Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

I remember reading that the doctor who treated his injury said that he was good to go. And during the team presentation he told 'Perico' that his knee doesn't hurt anymore when riding his bike. Only he knows what he's doing and we'll soon find out the truth.

But he told Matt Stephens earlier that he still feels pain when he goes full gas...

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

But he told Matt Stephens earlier that he still feels pain when he goes full gas...

Yes but he also told the whole crowd in Jerez and those watching on TV the team presentation that he no longer feels any pain when riding his bike (his words).

One does wonder what's true and what's not but Alberto is the only one who knows the true answer.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yes but he also told the whole crowd in Jerez and those watching on TV the team presentation that he no longer feels any pain when riding his bike (his words).

One does wonder what's true and what's not but Alberto is the only one who knows the true answer.

I'm more inclined to believe what he told Matt.... hmm

 

[sir fly]

Yes but he also told the whole crowd in Jerez and those watching on TV the team presentation that he no longer feels any pain when riding his bike (his words).

One does wonder what's true and what's not but Alberto is the only one who knows the true answer.

The truth is that when he announced the participation - stage hunting was the goal.
Now, he's saying that he'll try to pass the first week without losing the time, and see how the things go from there.
He's targeting the overall.

 

[Red Rick]

About that GCN interview, quite sad to see Alberto has finally given in and named someone else than Armstrong as his idol.

He named Pantani?

Not that surprising, Contador was called Pantani by his friends during his earliest years because of his climbing talent

 

[LaFlorecita]

He named Pantani?

Not that surprising, Contador was called Pantani by his friends during his earliest years because of his climbing talent

Yep! quite cool

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

I'm more inclined to believe what he told Matt.... hmm

And that's fair. I still don't know what to believe really - does it hurt? does it not hurt? - and like I said, we'll just have to find out

The truth is that when he announced the participation - stage hunting was the goal.
Now, he's saying that he'll try to pass the first week without losing the time, and see how the things go from there.
He's targeting the overall.

Yes, although the circumstances are different this time around, if Alberto starts a GT/stage race; then Alberto will most definitely target the overall and the win.

 

[No_Balls]

We will have the first answer tomorrow boys and gals. A flat out TTT over a highly technical route will put the leg to a test - although it is not that long.

What is clear is that he continues to leave contradicitionary statements in order to cast a doubt of in what sort of condition he is in. Tomorrow will possibly give us some hints.

 

[Carols]

Why do his statements need to be labeled contradictory? When he was riding with the GCN guy it hurt. Today in his training ride it didn't hurt. Why can't both be true?

I honestly believe the man has no idea how it will react in race conditions, it is a day by day thing. Tomorrow we will find out more.

I just hope he doesn't damage it further and hamper himself long term. What is obvious is that the man really wants to ride his bike. Sitting at home watching bike races was dreadful for him.

 

[Jelantik]

He's got a boss who will tweet an earful if he doesn't start. From how he desribed the injury in this article, I don't think he's physically ready to do the Vuelta; only time will tell if he can keep up.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-names-froome-as-favourite-for-vuelta-a-espana-victory

I'm incline to agree with you. Might be the pressure of the boss. He got paid 4 mil, with only one GT win so far in his contract (well TBD 2014 Vuelta and next year). Or it might pressure from himself. But his explanation isn't really comforting either. Time will tell, I hope it was a wise decision.

 

[SeriousSam]

I don't think Tinkoff pressuring him is the reason Contador is riding. He was bitterly disappointed with his crash in the Tour and faced the possibility that month would be all for naught. He's also not getting any younger and won't have that many more chances to win a GC, so has to take every chance he gets.

He's hoping he can get something out of all the hard work he did for the Tour so that 2014 isn't a complete failure.

The bookmakers give him around 10% for the overall victory which suggests that his preparation for the Vuelta is significantly worse than Froome's (they were considered roughly equally strong from the Dauphine up to their Tour exits)

 

[Rollthedice]

I'm incline to agree with you. Might be the pressure of the boss. He got paid 4 mil, with only one GT win so far in his contract (well TBD 2014 Vuelta and next year). Or it might pressure from himself. But his explanation isn't really comforting either. Time will tell, I hope it was a wise decision.

