Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[rhubroma]

Re:

I would say Bertie in top form would be way to much for Mig. IMO Only Chicken ,Schleck, Evans, Froome would stay in touching distance with a top form Bertie on a queen stage.
I think a early Armstrong was unbeatable followed by a eyeballs out Pantani from videos I have seen of him.
Before that era I have no idea its a job for the clinic to discuss.

Ehh, Pantani 98-99 means Armstrong 2002 looses a minute on top of the mountain. In other words, we never saw Pantani with Armstrong as it should have been. The TTs are something else, but climbing means elefantino.

 

[ray j willings]

Re: Re:

It seems you are the one who is misunderstanding these posts. Most would agree that Indurain would beat Contador (and all other current GC riders). The point is (as has been pointed out 20 times) you can't compare riders from different eras. If Indurain had been born in 1985 he would have been a different rider and if Contador had been born in 1965 he would have been a different rider. Any comparison is based on nothing but speculation. We don't know what Indurain would be able to achieve in present day racing conditions.

Oh, it could be that I am being too dramatic. It's just that posts like this...

I would say Bertie in top form would be way to much for Mig. IMO Only Chicken ,Schleck, Evans, Froome would stay in touching distance with a top form Bertie on a queen stage.
I think a early Armstrong was unbeatable followed by a eyeballs out Pantani from videos I have seen of him.
Before that era I have no idea its a job for the clinic to discuss.

...are so wrong that they tear my heart. I'm sorry. Cheers.

@Ray
Evans could at no point his career climb with a top form Contador. Andy could occasionally and Froome has been the only rider to match or surpass a top form Contador in the mountains (with
the exception of Rassmussen). Many have said could but I don't agree.

I have to disagree . Evans would have had at least 1 more maybe 2 more tour wins under his belt but for bad luck. He really should have won more GT''s His form in his tour winning and WC winning year IMO showed he was as good as Bertie etc. Very underestimated rider in my opinion and his ride to chase down Schleck and dragging the whole peloton along with no team support was truly a monster ride in his tour victory.
We have never really seen Bertie and Froome on equal par i.e. both in top form. The nearest we got was 2014 and Bertie was far to strong for Froome. I hope we get a battle this year, both on form and flying but I think Aru and Astana will be to aggressive and will beat them both.
That's what makes it good though . We all have our own views except mine are right
On a serious note I hope Bertie has one more great season left. I'm not exactly confident after last years highs and lows.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

http://sport.tv2.dk/2016-01-09-contador-maaske-tager-jeg-ogsaa-vueltaen

Contador considering to do the Vuelta. It would definitely be a glorious ending to his career, if he could do the Tour-Olympics-Vuelta triple.

His comments on the team website (on the previous page) don't really read like he's really considering it, sounds more like the usual "I'm not ruling it out"

I'd to see it like it. Finish close to home, little pressure to win, maybe some dumb kamikaze attacks (*** that parcours though)

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

http://sport.tv2.dk/2016-01-09-contador-maaske-tager-jeg-ogsaa-vueltaen

Contador considering to do the Vuelta. It would definitely be a glorious ending to his career, if he could do the Tour-Olympics-Vuelta triple.

His comments on the team website (on the previous page) don't really read like he's really considering it, sounds more like the usual "I'm not ruling it out"

I would guess if he wins TDF and Olympics, I could see him doing Vuelta as his last goodbye since he got no pressure. We might seeing some crazy stuff from him if he competes with no pressure. Well, one can dream

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

It seems you are the one who is misunderstanding these posts. Most would agree that Indurain would beat Contador (and all other current GC riders). The point is (as has been pointed out 20 times) you can't compare riders from different eras. If Indurain had been born in 1985 he would have been a different rider and if Contador had been born in 1965 he would have been a different rider. Any comparison is based on nothing but speculation. We don't know what Indurain would be able to achieve in present day racing conditions.

Oh, it could be that I am being too dramatic. It's just that posts like this...

I would say Bertie in top form would be way to much for Mig. IMO Only Chicken ,Schleck, Evans, Froome would stay in touching distance with a top form Bertie on a queen stage.
I think a early Armstrong was unbeatable followed by a eyeballs out Pantani from videos I have seen of him.
Before that era I have no idea its a job for the clinic to discuss.

