Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Fidolix]

Difficult to be otherwise I guess when you've turned yourself inside out and he is still there Alberto will bounce back!

It´s not over until they ride into Madrid, another 6 days, a lot can happen.

 

[movingtarget]

The one thing I have noticed about Contador is that, while he still has that explosive power, his attacks are much shorter. This favors Purito, as he is exceptional at bursts of power.

Well he varied his attacks yesterday and in the last 2 kms I thought Rodriguez was about to crack, judging by the grimace on his face but he managed to hang in. I think Contador probably only has one more opportunity to break Rodriguez otherwise only bad luck will stop Rodriguez from winning and I hope that does not happen after the superb race he has had.

 

[Miburo]

I would say grossglockner was far more impressive. Nvegal too since he took the flat easy then went up the mountain a min faster than nibali who said it was 1 of his best performances on the bike.

Those 2 were way better than his performance on the macugnagae stage. Then there was gardeccia where he attacked from the bottom on what he called "my hardest day ever on a bike" and though scaponi was not far behind, others were a good 30s further back.

True but what i wanted to point is that Contador can really make a difference on 5/6% parts. I doubt purito is so great at this.

 

[vcampbell]

The one thing I have noticed about Contador is that, while he still has that explosive power, his attacks are much shorter. This favors Purito, as he is exceptional at bursts of power.

Yesterdays long attack was very impressive. Purito almost cracked, but Contador wasn't able to hold it much longer (he attacked for almost 30 seconds). But as he said, and as it was appared he was in a better shape. There is still 2 MTF left, and everything can happen. If Contador will be better on Saturday, than he was yesterday, then why not? Purito is still a human.

 

[Cookster15]

The one thing I have noticed about Contador is that, while he still has that explosive power, his attacks are much shorter

Interesting observation. In fact similar to how I recall Contador rode in the 2011 Tour. In that Tour on the Alpe stage Contador was explosive but couldn't maintain the efforts. On the Gap stage he was also explosive but not strong enough to stay away from Evans who pulled him back. In the past when AC was strong when he attacked, he stayed away (2007 PDB / 2009 Verbier / 2011 Etna). Now it's just that AC's shorter duration attacks are happening at the beginning of his form cycle rather than the end. Seems a symptom of being only 90% of top form. He needed another month of racing before this Vuelta.

 

[No_Balls]

I noticed yesterday AC didnt try to attack as before. Instead he tried to variying the pace and temporide. Perhaps this is deliberate conservating more "attacking"energy for what is to come.

What, exactly?

Fuente De. Or he is up for a long one at the Bola-stage. Perhaps as early as the descent from Cercedilla.

 

[cineteq]

I noticed yesterday AC didnt try to attack as before. Instead he tried to variying the pace and temporide. Perhaps this is deliberate conservating more "attacking"energy for what is to come.

I doubt it. He's tired. Yesterday it was a clear indication that he's peaked for La Vuelta already. It doesn't mean he can't win La Vuelta on Bola del Mundo.

 

[Froome19]

I doubt it. He's tired. Yesterday it was a clear indication that he's peaked for La Vuelta already. It doesn't mean he can't win La Vuelta on Bola del Mundo.

How do you know he is feeling fatigued?

You generally tire out when you ride a climb like that and as his form improves he will tire out less easily.

 

[Carols]

IMO he is about 97-98% right now; definitely up from the first week version; his stamina has improved tremendously, his explosion is there......

To dispatch a pre 2012 Purito this would have been enough. However this is the new stronger, more consistent Purito who can ITT on a parcours that suit him greatly.

This is why I dislike bonus seconds; yes they add color and excitement but the fastest man may not always win. However it would be difficult to argue that Purito is not the strongest man in the race to date; he is.

Alberto has tried short sharp accelerations, extended intensity surges, Purito either comes back or is still there. Meanwhile he has built his form throughout, just can't find a ***** in the armour. He had him yesterday, problem was he was deep red line himself when it happened.

Two more chances; Purito may tire, Alberto may improve. With both those things it is still possible and we Know he will try!

And if he comes second it is a major achievement IMO. Who else in the cycling world could come off 2 little races in over a year and do that?

Pure Talent, Class, Determination and Guts; that is Alberto Contador!!!!

 

[No_Balls]

I doubt it. He's tired. Yesterday it was a clear indication that he's peaked for La Vuelta already. It doesn't mean he can't win La Vuelta on Bola del Mundo.

This we dont know. Maybe. Maybe not.

I play with Carols thought that AC gradually has built momentum due to his many various things troughout the route while not accomplished it all in one stage. Short accelerations, Longer accelerations while not sustaining it, many accelerations, tempo yesterday. If he yesterday felt able of highening the tempo, rather then attacking, from distance while riding tempo he has come further in his progression and with the end stages yet to come he might have it falling to pieces and try it all. That would be AC at 100%.

