Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[ILovecycling]

The problem is not Nibali nor Quintana. I think he can still beat them with the Giro in his legs. His next year form remains to be seen though, nothing should be taken for granted. Maybe he'll not show up as strong as last year.

The main problem is Froome. I thought he'd do the Giro, that would've screwed him up a bit but he doesn't .

I think both of them Froome and Quintana will be very dangerous, they will be so much better than this year.I think Nibali will be a bit worse (unfortunately) cuz he will lack motivation.

 

[Red Rick]

I can totally understand that after last year AC has little desire to focus on the Tour alone. It's not like he gets a lot of love there. He has done pretty much everything, he has a few good years left. So why not try and tick off some of the remaining 'may well be impossible' feats? The desire to win yet another GT can't motivate him the same way it did at the beginning. I think he thrives on the challenge of adversity like the situation at the Vuelta.

I love him for doing this stuff. He laid down a challenge that no one else wants to join in with. Why back away from something he wants to do just because it isn't anyone else's priority? I happen to think he has a real shot and will happily place a bet on him.

Fact is, for all some people go on about AC needing / wanting to beat Froome to show someone something (I'm not quite sure who or what), it is really vice versa. He's the guy with the cabinet full of trophies. It is Froome and others who needs to beat an in-form Contador to prove something. AC can do whatever he wants over the next couple of years, and I'm pretty sure history will prove that all these guys are minnows in comparison to what he's achieved already.

You deserve a cookie

 

[Jspear]

Actually it's not boxing, it's cycling... so nobody needs to beat another rider to prove his worth. It's about winning races, not beating somebody else. Plus you can only beat the ones who are there.
Contador wins against Uran, Aru etc? Worth exactly the same as if he wins against Froome and Nibali, the Giro is what he wins, not the title "beater of F&N".
Plus let's not pretend Uran is nothing. If he does the Giro, he's favorite no 2 as it looks now, and still improving.

The win would be considered "greater" if it is won with stronger riders in the race. That is pretty much common knowledge in cycling. Yes of course you have to conquer the parcours, but if there are other riders there who pose a great threat to you (someone like Froome), then that makes the race even harder.

If both Aru and Uran ride the Giro again this year I think Aru will beat Uran. Aru is progressing better than Uran and has worked on his tt'ing in the last several weeks...at his age and with what we have seen from him so far, I think he'll stronger than Uran next year.

 

[Angliru]

To be honest, I'm not a fan of this Giro-Tour attempt-hype whatever. I can't believe he decided to go to the Giro without having won the Tour .

He has nothing to prove in the Giro, and the competition will be non existent.

All the big GC riders will be at the Tour (Quintana, froome, nibali, Rodriguez, Valverde), that is literally the perfect opportunity to show he is the best, crushing them all at once on the biggest scene.

But as usual, he decides to make things difficult so that when he doesn't win, haters will still come over and say " AC can't / won't win the Tour anymore" while he perfectly can but it is everytime down to a negative turn of events.

2011 - had to race the Giro because suspension threat - Hardest route in the last decade - 4 crashes at the Tour + knee injury
2012 - suspended
2014 - The most unfortunate crash ever .

And now he is going to the Giro again... easy route or not, if he doesn't win that Giro as a build up race, he won't be 100% at the Tour. I want him to be at 2014 Tour form but that most likely won't be the case.

He can win the Giro by 15 mins, but losing the Tour once again against the main riders will discredit him a LOT, tired or not.

Many will have a negative slant regardless of the outcome. All you can do is take your own personal enjoyment and appreciation of what Contador brings to the sport. I'm going to try to not let those with negative agendas bother me from now on.

 

[cineteq]

And now he is going to the Giro again... easy route or not, if he doesn't win that Giro as a build up race, he won't be 100% at the Tour. I want him to be at 2014 Tour form but that most likely won't be the case.

Good to see a Contador fan questioning his poor choices. Anyway, it's too much at stake in the 2015 Tour. As fate would have it, he'll get 'injured' before or early in the Giro or sponsors will make him skip it. 99% sure something like this will happen.

Many will have a negative slant regardless of the outcome. All you can do is take your own personal enjoyment and appreciation of what Contador brings to the sport. I'm going to try to not let those with negative agendas bother me from now on.

What's negative for you? Anyway, let me tell you almost made me cry.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Many will have a negative slant regardless of the outcome. All you can do is take your own personal enjoyment and appreciation of what Contador brings to the sport. I'm going to try to not let those with negative agendas bother me from now on.

