Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Nilsson]

I don't know if everyone notice. Looks like, the rest of TS boys start producing good results starting this second part of the season. Start with Rogers 2 stages win and Majka 6th in the Giro. Now, Matti with overall, 2 stages win and morkov 3rd overall, Team classification at Tour Luxembourg. Looks like everyone coming to a good form.

Yeah, except the guys around Contador, the Iberian express, though. I hope they can show something in the coming, because they have been rather below-par so far this season.

 

[Butterhead]

I don't know if everyone notice. Looks like, the rest of TS boys start producing good results starting this second part of the season. Start with Rogers 2 stages win and Majka 6th in the Giro. Now, Matti with overall, 2 stages win and morkov 3rd overall, Team classification at Tour Luxembourg. Looks like everyone coming to a good form. I would love to see Contador win one of the mountain stage in Dauphene. (since I know he doesn't really target winning overall)

Both yes and no...
Some are showing awesomeness, but the likes of Tosatto and Bena havent showed anything so far, and I am glad im not the one to set the team...

Morkov should definitely have a seat, Matti...hmmm I would love to see him, at his best he can do some good support on the shorter climbs too, the cobbles are obvious, and the flat.

But that would leave a tour team something like this:

1. Alberto
2. Bena.
3. Morkov
4. Matti
5. Tosatto
6. Rogers
7. Kreuziger
8. Paulinho
9. Jesus

Its a strong team, but I would prefer another climber instead of Tosatto, Rory would be a good choice, and I would be happy with that team.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Rory instead of Michael.

 

[jens_attacks]

very good performance, the strongest alberto seem to be back! le tour will be fantastic with the great one at 148%

 

[webvan]

Yep, nice ITT, now let's see what tomorrow brings...

 

[Nilsson]

Rory instead of Michael.

I like Rory, but Morkov will be an important rider. If only Bertie would allow to replace Jesus and Paulinho, who haven't performed this year and are kind of in decline for a while now, it would create more options. Maybe Oleg can bring/force some 'enlightment', because Bjarne clearly can't (even chubby Benjamin was a certainty).

Jesus can be an awesome roomie without actually taking part in the race, right? Let him do his thing outside of the race and, for instance, the recon in front of the race each day and brief Alberto, who he knows by heart, what the gameplan is.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I like Rory, but Morkov will be an important rider.

With Tosatto, Bennati and Breschel they'd have 3 flat domestiques, 2 allround with Sutherland and Rogers, and three climbers (Kreuziger, Hernandez and Paulinho). 4 flat doms seems a bit of an overkill. I'd prefer another allrounder like Sutherland.

If only Bertie would allow to replace Jesus and Paulinho, who haven't performed this year and are kind of in decline for a while now, it would create more options. Maybe Oleg can bring/force some 'enlightment', because Bjarne clearly can't (even chubby Benjamin was a certainty).

Paulinho and especially Hernandez are vital for Contador feeling well. Besides that, Paulinho was a beast at la Vuelta 2012 during the Fuente De stage, and as someone on Velorooms pointed out to me, Hernandez is a great climber and actually finished together with Kreuziger (top 10) on the last MTF of last year's Tour.

Jesus can be an awesome roomie without actually taking part in the race, right? Let him do his thing outside of the race and, for instance, the recon in front of the race each day and brief Alberto, who he knows by heart, what the gameplan is.

They're never going to take Hernandez to the race as dead weight. He is either going there to race, or he's not going at all.

 

[murali]

I don't know if everyone notice. Looks like, the rest of TS boys start producing good results starting this second part of the season.

I think saxo guys were relying too much on the points earned by AC earlier. It was as if AC was carrying the entire weight of team on his shoulders.
The demand for others to perform seems to be a shift in the team focus.

If u ask me, this is very good for AC. When he is not the only bread-winner, he can pick and choose what he wants instead of being forced to do what is needed to survive.

 

[therealtimshady]

No nico Roche??

 

[murali]

With Tosatto, Bennati and Breschel they'd have 3 flat domestiques, 2 allround with Sutherland and Rogers, and three climbers (Kreuziger, Hernandez and Paulinho). 4 flat doms seems a bit of an overkill. I'd prefer another allrounder like Sutherland.



