Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[spalco]

they were racing as a team, just like moser and sagan last saturday.

a good and neutral review of the race

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3rWBvlRLZM

That's really good. This guy knows his stuff. I'll have to remember to watch his videos in the future.

 

[Netserk]

That's really good. This guy knows his stuff. I'll have to remember to watch his videos in the future.

My favourite of all his video was also the only one that have been taken down.. (because of copyright issues) It was about the Mende finish in 2010.

Cyclocosm is truly great.

 

[Carols]

Bertie admitting age is becoming a factor....it always does

Froome and Contador, in any case, will cross swords this week again in Tirreno-Adriatico, where Contador says he “hopes to be fighting for the overall triumph.” He admitted, though, that “with age, it’s harder to get top form. I will try to win but this year the level of competition in Tirreno is going to be very high, everybody’s chosen that race. That’s good and personally motivates me, but it’s a race I don’t know, one that I’ve never taken part in.”

 

[Publicus]

Bertie admitting age is becoming a factor....it always does

Froome and Contador, in any case, will cross swords this week again in Tirreno-Adriatico, where Contador says he “hopes to be fighting for the overall triumph.” He admitted, though, that “with age, it’s harder to get top form. I will try to win but this year the level of competition in Tirreno is going to be very high, everybody’s chosen that race. That’s good and personally motivates me, but it’s a race I don’t know, one that I’ve never taken part in.”

At least he recognizes it is a factor, many delude themselves that age is not a factor. Hopefully he is looking for ways to continue to win. That's (adaptability) one of the marks of greatness in my opinion.

 

[Carols]

At least he recognizes it is a factor, many delude themselves that age is not a factor. Hopefully he is looking for ways to continue to win. That's (adaptability) one of the marks of greatness in my opinion.

He has enough race savvy to be creative in finding ways to win....witness Fuente De

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Bertie admitting age is becoming a factor....it always does

Froome and Contador, in any case, will cross swords this week again in Tirreno-Adriatico, where Contador says he “hopes to be fighting for the overall triumph.” He admitted, though, that “with age, it’s harder to get top form. I will try to win but this year the level of competition in Tirreno is going to be very high, everybody’s chosen that race. That’s good and personally motivates me, but it’s a race I don’t know, one that I’ve never taken part in.”

Surely 30 isn't old though? Armstrong, Evans and Wiggins were all around three years older than that when they won the Tour? Also Purito keeps getting better.

 

[Carols]

Surely 30 isn't old though? Armstrong, Evans and Wiggins were all around three years older than that when they won the Tour? Also Purito keeps getting better.

It's old enough for Bertie to find it more difficult to find his form.....

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

It's old enough for Bertie to find it more difficult to find his form.....

Ah, I see the distinction now. I'm sure he will find his top form when it matters!

 

[Forunculo]

It's old enough for Bertie to find it more difficult to find his form.....

That's pretty normal, he isn't 25 anymore. But it's his work.

I guess Cadel Evans has to work more than twice than other riders.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Berto I hope he's sandbagging

 

[xrayvision]

Help? I don't see any help there. Apparently, Moser's team status allowed him to try. He tried and won.

It´s ok, admitting to have no knowledge what so ever about cycling, it´s cool bro.

 

[Publicus]

Berto I hope he's sandbagging

You are fairly young right? I assume under 25. He's not sandbagging so much as admitting the obvious, it gets harder to get to your top physical shape as you get older. You'll notice it soon enough--as the saying goes, time waits for no one.

 

[airstream]

It´s ok, admitting to have no knowledge what so ever about cycling, it´s cool bro.

I'm sorry to have joined the community of such outstanding cycling experts like you, Sir.

 

[Miburo]

Why are you guys taking Contador's talk about his age so serious?

I doubt it's the case, Contador will use any argument possible to downplay his chances.

He said he want to be better than the way he was in the giro '11

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Why are you guys taking Contador's talk about his age so serious?

