Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[T-Nielsen]

What do you think of Saxo Tinkoff? Team didn't look bad on monday in general and Hernández looked like he was in super shape.

Given the terrain left they look ok. The way Sky is/was/probably will be riding will also help alot.

The problem is if they start attacking far out, but the best stages for that has passed.

The one part were TS looks really good is if someone try a sidewind attack. With Bennati and Tossatto they will be able to keep Contador in position.

 

[Carols]

Wiggins speaks:
The 34-year-old Wiggins knew that the stage three summit finish on the Tumble would be more about minimising losses than anything else, with an eye to making up the deficit in the time trial on Sunday. “I didn't have many options really. I'm not Contador. So it was just a case of sticking to my own game plan really rather than trying to go for heroics at the bottom and paying the price."

LOL he sure isn't! Interesting he named Contador instead of his teammate. Even Wiggo knows which one is better

 

[TANK91]

Wiggins speaks:
The 34-year-old Wiggins knew that the stage three summit finish on the Tumble would be more about minimising losses than anything else, with an eye to making up the deficit in the time trial on Sunday. “I didn't have many options really. I'm not Contador. So it was just a case of sticking to my own game plan really rather than trying to go for heroics at the bottom and paying the price."

LOL he sure isn't! Interesting he named Contador instead of hie teammate. Even Wiggo knows which one is better

Fact is Contador as never been scared as much as he is with Froome you can see the fear, the guy was probably like wtf i can hold his wheel haha. His head his on recoil every stage where is Froome where is Froome.

 

[Angliru]

From AS, google translate


Turns out I was right about everything, oh how much you can achieve by simply doing some research and using your brain

Even with that detailed info folks will believe what they want to believe. The facts don't fit into their agenda.

 

[hrotha]

Even with that detailed info folks will believe what they want to believe. The facts don't fit into their agenda.

Because that interview couldn't be part of the propaganda?

Purito made an excellent point about the media and selling the myth.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Because that interview couldn't be part of the propaganda?

Purito made an excellent point about the media and selling the myth.

Of course it could be.

But the fact that I came to pretty much the correct conclusion about Alberto's injury (i.e. the Dr says exactly what I've been saying all along), simply by putting bits of info and research together, shows that it could very well be true.

 

[Carols]

Even with that detailed info folks will believe what they want to believe. The facts don't fit into their agenda.

Indeed, there is no convincing a cynic. Most people attribute other peoples behavior to the way 'they' would act regardless of the truth or facts.

 

[Angliru]

Because that interview couldn't be part of the propaganda?

Purito made an excellent point about the media and selling the myth.

If this is an authentic quote from the attending doctor what would this individual have to gain compared to the loss in credibility should the supposed truth come out?

 

[Jelantik]

Translation is a bit messed up but is OK hahaha

What a recovery... Alberto is like Wolverine haha (I know bad joke)

The important part after the recovery was that Alberto could get on the bike although He still had problems to walk normally... I'm pretty sure that AC has a pain threshold really high and even if he had some pain while being on the bike He could handle it

i think the key might be when they took out the stone out of the wound. That might be the one that causing him infection for 10 days? isn't that he was on the the bike on the 6th days after his wound was reopened?

Also I'm not quite understanding the fuss about whether he trained earlier or not. He was injured that the fact and he was the one who endured the pain all this time. The point is his resilient and his stubbornness that put him to where he was regardless whether or not he was on the bike after the crash of some weeks later. If he has a choice, he would have came to vuelta with tip top shape and demolish everyone with his TDF form. (but so far he wasn't). It just shows what type of fighter he is. (not like you know who.. start with a end with s). It took some mental strength and perseverance to do what he did. It makes me respect him more. He is one of the kind stage racer.

 

[BlurryVII]

Fact is Contador as never been scared as much as he is with Froome you can see the fear, the guy was probably like wtf i can hold his wheel haha. His head his on recoil every stage where is Froome where is Froome.

Which fear? From last year? You guys are gonna have to get over 2013, that year doesn't mean anything as far as Contador is concerned.
He was in his worst form ever, by far (even dropped by Mollema on AX3, by Nieve on mont ventoux and so on) while froome was in his prime (still beaten by Quintana & Rodriguez in the 3rd week).
It's just like putting Froome at his 2nd - 3rd week Vuelta 12' level against Contador Tour 2009. See how funny it is?

That was an off year, as simple as that. He was on the rampage since 2007, give him a break. He is better than him in equal form.

 

[CrazyCanuck]

Which fear? From last year? You guys are gonna have to get over 2013, that year doesn't mean anything as far as Contador is concerned.
He was in his worst form ever, by far (even dropped by Mollema on AX3, by Nieve on mont ventoux and so on) while froome was in his prime (still beaten by Quintana & Rodriguez in the 3rd week).
It's just like putting Froome at his 2nd - 3rd week Vuelta 12' level against Contador Tour 2009. See how funny it is?

That was an off year, as simple as that. He was on the rampage since 2007, give him a break. He is better than him in equal form.

I am assuming... 2013 probably means a lot to him. It will act more as a reminder/lesson learn. Obviously I don't know him but people at the top tend not to dwell much on the past success but more on how to improve and how to overcome prior set back. That's what keep them at the top of their sport.

 

[ILovecycling]

I am assuming... 2013 probably means a lot to him. It will act more as a reminder/lesson learn. Obviously I don't know him but people at the top tend not to dwell much on the past success but more on how to improve and how to overcome prior set back. That's what keep them at the top of their sport.

Very good post,agree.

