Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Carols]

One reason it is impossible to win Giro-Tour double these days: there will be riders who are focusing on winning one of them, so they will either skip the Tour or Giro to fully concentrate on one of them. They will be 100% fresh and ready. Can you be fresh enough after 3 weeks of hard racing to beat guys who are 100% fresh? Unless you are several leagues above the rest, it's impossible in modern day cycling.

Contador used to be leagues above everybody else. Not anymore. He doesn't dominate GTs like he used to. Froome, Nibali, Valverde, Quintana, even Purito won't be dragged into the Giro-Tour double thing and they will give Contador a run for his money by focusing on either one of the GTs.

So what if he fails? The world won't come to an end. If he wins well there is untold glory and his legacy is totally cemented.

People who believe something is impossible are doomed to fail. People like Alberto who reach for the stars are the only ones who can attain them. That is why he is so well loved; he isn't afraid to fail while attempting to reach beyond what is thought possible!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador will win Giro Tour double next year. He's ultra confident. You will all see.

Roll on 2015 Tour when everyone else is looking down pretending the gears are faulty !

Nice

 

[Publicus]

giro 14, vuelta 12, vuelta 10, tour 10 ...

I'm pretty sure he meant win a GT at less than 100% in an odd number year

 

[TheEnoculator]

So what if he fails? The world won't come to an end. If he wins well there is untold glory and his legacy is totally cemented.

People who believe something is impossible are doomed to fail. People like Alberto who reach for the stars are the only ones who can attain them. That is why he is so well loved; he isn't afraid to fail while attempting to reach beyond what is thought possible!

I didn't say he shouldn't try. I'm saying it's impossible to achieve on so many levels. There are dreams and there are realities. I can dream of being the King of England and I can try, it just won't happen.

Besides, how is Riis going to put together a strong enough team for both Giro and Tour? This is a team sport, you know.

 

[Publicus]

It's like Contador didn't just win the Vuelta in less than top form with a less than stellar team. I'm excited that he's not taking the safe route and only racing the Tour. I wished more of the top GT riders had his moxie/panache--it would be so much better for us as fans!

 

[Carols]

I didn't say he shouldn't try. I'm saying it's impossible on so many levels. There are dreams and there are realities. I can dream of being the King of England and I can try, it just won't happen.

Besides, how is Riis going to put together a strong enough team for both Giro and Tour? This is a team sport, you know.

It is not impossible. It will be Very, Very Difficult. If anyone can do it, it is Alberto. Saxo the team will manage their resources as best they can. Should Roman be out it will be a big ask. Others will need to sacrifice their own ambitions even more so than usual.

Should he only have do deal with Aru and Uran et al in the Giro he won't need to dig that deeply. That is if he can restrain himself.......

The Tour will be the hard one, tired and depleted going against a fresh Froome, Nibali and Quintana. But if he comes out of the Giro with decent reserves, recovers well and the others have difficulties or their form isn't optimal, I just don't see this as impossible.

Thankfully there are people in the world that are willing to take on the impossible. We'd still be in the stone age if everyone first thought was 'that's impossible'.

 

[TheEnoculator]

It's like Contador didn't just win the Vuelta in less than top form with a less than stellar team. I'm excited that he's not taking the safe route and only racing the Tour. I wished more of the top GT riders had his moxie/panache--it would be so much better for us as fans!

He might not be in top form, but he also didn't have 3 weeks of Tour in his legs. The number of racing kilometres makes a difference. It's not like he won by several minutes like he did in the 2011 Giro.

Do you really believe he could have beaten Nibali in the Tour then beat everybody else in Vuelta?

 

[LaFlorecita]

I didn't say he shouldn't try. I'm saying it's impossible to achieve on so many levels. There are dreams and there are realities. I can dream of being the King of England and I can try, it just won't happen.

Besides, how is Riis going to put together a strong enough team for both Giro and Tour? This is a team sport, you know.

Flat doms:
Tosatto
Sagan
Morkov
Bennati
Boaro
Breschel
Bodnar
Valgren
Juul-Jensen
(Rogers)

Climbing doms:
Majka
Kiserlovski
Kreuziger
Basso
Zaugg
Hernandez
Paulinho
Petrov
Beltran
Pires
Rogers

Yeah, it will be very hard to create two strong teams....

Giro
Contador
Basso
Majka
Zaugg
Hernandez
Tosatto
Valgren
Juul-Jensen
Boaro

Tour
Contador
Kiserlovski
Kreuziger
Rogers
Hernandez
Tosatto
Bennati
Morkov
Sagan

 

[LaFlorecita]

He might not be in top form, but he also didn't have 3 weeks of Tour in his legs. The number of racing kilometres makes a difference. It's not like he won by several minutes like he did in the 2011 Giro.

In 2011 he did not suffer a fracture in his leg 1.5 month before the start of il Giro.