Mind games. On the other hand it sure is pressure. If he doesn't win it's another lost year in terms of GTs which doesn't bode well with Oleg's temperament.

 

[Jelantik]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97VvVAsM5u0&list=UUuTaETsuCOkJ0H_GAztWt0Q

great video indeed. I wish Alberto speaks english more. His english is good!!! The pain explanation is a little worrisome for me. But he does look lean. Boy, I have to say it's great to see him on the bike so soon.

 

[Jelantik]

And that's fair. I still don't know what to believe really - does it hurt? does it not hurt? - and like I said, we'll just have to find out
.

exactly. The road will tell us. Maybe as early as the first stage.

 

[Jelantik]

here we go from the horses mouth. No wonder he is so relax. He doesn't after the GC. Prefer wait and see.

http://us3.campaign-archive1.com/?u=ec3e8e1740086f503f9ba786b&id=b2167fad51&e=b51ed284f5


From what he said in the video (see miburo post), I was wondering, if the doctor would have opened up his wound and take out the stone a little earlier, he probably would have healed a lot sooner? Too bad they didn't know it, until 10 days later. He said, 6 days after the doctor reopened the wound, he was on the bike.

 

[Carols]

He's hoping he can get something out of all the hard work he did for the Tour so that 2014 isn't a complete failure.

I guess only a rider of Alberto's caliber can have his season considered a complete failure after winning 2 WT stage races and coming second in two others while still remaining in second place in the WT standings. Yikes what a failure!

 

[Jack_89]

Vuelta's nightmare this night

Stage in La Zubia finishes with Quintana first followed by Purito. To 10s Froome and another.
But the real nightmare is that Aberto arrives in 4 minutes

 

[jens_attacks]

^ holy shiit. one minute for every km of climbing

usually during a grand tour i have dreams about the next stages too. i will keep this thread updated i remember now a dream where i was cheering cancellara (he's not even in vuelta is he?) on the road on some paves in spain, in the desert. i think because i've read some news that there is a cobble stage in this vuelta? andoquines or how they called them not sure...

 

[murali]

I guess only a rider of Alberto's caliber can have his season considered a complete failure after winning 2 WT stage races and coming second in two others while still remaining in second place in the WT standings. Yikes what a failure!

Some people have a lofty idea of what Bertie should do to have a good season, they invariably focus on one lousy race called Tour. Tour, at least in the past decade, is only good for watching forts, towers and vineyards.

It is totally nonsensical to gauge AC by one measure and the rest by a different measure.

 

[peloton]

He's hoping he can get something out of all the hard work he did for the Tour so that 2014 isn't a complete failure.

Seriously Sam?

 

[BlurryVII]

Vuelta's nightmare this night

Stage in La Zubia finishes with Quintana first followed by Purito. To 10s Froome and another.
But the real nightmare is that Aberto arrives in 4 minutes

aaahhh another nightmare, we already had florrie (I think or someone else) and Alberto himself who dreamed before the tour that he was hurt!

This is a curse

 

[ILovecycling]

Hi all,bit of uninformed last few days,but I see this thread is enough to inform me. I looking forward to see our champion on the road later today,and hope he won't lose too much time to his rivals + race pain free.

 

[ILovecycling]

aaahhh another nightmare, we already had florrie (I think or someone else) and Alberto himself who dreamed before the tour that he was hurt!

This is a curse

it was jens iirc

 

[LaFlorecita]

it was jens iirc

Yes it was Jens and also Kwibus (and Alberto himself)

 

[ILovecycling]

Armstrong. I do not take seriously a list that includes a rider who has no GT wins to his name.

Contador has won 5 GTs. Merckx, Hinault, Anquetil, Coppi and Indurian have won more than 5 so that is 5 riders who have won more GTs than Contador. Another 3, Bartali, Binda and Gimondi have also won 5. I would certainly ranked Bartali higher than Contador as he lost some of his career due to the second world war.

When you start discussing facts then I will take you more seriously.

Ohh wait,then there has to be some kind of mistake I see 7.