I will try the same

 

[Angliru]

Good to see a Contador fan questioning his poor choices. Anyway, it's too much at stake in the 2015 Tour. As fate would have it, he'll get 'injured' before or early in the Giro or sponsors will make him skip it. 99% sure something like this will happen.

What's negative for you? Anyway, let me tell you almost made me cry.

It's a negative to me when someone states that Contador is riding the Giro because he wants to have an excuse should he fail in the Tour.

 

[Sciocco]

Nothing wrong with Contador going to the Giro, it is the best GT after all. I would have preferred at least one of Quintana, Froome, and Nibali competing too, but they *****ed out. Not surprising. If Contador wants to ride two GTs and if he wants to include the Tour in that then he either needs to pick Giro-Tour or Tour-Vuelta. He attempted Tour-Vuelta this year, so why not Giro-Tour next year...

What is wrong is the ****ing parcours. The Giro lacks an insane mountain stage and the tour is just.. terrible. What is going to be the most selective stage in this upcoming tour?

This year Contador had 33 race days across 5 stage races heading into the Tour. If he rides Giro after T-A and PV he will have likely 34 race days heading into the Tour next year. I understand that's not exactly comparable, but it is not like he will have 50+ race days when he starts the Tour.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Nothing wrong with Contador going to the Giro, it is the best GT after all. I would have preferred at least one of Quintana, Froome, and Nibali competing too, but they *****ed out. Not surprising. If Contador wants to ride two GTs and if he wants to include the Tour in that then he either needs to pick Giro-Tour or Tour-Vuelta. He attempted Tour-Vuelta this year, so why not Giro-Tour next year...

What is wrong is the ****ing parcours. The Giro lacks an insane mountain stage and the tour is just.. terrible. What is going to be the most selective stage in this upcoming tour?

This year Contador had 33 race days across 5 stage races heading into the Tour. If he rides Giro after T-A and PV he will have likely 34 race days heading into the Tour next year. I understand that's not exactly comparable, but it is not like he will have 50+ race days when he starts the Tour.

sensible post. +1

 

[May0maniac]

Good to see a Contador fan questioning his poor choices. Anyway, it's too much at stake in the 2015 Tour. As fate would have it, he'll get 'injured' before or early in the Giro or sponsors will make him skip it. 99% sure something like this will happen.

What's negative for you? Anyway, let me tell you almost made me cry.

I'm not a Contador fan, but i think the Giro would be better if it was Aru vs Uran vs Pozzovivo vs Majka (maybe even König) and the big 4 would compete with eachother at the Tour, both GTs would be entertaining and cometitive. I fear Contador will be too dominant at the Giro if not a single one of the other Tour contenders shows up.

 

[Sciocco]

This year Contador had 33 race days across 5 stage races heading into the Tour. If he rides Giro after T-A and PV he will have likely 34 race days heading into the Tour next year. I understand that's not exactly comparable, but it is not like he will have 50+ race days when he starts the Tour.

For comparison:
Froome has had 27, 30, and 20 race days prior to the Tour the last three years and I believe the 27 and 20 both involved 1 or 2 withdraws.
Nibali had 48 race days this year and 42 race days in 2012 prior to the Tour.
Quintana has never gone to the Tour as the leader but in 2013 he had 29 race days prior to the Tour.

 

[Electress]

It's a negative to me when someone states that Contador is riding the Giro because he wants to have an excuse should he fail in the Tour.

It's also just absurd. Surely even those who detest Contador cannot reasonable believe the guy is a coward who just wants to ride around resting on his laurels. If he were 'running scared' and needing excuses if he lost, why would he have focussed on the Tour in 2014, after the 'humiliation' of 2013 strong in his memory?

Or are we to believe he broke his leg on purpose because he knew he couldn't win it?

There may be other riders who exhibit a tendency for not trying all out to win no matter what, Contador cannot be accused of being one of them.

 

[Netserk]

I'm not a Contador fan, but i think the Giro would be better if it was Aru vs Uran vs Pozzovivo vs Majka (maybe even König) and the big 4 would compete with eachother at the Tour, both GTs would be entertaining and cometitive. I fear Contador will be too dominant at the Giro if not a single one of the other Tour contenders shows up.

We saw in 2012 that kind of Giro. I'd much rather have one or two of the big four ride. Then again I don't need a close GC to enjoy a GT, Giro '11 was pretty damn good imo.

 

[LaFlorecita]

We saw in 2012 that kind of Giro. I'd much rather have one or two of the big four ride. Then again I don't need a close GC to enjoy a GT, Giro '11 was pretty damn good imo.

