Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Jspear]

Yes pretty cool! I was nervous at times. Sometimes it seems like AC's shoulders were slumped and he was getting tired. The end result was awesome.

 

[Dr. Juice]

What a ride. Fireworks until his retirement.

He did those first km at an amazing pace. It seemed that everytime it got steep (> 12%) he gained seconds and every time it got a bit more flat (< 7-8%) he lost a couple of seconds.

 

[rhubroma]

No point in comparing Froome with Contador. In fact it would be against the rules as it would be a discussion suited to The Clinic regarding Contador.

No need to be sullen. Lick your wounds somewhere else.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto!

"Objectives are Giro and Tour, we did not come here to win the race"

 

[Carols]

The man is just jaw dropping.....only Pantani in the last 30+ years can be put in the same class for panache. Alberto knows no fear of road or man. Ride On and give me 2 more year this please!

 

[sir fly]

I'm puzzled a bit with Contador's showing.
I have no idea what kind of peaking he's chosen for the double assault.
To knock off a bit before the Giro and stretch the rising curve all the way to the end of July, or to stretch the spring curve till the end of May, knock it down during the June and peak again for the second half of July?
I think everyone who's targeting the Tour has to bring top form in the Netherlands, with mild variations during the three weeks.

 

[inthepink]

The man is just jaw dropping.....only Pantani in the last 30+ years can be put in the same class for panache. Alberto knows no fear of road or man. Ride On and give me 2 more year this please!

except Horner went up that climbs faster
Oh wait isn't he dodgy ???

So let not include him but lets talk about Pantani ....

 

[Jspear]

I'm puzzled a bit with Contador's showing.
I have no idea what kind of peaking he's chosen for the double assault.
To knock off a bit before the Giro and stretch the rising curve all the way to the end of July, or to stretch the spring curve till the end of May, knock it down during the June and peak again for the second half of July?
I think everyone who's targeting the Tour has to bring top form in the Netherlands, with mild variations during the three weeks.

Unless he's going to just get better and better and this is just his new "early form."

 

[LaFlorecita]

I'm puzzled a bit with Contador's showing.
I have no idea what kind of peaking he's chosen for the double assault.
To knock off a bit before the Giro and stretch the rising curve all the way to the end of July, or to stretch the spring curve till the end of May, knock it down during the June and peak again for the second half of July?
I think everyone who's targeting the Tour has to bring top form in the Netherlands, with mild variations during the three weeks.

I have created this highly scientific depiction of Alberto's estimated form curve, just for you

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I have created this highly scientific depiction of Alberto's estimated form curve, just for you

He will be much closer to peak condition in May than your curve shows I think.

 

[Carols]

except Horner went up that climbs faster
Oh wait isn't he dodgy ???

So let not include him but lets talk about Pantani ....

Take it to the clinic. I Never comment on any riders dodginess, and neither should you in this forum.

 

[No_Balls]

Highlights from the stage:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=arDWUzDwh8I

Boy what a ride. And how good to see Robobasso shoulder to shoulder with Terminator. 7 k out flat attack without the earmarked later-year Albertos facegrin.

We are in for a interesting season thats for sure.

 

[ILovecycling]

Congrats Albertooo,also what said Carols please


What about his form curve,dont you think he has too good form now?

 

[Carols]

What about his form curve,dont you think he has too good form now?

It is a bit worrisome but he knows his numbers and claims he isn't at the same level as last year at this time. Still being this strong, this early, hopefully doesn't mean a decline at the wrong time. Guess we'll have to trust he and his coaches know what they are doing!

 

[Jack_89]

Congrats Albertooo,al

hat said Carols please


What about his form curve,dont you think he has too good form now?

No , absolutely.
In years where he won his GT , he always win throughout the year , also "small" races

 

[T-Nielsen]

Alberto!

"Objectives are Giro and Tour, we did not come here to win the race"

You don't even have to hear the interview, the picture says it all.

"Yeah what are you gonna' do... you win the race you win the race..."

 

[Arredondo]

So he will win all his races before the Tour.

And what can he do in France? If there's one guy who can reach the impossible, it's Alberto.

 

[Jspear]

Congrats Albertooo,also what said Carols please


What about his form curve,dont you think he has too good form now?

In the newest CN article he says he isn't worried about peaking to early. He says he still has weight to lose and he isn't in top form. "I know there is lots of room for improvement."

 

[Publicus]

Basically Alberto says it was a training ride/test.

?When there was seven kilometres to go, I said to myself, ?look Alberto, this is a test just like the ones you?ve been doing up to now and let?s see what can happen.? And I felt good.?

And that he's confident he hasn't peaked too soon (or is in danger of doing so):

Asked if he was in danger of hitting top form too early in the season, Contador replied that he did not think so, given he was, ?well over his usual race weight, so I was not at all sure of what I could do on this climb, it?s very tough when you?re not in top shape. So this has given me a lot of confidence, because I know there?s still a lot of room for improvement.?

 

[LaFlorecita]

You don't even have to hear the interview, the picture says it all.

"Yeah what are you gonna' do... you win the race you win the race..."

So he will win all his races before the Tour.

And what can he do in France? If there's one guy who can reach the impossible, it's Alberto.

In the newest CN article he says he isn't worried about peaking to early. He says he still has weight to lose and he isn't in top form. "I know there is lots of room for improvement."

Basically Alberto says it was a training ride/test.



And that he's confident he hasn't peaked too soon (or is in danger of doing so):

Lol vamos Alberto!

 

[nepetalactone]

I have created this highly scientific depiction of Alberto's estimated form curve, just for you

Off the charts come July? Here's hoping!

 

[BlurryVII]

Asked if he was in danger of hitting top form too early in the season, Contador replied that he did not think so, given he was, ?well over his usual race weight, so I was not at all sure of what I could do on this climb, it?s very tough when you?re not in top shape. So this has given me a lot of confidence, because I know there?s still a lot of room for improvement.?

Awesome

Didn't even need to dig deep, he looked so relaxed and smooth. Also grinding a shorter gear than last year, it seems like the AC from 07' to 11' is back in that sense.

 

[BlurryVII]

Also kind of funny that some people are surprised / disappointed AC didn't beat Horner's time from the 13' Vuelta. I mean really?
Only 17 seconds off Horner's time, chilling in the last 200 meters, in FEBRUARY shape vs August peak for Horner? Lol
That was very impressive, and he attacked right from the bottom.

Edit: Also 31 seconds faster than Nibali's time from that Vuelta, and everyone behind .. lel

 

[LaFlorecita]

Awesome

Didn't even need to dig deep, he looked so relaxed and smooth. Also grinding a shorter gear than last year, it seems like the AC from 07' to 11' is back in that sense.

He wasn't too relaxed

 

[BlurryVII]

He wasn't too relaxed

meh, that's because of the cold