Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Lots of excuses speaking about 2011 Tour.
What a whiner.

He's right though

 

[cineteq]

Can he pull off the Giro-Tour double? I don't know. But it's not impossible. It wasn't impossible for Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, etc. I'd love to see Contador give it a serious shot.

It's next to impossible. He hasn't shown as of late he can do it, plus he's older. Valverde, or even Hansen has more chance of doing it (kidding). If he wants a double, he should try the Giro-Vuelta double instead.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's next to impossible. He hasn't shown as of late he can do it, plus he's older.

He hasn't tried as of late.

Valverde, or even Hansen has more chance of doing it (kidding).

Nope, Valverde can't even win 1 GT/podium 2 GTs

If he wants a double, he should try the Giro-Vuelta double instead.

Nah, too easy.

 

[Carols]

Excellent interview. The man loves his work, loves his life, loves a challenge.

He has the Mind of a Winner. Nothing is impossible just because those filled with fear say it is. The fearless, those willing to risk, are the ones who expand the boundaries of what is possible. He knows he may fail but is preparing to win. What character, he is so grounded and knows what is important; almost dying has shown him that.

Total class in the body of a truly elite rider. If anyone can manage the double in this day and age it is Contador. The guy is truly gifted; emotionally, physically and mentally.

 

[Miburo]

Agreed on all points and I particularly liked his comments about the 2011 TDF, he basically said what some of us have been saying all along.

Yea all our arguments were used by him too, it's just a fact. Besides his knee injury which we can't feel how serious it was (only he can), the rest is as factual as it can get.

 

[Netserk]

It's next to impossible. He hasn't shown as of late he can do it, plus he's older. Valverde, or even Hansen has more chance of doing it (kidding). If he wants a double, he should try the Giro-Vuelta double instead.

He would've won the Tour-Vuelta double this year if it wasn't for his crash

 

[LaFlorecita]

He would've won the Tour-Vuelta double this year if it wasn't for his crash

You can't know that for sure, don't give him more reason to troll.

 

[Netserk]

You can't know that for sure, don't give him more reason to troll.

Ofc I can't, but he would have had a very very good chance of winning the Tour, and I'm very confident that he would've been stronger in the Vuelta without that crash than he was with it.

 

[cineteq]

He hasn't tried as of late.

When was the last time he really tried, and how old was he? And 'try' means he completed both GTs.

He would've won the Tour-Vuelta double this year if it wasn't for his crash

You can't know that for sure, don't give him more reason to troll.

Ha ha ha, you guys are hilarious!

 

[LaFlorecita]

When was the last time he really tried, and how old was he? And 'try' means he completed both GTs.

He tried once, in 2011, 3 years ago, he was 28 (30+ though in your mind )

This season, 2014, he was 31 (33+.... ), and was stronger than ever. So I don't really see your point.

 

[cineteq]

He tried once, in 2011, 3 years ago, he was 28 (30+ though in your mind )

This season, 2014, he was 31 (33+.... ), and was stronger than ever. So I don't really see your point.

Right answer: 2008. Can you 'technically' count 2011...I mean really? 2014 is pure speculation. He was way behind on stage 10, and had he finished the Tour, nobody could've assured he'd would have ridden La Vuelta. Sorry to break the news, but age IS indeed a factor. See my point now?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Right answer: 2008. Can you 'technically' count 2011...I mean really? 2014 is pure speculation. He was way behind on stage 10, and had he finished the Tour, nobody could've assured he'd would have ridden La Vuelta. Sorry to break the news, but age IS indeed a factor. See my point now?

Great post haven't laughed this hard in a long time

 

[Jspear]

You are right about the Lombardia crash, I'm sure it caused some trouble and it made him decide not to race Beijing (though I think he was just looking for an easy way out)

ugly wound, ugly scar. though I presume it'll fade over time and turn out like the one on his left knee

I'm reading several pages back catching up...I'm eating right now and I see this!! Thanks.

 

[arvc40]

Lots of excuses speaking about 2011 Tour.
What a whiner.

You mean WINNER !

 

[arvc40]

Really enjoyed that interview. He's really grounded and I like that he's willing to challenge himself.




His comments about Froome were also quite revealing.

This........................................................

 

[Red Rick]

Amazing interview Flo, thanks for sharing.