 

[BlurryVII]

I am assuming... 2013 probably means a lot to him. It will act more as a reminder/lesson learn.

Definetely, that's exactly my opinion as well but I've seen way too many socalled "cycling fans" underestimating Contador since last year, or thinking Froome is god or whatever. Some have their cycling hierarchy in their mind entirely based on what happened at the Tour 13'.

 

[Jelantik]

I am assuming... 2013 probably means a lot to him. It will act more as a reminder/lesson learn. Obviously I don't know him but people at the top tend not to dwell much on the past success but more on how to improve and how to overcome prior set back. That's what keep them at the top of their sport.

agreed.

I don't think it's a fear of 'holly crap".. wet on his pants kinda thing... but more respect to the strength of Froome. That's why contador won so many GT probably because he always acknowledges and respects the strength of his adversary and learns from the past performance to improve. And never underestimates them even if they are down by 1 minutes. This past two weeks, it's the proof that you never count out Froome.

 

[bigcog]

Fact is Contador as never been scared as much as he is with Froome you can see the fear, the guy was probably like wtf i can hold his wheel haha. His head his on recoil every stage where is Froome where is Froome.

You're not wrong He looks petrified every time Froome moves forward Great to watch the pair of them.

 

[bigcog]

Which fear? From last year? You guys are gonna have to get over 2013, that year doesn't mean anything as far as Contador is concerned.
He was in his worst form ever, by far (even dropped by Mollema on AX3, by Nieve on mont ventoux and so on) while froome was in his prime (still beaten by Quintana & Rodriguez in the 3rd week).
It's just like putting Froome at his 2nd - 3rd week Vuelta 12' level against Contador Tour 2009. See how funny it is?

That was an off year, as simple as that. He was on the rampage since 2007, give him a break. He is better than him in equal form.

Well Froome tires as you would expect in a 3 week tour ...

 

[Nilsson]

agreed.

I don't think it's a fear of 'holly crap".. wet on his pants kinda thing... but more respect to the strength of Froome. That's why contador won so many GT probably because he always acknowledges and respects the strength of his adversary and learns from the past performance to improve. And never underestimates them even if they are down by 1 minutes. This past two weeks, it's the proof that you never count out Froome.

This is very much true. One of Contador's qualities is that he's perfectly able to estimate the strength of both his own as well as his competitors (and ride accordingly to it). Unlike Rodriguez, Valverde, Schleck and many others, who - how strong or in the best form of their lives at times they may have been - he knew he could beat them one way or the other, if he was good enough, because in the end he's simply better. With Froome it's different, on him he doesn't have the reassuring advantage he has on others.

Therefore it was very understandable he was, and again he proved to be right to be, more concerned about Froome than Valverde - who he should be able to defeat at some point in some manner, like he proved yesterday already. The fact he sees and knows that, is part of the reason he won so many GT's and guys like Valverde and Rodriguez (who to often misjudge this kind of situations and their opponents and don't make the most out of every scenario) have not.

 

[Jelantik]

contador comments on the world non participation

Alejandro is the leader, he’s a great rider, and we have to support him to the full. He needs riders he feels fully confident about, riders from his trade team.

And that’s exactly why I’m ruling out the Worlds because we have to be realistic: I’m a Grand Tour racer.

free for all translation
"I ain't gonna slave for those two clowns who have been nothing but jerked me around on the vuelta mountain. Also I ain't be part of their so called tactic like last year world. I would rather train and drink my coffee."

 

[No_Balls]

Damn! They've must have upset Pistolero big time. There is some huge criticism: "you not working for me, i sure as hell wont work for you".

Still the right call because the route has Bala written all over it in big numbers and best then to step down for the sake of the team. Alberto has to be Pitis ***** here and he clearly doesnt want that.

Still a bit disappointing. There cannot be too much Alberto and i would love to have him winning a Worlds

 

[LaFlorecita]

Damn! They've must have upset Pistolero big time. There is some huge criticism: "you not working for me, i sure as hell wont work for you".

Still the right call because the route has Bala written all over it in big numbers and best then to step down for the sake of the team. Alberto has to be Pitis ***** here and he clearly doesnt want that.

Still a bit disappointing. There cannot be too much Alberto and i would love to have winning a Worlds

I think we would all love to see Alberto become World champion, unfortunately the odds are very bad...

 

[Red Rick]

Contador's only realistic chance is on a really hard course. He missed it in Mendridio, when he initially had intented to be there, but got a little sick during the early preparation and then just gave up, or last year, when he just sucked all year round.

Still think it's a shame he only really contested the ardennes once

 

[Jelantik]

I think we would all love to see Alberto become World champion, unfortunately the odds are very bad...

I won't mind in the year when he'll decide to retire. The worlds is the last race. So no bad luck after that if he wins it.

 

[ILovecycling]

Alberto in a rainbow jersey,that would be epic

 

[HappyLoser]

Alejandro is the leader, he’s a great rider, and we have to support him to the full. He needs riders he feels fully confident about, riders from his trade team.

And that’s exactly why I’m ruling out the Worlds because we have to be realistic: I’m a Grand Tour racer.

Valverde has no real balls, he will screw it up and get another 2nd place. I think he should move to Sky Team, beacuse he'll love their tactics - "Bein' a moron". I will not participate the Worlds, because I don't f***ing care about rainbow jersey. Yellow is ALL I want!

 

[LaFlorecita]

I will not participate the Worlds, because I don't f***ing care about rainbow jersey. Yellow is ALL I want!

That is simply not true. He's just realistic about his abilities as a rider.