Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Jelantik]

Re:

New footage from the crash.

http://nos.nl/tour/video/2048387-nos-camera-ziet-contador-opkrabbelen.html

good news is.. it doesn't seem a bad crash. Hope he is ok and ready to go again tomorrow.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Re: Re:

Really pathetic seeing Movistar being more focused on catching Contador and then distancing him after his crash, than they were on pressuring Froome. Only Nibali and Contador seem to have a greater will to win than fear of losing in this race...
We need an alliance between Astana and Tinkoff-Saxo to make this race interesting.

Except.. I have the impression Astana turned a relatively easy Giro into an incredibly hard one, not because they had any hope of winning, but instead to wear Contador out and prevent the double. Not exactly natural allies.

Landa would have been able to fight for the victory. After all he was the best climber but the idiot team wanted to win with Aru

Anyone can be a coach after the fact..... I would like you to direct me to the post, pre-Giro - where you said Landa could/should ride for the overall win...... because otherwise, you calling Astana an "idiot team" now, is in fact idiotic

Not before but during.
It was clear that Landa was a lot better than Aru.
On the Mortirolo for exemple ( but there are more) , Astana had the chance to win letting go Landa when Alberto was behinh and Aru , from the beginning of climb, was in difficult to follow Landa. It was clear.
But the truth was that they wanted an italian to try winning Giro....

and i'm an italian too but it was a stupid choise

During is a different matter..... most cycle teams stick by their captain, as long as he is close to the podium - it has always been like that, even back to the Hinault/Lemond days.

 

[leon993]

Alberto Contador ‏@albertocontador 2h2 hours ago
Bad crash today,very touched on legs and arm.From thinking to take time to lost almost 3' and giving thanks.Thanks for your messages.
268 retweets 675 favorites
Reply Retweet268

 

[Afrank]

He totally now got nothing to loose now. 2+ minutes from Valverde. What's the difference between 4th, 5th or 6th or 7th? He should just let loose.. and do whatever he wants. If in the process he overhauls Valverde great. If not, make Movistar chases.. Send majka out to win another stages. Sagan is more and more firmly grip the green. So that's one jersey almost in the bag. Go out and have fun contador!! you got nothing to loose anymore..

EDIT:
he should really make an ally with Nibali. Nibali can't win the stage, if the breakaway goes to 10 minutes everyday since sky wont' bother chasing (probably alpe d'huez since froome wants to win it). Both of them should have fun making the rest of GC got headache. What's minor placing means anyway?

I agree, if there's no chance of podium they should both throw caution to the win and go all out regardless of placings. use the practice of I can't win overall, but I can make everyone else hurt.

 

[Poursuivant]

Majka is full of bull

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/tour-de-france/tinkoff-saxo-blame-broken-radio-as-contador-loses-more-time-183949

 

[leon993]

Re:

Majka is full of bull

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/tour-de-france/tinkoff-saxo-blame-broken-radio-as-contador-loses-more-time-183949

Sure he is. But that also tell us, that he didn't have the legs to win this stage.

 

[Jelantik]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

 

[damian13ster]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

 

[Metabolol]

Contador has improved a bit ( at least in a relative sense) but he had no realistic chance of winning anyways. Maybe he can win on alpe d'huez if Quintana and Froome get tangled up and focus on each other. He has to attack before the final climb though. But the crash might have put an end to that hope.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

No, it was contingent on him getting away on the 2nd cat climb before Allos.... but he didn't, because Valverde chose to ride defensively, rather than going along and forcing Sky to chase from far out.....

Either way, none of that explains why Majka did not wait after Contador crashed.... but since he has always been loyal, the "radio not working" excuse should probably be taken at face value.

- If however Majka leaves the team in the next couple of months, the cat is out of the bag

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Contador has improved a bit ( at least in a relative sense) but he had no realistic chance of winning anyways. Maybe he can win on alpe d'huez if Quintana and Froome get tangled up and focus on each other. He has to attack before the final climb though. But the crash might have put an end to that hope.

There's no way to get away before the final climb and then make it all the way to the finish on stage 20.

 

[jilbiker]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

I didn't see any fire or fiesta for a sustained attack. You have to be on another planet level to significantly disturb the sky train. He seemed quite normal today. He should enjoy the next few days. Sky may actually let him go with a break.

 

[Jelantik]

Yeah, ow well.. it's still... a good strategy. Just didn't happen.

Maybe majka was pissed since he heard contador wants to ride vuelta. I wonder what the dinner table feels like.

btw. does anyone knows if TS this time get better hotel with air conditioning??..

 

[LaFlorecita]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

I didn't see any fire or fiesta for a sustained attack. You have to be on another planet level to significantly disturb the sky train. He seemed quite normal today. He should enjoy the next few days. Sky may actually let him go with a break.

Sky may - though I doubt it - but Movistar won't.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Contador has improved a bit ( at least in a relative sense) but he had no realistic chance of winning anyways. Maybe he can win on alpe d'huez if Quintana and Froome get tangled up and focus on each other. He has to attack before the final climb though. But the crash might have put an end to that hope.

I would love that but unfortunately I think Froome is targeting that stage. So Froome most likely will achieve that if it's his goal.

