Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[ILovecycling]

Nah. I'm really warming up to the idea that, try as he might, Dawg just couldn't beat Wiggo.

Im sure he doest share your opinion

 

[Angliru]

He rode that TdF at his higest form and went all out, maybe he held back a little on the final k's of the Mtf, but let's be fair he certainly went deep that TdF. It's not like he was cruising around and happened to finish 2nd. So after that TdF he went to the Vuelta trying to win it.

I think the intent of his statement was to say how difficult it is to hold one's form for 2 consecutive grand tours, with that form being competitive with those contending for the overall in both. He did try that in 2012 but his form seemed to lag in the 3rd week of the Vuelta that year, eventually ending 10 minutes behind the eventual winner, if my memory is correct.

 

[Carols]

I think the intent of his statement was to say how difficult it is to hold one's form for 2 consecutive grand tours, with that form being competitive with those contending for the overall in both. He did try that in 2012 but his form seemed to lag in the 3rd week of the Vuelta that year, eventually ending 10 minutes behind the eventual winner, if my memory is correct.

Yeah, that eventual winner was one Alberto Contador .

GT score card in direct competition, Alberto 2, Froome 1.

Well from when Froome became a force. He may have ridden against Alberto previously and no one even knew he was there. Did he?

 

[Carols]

http://www.ciclismoafondo.es/bicis/noticias-bici/articulo/bici-alberto-contador-2015

Nice bike! I don't understand a word he says though

 

[Escarabajo]

He rode that TdF at his higest form and went all out, maybe he held back a little on the final k's of the Mtf, but let's be fair he certainly went deep that TdF. It's not like he was cruising around and happened to finish 2nd. So after that TdF he went to the Vuelta trying to win it.

+1.

I think the intent of his statement was to say how difficult it is to hold one's form for 2 consecutive grand tours, with that form being competitive with those contending for the overall in both. He did try that in 2012 but his form seemed to lag in the 3rd week of the Vuelta that year, eventually ending 10 minutes behind the eventual winner, if my memory is correct.

+1.

You have your answer Rollthedice

 

[perico]

If he takes down the Double it is possible.

"Pressed on whether he might retire at the end of this year if he achieves the Giro-Tour double, Contador explained: “It’s complicated to say yes to that today. I believe that I still could do another year. But it’s only: ‘I believe.’ The weeks and months to come will tell me what decision to take at the end of the season. What is sure is that that I can’t see myself remaining a professional rider for more than three more seasons.”

Geez I hope he gives us at least those 3 more seasons! I guess it depends on the body and spirit.

On the positive side when he retires I may be able to ease my watching habits just a bit .

That's what I said when Delgado then LeMond retired, but 20 years later I keep coming back for more punishment.

 

[Kwibus]

I think the intent of his statement was to say how difficult it is to hold one's form for 2 consecutive grand tours, with that form being competitive with those contending for the overall in both. He did try that in 2012 but his form seemed to lag in the 3rd week of the Vuelta that year, eventually ending 10 minutes behind the eventual winner, if my memory is correct.

Exactly.

10 chars.

 

[Carols]

That's what I said when Delgado then LeMond retired, but 20 years later I keep coming back for more punishment.

LOL it is an addiction. The only time I seriously shunned cycling in the last 50+ years was when Pantani was kicked out of the Giro. But I was back for the Tour, so I lasted about a month.

 

[Rollthedice]

+1.


+1.

You have your answer Rollthedice

I know how hard it is to do two Grand Tours back to back and to be going for the win in both Grand Tours

Sorry, but he doesn't know that. It's in his imagination. In 2012 he was the superdom for Sir Brad and after that he (probably) went for the win in Vuelta while finishing closer to Moreno and Gesink rather than his present day rival Contador who had 10 minutes on him. And last year he wasn't even thinking of Vuelta while accelerating in his own inimitable style in Dauphine. Because of the TdF crash he had to somehow salvage his season. I think Froome has a problem in telling the truth, whether it's his imagination working overtime or something else, I don't know.

 

[Electress]

Sorry, but he doesn't know that. It's in his imagination. In 2012 he was the superdom for Sir Brad and after that he (probably) went for the win in Vuelta while finishing closer to Moreno and Gesink rather than his present day rival Contador who had 10 minutes on him. And last year he wasn't even thinking of Vuelta while accelerating in his own inimitable style in Dauphine. Because of the TdF crash he had to somehow salvage his season. I think Froome has a problem in telling the truth, whether it's his imagination working overtime or something else, I don't know.

I agree.

Being a superdomestique isn't the same. The pressure on you is different. Sure, he was working hard but he was not the guy with the weight of expectations on his shoulders. That was Brad. However frustrated he might have been, he was not the guy everyone was looking to be the first British winner ever. He was the support player. Mentally, the responsibility is a very different thing.

