Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Parrulo]

He looked to have the race completely under control today. You could see he could easily drop everyone except Valverde if he wanted.

Imo he played it right except for the downhill part.

Also you people are forgetting that he had to chase a few attacks with over 50k to go from Costa and a few other riders, and from what i saw on parlamento he even had to pull the peloton by himself for a while because all the saxo's except Kreuziger had been dropped and he wasn't being capable of closing a gap of a few hundred meters to a big group that was up the road with a few movistar's and Lampre's.

 

[Publicus]

So it seems like there was a strong headwind today:

http://cyclingquotes.com/news/contador_the_headwind_made_it_impossible_to_make_a_difference/

It would have been better not to lose time to Alejandro, but in the end the group has split. It was a very different climb than other times. I think it has been much slower and there was a very strong headwind that I don't remember from past editions. I saw it from the start I've seen but I found a right curve that could be used to attack. The truth is that the group could easily take the wheel.



“I realized that some dangerous riders were in trouble and I told Alejandro to go ahead, but he has preferred to stay on my wheel and so I tried to set a steady tempo, also protecting myself a bit because I thought he was going to attack. In some way, I'm very happy, especially for the team that has controlled the stage in an incredible way because it has been crazy from the start. Now the objective is to recover as well as possible.

 

[Jelantik]

So it seems like there was a strong headwind today:

http://cyclingquotes.com/news/contador_the_headwind_made_it_impossible_to_make_a_difference/

Sounded like he is playing smart to me. If he happened to have a bad leg today, then valverde missed his opportunity today. I guess we'll have to wait for ITT. or who knows maybe valverde will attack tomorrow and saturday.

edit: sorry saturday is the last day.. hahaha.. i lost time how long this race is.

 

[Kokoso]

Didn't Contador attack to early today? I mean, in that time Kreuziger was shaving peloton in quite fast rate. Why Contador didn't wait with attack until there was fewer people? That would make much more sense. Maybe he wasn't so strong today and realized that only after he attacked? I don't know, but this maybe wasn't nice from Alberto. Of course I'm Kreuziger's fan , but anyway.

 

[Netserk]

It was to catch Valverde (and others) on the wrong feet. Surprise is an important weapon.

 

[rhubroma]

It was to catch Valverde (and others) on the wrong feet. Surprise is an important weapon.

So well said, a tactical blunded. Not allowed.

 

[Angliru]

So it seems like there was a strong headwind today:

http://cyclingquotes.com/news/contador_the_headwind_made_it_impossible_to_make_a_difference/

Thanks for the link! First time that I've checked out cyclingquotes. I've been missing out! I like it very much! Where have I been??

 

[podunavac]

So it seems like there was a strong headwind today:

http://cyclingquotes.com/news/contador_the_headwind_made_it_impossible_to_make_a_difference/

So that was the problem.
I was puzzled a bit when I saw how easily he was able to make a gap, but couldn't maintain it.

 

[arvc40]

Today's climb looked pretty soft to me. Numbers at top shows that. Contador was just using the climb to soften Valverde up. When the road is hard he will have done the groundwork.

 

[Carols]

Didn't Contador attack to early today? I mean, in that time Kreuziger was shaving peloton in quite fast rate. Why Contador didn't wait with attack until there was fewer people? That would make much more sense. Maybe he wasn't so strong today and realized that only after he attacked? I don't know, but this maybe wasn't nice from Alberto. Of course I'm Kreuziger's fan , but anyway.

In the article above he seems to indicate that he attacked there because the curve was protected against the wind. At least that is what I got out of:

“I think it has been much slower and there was a very strong headwind that I don't remember from past editions. I saw it from the start I've seen but I found a right curve that could be used to attack. The truth is that the group could easily take the wheel."

 

[Je ne sais quoi]

you think so? I thought that last year, but he seem to be much more at ease climbing this year

I agree with Vino Attacks on this. In my observation, Contador's gearing/cadence started to change around the time of the Zoncolan a while back when Sram introduced their Compact + long cage derailleur and 32 or 34 sprockets. That was a blessing compared to being over-geared on extreme climbs like the Zonc or Angliru. But I think Contador started to turn a lighter gear in general at that time. Not that there's anything wrong with that in terms of efficiency, in theory. But for his danseuse pedal style, I think it became a bit of a crutch and cost him speed and power. Coincidentally (?), his climbing and punch began to decline against his major rivals. This year, in my opinion he is visibly turning a slightly heavier gear again, his power is back and he looks more graceful to me, as well.

