Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[cellardoor]

Re: Re:

Pantani started the 98 Tour terribly and then built back up to top shape during the course....

lol at comparing with Pantani.

Come, come now, the comparison is pertinent in so far he's the last to have won both Giro and Tour in the same year.

At any rate, I expected more from Contador in terms of where he seems to be at physically. He simply doesn't look like a rider who has won the Giro and aims to win the Tour.

I was already skeptical after Colle della Finestra and my skepticism has only increased over the last couple of days.

Damn, I have a naturally negative outlook, but during the season I've enjoyed your positive posts about how Contador can't be that good as he's timing his form for the double. Now you've got more negative than me, which is going some! Don't take this too seriously of course

 

[Miburo]

Isn't it exciting this way? I love it, the uncertainty. Same feeling as 2011 and that was Contador's best GT, not in terms of performance but entertainment.

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

Re:

But he lost time to Nibali which isn't normal and Froome didn't ride as well as I had expected.

What isn't normal is that Nibali gained time on Froome. Which means Froome was weaker than expected. Normally, knowing that Contador comes from the Giro, something like Nibali 10" behind Froome, Contador a further 10" back would be normal. There simply isn't much between Nibali and Contador in a TT. But of course if you base your expectations on the Nibali of 2011...

 

[BlurryVII]

http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/contador-mis-sensaciones-no-han-sido-buenas-04-07-2015

Yep, bad sensations today, high bpm right from the start so he just tried to pace himself for not losing to much time . But he is happy for being with the others while not having a good day.

I think we'll Contador sttruggling on Huy as well, maybe dropped. And I strongly believe he will hit a peak for 2nd and 3 rd week like Majka last year who did the Giro.

But as of right now, I'm pretty sure his form is really average so I wouldn't expect much from mur de huy. He will do much better on Mur de bretagne.

 

[BlurryVII]

Re:

Isn't it exciting this way? I love it, the uncertainty. Same feeling as 2011 and that was Contador's best GT, not in terms of performance but entertainment.

What? I'd rather see Contador 09' crushing the hell out of everyone rather than tired, injured Contador riding to entertain fake fans like you.

Damn, you're the kind of *** who would like to see Contador lose quite a lot of time in the 1st week so he can go on the rampage next just to entertain you.

 

[cellardoor]

Re: Re:

But he lost time to Nibali which isn't normal and Froome didn't ride as well as I had expected.

What isn't normal is that Nibali gained time on Froome. Which means Froome was weaker than expected. Normally, knowing that Contador comes from the Giro, something like Nibali 10" behind Froome, Contador a further 10" back would be normal. There simply isn't much between Nibali and Contador in a TT. But of course if you base your expectations on the Nibali of 2011...

It's not just a question of Nibali doing well though, you've also got to take into account Quintana and Pinot also doing well. To me, there are so many surprises in terms of the relative performance of the main GC guys, combined with insignificant time gaps between all of them, that I'm tempted to view it as a bit of a crap shoot due to the short nature of the course and the heat.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Isn't it exciting this way? I love it, the uncertainty. Same feeling as 2011 and that was Contador's best GT, not in terms of performance but entertainment.

What? I'd rather see Contador 09' crushing the hell out of everyone rather than tired, injured Contador riding to entertain fake fans like you.

Damn, you're the kind of **** who would like to see Contador lose quite a lot of time in the 1st week so he can go on the rampage next just to entertain you.

Yeah, I don't like that mentality either. "LOL Contador lost 5 minutes, that's the best thing ever cause now he will attack and that will entertain me LOL"

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

But he lost time to Nibali which isn't normal and Froome didn't ride as well as I had expected.

What isn't normal is that Nibali gained time on Froome. Which means Froome was weaker than expected. Normally, knowing that Contador comes from the Giro, something like Nibali 10" behind Froome, Contador a further 10" back would be normal. There simply isn't much between Nibali and Contador in a TT. But of course if you base your expectations on the Nibali of 2011...

