Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Dutchsmurf]

Contador still is in a very good position to get a podium place in the tour, and he won the vuelta last year. And you're already talking that Contador will be a domestique?

Never heard about a bad year?

I of course was talking about in 2-4 years time, not now. At the moment Contador is the only shot Saxo has at winning a GT. Kreuziger is good, but he is never going to podium, let alone win. Somewhere during the next 2 weeks Kreuziger will lose lots of time, just like every GT he has ever done.

 

[jilbiker]

There is always a chance in week three when your opponent is that skinny.

After reading THamilton's book and ferarri's push for weight loss, I finally understood why Lance looked like a skeleton at the TDF with checkbones virtually...bones. As Ferrari said, weight loss with power increase is the key to winning. Totally contrary to the natural course of the body. One key indicator for me that cycling is finally cleaning up is when I see healthy looking riders winning major tours.

 

[airstream]

This forum should have an age limit of 12 years to become a member.

Sorry, but you are not different

 

[Le Baroudeur]

Lol, don't kid them. Florecita and Miburo are on their limit without that. I bet they suffer not less than Contador at Ax 3. I had a pile of jokes after that stage but don't want to use them, because dedicated fans don't deserve such defeats.

Thing is many times I debate I still get called a troll, what was so wrong with saying imo Kreuziger should have went up the road. We all have opinions mate, same with you when you said I will save everyone's quotes when Alberto wins the TDF.

Gobble gobble, too bland, someone pass the salt and mayo...

 

[Carols]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-we-have-to-take-a-few-risks

Does he still think he is kidding anyone? He should stop hyping himself as everyone knows he simply doesn't have it this year.

This process of talking himself up and then failing to deliver has become annoying somewhere around April. Honestly is unfair to his fans as it raises their expectations, expectations i am starting to think, not even Contador thinks he can meet.

I just hope this is a Valverde 2012 like situation and not permanent

I surely didn't see any hyping in there; very conservative and downbeat. He will TRY. Well of course he will Try, it's who he is. If he wasn't willing to try he might as well pack his bags and go home.

ITT will tell everyone just where he is, I'm not hopeful

 

[The Hitch]

I was being genuine about a spot for Contador and no I don't mean as a domestique, why would he go Movistar Jelantik wont that be Quintan's team. I seriously love this guy climbing I think he would be a cert for second without AX-3, why send a 23 year old on the attack from so far surely he will pay for it, no. And yday he was attacking why the rest wheel suck, either commit to him or Valverde should attack. He is the revelation of the Tour for me, we knew he was good but not in a GT yet.

Maybe you didnt know he was good in gts.

Him climbing with Contador and Murito in last years Vuelta, miles ahead of Froome (tired) and Gesink and talansky, moreno in the 2nd week of the Vuelta showed he was the real deal in gts.

 

[Carols]

I'm very interested to see how the ITT goes on Wednesday. It's not pancake flat as everyone seems to suggest and I think AC can limit his losses and move up in the overall (assuming he's not completely bluffing about his form improving which obviously could be the case).

Where has he said his form was improving? The most encouraging quote I saw was something like paraphrasing here 'my legs were better than the day before' which isn't saying a whole lot!

 

[TANK91]

I honestly think that he would have a problem relinquishing the team leadership over to Kreuziger. Kreuziger's hands are tied by his duties as 1st lieutenant to Contador. His record in ITT's isn't exactly stellar and even with a Contador at less than his best, Kreuziger may still find it difficult to create a favorable separation in the gc from Contador. Who is calling the shots for Saxo-Tinkoff: Contador or Mauduit(sp?). Of course Riis has just arrived so has he been pulling strings from far away and has arrived to get a better grip on the reigns?

Ultimately one has to ask is it worth humiliating your star rider by forcing him into a support role for a rider who's in peak form but unproven at the highest level of the Tour classification? I say the best decision would be to give him the same role that Quintana has with Movistar except more freedom to ride his own race all while leaving Contador to do the same. This would maximize the potential for a higher point tally at the Tour by the team and also increase their chances of success. Most importantly there exists a degree of respect between the 2 riders that is evident in their statements to the media. As long as their efforts are coordinated then all should be well. They may not win the Tour but I see this arrangement giving them best opportunity for success.

