Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Well, it's good to hear he's feeling strong. Hopefully he can grab the win in Pais Vasco

 

[Matteo.]

Re:

Well, it's good to hear he's feeling strong. Hopefully he can grab the win in Pais Vasco

The uphill finish of second stage .
I think only Purito ( if he will be in good form) or Henao can match him on this climb. Anyway, i'm pretty sure he will win PV through ITT rather than mountains

 

[Scarponi]

Lots of comparisons to 14 Berto. I do not remember there being an 18km climb in any of the stage races he did that year until Vuetla

 

[bajbar]

If we only look at the results comparing to 2014:

In both years finished on the podium of Algarve and won Malhao (this year with a much bigger gap)
In 2014 he won T-A and two stages. This year he finished second, 4 secs off the win (but would most propably have won GC + stage, if Mont Brouilly wasnt cancelled)
Both years he finished a couple seconds off the win in second place in Catalunya.

So no much of a difference. If he wins Pais Vasco, adding a stage or two, the difference would be minimal.
The form is here aswell, maybe half a step under 2014, but nothing he could not fix during his period off, where he will be training at altitude and inspecting the Tour route.

 

[Red Rick]

The base is there. Now he should just not overrace if he's not healthy/recovering well.

 

[Campervan man]

When's his next race? I think he's where he should be in regards form. Losing a bit of time to Nairo after recovering from a cold is not the end of the world, I expect a big showing of strength at his next race.

 

[BlurryVII]

I thought he looked pretty smooth out of the saddle today, his attack looked strong too. But like rm7 said, he realised quickly it was not possible to make any difference, everyone was chasing the attacks, not only Quintana so impossible to get away .

I'm confident he'll be much better in Pais Vasco. Don't know about the win, he seems to be cursed this year. Maybe he'll be rewarded at the Tour only on the contrary of 2014. I'd rather just see him win the Tour and not win any 1 week race, than a 2014 like season.

 

[Miburo]

Is it panick mode fleur?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

If we only look at the results comparing to 2014:

In both years finished on the podium of Algarve and won Malhao (this year with a much bigger gap)
In 2014 he won T-A and two stages. This year he finished second, 4 secs off the win (but would most propably have won GC + stage, if Mont Brouilly wasnt cancelled)
Both years he finished a couple seconds off the win in second place in Catalunya.

So no much of a difference. If he wins Pais Vasco, adding a stage or two, the difference would be minimal.
The form is here aswell, maybe half a step under 2014, but nothing he could not fix during his period off, where he will be training at altitude and inspecting the Tour route.

Yeah good point. The difference really isn't that big.
Next Pais Vasco, the ITT should give Alberto the edge I would think. Maybe he can give a show on the climbs as well

 

[Jelantik]

I think he is happy with his form. tactical error? He admitted. Considering that he doesn't have a stellar form to cover every attack, it's a bit surprising for someone like Contador to just got sucked into that.

“In hindsight, had my tactics on the climb to Port Ainé [stage 4] been different I might have had more chances for the GC. Instead of trying to control the two BMC riders and Nairo, I should have let him take more responsibility.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-martin-and-marcel-kittel-lead-etixx-quickstep-at-driedaagse-de-panne-news-shorts/

 

[Jelantik]

Re:

I thought he looked pretty smooth out of the saddle today, his attack looked strong too. But like rm7 said, he realised quickly it was not possible to make any difference, everyone was chasing the attacks, not only Quintana so impossible to get away .

I'm confident he'll be much better in Pais Vasco. Don't know about the win, he seems to be cursed this year. Maybe he'll be rewarded at the Tour only on the contrary of 2014. I'd rather just see him win the Tour and not win any 1 week race, than a 2014 like season.

that's a good way to look at it. Big picture. But it, still, would be nice if he can pick up a win since this is his last year. There's no more PN, or Catalunya or anything else with him riding next year. That part I'm a bit disappointed. I hope he can finish his last year with gun blazing (like Cancellara now. He is riding so so well and winning)

 

[rm7]

I think he is happy with his form. tactical error? He admitted. Considering that he doesn't have a stellar form to cover every attack, it's a bit surprising for someone like Contador to just got sucked into that.

“In hindsight, had my tactics on the climb to Port Ainé [stage 4] been different I might have had more chances for the GC. Instead of trying to control the two BMC riders and Nairo, I should have let him take more responsibility.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-martin-and-marcel-kittel-lead-etixx-quickstep-at-driedaagse-de-panne-news-shorts/

I'm still pretty sure that if he did a Contador vs Schleck/Rasmussen that day, he wouldn't have been dropped my Quintana. If it was a 3 week race, I think he would've let guys like TJ, Porte etc go.

Just like in the Tour 2010 I think, where he and Schleck rode against each other and Menchov and Sanchez just rode by them at one point.

He underestimated Quintana, and in one week races you've only got one shot. You can't let any guys go just for one day, or you won't win the race.