 

[TheEnoculator]

It is not impossible. It will be Very, Very Difficult. If anyone can do it, it is Alberto. Saxo the team will manage their resources as best they can. Should Roman be out it will be a big ask. Others will need to sacrifice their own ambitions even more so than usual.

Should he only have do deal with Aru and Uran et al in the Giro he won't need to dig that deeply. That is if he can restrain himself.......

The Tour will be the hard one, tired and depleted going against a fresh Froome, Nibali and Quintana. But if he comes out of the Giro with decent reserves, recovers well and the others have difficulties or their form isn't optimal, I just don't see this as impossible.

Thankfully there are people in the world that are willing to take on the impossible. We'd still be in the stone age if everyone first thought was 'that's impossible'.

Oh please. Contador isn't the only who attempted the Giro-Tour double. I remember Menchov was high as a kite after winning the 2009 Giro, which was a pretty flat GT, and he said he was still very fresh after the Giro and he's going to try for the Tour. He finished 35th.

Like I said, Contador can try, it makes cycling more exciting. But Contador is a winner, he rides to win. So failing is not in his vocabulary.

Didn't he also try that Giro-Tour double in 2011? He couldn't even win Alpe d'Huez even when he tried.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Oh please. Contador isn't the only who attempted the Giro-Tour double. I remember Menchov was high as a kite after winning the 2009 Giro, which was a pretty flat GT, and he said he was still very fresh after the Giro and he's going to try for the Tour. He finished 35th.

Like I said, Contador can try, it makes cycling more exciting. But Contador is a winner, he rides to win. So failing is not in his vocabulary.

Didn't he also try that Giro-Tour double in 2011? He couldn't even win Alpe d'Huez even when he tried.

he had just won one of the hardest Giro's of the last few decades, lost a minute on the first day, crashed 20 times, got a knee injury, and still finished 5th

He attacked 90km out on stage 19, not to win that stage obviously otherwise he would have waited until the last climb. he got caught because Andy did not want to work with him, then attacked again on Alpe and got beaten by Rolland who wheelsucked Sanchez until he'd caught Alberto.

Come on dude.

 

[TheEnoculator]

he had just won one of the hardest Giro's of the last few decades, lost a minute on the first day, crashed 20 times, got a knee injury, and still finished 5th

He attacked 90km out on stage 19, not to win that stage obviously otherwise he would have waited until the last climb. he got caught because Andy did not want to work with him, then attacked again on Alpe and got beaten by Rolland who wheelsucked Sanchez until he'd caught Alberto.

Come on dude.

You just proved my point. In reality, there are so many factors that can and will prevent anyone from winning a Giro-Tour. Look at the last several years that riders who have attempted Giro-Tour double. They win the Giro and ending up crashing in the Tour. You know why? It's not just bad luck. The reality is, you are still tired after winning a 3-week GT, flat or hilly, even if you don't touch the bike at all. You can talk a tough game and say you are all recovered, but you are actually still tired. You wouldn't want your rivalry to know you are tired. But when you are tired, you are more prone to crashing. It happened to Menchov and Hesjadal.

The only way Contador can achieve this: win the Giro with the approach of preparing for the Tour. If he can win the Giro with a top-ten form, he might have a shot.

 

[Carols]

Oh please. Contador isn't the only who attempted the Giro-Tour double. I remember Menchov was high as a kite after winning the 2009 Giro, which was a pretty flat GT, and he said he was still very fresh after the Giro and he's going to try for the Tour. He finished 35th.

Menchov is No Contador!!! Not nearly in the same class.....

Like I said, Contador can try, it makes cycling more exciting. But Contador is a winner, he rides to win. So failing is not in his vocabulary.

That is why it is possible

There are 3 distinct groups of people. Those that believe it cannot be done. You are in that group. Second, those who believe it is possible and if anyone can do it, it is Alberto. I am in that group. Third, those that believe without question that he will do it.

Frankly I see little sense in trying to change folks thinking from one group to another!!

 

[arvc40]

Contador himself feels its more than possible !. Winning Tour alone is clearly to easy for him. He wants a challenge.

 

[ILovecycling]

Oh please. Contador isn't the only who attempted the Giro-Tour double. I remember Menchov was high as a kite after winning the 2009 Giro, which was a pretty flat GT, and he said he was still very fresh after the Giro and he's going to try for the Tour. He finished 35th.

Like I said, Contador can try, it makes cycling more exciting. But Contador is a winner, he rides to win. So failing is not in his vocabulary.

Didn't he also try that Giro-Tour double in 2011? He couldn't even win Alpe d'Huez even when he tried.

to compare Contador with ... :cough: Menchov

of course you are obvious ac troll but I like this pic

 

[TheEnoculator]

of course you are obvious ac troll but I like this pic

Well, troll or not, I have made my point. Right now it's just dream talk. When reality hits next July, then we can talk again.

