Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Do you really think he can bump into serious problems?

He comes across as a VERY likable guy in interviews. He does, however, have a real mean streak on the bike (I mean that in a good way). Very formidable competitor. I hope teams have realized that the Froome Team Sky TdF team will NOT race like the Wiggins Team Sky TdF team. Froome won't race defensively. Even when he's leading . . . which may, in the end, be his undoing. But I do like his propensity to go for the kill.

Also [it is his thread after all]: contador seems like a great guy in person (watched him meeting fans before a group ride), who has a similar killer instinct on the bike but he's had DS who were able, for the most part (Hi Kloden ), his impulses to attack even when leading. I have the feeling his experiment with Riis' build plan (versus his previous approach) will yield some benefits in a few weeks. Judging from the Dauphine and Tour de Suisse, the TdF team should be strong. Strong enough to beat Sky remains to be seen, but I think it is possible (give me another couple of weeks before you ask me if it is PROBABLE )

Mean streak vs Lean steak

 

[veganrob]

We share opinions there, don't we? By saying 'to love people' I mean human openness, desire to share positive emotions and be glad towards people. I'm sure Contador is not among people like that.

Oh, I have had different experience with Alberto. I flatted out on a training ride and he came along, changed my tube for me, adjusted my front deraileur for me, crappy Sram Red, gave me some water and a gel. Offered to buy me dinner in town, take me to a movie. I think the guy is awesome.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I have talked with Alberto sometimes... just one but see him talk close several times... he dont look at my eyes as very nice in the face to face feeling...nor bad as well...

I was once as press in the Vuelta a Castilla y León... I saw him screamed his staff just for something wrong in his shoes. I was surprised that day.

Froome is a nice guy, polite, clear, that is the important thing, good person and clear, nothing to hide.

But that is not always the important, some really nice guys as Rubiera are not reliable persons in the sport.

I like when people follow a cyclist and defend him, it is nice and it is the spirit of cycling, but IMO you are wrong with Alberto. His best quality for me is his competitive character, and that he is still living in a worker quarter in Pinto.

For the rest, I could not talk very well.

I have been in an environement when I have felt the opposite than you, overprotection with him and a lot of radical fans who made impossible to talk againt his figure, talking even about one of the best riders in History, and things like that, even the best time trialist of the moment...

Media and spanish federation with him.

You could find a lot of people to enjoy with Alberto.

I think his brother is a good and efficient person to be an amateur..., but Jacinto Vidarte... I would prefer keep my opinion with me...

There are some things in my country that I understand when we go out how other people look at us...

I'm sorry you had such bad experiences with Alberto. To me he comes across as a very nice person, a bit shy but nice either way.

By the way do you also have personal experience with Froome?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Me
If I win, you will have a Alberto avatar with inscription 'Sorry Alberto' ,cos you dont believe he will win this Tour.Ok?

That is a ***** bet, of course I'll take that till worlds ok

 

[LaFlorecita]

Like Wiggins, Contador doesn't like people too much. He is not a social person and always feels a lot of discomfort when cameras are directed on him. In his soul he's still a bashful hick from Pinto.

you are right to some extent. He's shy, yes indeed, but i don't think that makes him an anti-social person.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Thats a big ignorant, if you had a hunger knock you wouldnt be able to climb the Dom stairs, would you?

It wasn't exactly an extraordinary failure.

1) Why would I get a hunger knock
2) why would I want to climb the dom stairs in the first place

 

[LaFlorecita]

He seems a very humble person. Some confuse his determination to prove himself in the Tour as deservedly Sky's leader and his public responses to Wiggins's flip-fooling of his season goals as arrogant but I see it as a rider that was promised one thing by his team & by Wiggins, with only Froome keeping it real about what was agreed upon. Management in opinion handled the whole situation badly, fearful of stepping on Wiggins toes but offending Froome in the process.

Froome just seems to be changing and is slowly getting more and more arrogant. Add to that that girlfriend of his. He really annoys me.