Of course the last time Contador had a teammate that was on form close/equal to his in a grand tour (Vuelta 2008/Leipheimer) he was less than accepting of the potential internal threat to his victory. Levi almost snatched the win away in the final ITT.

Don't get me wrong recent history suggests Kreuziger has a bad day, but one cant say he was always a mega talent maybe this year he is proving it, AGR win this year and do a good GC will tell more. One thing or sure is he can be a big head he still believes he is GC rider when many think he is not so lets see maybe he will do well. I have been impressed he has not looked in trouble once. He also though he was a bigger rider than Nibali two.

 

[TANK91]

Maybe you didnt know he was good in gts.

Him climbing with Contador and Murito in last years Vuelta, miles ahead of Froome (tired) and Gesink and talansky, moreno in the 2nd week of the Vuelta showed he was the real deal in gts.

I should be more specific he is the revalation GC wise, in the Vuelta he did not do GC. Quintana is the second strongest guy in the race. Id love it to be him and Froome mano o mano. Rodriguez is the disappointment for me he should have went with Fuglsang and Martin. He as possibly made the biggest mistake possible with his carear, should have done Giro/Vuelta he is 34 now. Maybe he back it off for the Vuelta?

 

[Jelantik]

ay, ay.. why we are immediately saying that kreuziger should be the leader now? Where's the faith? I know it's hard to have a faith seeing how contador's form in the pyrenees and his recent interview or twitter isn't convincing at all. We won't know either if kreuziger ended up chasing porte, he could end up him being up in GC and the next day he could have ended like porte on sunday. Maybe for now the current scenario is not bad for kreuziger since he kept his time closer to froome and contador. Wednesday ITT we shall see who's leg reign supreme, kreuziger or contador? .

b/c second place isn't that far from their time either. And with porte failing down to deep ocean somewhere, second place is still up for grab.

 

[Jelantik]

Btw it really annoyes that Movistar and Saxo didnt ride togetehr against from yesterday. Movistar seemed more busy riding for 2nd in the GC than actually going all or nothing for the yellow. At that area COntador is different and we will see Contador going for all or nothing in the Alps at some point. But I just fear taht Movistar will help Sky reel him back in, unless Contador already has a nice gap to Valverde and Quintana at that point. A real shame that they all dont only focus on yellow.

Movistar run out of a gas, eventually. Saxo can't push too much because they would most likely make contador dropped. He was in a fragile state currently. Froome was lucky, because contador and purito were no where in their form. Do you think a yellow jersey can defend his jersey alone with 130km to go, if Purito and contador were in form? I don't think so, even if your name is Froomeborg. Movistar can't do it because only quintana has the leg and the form to match Froome and Valverde isn't. So valverde kept using Quintana like a rabbit all day long. If they did 1-2 attack with other GC contender contributing, maybe. Like Evans said.. bizzarre to have a yellow jersey being isolated for a long time. Unfortunately, no one capitalized to drop froome. But the consolation prize is at least valverde has his shoe mark on porte's rear

 

[Kender]

there are 2 very good reasons why you wont see contador going to sky

1) he's had a doping conviction. Sky have a 0% tolerance policy. It would be against their own policy to hire him

2) Froome is stronger right now and also a Brit (technically). They dont need another leadership battle

so even if Contador wanted to go to Sky it's just not possible

 

[Publicus]

there are 2 very good reasons why you wont see contador going to sky

1) he's had a doping conviction. Sky have a 0% tolerance policy. It would be against their own policy to hire him

2) Froome is stronger right now and also a Brit (technically). They dont need another leadership battle

so even if Contador wanted to go to Sky it's just not possible

I think the fact that he has zero interest in leaving Saxo is the best reason why you won't see Contador looking to join Sky.

 

[Publicus]

Movistar run out of a gas, eventually. Saxo can't push too much because they would most likely make contador dropped. He was in a fragile state currently. Froome was lucky, because contador and purito were no where in their form. Do you think a yellow jersey can defend his jersey alone with 130km to go, if Purito and contador were in form? I don't think so, even if your name is Froomeborg. Movistar can't do it because only quintana has the leg and the form to match Froome and Valverde isn't. So valverde kept using Quintana like a rabbit all day long. If they did 1-2 attack with other GC contender contributing, maybe. Like Evans said.. bizzarre to have a yellow jersey being isolated for a long time. Unfortunately, no one capitalized to drop froome. But the consolation prize is at least valverde has his shoe mark on porte's rear

