Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Akuryo]

I have always said here Contador will be at La Vuelta and with a food condition.
I am happy to be right becouse is important for the race.

He has now the excuse if he cant be on the podium, it s what he was looking for, but he has been training one month before the Vuelta and he is more fresh than people as Valverde, that is for me the reality

Well, it is confirmed that he will be there. His condition on the other hand ... we will see about that one. I doubt, he can go for more than a stage in the last week. But I would be happy, if I'm wrong.

 

[Jack_89]

There were too many clues that suggested good for the ride. and now that he will only run to win and and evidently feels himself to be in good shape to do it. Come ob Berto , we are all with you

QUOTE=Miburo;1549246]The knee bandage is all a trick, he's ready lol

Anyway give credit to the guy on twitter who said AC was training, he clearly wans't lying.

I don't believe he's gonna go just for a stage win, if he had that form he wouldn't ride the vuelta.[/QUOTE]

Agree.

 

[LaFlorecita]

vamos albertooo!

nice

info:

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/alberto-contador-will-ride-vuelta-espana/

 

[The Hitch]

This ****ing guy.

 

[Alcanelo]

This is remarkable....absolutely incredible.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

1st
Compare & contrast Andy Schleck

2nd
I guess he is going so to give the Vuelta organiser's a boost
- he'd promised them he'd be there earlier in season.

I'd say: Don't expect anything other than a passerella...

 

[Taxus4a]

Well, it is confirmed that he will be there. His condition on the other hand ... we will see about that one. I doubt, he can go for more than a stage in the last week. But I would be happy, if I'm wrong.

Hello

What do you think if he is with the best, I mean, he can lose time with Purito or anothers, but in the top ten of this stage?

http://www.lavuelta.com/14pr/es/recorrido/index.html?e=6

It is the first week, I understand by your words he should improve in the last week...so if he is close to the rest of favourites in that stage, he must be ay the end of La Vuelta in his best condition, musnt he?

 

[Arredondo]

I don't know if it's clever to start. But Alberto knows his body the best (i hope).

What is possible too, is that the injury wasn't that bad as they suggest. But fighting for GC? Looks quite impossible to me. So fighting for a stage win in the 3rd week, what his goal is, looks more clear to me.

 

[Red Rick]

This is the man that rode the fastest ascent of the Col du Platserwasel with a broken leg

 

[Miburo]

This ****ing guy.

He hasn't lost his heart hitch, last year was a fluke.

And normally he can't do anything but the rumor is that he's already on his bike for 20 days, i don't believe that he's just able to ride without pain.

Think about it, it doesn't make any sense. Yesterday is the first day he can do it? Why announce it now? Why not wait a few days to see how it'll develop? Making this whole big announcement after 1 day without pain? That's plain stupid, what if he has pain again tomorrow?

No way, i don't buy that, it doesn't make any sense. He's here for GC.

 

[inthepink]

On reflection I am wondering if it is a good idea for Contador to ride the Vuelta ...that was/is a very serious injury and wonder if he should put pressure on it...Wonder alos if Tinkoff is pushing him


Maybe if he just sits at the back for the first 10 days (like Majka in the Tour) and loses lots of time (wonder if he can do this given his will to win)
Then he could also come out in the final week and win stages ...that would be spectacular result given his injury

 

[BYOP88]

Gutsy move by DB.

 

[R0BL4MBT0N]

I think it's a good decision for next year's build up. People say its good to have a grand tour in your legs per season if you want to be competitive in them in the next. I doubt he'll be given a lot of freedom though so chasing stage wins might be difficult, but it is contador so he'll probably just ride everyone off his heel at some point especially if he spends the rest of the time taking it easy like majka in the tour

 

[Publicus]

Given Tinkoff Saxo's and Contador's press agent's duplicity on whether he would ride the Vuekta, I'm sure the "he's not riding for GC" is all about managing expectations. Looking at the video and photos, he's incredibly thin/fit and happy. I'm looking forward to this Vuelta. Should be very entertaining.