 

[Publicus]

I think he is happy with his form. tactical error? He admitted. Considering that he doesn't have a stellar form to cover every attack, it's a bit surprising for someone like Contador to just got sucked into that.

“In hindsight, had my tactics on the climb to Port Ainé [stage 4] been different I might have had more chances for the GC. Instead of trying to control the two BMC riders and Nairo, I should have let him take more responsibility.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-martin-and-marcel-kittel-lead-etixx-quickstep-at-driedaagse-de-panne-news-shorts/

I noticed this on Stage 3 and thought this would be his issue going in: with so many top contenders, how do you decide who to cover/react to, especially given his weak team. I think this underscores how important Majka and Kreuziger will be at the TdF. I'm hopeful that the other climbing domestiques bring their A-games as well, or Contador will burn himself out chasing down attacks.

 

[Matteo.]

Re: Re:

Next Pais Vasco, the ITT should give Alberto the edge I would think. Maybe he can give a show on the climbs as well

 

[rm7]

I think he is happy with his form. tactical error? He admitted. Considering that he doesn't have a stellar form to cover every attack, it's a bit surprising for someone like Contador to just got sucked into that.

“In hindsight, had my tactics on the climb to Port Ainé [stage 4] been different I might have had more chances for the GC. Instead of trying to control the two BMC riders and Nairo, I should have let him take more responsibility.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-martin-and-marcel-kittel-lead-etixx-quickstep-at-driedaagse-de-panne-news-shorts/

I noticed this on Stage 3 and thought this would be his issue going in: with so many top contenders, how do you decide who to cover/react to, especially given his weak team. I think this underscores how important Majka and Kreuziger will be at the TdF. I'm hopeful that the other climbing domestiques bring their A-games as well, or Contador will burn himself out chasing down attacks.

You have to take into account that this will only be relevant if Contador is the top favourite, which is unlikely. Froome will come with SKY and probably control the race, so Contador's option should be;

a) Wait for Froomes attack, and then follow wheel (Vuelta 2014 style)
b) Go with Quintana, when he attacks (he usually does before Froome)
c) Try to break down the SKY train himself with a Majka/Kreuziger full gas, and then attack.

I think that option C will only happen if he has lost time.

 

[Matteo.]

I think he is happy with his form. tactical error? He admitted. Considering that he doesn't have a stellar form to cover every attack, it's a bit surprising for someone like Contador to just got sucked into that.

“In hindsight, had my tactics on the climb to Port Ainé [stage 4] been different I might have had more chances for the GC. Instead of trying to control the two BMC riders and Nairo, I should have let him take more responsibility.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-martin-and-marcel-kittel-lead-etixx-quickstep-at-driedaagse-de-panne-news-shorts/

I noticed this on Stage 3 and thought this would be his issue going in: with so many top contenders, how do you decide who to cover/react to, especially given his weak team. I think this underscores how important Majka and Kreuziger will be at the TdF. I'm hopeful that the other climbing domestiques bring their A-games as well, or Contador will burn himself out chasing down attacks.

You have to take into account that this will only be relevant if Contador is the top favourite, which is unlikely. Froome will come with SKY and probably control the race, so Contador's option should be;

a) Wait for Froomes attack, and then follow wheel (Vuelta 2014 style)
b) Go with Quintana, when he attacks (he usually does before Froome)
c) Try to break down the SKY train himself with a Majka/Kreuziger full gas, and then attack.

I think that option C will only happen if he has lost time.

But the most important, there's the option "zero" : to be on the same level of both Quintana and Froome... which is uncertan.

 

[Gigs_98]

I think he is happy with his form. tactical error? He admitted. Considering that he doesn't have a stellar form to cover every attack, it's a bit surprising for someone like Contador to just got sucked into that.

“In hindsight, had my tactics on the climb to Port Ainé [stage 4] been different I might have had more chances for the GC. Instead of trying to control the two BMC riders and Nairo, I should have let him take more responsibility.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tony-martin-and-marcel-kittel-lead-etixx-quickstep-at-driedaagse-de-panne-news-shorts/

I noticed this on Stage 3 and thought this would be his issue going in: with so many top contenders, how do you decide who to cover/react to, especially given his weak team. I think this underscores how important Majka and Kreuziger will be at the TdF. I'm hopeful that the other climbing domestiques bring their A-games as well, or Contador will burn himself out chasing down attacks.

You have to take into account that this will only be relevant if Contador is the top favourite, which is unlikely. Froome will come with SKY and probably control the race, so Contador's option should be;

a) Wait for Froomes attack, and then follow wheel (Vuelta 2014 style)
b) Go with Quintana, when he attacks (he usually does before Froome)
c) Try to break down the SKY train himself with a Majka/Kreuziger full gas, and then attack.

I think that option C will only happen if he has lost time.