No matter the situation, there´s always some sense of humbleness and simultaniously a sense of confidence, heart and pure class that just makes me love the sport. Sometimes his interviews aren´t just interviews, sometimes it´s poetry, and I feel like he's the only rider to have that. (might be a tiny bit drunk now btw)

 

[Red Rick]

Another thing that I think is that he's one of the only riders that doesn't care too much what the media thinks of him or what the sponsors want. There's still the sense of enjoyment, even after all those years all the positive and negative things that have happened. There's a sense of genuinity and sincerety. He doesn't only care about how big the races he wins are, the way he talked about his solo in the Tirreno stage 5 win this year and how he talks about his stage win in the TdU in '05. I think he'll continue as long as he can beat the best and not a moment earlier as he absolutely loves the sport and he only wants to ride for the win.

 

[Jelantik]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features...ly-impossible-until-someone-makes-it-possible

love him or hate him, for all the nay sayer.. "everything is impossible until someone makes it possible." What a great answer! You can't not love him for his attitude toward challenges. So for that, I'm hoping he can proof to the all the nay sayer out there by winning the double. I'm sure after that everyone will go postal.

 

[ralphbert]

The Pinto Pistol is class on and off the bike.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think the big question he needs to ask himself is this: "What if I enter both the Giro and Tour, and don't win either. Was it worth it?" I imagine he's already pondered that, and answered yes. As that's the risk he's facing. If he loses the Giro, but doesn't drop in time to prep for the Tour...

But I'm of the mindset that it's better to have at least tried, taken the chance, and gotten the real true answer, than be always left wondering. We saw that from him in the 2011 Tour. He attacked the stage in a way everyone is afraid to, and it almost paid off. Had he just sat behind would he have won? Probably not. But so many others just race for second, or third, or hoping someone else will wear out and they can hang on. Not Contador. His style is what makes him a great champion. Win or lose.

 

[offbyone]

I think the big question he needs to ask himself is this: "What if I enter both the Giro and Tour, and don't win either. Was it worth it?" I imagine he's already pondered that, and answered yes. As that's the risk he's facing. If he loses the Giro, but doesn't drop in time to prep for the Tour...

But I'm of the mindset that it's better to have at least tried, taken the chance, and gotten the real true answer, than be always left wondering. We saw that from him in the 2011 Tour. He attacked the stage in a way everyone is afraid to, and it almost paid off. Had he just sat behind would he have won? Probably not. But so many others just race for second, or third, or hoping someone else will wear out and they can hang on. Not Contador. His style is what makes him a great champion. Win or lose.

I agree with this point of view. I think it is possible and I want to see attempted, but not this year. He is picking a Giro that likely will be won by someone who is an amazing time trialist and climber. This is a combination Contador use to have but it has been a while and even then, we aren't talking about 60K time trials. Then you have a tour which fits him well, but you can't go to the tour directly after a Giro attempt in full strength. I don't believe a tired Contador can beat a fresh Froome,Quintana, etc.

Gonna make for a real fun race season though.

 

[ferryman]

I agree with this point of view. I think it is possible and I want to see attempted, but not this year. He is picking a Giro that likely will be won by someone who is an amazing time trialist and climber. This is a combination Contador use to have but it has been a while and even then, we aren't talking about 60K time trials. Then you have a tour which fits him well, but you can't go to the tour directly after a Giro attempt in full strength. I don't believe a tired Contador can beat a fresh Froome,Quintana, etc.

Gonna make for a real fun race season though.

I think we all agree with the madness of it all. But as has been posted before, AC came out with his decision to do the double before any of the routes were announced. And he has not flounced an inch since. Class.

 

[hfer07]

I think the big question he needs to ask himself is this: "What if I enter both the Giro and Tour, and don't win either. Was it worth it?" I imagine he's already pondered that, and answered yes. As that's the risk he's facing. If he loses the Giro, but doesn't drop in time to prep for the Tour...

But I'm of the mindset that it's better to have at least tried, taken the chance, and gotten the real true answer, than be always left wondering. We saw that from him in the 2011 Tour. He attacked the stage in a way everyone is afraid to, and it almost paid off. Had he just sat behind would he have won? Probably not. But so many others just race for second, or third, or hoping someone else will wear out and they can hang on. Not Contador. His style is what makes him a great champion. Win or lose.

+10000
10 char

 

[Carols]

I think we all agree with the madness of it all.

I do not think it is madness. The man will make it possible because he believes he can and he has the talent.

But as has been posted before, AC came out with his decision to do the double before any of the routes were announced. And he has not flounced an inch since. Class.

Pure Class that one.

 

[Samson777]

I do not think it is madness. The man will make it possible because he believes he can and he has the talent.

Talent to win 2 GT's in a row? To conclude that is probably pushing it. I for one would not be the one arguing that case, that's for sure. But okay, this is not the clinic.

Otherwise I agree very much. It should possible to do the double. Had Basso not been pulled out last minute from the tour, he could very well have done it. And with Riis being back in the good spot again. It should certainly be possible.