This is reason #4,897 that I'm a Contador fan.

Edit: this line from the cycling tips article a few days/week ago is interesting:

“He doesn’t want to be at the Vuelta just to be there.”

 

[Carols]

Well that is some news I woke up to! He sits there with a bandaged knee saying he'll ride a GT. Pure Guts and Class that one! Hopefully he finds enough form by the end of the race to garner a stage win.

Personally it will be painful watching him not ride for a podium but he wants to ride so Ride On Alberto!!!! Even if Somehow he comes good enough to try and win the thing his team is weak, and a fit and on form Frooome and Nairo are formidable foes even at 100%.

Whatever happens he is a Legend for starting!!!!

 

[sir fly]

I think it's a good decision for next year's build up. People say its good to have a grand tour in your legs per season if you want to be competitive in them in the next. I doubt he'll be given a lot of freedom though so chasing stage wins might be difficult, but it is contador so he'll probably just ride everyone off his heel at some point especially if he spends the rest of the time taking it easy like majka in the tour

I agree about the importance of riding a GT per season and about Contador's freedom.
But, anyway, I think the stage hunting story is just a cautious approach to the race. If everything goes well, and he stays in the mix after the first set of challenges - the better... He's surpassed his initial ambitions, proved greatness, satisfied fans over their expectations. If not - O.K. again... nothing surprising, everything according to plan. An approach which should release him of pressure.
And speaking about his freedom, again, I think he'll be forced to earn the stage win(s) in the battle against the best. Can't see anyone willing to let him in a breakaway. Purely because of vanity and psychological warfare.

 

[jens_attacks]

good grace, i already have to prepare for that first climb to cordoba, alto de 14%.

 

[Futuroscope]

This guy is crazy. I really hope he doesn't cause any chronic problems. And I hope he is good enough shape to win because otherwise it's going to be frustating seeing him get dropped by Quintana and Froome. I don't believe that he will only go for stages.

 

[Miburo]

Contador looks skinny as **** btw, don't think he gained much if any weight.

 

[trevim]

Alberto is awesome and now I can finally say I'm all hyped for the Vuelta, a race that I wasn't particularly looking forward to. I don't expect him to be competitive GC wise or even stage hunting, although his sprint skills are f**** awesome I would be happy if he can go through without crashes while building his form to take some Italian Fall classic later in the season. Lombardia+Emillia look great to me!

 

[senatorrick]

Well that is some news I woke up to! He sits there with a bandaged knee saying he'll ride a GT. Pure Guts and Class that one! Hopefully he finds enough form by the end of the race to garner a stage win.

Personally it will be painful watching him not ride for a podium but he wants to ride so Ride On Alberto!!!! Even if Somehow he comes good enough to try and win the thing his team is weak, and a fit and on form Frooome and Nairo are formidable foes even at 100%.

Whatever happens he is a Legend for starting!!!!

Yes he love to race! Has a lot of heart, good attitude and if he really feels good we will see him fighting for the podium for sure

 

[No_Balls]

Given Tinkoff Saxo's and Contador's press agent's duplicity on whether he would ride the Vuekta, I'm sure the "he's not riding for GC" is all about managing expectations. Looking at the video and photos, he's incredibly thin/fit and happy. I'm looking forward to this Vuelta. Should be very entertaining.

Yes. This. He'll sitting there with the broadest smile since a very long time and looking razor thin and sharp. I really dont care if he loses or win but am just happy to seem him ride. But contenders should take a long look in what kind of condition he is in - there might be room for surprises here and there.

 

[HappyLoser]

I can't believe it, he's got only 1.5 week left.

Come on AC!

 

[murali]

Yes he love to race! Has a lot of heart, good attitude and if he really feels good we will see him fighting for the podium for sure

He said he is going for stagewins in the later part of race.
anything else is a bonus.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Contador looks skinny as **** btw, don't think he gained much if any weight.

Its relatively easy to keep your weight, if you are strict with your diet while being injured. Muscle mass on the other hand could be a problem