When a rider I like dominates, I don't mind it otherwise it's a bit meh

 

[cineteq]

It's a negative to me when someone states that Contador is riding the Giro because he wants to have an excuse should he fail in the Tour.

It'll be a valid excuse for the fanboys. Contador shrugs off.

I'm not a Contador fan, but i think the Giro would be better if it was Aru vs Uran vs Pozzovivo vs Majka (maybe even König) and the big 4 would compete with eachother at the Tour, both GTs would be entertaining and cometitive. I fear Contador will be too dominant at the Giro if not a single one of the other Tour contenders shows up.

This guy's a real fan, agree 100%.

 

[Dr. Juice]

Cineteq should be banned from the Contador thread.
Another trolling post here -> warning
Next trolling post -> forum ban

If not possible, everyone who loves this thread should ignore every single post. Enough is enough.

 

[Kwibus]

It'll be a valid excuse for the fanboys. Contador shrugs off.

This guy's a real fan, agree 100%.

Cineteq I once valued your opinion, but your posts in this thread are atleast as annoying and silly as the fanboys you are talking about... ATLEAST.

Sure he's a fan and yes I wish Contador had some real competition in the Giro as well, but it's not his fault there is probably nobody to challenge him is it? I think you are very well aware that Contador has stated his love for the Giro lots and lots of times in the past and that he likes a challenge. That's why he will ride the Giro and the TdF.
Imo it will hurt his TdF performance unless he really cuts down his racing days before the Giro which I hope he will do and he needs to be able to win the Giro without being in absolute topform. He needs to peak in July as I don't think he can challenge a Froome in peakform when he's not.
Actually I'm really curious which of the 2 will win when both are at their best. I also hope Nibali will take another 2 minutes on the cobbles for an extra challenge.

Why the hell are you so worried about Contador fanboys making excuses anyways? It seems as if you are obsessed with it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Cineteq should be banned from the Contador thread.
Another trolling post here -> warning
Next trolling post -> forum ban

If not possible, everyone who loves this thread should ignore every single post. Enough is enough.

Cineteq I once valued your opinion, but your posts in this thread are atleast as annoying and silly as the fanboys you are talking about... ATLEAST.

Sure he's a fan and yes I wish Contador had some real competition in the Giro as well, but it's not his fault there is probably nobody to challenge him is it? I think you are very well aware that Contador has stated his love for the Giro lots and lots of times in the past and that he likes a challenge. That's why he will ride the Giro and the TdF.
Imo it will hurt his TdF performance unless he really cuts down his racing days before the Giro which I hope he will do and he needs to be able to win the Giro without being in absolute topform. He needs to peak in July as I don't think he can challenge a Froome in peakform when he's not.
Actually I'm really curious which of the 2 will win when both are at their best. I also hope Nibali will take another 2 minutes on the cobbles for an extra challenge.

Why the hell are you so worried about Contador fanboys making excuses anyways? It seems as if you are obsessed with it.

thanks both

 

[cineteq]

Cineteq I once valued your opinion, but your posts in this thread are atleast as annoying and silly as the fanboys you are talking about... ATLEAST.

Sure he's a fan and yes I wish Contador had some real competition in the Giro as well, but it's not his fault there is probably nobody to challenge him is it? I think you are very well aware that Contador has stated his love for the Giro lots and lots of times in the past and that he likes a challenge. That's why he will ride the Giro and the TdF.
Imo it will hurt his TdF performance unless he really cuts down his racing days before the Giro which I hope he will do and he needs to be able to win the Giro without being in absolute topform. He needs to peak in July as I don't think he can challenge a Froome in peakform when he's not.

Actually I'm really curious which of the 2 will win when both are at their best. I also hope Nibali will take another 2 minutes on the cobbles for an extra challenge.

Why the hell are you so worried about Contador fanboys making excuses anyways? It seems as if you are obsessed with it.

I value your opinion too. I'm curious too. I'm not worried about the excuses, I was just stating my opinion, as you or any other poster would do. Yet for that, you guys call me troll and want to ban me. Bizarre behavior to say the least.

 

[contador977]

Sure he's a fan and yes I wish Contador had some real competition in the Giro as well, but it's not his fault there is probably nobody to challenge him is it? I think you are very well aware that Contador has stated his love for the Giro lots and lots of times in the past and that he likes a challenge. That's why he will ride the Giro and the TdF.
Imo it will hurt his TdF performance unless he really cuts down his racing days before the Giro which I hope he will do and he needs to be able to win the Giro without being in absolute topform. He needs to peak in July as I don't think he can challenge a Froome in peakform when he's not.
Actually I'm really curious which of the 2 will win when both are at their best. I also hope Nibali will take another 2 minutes on the cobbles for an extra challenge.