Paulinho and especially Hernandez are vital for Contador feeling well. Besides that, Paulinho was a beast at la Vuelta 2012 during the Fuente De stage, and as someone on Velorooms pointed out to me, Hernandez is a great climber and actually finished together with Kreuziger (top 10) on the last MTF of last year's Tour.

i think you like 3-2-3 a lot
Thing with Paulinho and Hernandez is that they are the main guys who can be with Berto in every stage. Rogers adds weight to their effort, not the other way around. They are also the guys who ensure tht they lose time so tht GC guys dont care much abt them in any break.

With Rogers and Roche, ppl expect them to be GC riders or stage hunters even if that's not their role.

 

[Netserk]

So Paulinho is a climber, while Rogers is an all-rounder?

Imo so far the most likely riders to participate ranked:

Contador
Kreuziger
Rogers
Roche
Bennati
Tosatto
Hernandez
Paulinho
Moerkoev
Breschel
Sutherland
Soerensen

 

[murali]

So Paulinho is a climber, while Rogers is an all-rounder?

Imo so far the most likely riders to participate ranked:

Contador
Kreuziger
Rogers
Roche
Bennati
Tosatto
Hernandez
Paulinho
Moerkoev
Breschel
Sutherland
Soerensen

CAS. he had left Giro midway.

 

[Netserk]

CAS. he had left Giro midway.

No chance. At all.

 

[Kokoso]

So Paulinho is a climber, while Rogers is an all-rounder?

Imo so far the most likely riders to participate ranked:

Contador
Kreuziger
Rogers
Roche
Bennati
Tosatto
Hernandez
Paulinho
Moerkoev
Breschel
Sutherland
Soerensen

That makes tvelwe. Impossible. Only if some participate as cooks, psychologist or whatever - then the race would be lost but. My nine of black (and yellow) riders is at the moment:

Contador
Kreuziger
Rogers
Bennati
Tosatto
Hernandez
Paulinho
Moerkoev
Sutherland

 

[murali]

That makes tvelwe. Impossible. Only if some participate as cooks, psychologist or whatever - then the race would be lost but. My nine of black (and yellow) riders is at the moment:

Contador
Kreuziger
Rogers
Bennati
Tosatto
Hernandez
Paulinho
Moerkoev
Sutherland

I thought Roche did Giro so that he can peak for TdF.

 

[Netserk]

That makes tvelwe. Impossible.

Duh. I ranked them after how likely it would be for them to be selected. It was never meant as to say which nine riders the team should select. The reason the rest of the squad isn't on the list, is because I don't think anyone else has a chance (barring injuries).

 

[Kokoso]

I think saxo guys were relying too much on the points earned by AC earlier. It was as if AC was carrying the entire weight of team on his shoulders.

Looks like you are forgetting Kreuziger. He seems to understand the need of earning points and is decent as ever.

 

[LaFlorecita]

That makes tvelwe. Impossible. Only if some participate as cooks, psychologist or whatever - then the race would be lost but. My nine of black (and yellow) riders is at the moment:

Contador
Kreuziger
Rogers
Bennati
Tosatto
Hernandez
Paulinho
Moerkoev
Sutherland

This is the team I'd go for, maybe Matti in for M

 

[christopherrowe]

Not for Le Tour, obviously, but looking at Tinkoff - Saxo's roster in conjunction with reading this thread makes me idly wonder when the young Danes Michael Valgren Andersen and Jesper Hansen are going to get their first GT call-ups. They've both been going pretty well this year.

 

[ILovecycling]

Very good performance by Alberto today.Froome in some crazy form tho.Still best from 2011.(AC)
I expect AC to hold Froome's wheel easily tomorrow (maybe a loss in final sprint etc) and little attack on penultimate stage.
Alberto looks good.Tour will be good,I know it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

So Paulinho is a climber, while Rogers is an all-rounder?

Uhm yes. Rogers is way more useful on the flat than Paulinho. That I ranked him as allround and Paulinho as a climber doesn't mean I think Paulinho is a better climber.

 

[ILovecycling]

..snapped..
Contador
Kreuziger
Rogers
Bennati
Tosatto
Hernandez
Paulinho
Moerkoev
Sutherland

Very good pick from you,thats my ideal roster too.

 

[jaylew]

I definitely think Breschel will be there. In great form and the best cobbles rider they have.

 

[murali]

Uhm yes. Rogers is way more useful on the flat than Paulinho. That I ranked him as allround and Paulinho as a climber doesn't mean I think Paulinho is a better climber.

imho, there is nothing to choose between them in a MTF.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Cool interview

http://www.marca.com/2014/06/08/ciclismo/1402251559.html

"What do you think about Michelle Cound's tweets?"

"They don't deserve any kind of comment".