Im a bit surprised that Froome even bothered to chase/respond to Quitana's accelerations. Im even more surprised that Valverde didnt once try to counter-attack once Froome reeled in Quitana. Or Mollema, Ten Dam or anyone else for that matter. It seemed like a wasted opportunity which i think they all will regret soon (ie Wednesday)

 

[Jelantik]

Im a bit surprised that Froome even bothered to chase/respond to Quitana's accelerations. Im even more surprised that Valverde didnt once try to counter-attack once Froome reeled in Quitana. Or Mollema, Ten Dam or anyone else for that matter. It seemed like a wasted opportunity which i think they all will regret soon (ie Wednesday)

ow, we are all know that wed the inevitable will happen. Froome is going to end up at least 4 minutes ahead of the closest rival. Unless something like wiggins happened to him. *which less likely* Valverde better be doing some great TT of his life, other wise it'll be lonely road to the finish line for him *since froome could pass him*

 

[darwin553]

I think the fact that he has zero interest in leaving Saxo is the best reason why you won't see Contador looking to join Sky.

Riis is the best man to manage him anyway, provided Contador is performing

 

[Jelantik]

I think he will go better, but how better we don't know. Be honest guys do you think he can still podium? At the moment my top 3 is C.F, A.V, N.Q what about you guys? And delete your sig Miburo Garmin are killing the field now lol after yday.

valverde? i think contador can take his spot. so it's possible to be top three for contador *sorry i'm an optimist* Quintana, yes he seems to be the dark horse. So far he matched Froome in the mountain. If movistar stops using him like a rabbit, he would have been closer to Froome.

 

[sultanofhyd]

The lack of faith is amusing, this is the Tour de France and it is Alberto Contador! If his fans don't believe in him, who will...

 

[webvan]

Can't see how Contador can do better than Kreuziger tomorrow honestly...I must say I'm a bit puzzled by the way it's unfolding. It's not 2009 anymore, ok, but where are the Vv, Purito, Bertie of the 2012 Vuelta? The only one who's at his expected level is Froome for some reason. Bad news for the interest of the race and for us...

 

[xrayvision]

Thing is many times I debate I still get called a troll, what was so wrong with saying imo Kreuziger should have went up the road. We all have opinions mate, same with you when you said I will save everyone's quotes when Alberto wins the TDF.

First of all, I never said Berto would win the tour, in fact, I never predicted a winner. What I said was, it could be funny to save all the predictions and post them when the tour is over. So again, stop putting words in peoples mouths and act as an adult.

And yes, you are acting like a 12 year old with your insane comments and choice of words, let me remind you.... hahahaha and then ha ha ha ha look at me, I was right and you were wrong.. ha ha ha ha...

Pathetic, and not to mention childish!!

Ps. you can spare me the attempt to justify or turn what you said around,

 

[LaFlorecita]

Can't see how Contador can do better than Kreuziger tomorrow honestly...I must say I'm a bit puzzled by the way it's unfolding. It's not 2009 anymore, ok, but where are the Vv, Purito, Bertie of the 2012 Vuelta? The only one who's at his expected level is Froome for some reason. Bad news for the interest of the race and for us...

Yea I agree. Valverde doesn't seem too bad though but Contador and Rodriguez are just ****ty.

I was looking forward to this race to see how Froome and Contador compare.

 

[xrayvision]

Can't see how Contador can do better than Kreuziger tomorrow honestly...I must say I'm a bit puzzled by the way it's unfolding. It's not 2009 anymore, ok, but where are the Vv, Purito, Bertie of the 2012 Vuelta? The only one who's at his expected level is Froome for some reason. Bad news for the interest of the race and for us...

Some would say it´s be course he´s riding clean now, like the Froomedog suggests.
But I´m not buying it, clearly he have been way below usual standard the entire season, maybe it´s the way Riis want´s him to prepare that is outdated and not sufficient, the old school, or it could be a physical health problem, it´s like he just can´t peak and rides on 90% of max. Very strange, but I´m sure he will come back at his best, maybe not this season but the next.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Does anyone know what health problem it could be? Some sort of illness seems most likely to me.

 

[The Principal Sheep]

Does anyone know what health problem it could be? Some sort of illness seems most likely to me.

Snail fever, he'll be winning all three GT's next year...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Snail fever, he'll be winning all three GT's next year...