Yes, "C" is basically suicide in the first mountain stages of the tdf. We've seen how Froome can destroy everyone on these stages and if the rest of the riders should have learned one thing from last year: Wait for Froome to show how strong he is. After he does Contador knows what to do in the following mountain stages.
Last year Movistar tried tactic "C" on Pierre Saint Martin and at the end they just helped Froome. Option "A" is definitely the best one, since Sky will try to bring back any attackers anyway and he would probably only waste his energies by trying to follow anyone.

 

[BlurryVII]

Yeah I agree, trying a move on the first MTF is suicide. He should just wait for Froome's attack and then counter him depending on his form.

On another note, I've compared pics from Paris Nice and Catalunya and I'm now pretty sure he was leaner in PN. Shows the lack of training during the week in between.
One or two high intensity trainings this week before Pais Vasco should put him a notch above his catalunya level.

 

[Matteo.]

Today he did some work in tunnel wind. Hope the next days , he wil train hard to flying in PV , al least in ITT

 

[cellardoor]

Re:

Yeah I agree, trying a move on the first MTF is suicide. He should just wait for Froome's attack and then counter him depending on his form.

On another note, I've compared pics from Paris Nice and Catalunya and I'm now pretty sure he was leaner in PN. Shows the lack of training during the week in between.
One or two high intensity trainings this week before Pais Vasco should put him a notch above his catalunya level.

I'm sure that Contador will just play it by ear. If he's feeling good on the 1st mountain stage and Froome shows signs of weakness then he'll attack. There is always the possibility that Froome mixes it up by peaking for the 3rd week instead of his usual 1st week peak and then bluff his was through the 1st week with everyone scared to do anything because they are waiting for his big attack.

 

[Matteo.]

Team for Pais Vasco:

Contador
Kreuziger
Hansen
Kiserlovsky
Trofimov
Hernandez
Mccarthy
Valgren

Hoping Trofimov and Kiserlovski have recovered from the cold, this is a good team

 

[Metabolol]

Yes, that looks like a good lineup. Contador is in good shape but this is also a team sport. Hopefully someone like Kreuziger can tip the balance in Alberto's favour so he manages to win one of these shorter stage races. With better team support he might have won one already.

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Re:

Yeah I agree, trying a move on the first MTF is suicide. He should just wait for Froome's attack and then counter him depending on his form.

On another note, I've compared pics from Paris Nice and Catalunya and I'm now pretty sure he was leaner in PN. Shows the lack of training during the week in between.
One or two high intensity trainings this week before Pais Vasco should put him a notch above his catalunya level.

I'm sure that Contador will just play it by ear. If he's feeling good on the 1st mountain stage and Froome shows signs of weakness then he'll attack. There is always the possibility that Froome mixes it up by peaking for the 3rd week instead of his usual 1st week peak and then bluff his was through the 1st week with everyone scared to do anything because they are waiting for his big attack.

That would actually be very smart.

 

[Metabolol]

I doubt Sky and Froome will change their approach, they will come out with their guns blazing. It would be risky to try to change something that has worked really well. Also both Contador and Quintana have in the past (when in excellent shape) been strong in week 3. I also don't think they can bluff their opponents in that way.

I believe Alberto and Tinkoff will focus on staying close to Froome, if he is strong enough he will try to go over the top when Froome attacks. I doubt he will abe able to do that though, I think the best scenario will be simply staying on his wheel and try to minimize time losses. Alberto's opportunity to gain time, I suspect, will come later in the race.

I also think that there will be a couple of teams with GC riders who will try to distrupt the Sky train on the first MTF (maybe even before that stage). I don't think Tinkoff or Movistar will do anything but maybe FDJ and Astana will try something. Probably won't succeed, but it would be nice to see a couple of teams have a plan for a real trap.

 

[ferryman]

Re:

I doubt Sky and Froome will change their approach, they will come out with their guns blazing. It would be risky to try to change something that has worked really well. Also both Contador and Quintana have in the past (when in excellent shape) been strong in week 3. I also don't think they can bluff their opponents in that way.

I believe Alberto and Tinkoff will focus on staying close to Froome, if he is strong enough he will try to go over the top when Froome attacks. I doubt he will abe able to do that though, I think the best scenario will be simply staying on his wheel and try to minimize time losses. Alberto's opportunity to gain time, I suspect, will come later in the race.

I also think that there will be a couple of teams with GC riders who will try to distrupt the Sky train on the first MTF (maybe even before that stage). I don't think Tinkoff or Movistar will do anything but maybe FDJ and Astana will try something. Probably won't succeed, but it would be nice to see a couple of teams have a plan for a real trap.

It's really quite exciting on paper this year. I don't think there will be a trap as such, but this year over most of the past few, there are going to be young guys and their teams going for stage wins and the GT. In the former, I would include Barguil, Kelderman, Yates and Chavez. So that gives 3 extra teams in the mix. Of the latter, Bardet and Pinot, Aru, and Quintana obviously. Anyway, to stay on topic I, like many on here believe Alberto will need the strongest team to support him he has ever had. Those young guys are not afraid to attack. Oh, and there is Sky.