It's not just a question of Nibali doing well though, you've also got to take into account Quintana and Pinot also doing well. To me, there are so many surprises in terms of the relative performance of the main GC guys, combined with insignificant time gaps between all of them, that I'm tempted to view it as a bit of a crap shoot due to the short nature of the course and the heat.

Pinot and Quintana (and Kelderman and Gesink) started early when there was less wind, that's why they were relatively fast.

 

[Squirbos_19]

I have to say Contador looked great on the first corner, apart from that I didn't see his ride, but it was a lot better than Froome.

 

[cellardoor]

Re: Re:

But he lost time to Nibali which isn't normal and Froome didn't ride as well as I had expected.

What isn't normal is that Nibali gained time on Froome. Which means Froome was weaker than expected. Normally, knowing that Contador comes from the Giro, something like Nibali 10" behind Froome, Contador a further 10" back would be normal. There simply isn't much between Nibali and Contador in a TT. But of course if you base your expectations on the Nibali of 2011...

It's not just a question of Nibali doing well though, you've also got to take into account Quintana and Pinot also doing well. To me, there are so many surprises in terms of the relative performance of the main GC guys, combined with insignificant time gaps between all of them, that I'm tempted to view it as a bit of a crap shoot due to the short nature of the course and the heat.

Pinot and Quintana (and Kelderman and Gesink) started early when there was less wind, that's why they were relatively fast.

Burst my bubble why don't you

 

[Carols]

http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/contador-mis-sensaciones-no-han-sido-buenas-04-07-2015

Yep, bad sensations today, high bpm right from the start so he just tried to pace himself for not losing to much time . But he is happy for being with the others while not having a good day.

I think we'll Contador sttruggling on Huy as well, maybe dropped. And I strongly believe he will hit a peak for 2nd and 3 rd week like Majka last year who did the Giro.

But as of right now, I'm pretty sure his form is really average so I wouldn't expect much from mur de huy. He will do much better on Mur de bretagne.

I was pretty sure he had to be on a bad day, he even looked bad in the warmup. Hopefully things improve from here on out.....

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Pantani started the 98 Tour terribly and then built back up to top shape during the course....

lol at comparing with Pantani.

Come, come now, the comparison is pertinent in so far he's the last to have won both Giro and Tour in the same year.

At any rate, I expected more from Contador in terms of where he seems to be at physically. He simply doesn't look like a rider who has won the Giro and aims to win the Tour.

I was already skeptical after Colle della Finestra and my skepticism has only increased over the last couple of days.

Damn, I have a naturally negative outlook, but during the season I've enjoyed your positive posts about how Contador can't be that good as he's timing his form for the double. Now you've got more negative than me, which is going some! Don't take this too seriously of course

I see what you mean, however, my previous let's say conservative viewpoint and trying to see his spring then in light of the double commitment, has undergone some modification since the Giro.

I thought he should have had a good enough condition at the Giro to have at least put one dominant performance in the mountains, to then manage his efforts and control his rivals till Milano. Instead I saw a Contador on Colle della Finestra who decidedly lacked verve and now I don't see him lean enough.

So you could simple say that I have maintained my former assessment, but just in a negative light, as he didn't finish the Giro on an upward curve as I might have expected.

Of course its too early to tell, but the whole team seems to be undertone at this point in the season. It was abscent in the mountains at the Giro. I expected to see what I saw in March and April, but what I see now doesn't meet my expectations and I can't be anything but honest about it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yawn..... he's lean, stop moaning about it. No he's not alien 0% body fat skinny and he'll never be.

 

[rhubroma]

Re:

Yawn..... he's lean, stop moaning about it. No he's not alien 0% body fat skinny and he'll never be.

But he's not as lean as he should be and looks more like 2013 frankly, which, until further evidence to the contrary, isn't encouraging.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Yawn..... he's lean, stop moaning about it. No he's not alien 0% body fat skinny and he'll never be.

But he's not as lean as he should be and looks more like 2013 frankly, which, until further proof, isn't encouraging.

He looks way leaner than at the Giro and at the Giro he was around Tour 2013 weight/shape. He's not as lean as last year but that might be an advantage on the cobbles. Froome, I am afraid he will just fall apart on the cobbles. That is in no way going to end well.

