If he manages to win both, than I think he might consider doing the Vuelta. Even just simply getting a top 10 after doing the double would be epic (to say the least.)

 

[ferryman]

You think Contador goes for the Vuelta if he takes out the Giro/TDF double?

Good question. Let the questioner answer first is always polite I think..what do you think after he has the double??

 

[Miburo]

You think Contador goes for the Vuelta if he takes out the Giro/TDF double?

That's a big if of course, but yea for sure. Contador would then have a chance to do something that no one has ever done and that most likely will never ever be achieved again. He won't let that pass.

But it's pretty much impossible

 

[LaFlorecita]

That's a big if of course, but yea for sure. Contador would then have a chance to do something that no one has ever done and that most likely will never ever be achieved again. He won't let that pass.

But it's pretty much impossible

Indeed. If he gets the double, he will not let this chance slip. Screw Majka (who's supposed to lead the Vuelta). He'll go for it. Worst case, he DNF's, finishes top 10 on GC, but in a slightly better scenario he podiums, and best case, he wins. He'll need to be extremely lucky for that to happen, but if he decides not to ride, and Froome, Quintana etc etc crash out, and someone like Betancur wins, he'll never forgive himself for not trying.

 

[icefire]

Indeed. If he gets the double, he will not let this chance slip. Screw Majka (who's supposed to lead the Vuelta). He'll go for it. Worst case, he DNF's, finishes top 10 on GC, but in a slightly better scenario he podiums, and best case, he wins. He'll need to be extremely lucky for that to happen, but if he decides not to ride, and Froome, Quintana etc etc crash out, and someone like Betancur wins, he'll never forgive himself for not trying.

Remember that since Guillén is leading Unipublic odd numbered years have had odd Vuelta winners.

 

[Electress]

You think Contador goes for the Vuelta if he takes out the Giro/TDF double?

Yep. Why not? He'd have absolutely nothing to lose. Just finishing would be impressive. Plus can you imagine the turn out in Spain if he was riding having won the double? It'd be like a royal progression.

There's no way that Majka or anyone else could expect him not to in the circs.

 

[happytramp]

Yep. Why not? He'd have absolutely nothing to lose. Just finishing would be impressive. Plus can you imagine the turn out in Spain if he was riding having won the double? It'd be like a royal progression.

It would be amazing alright. But to be honest (and I know a lot of people will disagree) I don't even think the double is doable anymore let alone a legendary treble. If anyone can do it (the double, i mean) It's Contador but I still have massive doubts. If he stays fit and in good form we'll soon know if the era of multi GT wins in a single season is long gone or if it's still a possibility.