 

[LaFlorecita]

contador 2.0 is a lot mature and calm, I think. His past trouble probably has have shaped his outlook for his life moving forward. TST team has supported and sticked with him while he was in probation. For that, i think he felt very grateful. (Won't you?) The entire team of TST and the sponsors stood by on his side!!! Even saxo bank used contador image to advertise their brand. So he might not be erupting as easy as that anymore especially to the team staff member and teammate who have been there for him all a long. But again that's just my wanna be psychologist diagnosis

Nah I don't think so. I think he was pretty mature in the first place.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I hope there'll be a time when we can see mano a mano alone time in some 5-7km away of the GC contenders. So we can finally see how they rate against each other with all of them in their best form of their life. No buts, no ifs, no excuses.

They won't be all in the best form of their life though.

 

[LaFlorecita]

So you're just pulling it out of your nether-regions. Got it. Thanks for clarifying!

He is pretty right though

 

[LaFlorecita]

Oh, I have had different experience with Alberto. I flatted out on a training ride and he came along, changed my tube for me, adjusted my front deraileur for me, crappy Sram Red, gave me some water and a gel. Offered to buy me dinner in town, take me to a movie. I think the guy is awesome.

lol brilliant. Chapeau mate

 

[LaFlorecita]

Slightly related

“There is a Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde in him,” says American cyclist Christian Vande Velde, who befriended Contador when the two were teammates on the Liberty Seguros team in 2004. “Alberto is the kind of guy that sends you a birthday message or a get-well card, or Christmas cards. He’s a genuinely nice kid. But you can see it in his eyes. His eyes are getting harder and harder every year. At first, when he first won the Tour, he was sort of happy-go-lucky. He didn’t think he could do it and all of a sudden he had won. But after he won, well you get more guarded because of all the pressure. And you can see that in him. In a way it was sad to see my little buddy go away. He is still a friend but you can see him change.”

http://m.bicycling.com/news/2010-tour-de-france/nice-guys-finish-first

 

[Taxus4a]

I'm sorry you had such bad experiences with Alberto. To me he comes across as a very nice person, a bit shy but nice either way.

By the way do you also have personal experience with Froome?

Contador sometimes stop and talk with people, more than Indurain or Perico did, I know for experience...but it is depends the people or the moment, that is normal.
I have seen Froome four times in my life, but didn´t talk with him really, I take some pictures, when he wasnt a famous rider and the two Vueltas, last year Vuelta the team was a little bit with him, protected him of the people, I didnt like that, but it is not his blame. He is a very nice person, I know that for reference of people that had big experience with him, spanish people and people from other countries. I had a friend that interviewed him as well,...Carlos Verona talked about him once in an article, and I know how is Verona, I rely on him.There are a lot of interviews over there...
I like Alberto in the way that Alberto is the only cyclist that move people to the road, the only that is well know, the only that is really in the media, so if Alberto goes well, cyclist in Spain goes well, more money, more races, more teams.. that way I like, but...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador sometimes stop and talk with people, more than Indurain or Perico did, I know for experience...but it is depends the people or the moment, that is normal.
I have seen Froome four times in my life, but didn´t talk with him really, I take some pictures, when he wasnt a famous rider and the two Vueltas, last year Vuelta the team was a little bit with him, protected him of the people, I didnt like that, but it is not his blame. He is a very nice person, I know that for reference of people that had big experience with him, spanish people and people from other countries. I had a friend that interviewed him as well,...Carlos Verona talked about him once in an article, and I know how is Verona, I rely on him.There are a lot of interviews over there...
I like Alberto in the way that Alberto is the only cyclist that move people to the road, the only that is well know, the only that is really in the media, so if Alberto goes well, cyclist in Spain goes well, more money, more races, more teams.. that way I like, but...