 

[cellardoor]

Re: Re:

... and I can't be anything but honest about it.

Of course, wouldn't expect anything else.

 

[Matteo.]

Re: Re:

But he lost time to Nibali which isn't normal and Froome didn't ride as well as I had expected.

Maybe Nibali just rode a great ITT. No, Contador didn't ride a great ITT, but there's no reason to panic either, it was a decent effort.

You have been changed in last 6 mounths . Time ago , he were much worried after a performance like that

Anyway i'm "happy" he has bad day in this ITT rather on a MTF , or not?!

 

[cellardoor]

Honestly, there's only one person I can imagine dropping Contador in the mountains and that's Froome. Froome has far more to worry about at this point in my opinion as he was out and out favourite to take time on his rivals today.

 

[blackmamba]

Yes Contador knows ofcourse he cant win the tour the first week like anyone with a brain does its all about survival. Hes programmed to peak 3 week so everyone take it easy no need to brake the licker store yet

 

[cellardoor]

Re:

Yes Contador knows ofcourse he cant win the tour the first week like anyone with a brain does its all about survival. Hes programmed to peak 3 week so everyone take it easy no need to brake the licker store yet

Too late, already broken in - that's why I'm posting so much

 

[Big Doopie]

Re:

Honestly, there's only one person I can imagine dropping Contador in the mountains and that's Froome. Froome has far more to worry about at this point in my opinion as he was out and out favourite to take time on his rivals today.

Really?

CoNtador has beaten him in every itt since TDF 2013 (sometimes by a lot) - apart from the dauphine prologue in 2014 where froome got the better by a few seconds only.

And we know that CoNtador was suffering from TERRIBLE allergies throughout 2013.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Honestly, there's only one person I can imagine dropping Contador in the mountains and that's Froome. Froome has far more to worry about at this point in my opinion as he was out and out favourite to take time on his rivals today.

Really?

CoNtador has beaten him in every itt since TDF 2013 (sometimes by a lot) - apart from the dauphine prologue in 2014 where froome got the better by a few seconds only.

And we know that CoNtador was suffering from TERRIBLE allergies throughout 2013.

Sod off to the clinic, Big Dopie.

 

[Big Doopie]

Re: Re:

Honestly, there's only one person I can imagine dropping Contador in the mountains and that's Froome. Froome has far more to worry about at this point in my opinion as he was out and out favourite to take time on his rivals today.

Really?

CoNtador has beaten him in every itt since TDF 2013 (sometimes by a lot) - apart from the dauphine prologue in 2014 where froome got the better by a few seconds only.

And we know that CoNtador was suffering from TERRIBLE allergies throughout 2013.

Sod off to the clinic, Big Dopie.

Huh?

But u said yourself...(?)

Y? R u saying it's not true?

I am really confused.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Honestly, there's only one person I can imagine dropping Contador in the mountains and that's Froome. Froome has far more to worry about at this point in my opinion as he was out and out favourite to take time on his rivals today.

Really?

CoNtador has beaten him in every itt since TDF 2013 (sometimes by a lot) - apart from the dauphine prologue in 2014 where froome got the better by a few seconds only.

And we know that CoNtador was suffering from TERRIBLE allergies throughout 2013.

Sod off to the clinic, Big Dopie.

Huh?

But u said yourself...(?)

Y? R u saying it's not true?

I am really confused.

Your stupid insinuations wrt his allergies aren't welcome here.

 

[cellardoor]

Re: Re:

Honestly, there's only one person I can imagine dropping Contador in the mountains and that's Froome. Froome has far more to worry about at this point in my opinion as he was out and out favourite to take time on his rivals today.

Really?

CoNtador has beaten him in every itt since TDF 2013 (sometimes by a lot) - apart from the dauphine prologue in 2014 where froome got the better by a few seconds only.

And we know that CoNtador was suffering from TERRIBLE allergies throughout 2013.

TDF 2013 is the one that really matters though. Other than that, what do we really have, Vuelta '14 where Froome was clearly struggling for form?