If he intended to say 'it is difficult to hold one's form for 2 consecutive grand tours and be competitive' why not just say that? Instead he chose to say something that implied an experience he doesn't have. Maybe I'm being too literal. I know it sounds like small beer, but what he said just isn't true.

 

[The_Juan]

What do we know about this guy Enric Mas? I think he rides in Alberto's foundation team and has great potential. I'm pretty sure I've seen him riding with Contador himself a couple of times.

 

[ILovecycling]

http://www.ciclismoafondo.es/bicis/noticias-bici/articulo/bici-alberto-contador-2015

Nice bike! I don't understand a word he says though

He practically described his bike and said that nothing has changed

 

[Miburo]

Froome

I always wonder what Contador is doing during the day, he forces me to train even harder. If you've a bad day he'll notice it, he definitely knows how to win a tour

Will be funny if Froome actually has a bad day in the tour, he'll give it away immediately. Cause in his mindset contador will notice it which will make him even more nervous and that makes it even more obvious.

I'm pretty sure Contador thought the same 2 years ago, maybe clinic related. I don't know, but they will definitely never ever let each other ride.

Even if one of them is 3 minutes behind, i'm sure they won't let him get away. Because they know that "If it's him, he might pull it off."

Nibali and quintana can make use of this.

 

[ILovecycling]

Froome

Will be funny if Froome actually has a bad day in the tour, he'll give it away immediately. Cause in his mindset contador will notice it which will make him even more nervous and that makes it even more obvious.

I'm pretty sure Contador thought the same 2 years ago, maybe clinic related. I don't know, but they will definitely never ever let each other ride.

Even if one of them is 3 minutes behind, i'm sure they won't let him get away. Because they know that "If it's him, he might pull it off."

Nibali and quintana can make use of this.

IMO it all depends on their climbing level this July.If dawg is back to his A game,and AC won't be too much fatigued then it will be a real clash in mountains with Quintana and maybe Nibali, if he will have a headstart after flat week.
If dawg nor AC are not on their best level,then it should be Quintana who beats them.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

So Alberto to trade Etna for Teide in the coming days... (?) and Majka to join him this time around.

 

[BlurryVII]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtagsL_msjM

He looks good to me

 

[LaFlorecita]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtagsL_msjM

He looks good to me

Nice video Alberto looks happy

 

[Red Rick]

Contatroll, coming soon, in May and July

 

[Carols]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtagsL_msjM

He looks good to me

That opening quip about training was Hilarious

 

[Kwibus]

I agree.

Being a superdomestique isn't the same. The pressure on you is different. Sure, he was working hard but he was not the guy with the weight of expectations on his shoulders. That was Brad. However frustrated he might have been, he was not the guy everyone was looking to be the first British winner ever. He was the support player. Mentally, the responsibility is a very different thing.

If he intended to say 'it is difficult to hold one's form for 2 consecutive grand tours and be competitive' why not just say that? Instead he chose to say something that implied an experience he doesn't have. Maybe I'm being too literal. I know it sounds like small beer, but what he said just isn't true.

Too literal definately, like most people on this forum though.

Im always baffled at the conclusions people make after a certain rider said something in an interview. People look for 'things' too often.

No offense btw and this is ofcourse just my opinion.

 

[Electress]

Too literal definately, like most people on this forum though.

Im always baffled at the conclusions people make after a certain rider said something in an interview. People look for 'things' too often.

No offense btw and this is ofcourse just my opinion.

No offence taken at all! You may well be right; I know I'm horrendously biased about the guy! I'm not sure that he could say anything I wouldn't be suspicious of - not just in relation to Contador; there's just something about him which I distrust. (But at least I know it, eh? )

Onto a much happier topic - loved that GCN video. A.C. seems to be enjoying himself, which is always good to see. Seems like GCN have a nice relationship there - refreshing given how waspish some of the mainstream media are in the UK.

I must say what I do like a lot about Tinkoff Saxo is that they emphasise the having fun stuff as well as / even more than the working hard.

Even if one of them is 3 minutes behind, i'm sure they won't let him get away. Because they know that "If it's him, he might pull it off."

Nibali and quintana can make use of this.

