Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[BlurryVII]

Re:

@infeXio Exactly. As you well pointed out, what I meant was that Contador was, once again isolated, which has happened so often during his career.

Thanks

Dauphiné 2014 was the most shocking example in recent years, he was alone, in the true sense of the word. He lost the race entirely because of it.

 

[peloton]

@blackmamba The reply system is a mess, but so agree with you!

 

[peloton]

Re: Re:

@infeXio Exactly. As you well pointed out, what I meant was that Contador was, once again isolated, which has happened so often during his career.

Thanks

Dauphiné 2014 was the most shocking example in recent years, he was alone, in the true sense of the word. He lost the race entirely because of it.

Indeed, that was abysmal, team wise. Yet he still fought for the win, himself. But like I said, he's used to it.
2009 he had a super, but broken team

 

[PremierAndrew]

What if Berto had a mechanical up that climb? Having a team around you is more than just closing down attacks

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

What if Berto had a mechanical up that climb? Having a team around you is more than just closing down attacks

This is one of the two real problems with the weakness of his team here (and on many other occasions). If he gets unlucky, there's nobody to give him a wheel. The other real issue is that if a serious rival attacks he has to cover it himself or hope that someone else does it for their own reasons. By contrast, the likes of Froome can stick a couple of his top quality worker bees on the front to slowly reel attackers back.

Those are the two real issues. Any notion that he might use a stronger team to implement some tactic he can't currently use on the other hand is probably wrong. You could give Contador a team of superdoms and he still wouldn't use them to dictate the race in the Sky manner. It's just not how he rides. The team is just there to look after him until it's time for him to do his thing.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: Re:

I disagree, more support and he can win the stage. Even if it isn't his best type of climb. Martin is a good climber but I don't know how strong Sky where really pushing it if Nieve managed to stay within 18 sec. Alberto goes with Kreuziger and Martin might not have been a factor even with his punchier finish.

Contador would never in a million years try a "going with Kreuziger" double attack on this kind of climb. Even more so with the queen stage tomorrow. If Kreuziger was there it would have been to get him bottles, provide him a wheel or, at most, pull back attackers. Kreuziger wouldn't have been any better at pulling back Martin in the end than TJVG was.

TJVG really did a heroic unwitting domestique's job for Contador today. He was strong enough to keep Martin from just disappearing into the distance but lacking enough in explosivity for Contador to be able to grab his wheel and hold it.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

What if Berto had a mechanical up that climb? Having a team around you is more than just closing down attacks

This is one of the two real problems with the weakness of his team here (and on many other occasions). If he gets unlucky, there's nobody to give him a wheel. The other real issue is that if a serious rival attacks he has to cover it himself or hope that someone else does it for their own reasons. By contrast, the likes of Froome can stick a couple of his top quality worker bees on the front to slowly reel attackers back.

Those are the two real issues. Any notion that he might use a stronger team to implement some tactic he can't currently use on the other hand is probably wrong. You could give Contador a team of superdoms and he still wouldn't use them to dictate the race in the Sky manner. It's just not how he rides. The team is just there to look after him until it's time for him to do his thing.

Berto put his team to workn in the Giro everyday from the begining of the stages even without the pink, becouse Giro was a big objetive and he wanted to be always well protected, at the front and the race at his pace. He had strong riders to do that. Cataluña is not a big objetive of the year but it is a big test and he must be not happy about his team here for the mountains, becouse in the plain is worked out quite well.

There are mor inconveniences than a mechanical, if fact there are neutral cars or you team car, although is better to have a team mate, but if you are alone from far you need to go by yourself to the car.

Anyway of course Contador is going to use his team in a different way than SKY, becouse Contador has a strong atack that allowed him to drop people, and Froome need to have people tired to drop with an attack. But at the end, is similar,when Contador has a strong team the team set the pace at the front and when he is ready to attack, someone, maybe Majka now, Navarro in the past,...set a kind of attack that Alberto continues with his powerfull attack

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

I disagree, more support and he can win the stage. Even if it isn't his best type of climb. Martin is a good climber but I don't know how strong Sky where really pushing it if Nieve managed to stay within 18 sec. Alberto goes with Kreuziger and Martin might not have been a factor even with his punchier finish.

Contador would never in a million years try a "going with Kreuziger" double attack on this kind of climb. Even more so with the queen stage tomorrow. If Kreuziger was there it would have been to get him bottles, provide him a wheel or, at most, pull back attackers. Kreuziger wouldn't have been any better at pulling back Martin in the end than TJVG was.

TJVG really did a heroic unwitting domestique's job for Contador today. He was strong enough to keep Martin from just disappearing into the distance but lacking enough in explosivity for Contador to be able to grab his wheel and hold it.

Contador took advantage of TVG, as well as Tejay took of Bardet later. Contador always know how to handle, he hadnt a great feeling toay but he put time to almost everybody. He is an expert to attack toward the motos, but that is not his blame, it is part ofthe race and you have to use everything the race give. For me is something to aplaude, how he read the race.