Well we can't all like the same people right I like to rely on quotes from people and to be honest I think you are only the second person to say something like this about Alberto (hrotha was the first). Everyone else was positive about him. So I like to think he is a nice person maybe I'm wrong but I can't like a jerk so I just want believe he is nice

 

[Taxus4a]

I find it quite possible that he is a nervous person, with a tendency to erupt, both on the bike and off the bike. It can have positive effects as it makes him more likely to attack, but negative ones as well.
Check for example his reaction to people running too close to him on Verbier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6jtYQftW88
(see 15:22)
Of course, their behavior was pretty irresponsible and wrong, but they seemed to be cheering for him and encouraging him.
Compare Nibali's behavior in similar situation (look from 2:55)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U--B2HbT1ic

To justify Contador's behavior, he was under a great duress at the time, because of unhealthy atmosphere at the team and pressure from Lance.

Wiggins and Evans has worse reaction.. but they are crazy people
that is very relative.

I remember I did not like Lemond becouse denied me a sign as a child in San Sebastian... but maybe he is a very good person...

Levi and Horner are always the nicest people, at least with me, but I dont know him really as person, Frank schleck is far to be nice... but maybe he is a good person... his brother Andy is nice, but it depends a lot of the moment... and if you are a girl, much better. Cancellara is the worst, but I admire him.

Flecha was very nice with me one day, but a girl friend of mine told me he was talking very bad of the fans once... it depends...It is depends with riders always the moment.

I dont think Contador is a bad person, he is a victim of the system maybe, but I consider Froome better person and less false.

But this is nice, Florecilla follow and defend Contador, others do with others, we can came here and do jokes and rivality.. that is nice...that is the important. We can do that in a friendly way, la florecilla looks a good person.

I think Froome has a bad influence in his girlfriend, I like her as woman, but he is not so nice as Froome

Froome ride to improve himself, to be the best,... but she likes money.

Contador girlfriend and relatives are more.. simple...in the best meaning of the word...(I dont have a good english, sorry...) That, I like.

He likes go hunting with Noval, who was an ilegal hunter in Asturias. That, I dont like...

Perico was my idol and he likes Contador, that is a point for me...

Good luck for Contador in the Tour (he will need it ).

 

[LaFlorecita]

Wiggins and Evans has worse reaction.. but they are crazy people
that is very relative.

I remember I did not like Lemond becouse denied me a sign as a child in San Sebastian... but maybe he is a very good person...

Levi and Horner are always the nicest people, at least with me, but I dont know him really as person, Frank schleck is far to be nice... but maybe he is a good person... his brother Andy is nice, but it depends a lot of the moment... and if you are a girl, much better. Cancellara is the worst, but I admire him.

Flecha was very nice with me one day, but a girl friend of mine told me he was talking very bad of the fans once... it depends...It is depends with riders always the moment.

I dont think Contador is a bad person, he is a victim of the system maybe, but I consider Froome better person and less false.

But this is nice, Florecilla follow and defend Contador, others do with others, we can came here and do jokes and rivality.. that is nice...that is the important. We can do that in a friendly way, la florecilla looks a good person.

I think Froome has a bad influence in his girlfriend, I like her as woman, but he is not so nice as Froome

Froome ride to improve himself, to be the best,... but she likes money.

Contador girlfriend and relatives are more.. simple...in the best meaning of the word...(I dont have a good english, sorry...) That, I like.

He likes go hunting with Noval, who was an illegal hunter in Asturias. That, I dont like...

Perico was my idol and he likes Contador, that is a point for me...

Good luck for Contador in the Tour (he will need it ).

I don't think Froome is nicer than Alberto. (they're both good persons anyway)

 

[Red Rick]

It also depends a lot on the fact that Contador can't express himself as good in English as anglo riders

 

[LaFlorecita]

It also depends a lot on the fact that Contador can't express himself as good in English as anglo riders

I don't think that matters too much to a Spaniard (Taxus4a)

 

[movingtarget]

Wiggins and Evans has worse reaction.. but they are crazy people
that is very relative.