...are so wrong that they tear my heart. I'm sorry. Cheers.

@Ray
Evans could at no point his career climb with a top form Contador. Andy could occasionally and Froome has been the only rider to match or surpass a top form Contador in the mountains (with
the exception of Rassmussen). Many have said could but I don't agree.

What's your evidence for this statement. We didn't get to see the big 2014 match, because they both crashed out of the Tour. I'd say that was the only time both were in top form. Whereas Contador was still very young in 2007 and he nackered himself out with repeated attacks against Rassmussen and paid for it subsequently. A more experienced AC and a stronger one, would have dealt nicely with the Dane.

Point is, we haven't seen a top AC at the Tour since 2009.

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

Point is, we haven't seen a top AC at the Tour since 2009.

+1000 here. Game, set, and match.

The key for the '16 TdF may actually be what Movistar/Quintana does. Sky may be able to bottle one genie. Not two. And so far, as I stated previously, I don't have the feeling that Nairito has the b@lls to go for the win and take risks vs. riding not to lose, Ulle style when Lance was around.

 

[rhubroma]

Re: Re:

Point is, we haven't seen a top AC at the Tour since 2009.

+1000 here. Game, set, and match.

The key for the '16 TdF may actually be what Movistar/Quintana does. Sky may be able to bottle one genie. Not two. And so far, as I stated previously, I don't have the feeling that Nairito has the b@lls to go for the win and take risks vs. riding not to lose, Ulle style when Lance was around.

Nairo's problem will be the ITT. Then you have to factor in Astana. Nibali only feigns being in a secondary position in July. I bet he's thinking in terms of 2014 peak, but then Aru will have the better structured program to arrive in top form. Whatever the case, don't neglect the potential for Astana to put big pressure on in the mountains. Both the Sicilian and the Sardinian like to attack, which will be good for the race. Now if Quintana can step up and since we know AC won't hold back if he finds 2014 form, this could be the hardest year for Sky yet.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

Do people really believe Alberto will ride La Vuelta?

It's amazing the amount of people who do believe he'll ride it.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Of course he'll ride the Vuelta if it's his last season as a pro.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Of course he'll ride the Vuelta if it's his last season as a pro.

He won't if he realizes he won't be able to win. He'll only ride it if he crashes out of the Tour, and in that case he won't retire either.
Just read his comments on the team website, it's clear he has no plans to ride it, it's just the usual "I'm not saying no just yet" to keep the organizers happy.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re: Re:

Of course he'll ride the Vuelta if it's his last season as a pro.

He won't if he realizes he won't be able to win. He'll only ride it if he crashes out of the Tour, and in that case he won't retire either.
Just read his comments on the team website, it's clear he has no plans to ride it, it's just the usual "I'm not saying no just yet" to keep the organizers happy.

If he continues in 2017, what team do you think he'll ride for since Oleg said he'll be out?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Of course he'll ride the Vuelta if it's his last season as a pro.

He won't if he realizes he won't be able to win. He'll only ride it if he crashes out of the Tour, and in that case he won't retire either.
Just read his comments on the team website, it's clear he has no plans to ride it, it's just the usual "I'm not saying no just yet" to keep the organizers happy.

If he continues in 2017, what team do you think he'll ride for since Oleg said he'll be out?

Oleg leaving doesn't mean the team stops. Oleg said he is willing to sell the team.

Alberto said that he might continue "if he launches a personal project" which I guess means a pro Continental team. I could also see him on any team lead by Bjarne. I can't really imagine him on another team but I wouldn't have thought of Saxo either in 2010.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

Not sure if many of you are aware that Alberto hates riding La Vuelta. He loves it, but hates riding it because of its crap routes with all the murito finishes and thus having to sprint for bonuses. Which is why it amazes me that many people are saying he'll ride it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Not sure if many of you are aware that Alberto hates riding La Vuelta. He loves it, but hates riding it because of its crap routes with all the murito finishes and thus having to sprint for bonuses. Which is why it amazes me that many people are saying he'll ride it.

