Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[SeriousSam]

Surely his plan must have been peaking later in the race. The only GC contender that might be peaking right now is TJ. It makes absolutely no sense to peak for the first week and try to hang on when you're a climber and most of the serious climbing isn't in the first week.

The Mur de Bretagne will tell us much more. There should be evidence of improval relative to Froome to be seen there if Contador's lack form right now is a lack of hard racing/training.

I still think it's reasonable to think that fwiw. If you do attempt the Giro Tour double and have had the previous experience of running out of steam in the Tour, gambling that not much form will be required in week 1 is the right way to manage the unavoidable trade off.

 

[Supimilian]

Re:

Surely his plan must have been peaking later in the race. The only GC contender that might be peaking right now is TJ. It makes absolutely no sense to peak for the first week and try to hang on when you're a climber and most of the serious climbing isn't in the first week.

The Mur de Bretagne will tell us much more. There should be evidence of improval relative to Froome to be seen there if Contador's form right now is a lack of hard racing/training.

Just a bit skeptical to the whole second peak thing after all he has been through lately. But sure, if anyone is gonna do something like that it's him. If he can keep it steady it might be good enough for a top 3. That would be a huge feat in itself, but he will probably go all in like in 2011. Still think Froome looks too light to early.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

Surely his plan must have been peaking later in the race. The only GC contender that might be peaking right now is TJ. It makes absolutely no sense to peak for the first week and try to hang on when you're a climber and most of the serious climbing isn't in the first week.

The Mur de Bretagne will tell us much more. There should be evidence of improval relative to Froome to be seen there if Contador's lack form right now is a lack of hard racing/training.

I still think it's reasonable to think that fwiw. If you do attempt the Giro Tour double and have had the previous experience of running out of steam in the Tour, gambling that not much form will be required in week 1 is the right way to manage the unavoidable trade off.

I dont think TVG is peaking now, he is doing the same that Froome and froome will peak in the last weak...But really, a GT contender must peak all the month, when you are in shape is not a question of one week.

 

[Carols]

Well safely through another day . Hopefully it wasn't to stressful and he is getting good rest at night. Vamos Alberto!

 

[Electress]

Yes. I like to think things are settling down a bit now. The weather doesn't look too crazy..cross winds, but forecast isn't for high speeds (though its all been a bit worse than forecast thus far.)

 

[bajbar]

I think Alberto likes rain, so no problem with the weather. And less grimacing today. Thank goodness that none of the crashes for Tinkoff riders was too serious, since the TTT is coming.

 

[BlurryVII]

Today he said he wouldn't have signed to this position in GC, because he would have preferred to be closer to Froome. But he is happy for not crashing and for the lead he has over Q and N.

And "Once we hit the mountains, everyone will be put in his place and then we'll see where I'm at. "

 

[Miburo]

Re:

I think Alberto likes rain, so no problem with the weather. And less grimacing today. Thank goodness that none of the crashes for Tinkoff riders was too serious, since the TTT is coming.

It's confirmed he likes rain. Someone of his team said he liked it

 

[Electress]

Re:

Today he said he wouldn't have signed to this position in GC, because he would have preferred to be closer to Froome. But he is happy for not crashing and for the lead he has over Q and N.

And "Once we hit the mountains, everyone will be put in his place and then we'll see where I'm at. "

I think he's feeling a bit better.

 

[rm7]

Re:

Today he said he wouldn't have signed to this position in GC, because he would have preferred to be closer to Froome. But he is happy for not crashing and for the lead he has over Q and N.

And "Once we hit the mountains, everyone will be put in his place and then we'll see where I'm at. "

I'm surprised that he doesn't seem to fear Quintana and Nibali. His main focus is solely on Froome. I think that's a good sign. I have a feeling that he was hoping for a completely Vuelta 2014 scenario, where he would be ahead of Froome after the TTT, and maybe behind Nibali. Then "all" he probably would have to do was follow Froome's wheel on every MTF.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re: Re:

Today he said he wouldn't have signed to this position in GC, because he would have preferred to be closer to Froome. But he is happy for not crashing and for the lead he has over Q and N.

And "Once we hit the mountains, everyone will be put in his place and then we'll see where I'm at. "

I'm surprised that he doesn't seem to fear Quintana and Nibali. His main focus is solely on Froome. I think that's a good sign. I have a feeling that he was hoping for a completely Vuelta 2014 scenario, where he would be ahead of Froome after the TTT, and maybe behind Nibali. Then "all" he probably would have to do was follow Froome's wheel on every MTF.

Could be left with a complete Vuelta reversal with Froome just happy to follow Contador's wheel before sprinting off for more bonus seconds.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Could be left with a complete Vuelta reversal with Froome just happy to follow Contador's wheel before sprinting off for more bonus seconds.

