Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

After seeing today's race, I think Porte is going to be real trouble for Contador at the Giro. Forget the double-tour wins in a year, I just hope Contador gets at least one.

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

After seeing today's race, I think Porte is going to be real trouble for Contador at the Giro. Forget the double-tour wins in a year, I just hope Contador gets at least one.

After seeing today's performance I'm just wondering how far into the Giro before Porte blows up.

 

[qwer]

i hate this hype!!!!!!!!!!! who is richie? what he does in a gt? *** annoying... giro is in the bag for contador, and froome will be THE PROBLEM for contador's tour win

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

After seeing today's race, I think Porte is going to be real trouble for Contador at the Giro. Forget the double-tour wins in a year, I just hope Contador gets at least one.

After seeing today's performance I'm just wondering how far into the Giro before Porte blows up.

My money's on the Mortirolo, not really an opportunity to blow up earlier

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

After seeing today's race, I think Porte is going to be real trouble for Contador at the Giro. Forget the double-tour wins in a year, I just hope Contador gets at least one.

After seeing today's performance I'm just wondering how far into the Giro before Porte blows up.

My money's on the Mortirolo, not really an opportunity to blow up earlier

Sounds good to me.

 

[qwer]

Re: Re:

After seeing today's race, I think Porte is going to be real trouble for Contador at the Giro. Forget the double-tour wins in a year, I just hope Contador gets at least one.

After seeing today's performance I'm just wondering how far into the Giro before Porte blows up.

My money's on the Mortirolo, not really an opportunity to blow up earlier

madonna di campiglio...

 

[Miburo]

Re:

After seeing today's race, I think Porte is going to be real trouble for Contador at the Giro. Forget the double-tour wins in a year, I just hope Contador gets at least one.

Who did Porte beat today? What has Porte proven in a GT? What has Contador proven in a GT?

Only once Contador failed in a GT. Only once.

 

[SeriousSam]

Well, Porte's best is know to be formidable, see Ax3 2013. If he will be even better than that at the Giro, he will be dangerous.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

After seeing today's race, I think Porte is going to be real trouble for Contador at the Giro. Forget the double-tour wins in a year, I just hope Contador gets at least one.

After seeing today's performance I'm just wondering how far into the Giro before Porte blows up.

My money's on the Mortirolo, not really an opportunity to blow up earlier

madonna di campiglio...

I think he will lose time, but not blow up massively

 

[Miburo]

Re:

Well, Porte's best is know to be formidable, see Ax3 2013. If he will be even better than that at the Giro, he will be dangerous.

What happened the day after Ax3, please remind me, i forgot.

Nothing indicates that he's better this year.

And i fail to see why porte is impressive this year. Contador was better in catalunya for example. And that was a contador that was very meh. Porte has been peaking since january.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Because I can't update the 2 posts with links to youtube videos of Alberto's career highlights because of the URL limit, I've uploaded the document to mediafire (you can also find the link in the OP).
http://www.mediafire.com/download/c4ukctviqmyc27n/highlights.docx
So far just 2 videos on the list from this year, hopefully I can add several more in a month

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

This is going exactly as planned for Aru. Pretending to be sick to skip the Trentino so that Porte can take some "impressive" stage victories (seem more impressive when the astana riders like Landa let him go away instead of staying on his wheel, which they of course could do quite easily) Then, when AC in fear of Porte glues himself to the Australians wheel Aru comes with an extrodinary attack and takes the pink jersey with several minutes on the first mountain stage.

Just continue the Porte hype guys, it is aaaaall part of the plan

 

[Red Rick]

I saw that Porte won, then I opened the page and saw that mr Damiano Cunego got third, of all people. Porte has become a master of racking up all the easy wins before the champions take over

 

[rhubroma]

Re:

Well, Porte's best is know to be formidable, see Ax3 2013. If he will be even better than that at the Giro, he will be dangerous.

This is my take. Porte is on fire! He has absolutely come into his own and has never risen to his potential like this. And he is lean like never before. I don't think we've seen his true merit. This can only be praised.

The only question is can he maintain this level through the third week of the Giro??? I think everyone is asking this right now, because if so then he is no outsider.

Contador isn't racing right now. Can his Giro preparation be sufficient otherwise? This too is a major factor.

The only thing for sure is that this Porte is hot, terribly hot. Look at the arms.

 

[Jspear]

Because I can't update the 2 posts with links to youtube videos of Alberto's career highlights because of the URL limit, I've uploaded the document to mediafire (you can also find the link in the OP).
http://www.mediafire.com/download/c4ukctviqmyc27n/highlights.docx
So far just 2 videos on the list from this year, hopefully I can add several more in a month

Cool thanks! I definitely enjoy a list like this especially in the winter. By the end of the season it'll have many more great vid's.
Perhaps I should have just posted this link in that thread where the new guy was asking about what to watch ect.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

The only thing for sure is that this Porte is hot, terribly hot. Look at the arms.

I'm more amazed by the size of his head

 

[SeriousSam]

He seems to be getting younger as well. He looked older years ago. Mysterious.

All will be revealed at the Giro.