Yep, that's what he said in the report on the team website too.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

Re: Re:

Of course he'll ride the Vuelta if it's his last season as a pro.

He won't if he realizes he won't be able to win. He'll only ride it if he crashes out of the Tour, and in that case he won't retire either.
Just read his comments on the team website, it's clear he has no plans to ride it, it's just the usual "I'm not saying no just yet" to keep the organizers happy.

If he continues in 2017, what team do you think he'll ride for since Oleg said he'll be out?

Oleg leaving doesn't mean the team stops. Oleg said he is willing to sell the team.

Alberto said that he might continue "if he launches a personal project" which I guess means a pro Continental team. I could also see him on any team lead by Bjarne. I can't really imagine him on another team but I wouldn't have thought of Saxo either in 2010.

From what I know, it is really complicated for Bjarne Riis to return to cycling, the same with Saxo Bank (of course I could be wrong and things change). And it also looks like Alberto might continue in 2017 as he might be close to forming a Pro team for 2017. I'm not sure but something should be announce between April and May.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

Re: Re:

Not sure if many of you are aware that Alberto hates riding La Vuelta. He loves it, but hates riding it because of its crap routes with all the murito finishes and thus having to sprint for bonuses. Which is why it amazes me that many people are saying he'll ride it.

Yep, that's what he said in the report on the team website too.

I read it and it's really funny seeing all the Spanish cycling site saying that Alberto will ride La Vuelta or that he doesn't rule out riding it this year. You just have to read his own statement on what he says about the route. And when the time comes people are going to start calling him a liar for supposedly saying he'll ride it but didn't.

 

[KyoGrey]

He won't ride the Vuelta if he either wins the Tour or wins Olimpic gold.

It is pretty obvious he wants to end his story on a high on this 2 races.

La Vuelta is the B-plan if he fails. Only then he will be motivated enough to get in a winning condition for the Spanish GT.

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Of course he'll ride the Vuelta if it's his last season as a pro.

He won't if he realizes he won't be able to win. He'll only ride it if he crashes out of the Tour, and in that case he won't retire either.
Just read his comments on the team website, it's clear he has no plans to ride it, it's just the usual "I'm not saying no just yet" to keep the organizers happy.

If he continues in 2017, what team do you think he'll ride for since Oleg said he'll be out?

Oleg leaving doesn't mean the team stops. Oleg said he is willing to sell the team.

Alberto said that he might continue "if he launches a personal project" which I guess means a pro Continental team. I could also see him on any team lead by Bjarne. I can't really imagine him on another team but I wouldn't have thought of Saxo either in 2010.

From what I know, it is really complicated for Bjarne Riis to return to cycling, the same with Saxo Bank (of course I could be wrong and things change). And it also looks like Alberto might continue in 2017 as he might be close to forming a Pro team for 2017. I'm not sure but something should be announce between April and May.

well, Contador definitely always creates a lot of guessing among his fans. Last year we were debating about his double attempt. This year we will be debating whether or not he enters Vuelta or whether or not he will continue to ride 2017 . I don't want to guess, but I do hope that he win TDF and for icing on the cake he wins the olympic. There's no better way to retire while he is on the top.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Heh

 

[LaFlorecita]

Landa:

The climber has been asked about who considered his biggest rivals and barely hesitated: "Nibali is a rider that I've always admired and I will love to ride against him. Contador has been and is the best. Purito is always there and it will be nice to be up against him. And Aru because we will go from being teammates to being rivals,” he told BiciCiclismo.

 

[rhubroma]

Heh

Ahh, but it seems the greater interests of cycling have conspired against him.

 

[Miburo]

When is Algerve?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

When is Algerve?

17 Feb

 

[Red Rick]

Fun thought: any GT he won a stage in he went on to win. Not many who can say that I think, especially of his caliber

 

[sir fly]

Re:

Fun thought: any GT he won a stage in he went on to win. Not many who can say that I think, especially of his caliber

Remarkable, indeed.
There are riders who were winning the stages even when they weren't winning the Tour, while there are riders who can win a stage only when they're winning the whole race.