I thought there are only bonus seconds during the first 8 stages?
Anyway, Contador won't just ride to the line with Froome in his wheel, he's not that dumb. (sorry Froomey..)
If Froome can't drop Contador, I'm sure Alberto will find a way to win, even if he can't drop Froome 1vs1 either.
And it's an advantage for Alberto that Quintana and especially Nibali need time too. I say especially Nibali because he'll attack at times when Alberto can take time too, Quintana will probably just attack uphill.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re: Re:

Could be left with a complete Vuelta reversal with Froome just happy to follow Contador's wheel before sprinting off for more bonus seconds.

I thought there are only bonus seconds during the first 8 stages?
Anyway, Contador won't just ride to the line with Froome in his wheel, he's not that dumb. (sorry Froomey..)

I thought I read somewhere that there were now bonuses on all stages bar the TT's?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Anyway, tomorrow will tell us a tiny bit more, we'll see how he looks on the final hill, I expect Froome to do a crazy washing machine sprint. Hopefully Alberto won't lose some more seconds

 

[Miburo]

Wouldn't be surprised if saxo leads out sagan with kreuziger and contador on that hill. Make sure the man has his stage, just like Contador helped out vino in 2010 after the mende disaster.

The mende disaster wasn't his fault though, he had to ride to distance andy.

Edit: and you're right fleur. Having nibali and quintana here is a big thing for Contador, I highly doubt contador can take down Froome by himself. I'm sure he could do it in last year's shape, he was an absolute monster then, maybe even his best shape ever but now it's doubtful of course.

But with nibali and quintana there, you've options. He knows that, Contador and nibali are one of the smartest riders in the peloton. I'm confident they can make up a plan to crack froome, won't be easy though.

 

[rm7]

http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2015/us/sporting-stakes-rules.html

Only bonus seconds on stage 2 to 8.

Contador needs to be at the front tomorrow, he can't drop seconds everywhere. It will be very tricky enough now that he's probably behind Froome when the mountains starts.

 

[jilbiker]

Re: Re:

Today he said he wouldn't have signed to this position in GC, because he would have preferred to be closer to Froome. But he is happy for not crashing and for the lead he has over Q and N.

And "Once we hit the mountains, everyone will be put in his place and then we'll see where I'm at. "

I'm surprised that he doesn't seem to fear Quintana and Nibali. His main focus is solely on Froome. I think that's a good sign. I have a feeling that he was hoping for a completely Vuelta 2014 scenario, where he would be ahead of Froome after the TTT, and maybe behind Nibali. Then "all" he probably would have to do was follow Froome's wheel on every MTF.

Could be left with a complete Vuelta reversal with Froome just happy to follow Contador's wheel before sprinting off for more bonus seconds.

Froome does not follow anyone's wheel except the sky drones. You heard Roche, Froome does not base his game plan on anyone except himself. Ride as hard as possible, meet the power meter numbers and he is all good - thats his game plan. Quite narrow right? Well if I start counting from the 2011 vuelta, thats 1 GT win in 4 years. whereas Contador 2 GTs in 6 months....both of which he has not at tip top form.

Speaking about bad starts, anyone remember that Pantani started off badly in the TDF of the year he won the double? It was his crushing victory(s) later in the Alps that gave his victory.

 

[jilbiker]

Anyway, tomorrow will tell us a tiny bit more, we'll see how he looks on the final hill, I expect Froome to do a crazy washing machine sprint. Hopefully Alberto won't lose some more seconds

+1 - I am expecting Froome to do the 110 cadance spin and go for a win. He wants to break AC mentally before week 2. I think AC should chill and ignore him

 

[perico]

Re: Re:

Today he said he wouldn't have signed to this position in GC, because he would have preferred to be closer to Froome. But he is happy for not crashing and for the lead he has over Q and N.

And "Once we hit the mountains, everyone will be put in his place and then we'll see where I'm at. "

I'm surprised that he doesn't seem to fear Quintana and Nibali. His main focus is solely on Froome. I think that's a good sign. I have a feeling that he was hoping for a completely Vuelta 2014 scenario, where he would be ahead of Froome after the TTT, and maybe behind Nibali. Then "all" he probably would have to do was follow Froome's wheel on every MTF.

Rightfully so. Beat Froome- win the tour.

 

[Jelantik]

Anyway, tomorrow will tell us a tiny bit more, we'll see how he looks on the final hill, I expect Froome to do a crazy washing machine sprint. Hopefully Alberto won't lose some more seconds

+1 - I am expecting Froome to do the 110 cadance spin and go for a win. He wants to break AC mentally before week 2. I think AC should chill and ignore him

Froome's tactic is ride as hard as he can. At his rate currently, it seems that no one can follow him. Not surprise if he will go for it. Interesting to see where AC is. I hope he is settling down and slowly the race comes to him. I actually hope, Sagan will win the stage tomorrow. He has been super strong after baby-sitting duty. It would be good morale all around in the TS bus if he can win the stage.

