Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[arvc40]

Everyone is saying how good Alberto's TT was but people don't seem to remember that he was 2nd in 17th stage of Tour 2013, with a really similar profile:

1.- FROOME Chris - Sky Procycling - 51:33
2.- CONTADOR Alberto - Team Saxo - Tinkoff - 9
3.- RODRIGUEZ Joaquin - Katusha Team - 10

Obviously he has improved his climbing from the last year but no way this ITT is a good way to compare his ITT recovery.

Yes and now he's stronger !

 

[robertocarlos]

Is it the yellow kit or Alberto's quads look a bit better than in years past? Is it just the color that makes then look bigger?

As far as Chris being the favorite we know that the TDF is a race where momentum matters and i have not seen that much from Froome this year. Meanwhile Alberto has turned the clock. Froome is a better tt rider and my money would be on him if the race was only that a time trial, but the TDF is a stage race and if Alberto manages the race well he will cone or on top. I other words I do not think that Froome will have the legs to make that much of a gap on the tt.

 

[The Hitch]

Everyone is saying how good Alberto's TT was but people don't seem to remember that he was 2nd in 17th stage of Tour 2013, with a really similar profile:

1.- FROOME Chris - Sky Procycling - 51:33
2.- CONTADOR Alberto - Team Saxo - Tinkoff - 9
3.- RODRIGUEZ Joaquin - Katusha Team - 10

Obviously he has improved his climbing from the last year but no way this ITT is a good way to compare his ITT recovery.

Probably would have won if he/saxo didn't totally **** up tactically and not change bikes at the top of the climb like everyone else did. Think he admitted that himself at the end.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Is it the yellow kit or Alberto's quads look a bit better than in years past? Is it just the color that makes then look bigger?

As far as Chris being the favorite we know that the TDF is a race where momentum matters and i have not seen that much from Froome this year. Meanwhile Alberto has turned the clock. Froome is a better tt rider and my money would be on him if the race was only that a time trial, but the TDF is a stage race and if Alberto manages the race well he will cone or on top. I other words I do not think that Froome will have the legs to make that much of a gap on the tt.

I think the reason the quads looks bigger is that he is slimmer then last year.

 

[arvc40]

I think the reason the quads looks bigger is that he is slimmer then last year.

low body fat will certainly give the impression of more size. You are 100% spot on.

 

[Siriuscat]

Thought i'd say hi.... been away!! I note Fleur is keeping everyone on their toes and wheres Airstream??????

Bert looking pretty damn good this year July could be fun!!

 

[Arkaitz]

Probably would have won if he/saxo didn't totally **** up tactically and not change bikes at the top of the climb like everyone else did. Think he admitted that himself at the end.

Yes, they should have changed strategy as they had enough time to check if the other riders were faster in the second part of the stage with the TT bike.

 

[BigMac]

Seems like Alberto won't be doing the Ardennes. Wise choice.

Thought i'd say hi.... been away!! I note Fleur is keeping everyone on their toes and wheres Airstream??????

Bert looking pretty damn good this year July could be fun!!

Perma banned I think.

 

[Carols]

Alberto in Compiegne today to ride the stage 5 cobble sectors

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/04/news/cobbles-inspection-contador-ardennes_324074

 

[Miburo]

Alberto in Compiegne today to ride the stage 5 cobble sectors

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/04/news/cobbles-inspection-contador-ardennes_324074

Contador needs to go all out on that stage and try to take time on Froome.

Iirc Contador could have done even better on that stage but the crash of FS delayed him and at the end he had a puncture.

He's pretty good on the cobbles especially knowing his form was a bit shady in that tour.

 

[robertocarlos]

Wasn't it more of a broken spoke?

 

[Angliru]

Wasn't it more of a broken spoke?

That's what I recall. Caused his rear wheel to rub on the brakes. He lost a minute or so after being with the lead group including Cancellara, Frank and Andy just prior to Frank taking one for the team and crashing in front of Contador.