I doubt it's the case, Contador will use any argument possible to downplay his chances.

He said he want to be better than the way he was in the giro '11

Why can't you be objective for once? people do turn old.

 

[Miburo]

Why can't you be objective for once? people do turn old.

I guess you didn't see the contradiction Contador put up. Read my post again.

 

[Carols]

I guess you didn't see the contradiction Contador put up. Read my post again.

Take off the rose colored glasses they all get older and it tells. I'm sure he's looking for that Giro '11 form for le Tour; not T-A.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Okay, whatever.

 

[Miburo]

Take off the rose colored glasses they all get older and it tells. I'm sure he's looking for that Giro '11 form for le Tour; not T-A.

You don't get it, of course they get older

I don't think it'll be a real factor at this point in time. I think Contador just said it to downplay his chances like he always does.

 

[Carols]

You don't get it, of course they get older

I don't think it'll be a real factor at this point in time. I think Contador just said it to downplay his chances like he always does.

I definitely get it...you think he is sandbagging.

But the reality of the situation is that he will have to rely on other skills besides sheer talent and power from here on out, age creeps up on them all. And I believe he is wisely accepting that, which will keep him winning for a few years yet Maybe not in races like T-A but in the big targets!

 

[xrayvision]

I'm sorry to have joined the community of such outstanding cycling experts like you, Sir.

I know, you are excused, you have to start somewhere.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Why can't you be objective for once? people do turn old.

They do, but I agree with Miburo in that he is probably putting himself down in order to lower expectations. Although youthful punch is possibly lost, surely there is also longevity of stamina during peak years?

 

[Angliru]

Seems as riders get older the motivation and drive to push themselves in training lessens, especially if they've achieved many of their goals up to that point. They have family and sponsor commitments that cut into the time to train. The body changes and it's not as easy to maintain a level of fitness and weight as in their younger days. Look at Cadel Evans and Carlos Sastre. The seasons after their Tour wins were likely filled with obligations and commitments far exceeding anything they had experienced in the past. Couple that with having achieved the crowning glory of their careers and the same drive that got them there just maybe isn't/wasn't there anymore.

 

[Carols]

They do, but I agree with Miburo in that he is probably putting himself down in order to lower expectations. Although youthful punch is possibly lost, surely there is also longevity of stamina during peak years?

Maybe he is just lowering expectations, I'd like to believe that.

The punch seems to still be there without issue, but what I haven't seen since his return is the ability to maintain the gap and extend it, if anything he seems to be lacking the stamina of old. Maybe we will see it soon

He definitely has major engagements that must affect his training time. Plus an older body takes more recovery time and more work to get/stay in shape.

The mind and drive is certainly still there! He thinks and acts like a winner

I for one do not discount what he says as sandbagging. IMO it is Alberto facing reality, which is good, because it means he will search for ways to compensate

 

[movingtarget]

Seems as riders get older the motivation and drive to push themselves in training lessens, especially if they've achieved many of their goals up to that point. They have family and sponsor commitments that cut into the time to train. The body changes and it's not as easy to maintain a level of fitness and weight as in their younger days. Look at Cadel Evans and Carlos Sastre. The seasons after their Tour wins were likely filled with obligations and commitments far exceeding anything they had experienced in the past. Couple that with having achieved the crowning glory of their careers and the same drive that got them there just maybe isn't/wasn't there anymore.

Evans has not lost it like Sastre did nor as quickly. He is still motivated as his Oman ride showed. He could have ridden in the peloton for training but didn't. As long as he stays healthy I think he will do well this year. Tirreno should be a very interesting race and the Tour is shaping as one of the best for years. The disappointment of Evans 2012 Tour will give him an extra boost and the route is a much better one for him. Although I agree with the obligations re post race and family committments. Can't see Evans riding longer than another season after this one. Contador has much more racing ahead of him and does not seem to have lost too much. The picture will be much clearer in July.