 

[Angliru]

I agree with Vino Attacks on this. In my observation, Contador's gearing/cadence started to change around the time of the Zoncolan a while back when Sram introduced their Compact + long cage derailleur and 32 or 34 sprockets. That was a blessing compared to being over-geared on extreme climbs like the Zonc or Angliru. But I think Contador started to turn a lighter gear in general at that time. Not that there's anything wrong with that in terms of efficiency, in theory. But for his danseuse pedal style, I think it became a bit of a crutch and cost him speed and power. Coincidentally (?), his climbing and punch began to decline against his major rivals. This year, in my opinion he is visibly turning a slightly heavier gear again, his power is back and he looks more graceful to me, as well.

Interesting observations.

 

[Kokoso]

In the article above he seems to indicate that he attacked there because the curve was protected against the wind. At least that is what I got out of:

“I think it has been much slower and there was a very strong headwind that I don't remember from past editions. I saw it from the start I've seen but I found a right curve that could be used to attack. The truth is that the group could easily take the wheel."

That sounds strang to me. If that was true, why would he attacked into the headwind again and again? Don't quite get it. I think he ruined Kreuziger's effort and all he has of it is nothing. Maybe it was just showboating. Anyway, I think Kreuziger could be mad on him.

 

[LaFlorecita]

That sounds strang to me. If that was true, why would he attacked into the headwind again and again? Don't quite get it. I think he ruined Kreuziger's effort and all he has of it is nothing. Maybe it was just showboating. Anyway, I think Kreuziger could be mad on him.

But he probably isn't.

 

[Kokoso]

But he probably isn't.

I think more likely he is, because he hasn't reported anything yet and that!s unusual. Reason could be just this.

 

[Publicus]

I think more likely he is, because he hasn't reported anything yet and that!s unusual. Reason could be just this.

Roman was riding in SUPPORT of Contador, NOT for his OWN ambitions.

 

[Jspear]

That sounds strang to me. If that was true, why would he attacked into the headwind again and again? Don't quite get it. I think he ruined Kreuziger's effort and all he has of it is nothing. Maybe it was just showboating. Anyway, I think Kreuziger could be mad on him.

Because his name is Alberto Contador....

 

[LaFlorecita]

Roman was riding in SUPPORT of Contador, NOT for his OWN ambitions.

And Roman doesn't mind working for Contador, remember in the ES show about the team Roman wanted to race Pais Vasco for Contador and Riis told him he didn't have to.

 

[ILovecycling]

And Roman doesn't mind working for Contador, remember in the ES show about the team Roman wanted to race Pais Vasco for Contador and Riis told him he didn't have to.

yep,his primary goals are classics

 

[Peter von]

yep,his primary goals are classics

And to see Alberto smile.

 

[Kokoso]

And Roman doesn't mind working for Contador, remember in the ES show about the team Roman wanted to race Pais Vasco for Contador and Riis told him he didn't have to.

Yeah, but then they changed their opinion and said him he'll race Pais Vaco. But that wasn't in front of tv cameras.

 

[peloton]

Yeah, but then they changed their opinion and said him he'll race Pais Vaco. But that wasn't in front of tv cameras.

This race is a very good tune up for the Ardennes, makes sense he is riding it, even in a support role.

The TT will be interesting tomorrow, hopefully AC has a skin suit that fits well

 

[Jelantik]

well, now i'm a little be nervous about ITT for Contador, even though it's a hilly ITT. Last year in a tougher hill with 12% on the last hill, Contador finished more than 1 minutes. Valverde seemed to be very confident that he can take contador on ITT. Otherwise he would have not wasted yesterday's stage.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

I guess this explains why Alberto had only Roman and Rory towards the end when Movistar started to pull

23. MORKOV, Michael
24. HERNANDEZ, Jesus
25. PAULINHO, Sergio
26. HANSEN, Jesper
27. PIRES, Bruno

All DNF, definitely understand why Morkov + Hansen DNF and the others probably because tomorrow is just an ITT.

 

[Jspear]

well, now i'm a little be nervous about ITT for Contador, even though it's a hilly ITT. Last year in a tougher hill with 12% on the last hill, Contador finished more than 1 minutes. Valverde seemed to be very confident that he can take contador on ITT. Otherwise he would have not wasted yesterday's stage.

I believe Contador's form is better than last years race, so hopefully that helps (even though he has yet to show much tt form this year.) I agree with you though- I'm a little nervous as well. At least he will have the advantage of going last....hoping he has a strong ride!