 

[Rollthedice]

Richie for the double. Froome is again falling off the bike and those chest problems keep coming back

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

[quote="rhubroma[/url[/quote]

His natural facial expression always looks to me like he's on the verge of exploding ala that old classic schlocky movie "Scanners".

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

I saw that Porte won, then I opened the page and saw that mr Damiano Cunego got third, of all people. Porte has become a master of racking up all the easy wins before the champions take over

Well said Mr


Also nice to see Cunego at decent form.

 

[Dedelou]

Re: Re:

I saw that Porte won, then I opened the page and saw that mr Damiano Cunego got third, of all people. Porte has become a master of racking up all the easy wins before the champions take over

Well said Mr


Also nice to see Cunego at decent form.

Yeah.. good PR to make top top types look dangerous.. Makes the Giro seem like it will be a battle rather than a walk in the park for some "people " whom we do not need to name in this thread..

 

[rhubroma]

I'm convinced that Contador has a real challenge in the Tasman, considering the latter's streak of wins, for which a few comments about him is perfectly in line with this thread pre-Giro.

It is ridiculous to downplay Porte's achievement citing the competition. It was the same for Nibali two years ago. Cunego has obviously gotten his preparation right and on the second day of a short stage race, may be more formidable than people are willing to give him credit.

At any rate we have seen that el Condor is also to be taken most seriously that Froome may be a beast when everything goes right, but a real champion needs to also know had to ride a bike. Racing isn't a laboratory, nor just a variable that can be scientifically reduced to "hitting your numbers." I'm happy the "Brailsford method" has its real limitations and major setbacks. Nibali seems on track and may, unexpectedly, be doing the double too, which would be outstanding.

If Contador gets himself into last year's Tour shape then the fireworks will be on for sure. Trouble is we have no idea about the actual state of his condition and wont know until the first hard stages of the Giro.

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

I'm convinced that Contador has a real challenge in the Tasman, considering the latter's streak of wins, for which a few comments about him is perfectly in line with this thread pre-Giro.

It is ridiculous to downplay Porte's achievement citing the competition. It was the same for Nibali two years ago. Cunego has obviously gotten his preparation right and on the second day of a short stage race, may be more formidable than people are willing to give him credit.

At any rate we have seen that el Condor is also to be taken most seriously that Froome may be a beast when everything goes right, but a real champion needs to also know had to ride a bike. Racing isn't a laboratory, nor just a variable that can be scientifically reduced to "hitting your numbers." I'm happy the "Brailsford method" has its real limitations and major setbacks. Nibali seems on track and may, unexpectedly, be doing the double too, which would be outstanding.

If Contador gets himself into last year's Tour shape then the fireworks will be on for sure. Trouble is we have no idea about the actual state of his condition and wont know until the first hard stages of the Giro.

I dont think its about competition.its about porte not being a good GT rider.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

I'm convinced that Contador has a real challenge in the Tasman, considering the latter's streak of wins, for which a few comments about him is perfectly in line with this thread pre-Giro.

It is ridiculous to downplay Porte's achievement citing the competition. It was the same for Nibali two years ago. Cunego has obviously gotten his preparation right and on the second day of a short stage race, may be more formidable than people are willing to give him credit.

At any rate we have seen that el Condor is also to be taken most seriously that Froome may be a beast when everything goes right, but a real champion needs to also know had to ride a bike. Racing isn't a laboratory, nor just a variable that can be scientifically reduced to "hitting your numbers." I'm happy the "Brailsford method" has its real limitations and major setbacks. Nibali seems on track and may, unexpectedly, be doing the double too, which would be outstanding.

If Contador gets himself into last year's Tour shape then the fireworks will be on for sure. Trouble is we have no idea about the actual state of his condition and wont know until the first hard stages of the Giro.

I dont think its about competition.its about porte not being a good GT rider.

Ahh, well it would be unwise to dismiss the Tasman based on his past record. He has failed at being a Grand Tour champion, yes, though that doesn't mean that he has no chance of becoming one.

His form is undeniably better this year and when the form is excellent, recovery usually improves, which thus lessens the possibility of a bad day and consequently he is not to be written off as you and others seem to be doing.

Contador and camp certainly are not. Then I seem to recall a certain other Sky dude that was a rather mediocre GT rider and then became a dominating beast, if not completely out of the blue, well, the metamorphosis was rather sensational nonetheless.

Porte may indeed crack at the Giro, but until he does and based on his season thus far, some of the derogatory comments about him here are rather brazen and, for this reason, imprudent. The Tasman in an interview in today's la Gazzetta dello Sport said over the winter he cut down on the beers and wine and, without making excessive sacrifices, cutting back here and there at the table, got his weight down to the obviously optimal state in which he currently races. This, while maintaining his power, has come with all the success witnessed so far. He stated: "I'd rather win another race, than have a beer with friends."

At any rate, Contador is definitely keeping watch and hopefully will consequently be in his 2014 mode come 9 June. He will need it, as he wasn't quite there in the spring.

 

[greenedge]

Re: Re:

@Miburo:

Re Froome's supposed weakness in the 3rd week of the Tour, he probably wasn't overly bothered with following all the moves when he had the MJ in the bag. That he is supposedly weak in the last week of GTs was further undermined by his performance in other GTs, including last year's Vuelta.

It's evident he was riding into form the whole race.