Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Youre two months early.

I think it was Mauduit who said AC is as strong as in 2011. So you might be right

 

[LaFlorecita]

well contador looks to me like in a sunday strolling mode during the climb. but close to the top when froome attacked, he seemed to let other people close the gap. I agree with some of the posters here, the team are a little worrying to me. They aren't even close to last year strength. I hope it's just for today, no need to full throttle yet. Maybe Beltran or CAS would be better than majka?

1 name: Zaugg

 

[Jelantik]

I think it was Mauduit who said AC is as strong as in 2011. So you might be right

if you are right, we shall see the de javu of that posted photo in weeks ahead. I can't wait

 

[rhubroma]

well contador looks to me like in a sunday strolling mode during the climb. but close to the top when froome attacked, he seemed to let other people close the gap. I agree with some of the posters here, the team are a little worrying to me. They aren't even close to last year strength. I hope it's just for today, no need to full throttle yet. Maybe Beltran or CAS would be better than majka?

Only because he went to the front before to test the waters. Froome took the bait...how stupid, and Nibali finished off the Spaniard's work.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Okay that is true anyway these 2s won't matter in the end

agreed Nibalis 10 min victory will make these 2 seconds not count for anything at all

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador should ride the Giro soon. I hope at least.

I hope so too. Hopefully next year Giro-Vuelta.

 

[Marco Pantani]

I think it was Mauduit who said AC is as strong as in 2011. So you might be right

Thought you would finally understand which race I was referring to.
He looked like Plateau de Beille 2011.

Again, I'm not claiming he's going bad in general.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Thought you would finally understand which race I was referring to.
He looked like Plateau de Beille 2011.

Again, I'm not claiming he's going bad in general.

I know what you were on about from the start. Just thought you should have been more specific.

Why do you think I added a winky smiley and later a rolleyes smiley?

 

[Forunculo]

Contador (like Froome) did some little attacks for the show with 2 millions brits on the roads but nothing more.

And more important today was a classic not a mountain stage.

About the team strenght the problem is Majka's form. Today Roman would have been with the front group. I hope he is saving himself for 2nd and 3rd week.

 

[Sciocco]

I hope so too. Hopefully next year Giro-Vuelta.

That would be a dream, especially if it were to be contador vs. quintana in the giro. Sadly, one or both will be at the tour.

 

[Carols]

Team very disappointing today. Alberto didn't look super but neither did he look in trouble. Just testing his legs and his rivals I think. I need to watch the climb again. TS better step it up though or it'll be a rough road for Alberto!

 

[deValtos]

All these rouleurs? There are 3.

I'd put Paulinho with Morkov/Bennati/Tossato. Haven't seen him be a "climber" for a while now, probably cause he can't ...

Add to that Hernandez (seen no good form from him recently) and possibly Majka (form is a big question again) ... if you look at it like that then there's ton of dead weight when the road starts to go uphill.

Infact roche was the most impressive of the lot today, had a technical just before holme moss but finished with the 16 seconds group.

 

[inthepink]

If I want a panic attack I just have to tune into this forum....never have I heard such gnashing of teeth after one stage

Firstly today was a very hard 'classics' type race and suited certain riders...not necessarily all climbers
Secondly while it does point to form it doesn't really tell us anything
3rd I did say earlier that I would have brought Zaugg instead of Majka but maybe Majka is resting and that is a very good idea....no one needs someone up with them at the end of today's stage unless they are planning to win it which wasn't the case I am sure
Things will be different on long mountains stages

What today does tell me is while Froome & Contador mark each other...someone else may sneek in and that may be the biggest threat

 

[inthepink]

P.S. You may be happy Tinkoff Saxo brought the roulers on stage 5

 

[deValtos]

P.S. You may be happy Tinkoff Saxo brought the roulers on stage 5

I won't Not in the AC camp.

Just saying objectively though when the road goes uphill they ain't got too much ...

They best make it count on stage 5 then ...

 

[thehog]

Team very disappointing today. Alberto didn't look super but neither did he look in trouble. Just testing his legs and his rivals I think. I need to watch the climb again. TS better step it up though or it'll be a rough road for Alberto!

What's this 'testing his legs'?

No cyclist tests their legs. It's not something one does.

He was positioning himself to be at the front ready for the decent. As did Froome. Makes perfect sense considering the decent and everyone wanted to be close to Sagan & Nibali.

TA '13 was in everyone's mind today.

 

[Nilsson]

He didn't look all that strong to me, he was grimacing a fair bit, but I believe we have to wait till the real mountains to see what his form is like.

Grimacing is his thing nowadays. When he destroyed Valverde (who was a bit disappointing today) in the Basque Country he was grimacing a lot more.

 

[Jack_89]

. I need to watch the climb again!

eheheh I always do it

However i had the impression that he is limited to control.
I'm sorry, I would have preferred that he felt an attack but so be it.

I hope to do it Saturday in Gerardmer

 

[No_Balls]

Only because he went to the front before to test the waters. Froome took the bait...how stupid, and Nibali finished off the Spaniard's work.

This. They use every opportunity to wear Froome down and force him/Sky to do something stupid. Because Froome does stupid things. Dauphine was very telling in this regard. Nibs was just a bonus.

No need to look at AC's face for signs. They are in control.

 

[AICA ribonucleotide]

To me today it looked like Contador sent all his guys to the back en masse. There was a group of 5 Tinkoffs dropping back at the same time. There's no way they couldnt keep up with the likes of Sagan. The only people who fancied being in the front group were the GC guys and a few who fancied beating Sagan.

Way too much is being made of this.

 

[Sciocco]

To me today it looked like Contador sent all his guys to the back en masse. There was a group of 5 Tinkoffs dropping back at the same time. There's no way they couldnt keep up with the likes of Sagan. The only people who fancied being in the front group were the GC guys and a few who fancied beating Sagan.

Way too much is being made of this.

Yea it is certainly possible Contador decided he was not going to drill it too hard and wanted to be in the lead group today. Send most of the guys back to save energy.

 

[Jack_89]

he just checked, as I thought ...

http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...ome/00031404662812576226820.htm?idioma=galego

Alberto Contador stated that attacked the last port of the second stage of the Tour de France to control his rivals, especially the Briton Chris Froome.

"It was a day superexigentes. The team arroupoume well, there was this much on controlling Froome. That advantage (Vicenzo) Nibali, who had several runners, all level. The others had no friends and no one wanted to sacrifice, "said the runner Tinkoff.

"It was a day that had to be very careful and monitor their opponents. But measuring the forces and I am happy with how it finished, "he added.

Alberto Contador said on stage, despite the nine ports puntuables, "there was no ground to take distances" among the favorites in general and added that "there are many steps to be able to attack." "I feel in top form, I am glad that with the passage of time will improve," said the Madrid.

Contador said the large numbers of people in ditches British are giving a great color to the race, but at the same time represent a point of tension for extra runners. "We are grateful to the people of the road but there is a danger incredible. People apartándonse, other wheelchair, with dogs, ... leaving intact is a victory, "he said.

 

[murali]

He just used up his riders to keep the break in check and to ensure tht the race till the cat 2 climb was together.

He played till the Jenkin road with just rogers and roche.

I am ok with the results. sensible racing today.

 

[Publicus]

I don't an english translation yet, but Contador seems happy with the stage and his form. Said he was trying to stay safe and test his rivals a little.

EDIT: I see I am late to the game.

 

[Alcanelo]

Watching some YT of Contador is getting be hyped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEXJx-7hHeI