 

[cellardoor]

Re: Re:

Today he said he wouldn't have signed to this position in GC, because he would have preferred to be closer to Froome. But he is happy for not crashing and for the lead he has over Q and N.

And "Once we hit the mountains, everyone will be put in his place and then we'll see where I'm at. "

I'm surprised that he doesn't seem to fear Quintana and Nibali. His main focus is solely on Froome. I think that's a good sign. I have a feeling that he was hoping for a completely Vuelta 2014 scenario, where he would be ahead of Froome after the TTT, and maybe behind Nibali. Then "all" he probably would have to do was follow Froome's wheel on every MTF.

Rightfully so. Beat Froome- win the tour.

Yep, that's Contador through and through - I'm not at all surprised that he sees Froome as his only true rival.

 

[cellardoor]

Re:

Wouldn't be surprised if saxo leads out sagan with kreuziger and contador on that hill. Make sure the man has his stage, just like Contador helped out vino in 2010 after the mende disaster.

The mende disaster wasn't his fault though, he had to ride to distance andy.

Edit: and you're right fleur. Having nibali and quintana here is a big thing for Contador, I highly doubt contador can take down Froome by himself. I'm sure he could do it in last year's shape, he was an absolute monster then, maybe even his best shape ever but now it's doubtful of course.

But with nibali and quintana there, you've options. He knows that, Contador and nibali are one of the smartest riders in the peloton. I'm confident they can make up a plan to crack froome, won't be easy though.

I've been thinking about whether Contador and Nibali could form an alliance, but I just can't see it because of Astana's attitude in the Giro, i.e. trying to wear him out for the Tour and attacking him when he had a mechanical. I feel like Contador and Nibali have "history" a bit and Contador actually has much more of an affinity with Froome.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re: Re:

Wouldn't be surprised if saxo leads out sagan with kreuziger and contador on that hill. Make sure the man has his stage, just like Contador helped out vino in 2010 after the mende disaster.

The mende disaster wasn't his fault though, he had to ride to distance andy.

Edit: and you're right fleur. Having nibali and quintana here is a big thing for Contador, I highly doubt contador can take down Froome by himself. I'm sure he could do it in last year's shape, he was an absolute monster then, maybe even his best shape ever but now it's doubtful of course.

But with nibali and quintana there, you've options. He knows that, Contador and nibali are one of the smartest riders in the peloton. I'm confident they can make up a plan to crack froome, won't be easy though.

I've been thinking about whether Contador and Nibali could form an alliance, but I just can't see it because of Astana's attitude in the Giro, i.e. trying to wear him out for the Tour and attacking him when he had a mechanical. I feel like Contador and Nibali have "history" a bit and Contador actually has much more of an affinity with Froome.

I cant see Astana wanting to team up with Saxo, very unlikely to happen as you say given what we witnessed in the Giro.

 

[Publicus]

Re: Re:

Wouldn't be surprised if saxo leads out sagan with kreuziger and contador on that hill. Make sure the man has his stage, just like Contador helped out vino in 2010 after the mende disaster.

The mende disaster wasn't his fault though, he had to ride to distance andy.

Edit: and you're right fleur. Having nibali and quintana here is a big thing for Contador, I highly doubt contador can take down Froome by himself. I'm sure he could do it in last year's shape, he was an absolute monster then, maybe even his best shape ever but now it's doubtful of course.

But with nibali and quintana there, you've options. He knows that, Contador and nibali are one of the smartest riders in the peloton. I'm confident they can make up a plan to crack froome, won't be easy though.

I've been thinking about whether Contador and Nibali could form an alliance, but I just can't see it because of Astana's attitude in the Giro, i.e. trying to wear him out for the Tour and attacking him when he had a mechanical. I feel like Contador and Nibali have "history" a bit and Contador actually has much more of an affinity with Froome.

I cant see Astana wanting to team up with Saxo, very unlikely to happen as you say given what we witnessed in the Giro.

It could happen, but not tomorrow. Same goes for Movistar. Froome is a marked man and he's going to have to pick his battles which bodes well for TJVG, AC, Nibali and Quitana.

 

[Miburo]

Nibali and Contador only care about winning. They won't care about what happened in the giro. Besides alliances don't necessarily have to be made up prerace, they can occur at the moment. Like nibali goes at the descent of the allos and contador follows him

They won't wait for froome cause of what happened in the giro.