I remember I did not like Lemond becouse denied me a sign as a child in San Sebastian... but maybe he is a very good person...

Levi and Horner are always the nicest people, at least with me, but I dont know him really as person, Frank schleck is far to be nice... but maybe he is a good person... his brother Andy is nice, but it depends a lot of the moment... and if you are a girl, much better. Cancellara is the worst, but I admire him.

Flecha was very nice with me one day, but a girl friend of mine told me he was talking very bad of the fans once... it depends...It is depends with riders always the moment.

I dont think Contador is a bad person, he is a victim of the system maybe, but I consider Froome better person and less false.

But this is nice, Florecilla follow and defend Contador, others do with others, we can came here and do jokes and rivality.. that is nice...that is the important. We can do that in a friendly way, la florecilla looks a good person.

I think Froome has a bad influence in his girlfriend, I like her as woman, but he is not so nice as Froome

Froome ride to improve himself, to be the best,... but she likes money.

Contador girlfriend and relatives are more.. simple...in the best meaning of the word...(I dont have a good english, sorry...) That, I like.

He likes go hunting with Noval, who was an ilegal hunter in Asturias. That, I dont like...

Perico was my idol and he likes Contador, that is a point for me...

Good luck for Contador in the Tour (he will need it ).

Evans and Wiggins just hate the media and also are under a lot of pressure. Both were trying to be the first from their countries to win the Tour. Evans seems a nice guy away from racing and Wiggins seems okay as well. That is one thing BMC did well for Evans. They managed him well with the media and protected him. Lotto were too stupid to do that. Evans is much more relaxed than he used to be. Contador is shy like Evans but manages to control himself better but even Contador seems much more relaxed now. Not everyone can be like Jens and Horner and be happy and friendly all the time and those guys don't have the same pressure.

 

[Taxus4a]

Evans and Wiggins just hate the media and also are under a lot of pressure. Both were trying to be the first from their countries to win the Tour. Evans seems a nice guy away from racing and Wiggins seems okay as well. That is one thing BMC did well for Evans. They managed him well with the media and protected him. Lotto were too stupid to do that. Evans is much more relaxed than he used to be. Contador is shy like Evans but manages to control himself better but even Contador seems much more relaxed now. Not everyone can be like Jens and Horner and be happy and friendly all the time and those guys don't have the same pressure.

Wiggins and Evans are good persons, but they are a little bit crazy IMO

Anyway I asked for a sign to Wiggo, he stopped, sign me and go, nothing special, a litte bit serious maybe, but the same for Gesink and Dan Martin just litte bit later that day, or Kloden, nothing strange, even Gesink and Dan Martin were as more in a harry... Wiggins was more quiet.

That day I remember Andy was in the bus till the end, trying to be anonimous, but I was joking with him about tactics in cobless in the Tour and he answered, he is funny...Bur after "chain" Tour, he was supposed to be depressed, I dont know, but he was very serious with people, nothing to do with him...

I dont have any experience with Evans, so I dont know. I use to read his blog, and he look as a normal person.. but at a first look even I do, and I am quite mad.

I asked for a picture to Contador and he did, nothing to say about in that way. He was maybe a little bit nervous that day, becouse Lance was upstairs with a broken collarbone... The name of the Hotel was AC , in Palencia.

I was surprised that day becouse the restaurant was self service... Levi and him went to put his food in the plate, in the middle of a race ...even when I ate in the university they served me...

SKY dont let that things, that is a marginal gain...

 

[nick101]

Evans is a decent guy, he just couldn't handle all the pressure. Wiggins got arrogant with sky, same is happening with froome. As for froome and his treatment of wiggins, it seems to me like a spoilt child who can't share his toys. Wiggins was a bit like that last year, but not as bad.