 

[HelloDolly]

What makes Contador so feared and admired in the peloton is no one knows what he is going to do...He could attack on the last climb , the first climb, on the downhill, on the flat

Even if he had a team most would not be able to stay with him as he doesn't ride to script
I sometimes think a team for him is just a social thing.... just some guys he goes for coffee with when he is training

 

[ferryman]

Re:

What makes Contador so feared and admired in the peloton is no one knows what he is going to do...He could attack on the last climb , the first climb, on the downhill, on the flat

Even if he had a team most would not be able to stay with him as he doesn't ride to script
I sometimes think a team for him is just a social thing.... just some guys he goes for coffee with when he is training

Steady there fellow. Keep your guard up. You were doing well until this obviously intentional slip.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re: Re:

What makes Contador so feared and admired in the peloton is no one knows what he is going to do...He could attack on the last climb , the first climb, on the downhill, on the flat

Even if he had a team most would not be able to stay with him as he doesn't ride to script
I sometimes think a team for him is just a social thing.... just some guys he goes for coffee with when he is training

Steady there fellow. Keep your guard up. You were doing well until this obviously intentional slip.

Not sure what that is supposed to mean ?

trouble with Contador fans on here is if you don't agree with everything they say you are anti them and trolling
If you do agree with them then you are pulling a fast one

There is a middle ground you know..
A ground where one could maybe reject most of what is said on this thread and still think Contador is the best cyclist

Hard to believe I know

 

[blackmamba]

What is it really to say about Contador more? Everyone who has followed cycling for more than 2 years knows that Contador is the greatest rider of our generation, its not even a question. And hes arguable the greatest GT rider of all time at this stage (No rider in the history has been able to dominate GT's over such a large time gap as he has and noones has even been close, not even hinault IN A TIME were cycling has evolved and its harder competition, should speak for itself) were simply witnessing the last years of a all time great.

People who cant come to terms with that are simply not dealing with facts its as simple as that!

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: Re:

Contador took advantage of TVG, as well as Tejay took of Bardet later. Contador always know how to handle, he hadnt a great feeling toay but he put time to almost everybody. He is an expert to attack toward the motos, but that is not his blame, it is part ofthe race and you have to use everything the race give. For me is something to aplaude, how he read the race.

Yes, I agree with this. I'm not criticising Contador for picking the right wheel to follow. If TJVG, in pursuing his own interests, wants to haul Contador away from the other main favourites, Contador would be a fool not to take advantage. It's just amusing that TJVG played exactly the role a strong domestique would have for Alberto.

 

[ferryman]

Re: Re:

What makes Contador so feared and admired in the peloton is no one knows what he is going to do...He could attack on the last climb , the first climb, on the downhill, on the flat

Even if he had a team most would not be able to stay with him as he doesn't ride to script
I sometimes think a team for him is just a social thing.... just some guys he goes for coffee with when he is training

Steady there fellow. Keep your guard up. You were doing well until this obviously intentional slip.

Not sure what that is supposed to mean ?

trouble with Contador fans on here is if you don't agree with everything they say you are anti them and trolling
If you do agree with them then you are pulling a fast one

There is a middle ground you know..
A ground where one could maybe reject most of what is said on this thread and still think Contador is the best cyclist

Hard to believe I know

Middle ground is good for everyone, and it makes me happy you think Contador is the best cyclist. And here was me starting to think you had a bias and an agenda. Nice to agree. Coffee amigos por va for...

 

[dacooley]

Re:

By the way, where is the genius Roman Koran who thought Contador would get smashed because he lost to Sky's lieutenant blabla number 3, and now he has no chance against Sky's blabla number 2 and 1? Great logic, isn't it? Who's getting smashed now?
Wait for tomorrow.

don't be delusional and try to analyze all of your predictions. 95% of them consist of 'easily', 'destroy' and 'smash' but often don't come true as well.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re: Re:

There is a middle ground you know..
A ground where one could maybe reject most of what is said on this thread and still think Contador is the best cyclist

Contador has been the best cyclist of the last decade, sure.

But, for example, giving him credit for the Fuente Dé strategy, which was clearly Bjarne's brainchild, is rubbish. Sure, Contador pulled off an impressive ride, but the idea itself was 100% Riis and the Dane should take full credit for it.

 

[Singer01]

Re:

What is it really to say about Contador more? Everyone who has followed cycling for more than 2 years knows that Contador is the greatest rider of our generation, its not even a question. And hes arguable the greatest GT rider of all time at this stage (No rider in the history has been able to dominate GT's over such a large time gap as he has and noones has even been close, not even hinault IN A TIME were cycling has evolved and its harder competition, should speak for itself) were simply witnessing the last years of a all time great.

People who cant come to terms with that are simply not dealing with facts its as simple as that!

what is it with cycling news that whenever anyone says FACTS they almost always mean opinions.
he hasn't dominated most of the GC's he's won, he has won through style & tactical nous combined with a high level of ability, but he has rarely ground people into the dust like EM did. The giro in 11 for me was his most complete win, and though that was a big win it wasn't against the best field, nibs wasn't the rider he is now, and scarponi is a 'never has been'.