 

[Miburo]

That's what I recall. Caused his rear wheel to rub on the brakes. He lost a minute or so after being with the lead group including Cancellara, Frank and Andy just prior to Frank taking one for the team and crashing in front of Contador.

That's what it was. I find it funny when people are crying that contador wouldn't have won the tour cause of chaingate when ASO stole 20 seconds from him in that stage since he should have had the same time as the vino group.

Of course journalists forgot that

 

[analogue17]

That's what it was. I find it funny when people are crying that contador wouldn't have won the tour cause of chaingate when ASO stole 20 seconds from him in that stage since he should have had the same time as the vino group.

That accident on the cobbled stage obviously made Contador to make mistakes and get rattled later on in the race. No?

 

[peloton]

That's what it was. I find it funny when people are crying that contador wouldn't have won the tour cause of chaingate when ASO stole 20 seconds from him in that stage since he should have had the same time as the vino group.

Of course journalists forgot that

Don't forget the stage that was cancelled as well...

 

[Angliru]

That accident on the cobbled stage obviously made Contador to make mistakes and get rattled later on in the race. No?

I'm not sure what you mean. What mistakes and how was he rattled? He just didn't seem to have the same form from 2009 but of course he was likely a tad more motivated in too with Armstrong rejoining Bruyneel and making things as difficult as possible for Contador.

 

[T-Nielsen]

That's what I recall. Caused his rear wheel to rub on the brakes. He lost a minute or so after being with the lead group including Cancellara, Frank and Andy just prior to Frank taking one for the team and crashing in front of Contador.

It was actually Tony Martin that crashed infront of Frankie "The Faller" Schleck but I will admit, it is not as good a story.

 

[Angliru]

It was actually Tony Martin that crashed infront of Frankie "The Faller" Schleck but I will admit, it is not as good a story.

We all know that Frank saw Martin's crash as his chance to take out the opposition!

 

[T-Nielsen]

We all know that Frank saw Martin's crash as his chance to take out the opposition!

Hehe. I will buy that.

 

[analogue17]

I'm not sure what you mean. What mistakes and how was he rattled? He just didn't seem to have the same form from 2009 but of course he was likely a tad more motivated in too with Armstrong rejoining Bruyneel and making things as difficult as possible for Contador.

If he hadn't had bad luck on the cobbles, he would probably have been able to win the Tour without 'help' of chaingate and subsequent scandal. If he really thought he would win the Tour without chaingate as Miburo said he wouldn't have used the opportunity to take those 20 seconds. Is it logical?

 

[LaFlorecita]

If he hadn't had bad luck on the cobbles, he would probably have been able to win the Tour without 'help' of chaingate and subsequent scandal. If he really thought he would win the Tour without chaingate as Miburo said he wouldn't have used the opportunity to take those 20 seconds. Is it logical?

No it isn't.

 

[Miburo]

If he hadn't had bad luck on the cobbles, he would probably have been able to win the Tour without 'help' of chaingate and subsequent scandal. If he really thought he would win the Tour without chaingate as Miburo said he wouldn't have used the opportunity to take those 20 seconds. Is it logical?

You don't make any ****ing sense. Completely missed the point.

 

[analogue17]

You don't make any ****ing sense. Completely missed the point.

Strictly speaking, you offer to take away lost 1', remain the rest part of the race unchanged to show inevitability of Alberto's victory. OK. That's right to some degree.

 

[Angliru]

If he hadn't had bad luck on the cobbles, he would probably have been able to win the Tour without 'help' of chaingate and subsequent scandal. If he really thought he would win the Tour without chaingate as Miburo said he wouldn't have used the opportunity to take those 20 seconds. Is it logical?

He still would have responded to Andy's fumbled attack and he still was within his rights to continue riding while Andy was coasting to a stop, befuddled as to what had happened. Yellow jersey or no, as Hesjedal stated so eloquently: "Drop your sword in the midst of battle and you die."

 

[Miburo]

Be Afraid. LoL that's De Jongh xD

Contador said that the strokes are harder than the ones in 2010. I honestly think this will be the best stage in the tour. That stage in the tour 2010 was really good and intense