 

[Netbalp]

TheEnoculator, don't interfere the guys to confuse dreams and reality. Most of them are far away from reality and live in the mythes and hopes they like.

 

[LaFlorecita]

TheEnoculator, don't interfere the guys to confuse dreams and reality. Most of them are far away from reality and live in the mythes and hopes they like.

Oh shiit I was waiting for you to post something like this

 

[Carols]

Oh shiit I was waiting for you to post something like this

He never disappoints, I'll give him that

 

[Jspear]

Well, troll or not, I have made my point. Right now it's just dream talk. When reality hits next July, then we can talk again.

Wanna do an avatar bet? I'm saying he will win both Giro and Tour IF he doesn't crash.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Wanna do an avatar bet? I'm saying he will win both Giro and Tour IF he doesn't crash.

You're banking on Dawg crashing (out) again, I see?

 

[Publicus]

Well, troll or not, I have made my point. Right now it's just dream talk. When reality hits next July, then we can talk again.

actually the only point you've made is, you think it is impossible. You've not convinced anyone to change their mind that it is in fact possible.

 

[Jspear]

You're banking on Dawg crashing (out) again, I see?

I'm hoping that no one crashes out....hate crashes.

 

[Jelantik]

Oh please. Contador isn't the only who attempted the Giro-Tour double. I remember Menchov was high as a kite after winning the 2009 Giro, which was a pretty flat GT, and he said he was still very fresh after the Giro and he's going to try for the Tour. He finished 35th.

Like I said, Contador can try, it makes cycling more exciting. But Contador is a winner, he rides to win. So failing is not in his vocabulary.

Didn't he also try that Giro-Tour double in 2011? He couldn't even win Alpe d'Huez even when he tried.

as I remembered that time, he wasn't so sure if he can make to the Tour due to when he will serve suspension. But he did target the Giro. Then it looked like after the Giro he hasn't been suspended yet. I guess that's when he decided to might as well take part of the tour. Of course that's my understanding, because I don't remember reading him announcing that he would do Giro-Tour double that year. We weren't (even him) not knowing what's going to happen to him that year. So logically, that means he hasn't prepared specifically to tackle both GT. And to be fair, he crashed several times and injured his knee. And he did a long range attack before Rolland snatched the win on Alpe d'huez.

I think next year is different. He actually plans to do it. Not just .. hey let's see what UCI does after the Giro. So, logically, he will train specifically to tackle the double this time. I think it would a different result next year. You'll see. He now doesn't train based on intuition and guts anymore. His training method, recovery, diet are more organized. So it's possible and the results would be different than 2011. Also it will put a pressure to his rival at TDF. They'd better knock Contador out convincingly because logically they are the fresher one. And if they can't... ow well... all hell break loose and this forum will crash.

 

[Jelantik]

One reason it is impossible to win Giro-Tour double these days: there will be riders who are focusing on winning one of them, so they will either skip the Tour or Giro to fully concentrate on one of them. They will be 100% fresh and ready. Can you be fresh enough after 3 weeks of hard racing to beat guys who are 100% fresh? Unless you are several leagues above the rest, it's impossible in modern day cycling.

Contador used to be leagues above everybody else. Not anymore. He doesn't dominate GTs like he used to. Froome, Nibali, Valverde, Quintana, even Purito won't be dragged into the Giro-Tour double thing and they will give Contador a run for his money by focusing on either one of the GTs.

So what if he fails? The world won't come to an end. If he wins well there is untold glory and his legacy is totally cemented.

People who believe something is impossible are doomed to fail. People like Alberto who reach for the stars are the only ones who can attain them. That is why he is so well loved; he isn't afraid to fail while attempting to reach beyond what is thought possible!

Well said Carols. I don't understand why people are so negative about Giro-Tour double? And I don't really care if Quitana, Froome or Nibali doesn't want to do it. None of them has won more than 6 GTs in their palmares. Contador has it all. So what's next? just try to win one GT again? It's a safe bet and easier to achieve just to target one GT. But hey like I said, the guy has won so many GT, why keep doing something safe and sure? why not try something risky that he hasn't been able to achieve it before?

When he set up his goal to tackle TDF and Vuelta this year, I'm sure he has planned to win both. (until the crash derailed it). Not sure if you read what he said after winning Vuelta, he said that he would never know what happen in TDF if weren't crash.

It's impossible. Really? people think going to the moon is impossible. Conquering mt everest w/o oxygen is impossible. But those people like carols said are the one who always say: everything is possible. Hesjedal, Menchov aren't Contador. So if they failed, well they failed. Contador is Contador. If he wants to do it to challenge himself, as a fan, I have nothing better than to say: Chapeau. I will support his decision. And I believe he can do it.

My prediction is: (if he can achieve 2014 form or better)
The worst result would be he wins Giro and podium TDF.