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Re:

By the way, where is the genius Roman Koran who thought Contador would get smashed because he lost to Sky's lieutenant blabla number 3, and now he has no chance against Sky's blabla number 2 and 1? Great logic, isn't it? Who's getting smashed now?
Wait for tomorrow.

don't be delusional and try to analyze all of your predictions. 95% of them consist of 'easily', 'destroy' and 'smash' but often don't come true as well.

What the heck are you babbling about?
I never do predictions, I always discuss what has already happened. I just called out someone who did a very stupid prediction, I didn't do any. Obviously saying that he wouldn't beat Froome because he didn't beat Thomas made me laugh out loud. Did you agree with him here too? Probably not, then why the *** are you responding once again to say nothing?

By the way, are you still on your way to proving that Contador 2013 was better than 09' ? C'mon, we're waiting

 

[dacooley]

Re: Re:

By the way, where is the genius Roman Koran who thought Contador would get smashed because he lost to Sky's lieutenant blabla number 3, and now he has no chance against Sky's blabla number 2 and 1? Great logic, isn't it? Who's getting smashed now?
Wait for tomorrow.

don't be delusional and try to analyze all of your predictions. 95% of them consist of 'easily', 'destroy' and 'smash' but often don't come true as well.

What the heck are you babbling about?
I never do predictions, I always discuss what has already happened. I just called out someone who did a very stupid prediction, I didn't do any. Obviously saying that he wouldn't beat Froome because he didn't beat Thomas made me laugh out loud. Did you agree with him here too? Probably not, then why the **** are you responding once again to say nothing?

By the way, are you still on your way to proving that Contador 2013 was better than 09' ? C'mon, we're waiting

i've never said anything like that. stop it, please. i'm afraid when trying to impose your expert opinion on all the other cycling fans, you started confusing em at one point. the only thing one've learnt from talking to you IS if one is not in your hype wagon, one's automatically getting a delusional ac hater who knows nothing about cycling. simple as that.

 

[Metabolol]

Re: Re:

Contador took advantage of TVG, as well as Tejay took of Bardet later. Contador always know how to handle, he hadnt a great feeling toay but he put time to almost everybody. He is an expert to attack toward the motos, but that is not his blame, it is part ofthe race and you have to use everything the race give. For me is something to aplaude, how he read the race.

Yes, I agree with this. I'm not criticising Contador for picking the right wheel to follow. If TJVG, in pursuing his own interests, wants to haul Contador away from the other main favourites, Contador would be a fool not to take advantage. It's just amusing that TJVG played exactly the role a strong domestique would have for Alberto.

There you go. Alberto should have had more support.

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Re:

By the way, where is the genius Roman Koran who thought Contador would get smashed because he lost to Sky's lieutenant blabla number 3, and now he has no chance against Sky's blabla number 2 and 1? Great logic, isn't it? Who's getting smashed now?
Wait for tomorrow.

don't be delusional and try to analyze all of your predictions. 95% of them consist of 'easily', 'destroy' and 'smash' but often don't come true as well.

What the heck are you babbling about?
I never do predictions, I always discuss what has already happened. I just called out someone who did a very stupid prediction, I didn't do any. Obviously saying that he wouldn't beat Froome because he didn't beat Thomas made me laugh out loud. Did you agree with him here too? Probably not, then why the **** are you responding once again to say nothing?

By the way, are you still on your way to proving that Contador 2013 was better than 09' ? C'mon, we're waiting

i've never said anything like that. stop it, please. i'm afraid when trying to impose your expert opinion on all the other cycling fans, you started confusing em at one point. the only thing one've learnt from talking to you IS if one is not in your hype wagon, one's automatically getting a delusional ac hater who knows nothing about cycling. simple as that.

Well, the guy I pointed out is"a delusional ac hater who knows nothing about cycling" for saying what he said, that's for sure lol.
Not only him, also guys who wonder why AC couldn't drop Porte on col d'Eze.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

There is a middle ground you know..
A ground where one could maybe reject most of what is said on this thread and still think Contador is the best cyclist

Contador has been the best cyclist of the last decade, sure.

But, for example, giving him credit for the Fuente Dé strategy, which was clearly Bjarne's brainchild, is rubbish. Sure, Contador pulled off an impressive ride, but the idea itself was 100% Riis and the Dane should take full credit for it.

Absolute nonsense.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

There is a middle ground you know..
A ground where one could maybe reject most of what is said on this thread and still think Contador is the best cyclist

Contador has been the best cyclist of the last decade, sure.

Valverde disagrees.

 

[BlurryVII]

This guy is gonna call me out for considering people delusional everytime I disagree with someone lol, even if what I say is just common sense. Not my fault if some people post absolute nonsense on this board.

 

[lenric]

Contador didn't have a team. To be honest, I can't remember 5 races where he had a team.
He has always been far superior to everyone else, so it was pointless for him to have a team, but since Froome's appearance Contador's superiority isn't as much notorious (if he is, which is debatable) as before. More importantly, Sky's way of racing have changed cycling into a kinda dull sport. Much like Formula 1 became in the last decade.