Why the hell are you so worried about Contador fanboys making excuses anyways? It seems as if you are obsessed with it.

Contador obviously knows the best competition show's up at the Tour. He is either worried or very confident he can win the Tour. Im sure he feels the Giro is a wrap, I feel that way. I wonder if Contador is banking on Froome not being consistent alien mode in the Tour mountains and thinks he can follow the big surges from Froome and outsmart him in the end, like the Vuelta. I dont know the numbers on Ventoux vs Dauphine attacks. In the Vuelta, Froome plays his cards differently if he is wearing the red jersey. Going to be interesting. To me Froome is 2 different people, at times his mentality seems bullet proof, other times somewhat fragile.

 

[Kwibus]

I value your opinion too. I'm curious too. I'm not worried about the excuses, I was just stating my opinion, as you or any other poster would do. Yet for that, you guys call me troll and want to ban me. Bizarre behavior to say the least.

I'm not asking for a ban at all.

 

[Kwibus]

Contador obviously knows the best competition show's up at the Tour. He is either worried or very confident he can win the Tour. Im sure he feels the Giro is a wrap, I feel that way. I wonder if Contador is banking on Froome not being consistent alien mode in the Tour mountains and thinks he can follow the big surges from Froome and outsmart him in the end, like the Vuelta. I dont know the numbers on Ventoux vs Dauphine attacks. In the Vuelta, Froome plays his cards differently if he is wearing the red jersey. Going to be interesting. To me Froome is 2 different people, at times his mentality seems bullet proof, other times somewhat fragile.

I don't think he is worried and I also don't think he is 100% confident he can pull this off, but his 2014 form and his team think he can pull it off and I really think he likes the challenge and uses it as a great motivator. It's his big challenge for 2015.

He's not obsessed with the TdF though, most riders would never do this as they all want to be 100% at the TdF. Hence the reason no other big favourite is targetting the giro as well.

Ofcourse this is what I think Contador thinks

 

[Red Rick]

Competition's too weak, not worth it. It's funny that you support this, yet you said Nibali had a weak competion in the Tour, thus that's why he won (paraphrasing).

The best GT race is the Tour, and it favors lots of climbers. Why the best riders/climbers would want to do the Giro?

Guys do as she says, LOL!

There is a difference between trying to prove you're the best and trying to win as much as possible. I don't think AC has anything left to prove. He proved this year that he's very far from past it, and it makes sense he wants a new challenge. AC announced he was going to do the Giro even before the parcours of the Giro and the Tour came out and before all the others announced to leave the Giro for what it is. We shouldn´t expect him to pass the Giro, which he agreed to ride with his own team and with the Giro organisation (not to mention that he loves it) for a high variance ****ing contest in the Tour, which he still do anyway.

About Nibali, I think I've said that he won because his main rivals crashed out. I think he could dominate so much (winning isn't dominating), because he faced weak competition that didn't even bother to follow him at times. Do we know what would've happened had AC stayed on his bike, no, but I think it's a pretty good guess he was the better climber and I like to think he could've taken back all that time. Anyway, most of that talk was about who was the best rider of the year, not about who won the Tour de France or who won the Giro. A Giro win is a Giro win and a Tour win is a Tour win, no matter the competition. It does have influence over who you can rate the best of the year, however.

The Tour is not necessarily the best race. It is the most important one and I think its the most overrated one. The Tour has the most importance because of it's history and because of it's time slot in July, when the people have their vacation and when theres not much other sport going usually (it barely clashes with Wimbledon, EC or WC soccer). Winning the Tour does not make you the best rider, it makes you the most marketable rider.

Oh, and evidently no to the last part

 

[cineteq]

I'm not asking for a ban at all.

Good. That means you did call me a troll? LOL

Anyway, "those guys" know who they are. They are the same that got double standards.

 

[Kwibus]

From the same creators of "Nibali won the 2014 Tour because the competition was too weak" comes "Contador should try and win the 2015 Giro since the competition is too weak"

To clarify my point in an earlier post.

Somehow this is your interpretation of LaFlo's post, but the reason is not that Contador rides the Giro because his competition is weak at the Giro. No, he rides the Giro because he wants to ride Giro. That he ends up with no big GC rivals at the Giro is not his fault and in no way reason for him to decide he shouldn't ride the. Giro. That would be ridiculous ofcourse.

In your support though. People that say Nibali doesn't deserve his TdF because Contador and Froome crashed out are wrong ofcourse, but that was not where this post was about.