I honestly think without sky, froome would be nowhere near as strong. With less control he would be more sucesptable to attacks like we saw at the vuelta (I know he wasn't fit, but same theory still applies). He hasn't shown an overly great offensive, he only gains a handful of seconds over rivals, even if he goes on the offensive earlier, same result imo. With sky such a strong team they won't wan't froome to attack early like contador or schleck can successfully do. That'd be wasting the teams effectiveness. They'll give froome an armchair ride within a few kms of the finish, then he'll attack.

 

[movingtarget]

Wiggins and Evans are good persons, but they are a little bit crazy IMO

Anyway I asked for a sign to Wiggo, he stopped, sign me and go, nothing special, a litte bit serious maybe, but the same for Gesink and Dan Martin just litte bit later that day, or Kloden, nothing strange, even Gesink and Dan Martin were as more in a harry... Wiggins was more quiet.

That day I remember Andy was in the bus till the end, trying to be anonimous, but I was joking with him about tactics in cobless in the Tour and he answered, he is funny...Bur after "chain" Tour, he was supposed to be depressed, I dont know, but he was very serious with people, nothing to do with him...

I dont have any experience with Evans, so I dont know. I use to read his blog, and he look as a normal person.. but at a first look even I do, and I am quite mad.

I asked for a picture to Contador and he did, nothing to say about in that way. He was maybe a little bit nervous that day, becouse Lance was upstairs with a broken collarbone... The name of the Hotel was AC , in Palencia.

I was surprised that day becouse the restaurant was self service... Levi and him went to put his food in the plate, in the middle of a race ...even when I ate in the university they served me...

SKY dont let that things, that is a marginal gain...

Very interesting. Sounds like you have met many of the riders. Andy seems funny but people just get frustrated with his racing but I think he would be a fun guy to be around.

 

[Afrank]

Evans is a decent guy, he just couldn't handle all the pressure. Wiggins got arrogant with sky, same is happening with froome. As for froome and his treatment of wiggins, it seems to me like a spoilt child who can't share his toys. Wiggins was a bit like that last year, but not as bad.

I honestly think without sky, froome would be nowhere near as strong. With less control he would be more sucesptable to attacks like we saw at the vuelta (I know he wasn't fit, but same theory still applies). He hasn't shown an overly great offensive, he only gains a handful of seconds over rivals, even if he goes on the offensive earlier, same result imo. With sky such a strong team they won't wan't froome to attack early like contador or schleck can successfully do. That'd be wasting the teams effectiveness. They'll give froome an armchair ride within a few kms of the finish, then he'll attack.

Not at all, Froome just wanted what was originally promised to him. I'd say Wiggins is the one acting like a spoil child who didn't want someone else to play with what he thought should belong to him only. Thankfully Froome doesn't have to worry about Wiggins anymore. He's proven who's the new top dog at sky.

 

[nick101]

The reason is say that about froome is because he refused to let wiggins in the team for the tdf. he was in wiggins team for 2012. Wiggins knew how dangerous froome could be after he beat him in the 2011 vuelta when wiggins was also team leader there, so the same thing could've happened to wiggins, but he still let him in for 2012. we would've heard if wiggins kicked up a fuss about froome in 2012. Froome refuses to let wiggins in (even though there is no chance wiggins could beat him or be team leader) and wiggins confidence hits zero. But froome is leader and is definitely top dog.

 

[Afrank]

The reason is say that about froome is because he refused to let wiggins in the team for the tdf. he was in wiggins team for 2012. Wiggins knew how dangerous froome could be after he beat him in the 2011 vuelta when wiggins was also team leader there, so the same thing could've happened to wiggins, but he still let him in for 2012. we would've heard if wiggins kicked up a fuss about froome in 2012. Froome refuses to let wiggins in (even though there is no chance wiggins could beat him or be team leader) and wiggins confidence hits zero. But froome is leader and is definitely top dog.

Froome doesn't decide who gets in the team and who doesn't. Wiggins brought not making the team on himself by being so difficult to work with. Since this is the Contador thread though, if you want to keep discussing this lets take it to the Froome thread.