Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[xrayvision]

From the Saxo forum:

News about Rafal Majka found on twitter (Pawel Gadzala twitter: @8aldwin).
Majka is free of knee problems and train at Etna with Boaro, Petrov and Noval. He will run the Romandie and the Giro.
He will not be the leader in the Giro, plan is to spend the first week of the Giro to get into the race rhythm again and then to be of help to the team.

 

[theyoungest]

I've never seen a stage race with Contador in it, where he didn't attack one single time. I guess there's a first for everything.

 

[Miburo]

I've never seen a stage race with Contador in it, where he didn't attack one single time. I guess there's a first for everything.

He attacked in the descent of the first stage but yea it's a first

Not even in the eneco tour

 

[jens_attacks]

He attacked in the descent of the first stage but yea it's a first

Not even in the eneco tour

did he ever attack in 2008 giro?
he was getting dropped on every single climb by riccardo.

 

[LaFlorecita]

He should ride the Giro like Evans. Wiggins is very beatable on that Giro route. But to beat Froome, Porte and the rest of the Skyborgs at the Tour? No chance.

I agree, but he just doesn't want to lose another shot at the tour

 

[ContaMuse]

What a rubbish, I still believe Contador can win the tour.
Contador isn't at his best level for the moment which is normal cause he will peak for the tour. I think he knows exactly how to be in top shape then.

 

[Miburo]

did he ever attack in 2008 giro?
he was getting dropped on every single climb by riccardo.

True, just 1 week preparation and he got dropped by riccardo.

What did the tour guys do against riccardo who already rode the giro?

Pretty impressive from Contador there

 

[Taxus4a]

He came here to win in a good shape.
well, he was yerterday 1.30 worse than in 2009...
He cant drop weening.
He always have peak in april, winning without merci...

 

[Carols]

Not when suddenly a team of formerly mediocre riders is full of superhuman beings

Spoken for truth...it is getting to the point where I feel ill And they will hold that form for 6+ months....

Meanwhile Berto manages to mostly hang with them, just not better them.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Maybe I posted this before but I wouldn't be surprised if Bjarne and Berto had a little talk at the end of the season about his salary

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Aargh, second? He is the reason I got obsessed with this crazy, brilliantly beautiful sport. Podium also good because it means we get to see him go crazy at some point.

Agree with this. Indurain got me into the sport in the early 90's then lost touch and pretty much missed the Armstrong era. Turned on the TDF in 2009 and thought who the hell is this Spaniard destroying everyone. He's bloody brilliant!

The only conclusion I can come to regarding his loss of form relates to clinic issues, and its totally depressing. He is simply not going to beat Froome (or probably Porte either) in July. Unless he has a master plan up his sleeve he will be beaten convincingly.

I don't think he would crush the Giro, but I could see him winning it (if he entered).

 

[Pentacycle]

Maybe I posted this before but I wouldn't be surprised if Bjarne and Berto had a little talk at the end of the season about his salary

When he wins the Tour, he'll double his salary? Seriously, he should find another team, Saxo's lame.

 

[cocteau_ireland]

Agree with this. Indurain got me into the sport in the early 90's then lost touch and pretty much missed the Armstrong era. Turned on the TDF in 2009 and thought who the hell is this Spaniard destroying everyone. He's bloody brilliant!

The only conclusion I can come to regarding his loss of form relates to clinic issues, and its totally depressing. He is simply not going to beat Froome (or probably Porte either) in July. Unless he has a master plan up his sleeve he will be beaten convincingly.

I don't think he would crush the Giro, but I could see him winning it (if he entered).

In certain ways, I agree. Am only back into cycling this last 2 n 1/2 years. Cycled into work after one vuelta stage last year with my bike flicking about the place a la contador. Hadn't tried to copy a style since I was 18;38 now. 'Twas uphill so not particularly tricky!

 

[webbie146]

Someone else up thread suggested the "dead fox" tactic. I think Riis is programming his son Berto. Ultimately, don't let the "scientists" at Sky get the read on Berto.

They allready got all the data from tdf 07/09 when he was at his best. He won't be close to that this year so sky don't have to worry. They got all the date about Contador that they want.

 

[virandociclista]

Come on guys.

Today stage only show that there is something wrong. But there is time to fix it.

We all saw what a 100% clean Contador can do, Giro 2011. Clinic subject do not have nothing with what are happening.

I do not have doubts that in the TDF, he will be flying!

I believe in you Contador!! Vamos!!

 

[velascoabuela]

Come on guys.

Today stage only show that there is something wrong. But there is time to fix it.

We all saw what a 100% clean Contador can do, Giro 2011. Clinic subject do not have nothing with what are happening.