I agree. I think the Tour route and the richness of the competition means that a skilled opportunist has the potential to upset the GC. Managing team and personal form over three weeks to protect the jersey is going to be even more crucial with so many riders with a real shot at GC.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Another internet award for Alberto!
http://www.cyclismactu.net/news-cyclism-awards-2014-tous-les-resultats-de-la-2e-edition-46405.html
Voted best rider by the public and by all 3 members of the jury (David Moncoutié, Jean-François Quénet and Cyrille Guimard)

 

[Angliru]

I think that after his drop in form/performance/results in 2012 & 2013, it was a wake up call of sorts and as has been stated by himself and Tinkoff management, it necessitated a change in his training strategy. 2014 saw that he had returned to close to that previous high level that was missing, evidenced by Contador being the only rider to be able to successfully respond to Froome's attacks. Needing continued motivation to maintain this level of performance/form going into the 2015 season, the plan of a season preparations geared to competing for the overall at both the Giro and the Tour would prove to be the ultimate challenge.

His belief that going into the 2014 Tour he was more fit than he's ever been, a result of his altered season training, I imagine has given him the confidence that he could be competitive in both events. Add to this the experience he gained in his failed, but not specifcally prepared for (training wise) double attempt in 2011, where he dominated the Giro but rather stumbled through the Tour with multiple crashes, resulting injuries, lagging form all resulting in an admirable, but for him a disappointing finish just off of the podium.

Of course nothing is guaranteed, but to have regrets after his career is over that he didn't at least try it is something that he apparently doesn't want to experience. His adversaries are formidable, as he acknowledges and the thrill of the challenge itself is what fuels him.

Sometimes, especially in the offseason when not much is happening in our great sport, I review old threads on the cn forum and one in particular, started by Hitch in response to Contador's valiant effort in 2011 on the stage that finished on Alpe d'Huez, is a testament to how much of an effect Contador can and does have on the sport, even in failure. Entitled "Gracias Alberto Contador".

 

[Electress]

I think that after his drop in form/performance/results in 2012 & 2013, it was a wake up call of sorts and as has been stated by himself and Tinkoff management, it necessitated a change in his training strategy. 2014 saw that he had returned to close to that previous high level that was missing, evidenced by Contador being the only rider to be able to successfully respond to Froome's attacks. Needing continued motivation to maintain this level of performance/form going into the 2015 season, the plan of a season preparations geared to competing for the overall at both the Giro and the Tour would prove to be the ultimate challenge.

His belief that going into the 2014 Tour he was more fit than he's ever been, a result of his altered season training, I imagine has given him the confidence that he could be competitive in both events. Add to this the experience he gained in his failed, but not specifcally prepared for (training wise) double attempt in 2011, where he dominated the Giro but rather stumbled through the Tour with multiple crashes, resulting injuries, lagging form all resulting in an admirable, but for him a disappointing finish just off of the podium.

Of course nothing is guaranteed, but to have regrets after his career is over that he didn't at least try it is something that he apparently doesn't want to experience. His adversaries are formidable, as he acknowledges and the thrill of the challenge itself is what fuels him.

Sometimes, especially in the offseason when not much is happening in our great sport, I review old threads on the cn forum and one in particular, started by Hitch in response to Contador's valiant effort in 2011 on the stage that finished on Alpe d'Huez, is a testament to how much of an effect Contador can and does have on the sport, even in failure. Entitled "Gracias Alberto Contador".

That's a great post.

To me, 2014 was notable not only for the physical shape he was in but for the mental shape / drive he seemed to have rediscovered after the blows of 2013. I think that counts for a lot in this sport, where you are constantly pushing yourself to the limit, and having a new challenge to drive towards is clearly something he's relishing. It's just so nice to see anyone so clearly happy in what they are doing and confident enough to really test themselves and take risks.

For me, personally, 2014 was great because I found it depressing in 2013 just how quickly people wrote him off as being past it or not that good any more. Now it feels that he's being given the due credit for not only his track record, but how good he still is. And, as you say, how much he contributes to every race he's in. Definitely good for the sport as a whole that he keeps going and on top form.

 

[Angliru]

That's a great post.

To me, 2014 was notable not only for the physical shape he was in but for the mental shape / drive he seemed to have rediscovered after the blows of 2013. I think that counts for a lot in this sport, where you are constantly pushing yourself to the limit, and having a new challenge to drive towards is clearly something he's relishing. It's just so nice to see anyone so clearly happy in what they are doing and confident enough to really test themselves and take risks.

For me, personally, 2014 was great because I found it depressing in 2013 just how quickly people wrote him off as being past it or not that good any more. Now it feels that he's being given the due credit for not only his track record, but how good he still is. And, as you say, how much he contributes to every race he's in. Definitely good for the sport as a whole that he keeps going and on top form.

It was the same with me when the doubters were playing taps on his career. I personally wasn't certain if this was the start of the inevitable decline that all athletes encounter but I was pretty sure that he would at least come back to a level where he was winning stages and races again. 2014 was beautiful to behold although the Tour crash out was heartbreaking. His response at the Vuelta though almost made up for the Tour disappointment. A great champion he is, that can't be disputed.