I say look out for Fuente De after todays rest day.

 

[Carols]

I say look out for Fuente De after todays rest day.

And what is that supposed to mean?????

 

[No_Balls]

And what is that supposed to mean?????

Alberto attacks and hard! Short not very steep climb. Perfect.

http://www.lavuelta.com/12/en/recorrido/index.html?e=17

 

[Carols]

Alberto attacks and hard! Short not very steep climb. Perfect.

http://www.lavuelta.com/12/en/recorrido/index.html?e=17

Ahhh I will watch, thanks

 

[No_Balls]

Ahhh I will watch, thanks

Must correct myself. The climb is rather long with its 17,3 km and a average of 3,90% so it is even better.

 

[Carols]

Must correct myself. The climb is rather long with its 17,3 km and a average of 3,90% so it is even better.

I see..... Sharp acceleration, followed by the ability to sustain high tempo. Perfect; hope he tries it and is able to pull it off. The pieces may come together

 

[Miburo]

Contador is a living legend, he'll finish it. His talent and his will to win are enormous.

How many riders have a bigger desire to win than he does? I say no one of this era, of course he has the enormous talent but still.

He doesn't care about 2nd places, 2nd place is for people like AS who are happy with the money and the thought they did their best. He only cares about winning.

You become great in situations like this. In these kinda spots the champions will rise above the rest, Contador is already great but his greatness can take up another level if he finishes this.

Purito in the form of his life vs Contador not 100%(??).

It will be a great battle on the bola del mundo and maybe fuente de.

One thing is sure I believe in the greatness of Contador. Yes He Can !!!

Btw Contador for WC ITT 2012

 

[Von Mises]

Must correct myself. The climb is rather long with its 17,3 km and a average of 3,90% so it is even better.

3,90% is not steep enough to make a long attack. Group has an advantage over lone attacker.

 

[Carols]

3,90% is not steep enough to make a long attack. Group has an advantage over lone attacker.

Cannot disagree; but if Alberto's form has reached the point where he can accelerate, sustain and accelerate again and sustain, it is possible he can shake them.

 

[cineteq]

Looking back, Contador could've been leading the race, if he would've raced conscious of his current physical condition. He knew he was undertrained and didn't have competition in his legs. Instead he approached the race as if he was the same as in Giro 2011. He also made few mistakes, such as Jaca losing 18 sec. So if he would've accepted than he could only sustain short and devastating attacks, he would've gapped Purito, at least a couple of times. Basically beating Purito at his own game.

Contador is the only guy who has been able to create a quick and big gap in just few seconds (I don't know how many times I heard the RTVE guys saying "Y Alberto está abriendo hueco"). However, he was not able to do the same in Cuitu Negru, prompting me to think he's tired, and that he maybe has peaked. However, being only at 28 sec. from Rodriguez and having all those bonus seconds available, he's still in theory within striking distance of the man in rojo.

 

[Von Mises]

Cannot disagree; but if Alberto's form has reached the point where he can accelerate, sustain and accelerate again and sustain, it is possible he can shake them.

On 3,90% drafting still gives huge advatange. I cannot see long and succesful attack on such climb.

 

[roundabout]

Contador was too scared of Froome both times he got a gap on Rodriguez.

 

[LaFlorecita]

On 3,90% drafting still gives huge advatange. I cannot see long and succesful attack on such climb.

I think the last 6 km of the climb are a bit steeper, about 5-6% average.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador was too scared of Froome both times he got a gap on Rodriguez.

Yeah. Looking back that was just stupid. But that's hindsight talking.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Looking back, Contador could've been leading the race, if he would've raced conscious of his current physical condition. He knew he was undertrained and didn't have competition in his legs. Instead he approached the race as if he was the same as in Giro 2011. He also made few mistakes, such as Jaca losing 18 sec. So if he would've accepted than he could only sustain short and devastating attacks, he would've gapped Purito, at least a couple of times. Basically beating Purito at his own game.

Contador is the only guy who has been able to create a quick and big gap in just few seconds (I don't know how many times I heard the RTVE guys saying "Y Alberto está abriendo hueco"). However, he was not able to do the same in Cuitu Negru, prompting me to think he's tired, and that he maybe has peaked. However, being only at 28 sec. from Rodriguez and having all those bonus seconds available, he's still in theory within striking distance of the man in rojo.

If he's peaked already, that would've been on... stage 8? Stage 14? I don't think peak form disappears that quickly.

 

[JimPanzen]

On 3,90% drafting still gives huge advatange. I cannot see long and succesful attack on such climb.

If he can get clear of JRod, he can use his TT-Skills to distance him. But the thing is, that even if Bertie gets clear, JRod won't be isolated and will at least have one teammate with him to drag him back. Furthermore, it's not a heads up race between Purito and Bertie so other riders play in there as well.

To sum up...Bertie will try anyway