I do not have doubts that in the TDF, he will be flying!

I believe in you Contador!! Vamos!!

Finally, the voice of reason. He was ill 2 weeks ago. He suffers terribly from seasonal allergies. The DS said he had no power. This is training to get back on form...albeit 2 years ago form. He was ill prior to 2010 Tour. He rode himself back into to fitness during that Tour. Does anyone recall the effort during the final time trial?? He will prevail!

 

[Jelantik]

Spoken for truth...it is getting to the point where I feel ill And they will hold that form for 6+ months....

Meanwhile Berto manages to mostly hang with them, just not better them.

Well, maybe the opponents are better than him, you know. Sky has changed the game now. There's no more 'slow' build up like old days. Every race that I watched, sky always comes full throttle gun blazing, and all their riders are in top form. It's been 3 months now, they doesn't seem to slow down. The only thing that sky haven't achieved is their classic team. Boy, if they win Paris roubaix, well, prepare to watch the second generation ala postal domination in all front. When I compare Bjarne vs. Brailsford, I see "old vs new." I bet Braisford got 'contador's number.'

I'm not sure if contador has reached his old fitness form yet because of his suspension? Valverde was just OK last year until Vuelta. Now he is flying sorta speak. I'm still scratching my head, how did sky be able to sign the right people and turned them into a troops of superman? Saxo should have snatched some one like Omar or Amets from caja rujal. They might got their money worth

 

[maxmartin]

Well, maybe the opponents are better than him, you know. Sky has changed the game now. There's no more 'slow' build up like old days. Every race that I watched, sky always comes full throttle gun blazing, and all their riders are in top form. It's been 3 months now, they doesn't seem to slow down. The only thing that sky haven't achieved is their classic team. Boy, if they win Paris roubaix, well, prepare to watch the second generation ala postal domination in all front. When I compare Bjarne vs. Brailsford, I see "old vs new." I bet Braisford got 'contador's number.'

I'm not sure if contador has reached his old fitness form yet because of his suspension? Valverde was just OK last year until Vuelta. Now he is flying sorta speak. I'm still scratching my head, how did sky be able to sign the right people and turned them into a troops of superman? Saxo should have snatched some one like Omar or Amets from caja rujal. They might got their money worth

they already kinda did this last year with W winning every stage race he participated, so this year basically is just repeat of last year. Only difference is they have a few new actors like RP, CF etc. So I am not surprised at all, the only thing intrigues me is can AC and AS old school guys bring top form to Tour to battle new SKY breed.

 

[Nilsson]

Anyone considered the idea that AC is on Riis's program nowadays, just like Schleck and Basso in the past. Not racing to win, but racing to build form. All resulting in peak form in just a few races. I think it's conceivable that in the end he will be significantly better in the Tour, and that the possible goal of doing a Tour-Vuelta double might be an important reason for him performing under par now as well.

 

[Forunculo]

Anyone considered the idea that AC is on Riis's program nowadays, just like Schleck and Basso in the past. Not racing to win, but racing to build form. All resulting in peak form in just a few races. I think it's conceivable that in the end he will be significantly better in the Tour, and that the possible goal of doing a Tour-Vuelta double might be an important reason for him performing under par now as well.

I'm a fan of Contador but that's an hyper optimistic hypothesis.

I guess the whole team will be better at key moments but the gap is huge. We are talking about Henao and Porte who are domestiques.

 

[Miburo]

I'm a fan of Contador but that's an hyper optimistic hypothesis.

I guess the whole team will be better at key moments but the gap is huge. We are talking about Henao and Porte who are domestiques.

And who says sky is at their peak?

Obviously contador is not 100% but it's prob wishful thinking.

I used to be positive but these last few weeks were pretty obvious.

 

[movingtarget]

Henao and Porte are domestiques for the moment.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

You guys will get a really positive suprise this July
Not even worth the discussion, he can't concivably be worse this July than what he was in last years Vuelta.

 

[gthx_gthx_]

Anyone considered the idea that AC is on Riis's program nowadays, just like Schleck and Basso in the past. Not racing to win, but racing to build form. All resulting in peak form in just a few races. I think it's conceivable that in the end he will be significantly better in the Tour, and that the possible goal of doing a Tour-Vuelta double might be an important reason for him performing under par now as well.

He 2011 he was with Riis and he won plenty of races before Giro and still performed well in the Tour.

It is simply not Contador style to peak once a year. Or at least , it is not contador's habits not to win any races. But Contador is not that crap , in fact except for the Skyborgs , he has been one of the most consistent tour favorites.

 

[Lanark]

Today was pathetic. I hope he has some fantastic plan for the Tour, because so far this season has been really poor.