Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Nilsson]

I noticed he tried out a (quite radical) different position compared to his TT in the Algarve (where he wasn't happy, but actually did well).

Algarve position

Tirreno position, which is lower.

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/gc/47...abbZKho/IoT8BymM2AH8Fcs6Otbm2KhgeT9K7SDv5XsU=


Since the start, all efforts and sweet words to no avail, he has been struggling with the Specialized TT bike. The bike he uses now, and all TCS riders use, is basically the same bike they made specially for him in 2010 TDF (which failed horribly, in any TT longer than a couple of km at least - since he did win the Dauphiné prologue but totally go down in the long TT).

It's essentially this bike.

 

[Nilsson]

Now.

It's a different bike the other Specialized sponsored teams use, which seems to do a better job.

Tony Martin

Nibali

Kwiatkowski

I've asked the Specialized aero expert once what's the exact difference, and why Alberto (and his team) keep using this different bike. I never got an answer, but I'm afraid he's just stuck with it.

 

[Jelantik]

More to come?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-contador-says-theres-more-to-come-after-tirreno-adriatico-win

Contador confidence is flying high now. That's what Froome didn't want to have last year. Confidence. You can't give confidence to someone like Contador. Because it's contagious and he is going be hard to contain. I'm keeping my hope in check now, until I see how he fares against Froome. And the fact that Froome has less racing miles, should at least an advantage for contador? *or not*

 

[Jelantik]

more structure, more intensity, more rest period, not overtrain, avoid fatigue, controlling his trainings and in fonction of july : losing weight, training on steep climbs (intervals)....

SDJ says AC still has the possibility to gain some % for July....

Oh my .. It's a music to my ears... and a nail scratching chalkboard sound to sky . One thing for sure, contador will give Froome a run for his money. Now we just need to wait if Nibali will show up.

 

[Jelantik]

I think he did not rode at 100%, so it's not really a good indication of his real tt qualities. But however, Froome will probarly get 1 / 1.30 minute in a TT of 40/50 k, so he has to work on it if he really wants to win the Tour.

dunno. maybe since he knows that his climbing superiority starts to come back, he might thinks another Fuente De or Lanciano attack will be enough cushion for ITT We all know that Froome watches his powers and making sure he got something left close to the top of the climb.

 

[thehook]

I'm just commenting from my experience as a total novice. But as I lost weight I gained flexibility. And my bike fit was definetly affected for the better.

Just my .02$

 

[Jelantik]

hey guys, if you happens to be able to see this. Can you report back to the forum? I'm curious if Dave will say about Contador

got this from sky website (ssshhh... traitor)

Don’t forget to watch new brand new cycling TV show ‘InCycle’ for a look back at Tirreno-Adriatico and an interview with Team Sky Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford. Wednesday 19 March at 1830 on Sky Sports 3 HD.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Thanks for that, Nilsson, very interesting. What frustrates me is that he doesn't seem to be using the new TT position he tried out in the wind tunnel. Stubborn little guy, he is.

But I guess we need side-by-side pictures to compare.

 

[roadbiker]

I've asked the Specialized aero expert once what's the exact difference, and why Alberto (and his team) keep using this different bike. I never got an answer, but I'm afraid he's just stuck with it.

They are all using the same bike (Shiv TT), but Alberto (and a few other riders) use the smallest frame size with is constructed a bit differently (the most visible difference is the raised top tube/stem section compared to a completely horizontal top tube at bigger sizes).

 

[Cimber]

Riis: "Tour-beating made Contador listen"

Goggle translated article:

http://translate.google.com/transla...34/riis-tour-taesk-fik-contador-til-at-lytte/

 

[Jelantik]

Riis: "Tour-beating made Contador listen"

Goggle translated article:

http://translate.google.com/transla...34/riis-tour-taesk-fik-contador-til-at-lytte/

thanks for the article. I'm amazed how he stubborned he is. I guess if you have won a lot, why change if it's not broken? So getting his assre handed over by Froome, did finally open up his mind. Maybe he can open his mind with his ITT? Bring in Bobby Julich

 

[Jelantik]

THIS. if it's true.... we all can dream.

"He's still not at his top level," Steven de Jongh assessed last performances of Alberto Contador for De Telegraaf.

http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/de_jongh_contador_still_not_at_his_top_level/

 

[Jelantik]

our man is already back on training..

Alberto Contador ‏@albertocontador 2h
Hoy entrenamiento con su capuchino correspondiente. Capuchino training.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Is the old man in the back taking a picture?

 

[Publicus]

Is it my imagination or has Jesus Hernandez been basically sidelined? He's not lined up in any races this year right?

EDIT: I guess I'm wrong. He was at Algarve.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Is the old man in the back taking a picture?

Riis does not look good does he.

 

[Beech Mtn]

our man is already back on training..

Paulinho is looking better already. Good sign

Is the old man in the back taking a picture?

That's David Walsh. He follows Contador around taking notes so Dawg can copy AC's training. Froome hired him to do this after being scared ****less by Berto's T-A performance.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Riis: "Tour-beating made Contador listen"

Goggle translated article:

http://translate.google.com/transla...34/riis-tour-taesk-fik-contador-til-at-lytte/

LOL at Google Translate:

I have long tried to stab him.

No wonder the Schlecks and their friends ran away to Leopard

Thanks for the article.

 

[personal]

Riis does not look good does he.

I see what you did there.

 

[the sceptic]

Got a good feeling about Catalunya. I think he will beat the alien.

Skytrain doesnt look very strong. Its just Porte+Dawg.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Got a good feeling about Catalunya. I think he will beat the alien.

Skytrain doesnt look very strong. Its just Porte+Dawg.

Porte + Dawg was more than enough on AX 3

 

[Miburo]

Porte + Dawg was more than enough on AX 3

More than enough for the whole tour.

 

[del1962]

Got a good feeling about Catalunya. I think he will beat the alien.

Skytrain doesnt look very strong. Its just Porte+Dawg.

You don't rate Nieve?

 

[Netserk]

You don't rate Nieve?

His software is still missing the borg patch.

 

[the sceptic]

You don't rate Nieve?

He did ok in T-A I suppose, even if he went mostly unnoticed. But I dont think sky will be able to control this race like they usually do.