 

[jilbiker]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

No, it was contingent on him getting away on the 2nd cat climb before Allos.... but he didn't, because Valverde chose to ride defensively, rather than going along and forcing Sky to chase from far out.....

Either way, none of that explains why Majka did not wait after Contador crashed.... but since he has always been loyal, the "radio not working" excuse should probably be taken at face value.

- If however Majka leaves the team in the next couple of months, the cat is out of the bag

I always had my suspicion of Majka. he never played a supporting role to AC. I think he is thinking about finishing up there for this TDF so he can bargain for his next team. Don't blame the young man, he should be a GC contender in some other teams...wait, his ITT is non existent.

 

[Miburo]

The only way for Contador to win a stage is to be better than froome and quintana.

 

[jilbiker]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

I didn't see any fire or fiesta for a sustained attack. You have to be on another planet level to significantly disturb the sky train. He seemed quite normal today. He should enjoy the next few days. Sky may actually let him go with a break.

Sky may - though I doubt it - but Movistar won't.

Yes, Valverde has a gripe on AC. Rather unfortunate, this is business, think with your head not emotions. Quintana is not much of a leader (not everyone has leadership qualities) and not much of a race strategist just a climber (even there I now have doubts, certainly not in the Pantani class).

 

[damian13ster]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

No, it was contingent on him getting away on the 2nd cat climb before Allos.... but he didn't, because Valverde chose to ride defensively, rather than going along and forcing Sky to chase from far out.....

Either way, none of that explains why Majka did not wait after Contador crashed.... but since he has always been loyal, the "radio not working" excuse should probably be taken at face value.

- If however Majka leaves the team in the next couple of months, the cat is out of the bag

I always had my suspicion of Majka. he never played a supporting role to AC. I think he is thinking about finishing up there for this TDF so he can bargain for his next team. Don't blame the young man, he should be a GC contender in some other teams...wait, his ITT is non existent.

Actually, his ITT is very underrated. Not on level of Uran, etc. but way better than Quintana's, Aru's.
His climbing is what will or will not make him a serious contender. If he makes another step in that department then its great. If not then Giro/Vuelta podium is max

 

[Jelantik]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

No, it was contingent on him getting away on the 2nd cat climb before Allos.... but he didn't, because Valverde chose to ride defensively, rather than going along and forcing Sky to chase from far out.....

Either way, none of that explains why Majka did not wait after Contador crashed.... but since he has always been loyal, the "radio not working" excuse should probably be taken at face value.

- If however Majka leaves the team in the next couple of months, the cat is out of the bag

I always had my suspicion of Majka. he never played a supporting role to AC. I think he is thinking about finishing up there for this TDF so he can bargain for his next team. Don't blame the young man, he should be a GC contender in some other teams...wait, his ITT is non existent.

He is the heirs of Contador. Unfortunately, mentally he buckles really easy. I read somewhere in his interview, he was just not strong like Contador when it comes to mental perseverance.

 

[damian13ster]

Jelantik- that is true and he admitted to that. It was prior to last year's Tour and TdP though. His confidence has been restored and thats why the jump in results. Next year will be trully telling. He should get the sole leadership in GT. Tour is perfect for him, Vuelta is good. Giro very good- route wise but he gets sick during that time of the year and because of the weather

 

[Metabolol]

Re: Re:

Contador has improved a bit ( at least in a relative sense) but he had no realistic chance of winning anyways. Maybe he can win on alpe d'huez if Quintana and Froome get tangled up and focus on each other. He has to attack before the final climb though. But the crash might have put an end to that hope.

I would love that but unfortunately I think Froome is targeting that stage. So Froome most likely will achieve that if it's his goal.

That is true but considering the time gap to Contador he might still play it safe so he doesn't create any openings for Nairo. So Sky might actually give Contador some room. Movistar normally wouldn't give Alberto an inch but this is the last opportunity for Nairo so maybe that will create an opening for Contador to win that stage.

 

[Metabolol]

Re:

Jelantik- that is true and he admitted to that. It was prior to last year's Tour and TdP though. His confidence has been restored and thats why the jump in results. Next year will be trully telling. He should get the sole leadership in GT. Tour is perfect for him, Vuelta is good. Giro very good- route wise but he gets sick during that time of the year and because of the weather

Personally I don't think he is ready to lead Tinkoff-saxo at the Tour. Vuelta, ok but not the Tour. I really hope Contador goes for the Tour (and vuelta) next year.

 

[SeriousSam]

How did Contador's Pra Loup time compare to Quintana/Froome?

 

[Poursuivant]

today.. it could have been an interesting attack scenario. Everyone was in position as expected.. except.. contador crashed. That derails everything!.. Dunno this isn't contador's tour. the more he tries, the more he got kicked on his gut..

http://www.tinkoffsaxo.com/news/crash-on-col-dallos-disarms-promising-tinkoff-saxo-strategy-contador-loses-214/

Wasn't the entire thing contingent on Contador getting away before the top of Allos?
Since that didn't happen then the strategy and helpers were kind of useless.

I didn't see any fire or fiesta for a sustained attack. You have to be on another planet level to significantly disturb the sky train. He seemed quite normal today. He should enjoy the next few days. Sky may actually let him go with a break.

There was no skytrain, it was Froome +2. Movistar brought him back