EnacheV
BANNED
To me, it looks like Lance Armstrong when he was back in 2009 (?), nothing in his legs. So much pain to stay on his opponents wheel.
The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
The Hitch said:Really strange. All this time, through all his bad from through Dauphine even through the first 9 days of the Tour he kept saying all was good.
And now all of a sudden basically overnght he realizes he isnt anywhere near his best afterall. A guy with as much gt experience as Contador?
How much of an idiot is he?
Netserk said:I'm with Jens here. Alberto will still win the Tour
The Hitch said:Blind optimism probably not the best idea on the eve of the tt. Yall be back to hitting the bottles in 15 hours.
The Hitch said:Blind optimism probably not the best idea on the eve of the tt. Yall be back to hitting the bottles in 15 hours.
Miburo said:At least we'll have a reason to drink then i guess.
I don't feel like hating on Contador after 1 week in the tour, i'll do that in 2 weeks.
The Hitch said:Dont blame me. Im the guy who tells you your girlfriend is cheating on you BEFORE you get married, rather than let you delude yourself for a little while longer and then watch the trainwreck from a distance.
jens_attacks said:airstream just like alberto is peaking towards the 3rd week. Watch out!
The Hitch said:Really strange. All this time, through all his bad from through Dauphine even through the first 9 days of the Tour he kept saying all was good.
And now all of a sudden basically overnght he realizes he isnt anywhere near his best afterall. A guy with as much gt experience as Contador?
How much of an idiot is he?
Cimber said:To be honest, at this point I would be excited to see him win a stage
Ryaguas said:Not giving up on Contador anytime time soon
Carols said:They delude themselves that the form will come because it always has before. They think they just have to work harder, differently and rest more. He has said for months that it has been difficult to find form.
The earlier and brighter they burn the sooner and quicker they burn out. Most refuse to admit it and keep believing and trying. The mind is willing but the body just cannot produce like it always has before. It must be dreadfully difficult to face and admit even to yourself.
I'd say it's to early to give up, but I've seen all the indicators now. Tomorrow is the final test. He looked good in the TTT, but tomorrow it is him, the road and the clock. Maybe the body will do what the mind is asking of it. We can only hope.
Miburo said:Let's reverse it.
Did you think evans was gonna win the tour in 2011? Did you think valverde after last year's performance was ever gonna have a chance for a podium in a tour? Did you think Wiggins was ever gonna win a tour after 2010?
95% of this forum would have said "no". Don't write a rider off too early. Contador is only 30 years old.
I still believe that one day we'll see him at 100% again.
DenisMenchov said:Contador is too young for that to happen, but when you think about it, he was way ahead of his generation back in 2007, and had 6 incredible years, so what you're saying might be true. But I don't think it can happen that drastically, even Armstorng on his return managed to reach the podium on his own.
Carols said:It can. I am 62, I've seen it happen to Hinault, LeMond, Indurain and Pantani. Read about it for Merckx; only had newsreels back then, he was done at 30. I did see Merckx in person when he was still riding though.
If they hang on grimly trying to recapture the magic it sometimes burns brightly again for a short time.
Lance was aided, he admitted everything up to his return in 2009. I don't believe his returned clean story.
Maybe I'm wrong; praying I am but it is like watching history repeat itself. The same history I've witnessed for decades; The fall of a Great Champion
DenisMenchov said:I'm much younger then you are, but the Fall is inevitable. Almost no one leaves on his best, Federer, Schumacher, Ronaldinho, Jordan... Not to mention cyclists.
Funny thing is I hated the 2009 Tour Contador, he looked so inhuman, nothing around him was interesting for me. Then he was so dominant at 2011 Giro, i even liked him less. But in 2011 Tour he looked like human, he was getting dropped on mountain stages, but refused to give, that's where he got my sympathy, and eventually in 2012 Vuelta, he never looked the strongest, but won. So unlike many, I now support Contador, maybe even like him.
IndianCyclist said:I figured 33 is the age of fall when VO2 max start to decrease. Contador is too young.
Miburo said:I don't blame you, you've reasons to hate on him but i just don't feel like doing it. It's still early in the tour, many things still can happen.
He looks like absolute **** right now, i realise that but yea i still have some hope. I won't be crushed when Froome wins it, it's only normal but i still think he can pull it off.
Besides I rather see Contador doing crazy stuff to win it than do absolutely nothing to try and win the tour that way. I didn't really like the tour 2010 although he won it.I really enjoyed the tour 2011 (last week) even though he lost it.
DenisMenchov said:I'm much younger then you are, but the Fall is inevitable. Almost no one leaves on his best, Federer, Schumacher, Ronaldinho, Jordan... Not to mention cyclists.
Funny thing is I hated the 2009 Tour Contador, he looked so inhuman, nothing around him was interesting for me. Then he was so dominant at 2011 Giro, i even liked him less. But in 2011 Tour he looked like human, he was getting dropped on mountain stages, but refused to give, that's where he got my sympathy, and eventually in 2012 Vuelta, he never looked the strongest, but won. So unlike many, I now support Contador, maybe even like him.