Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[yespatterns]

He is pretty amazing in terms of measuring effort, especially when he's leading, or close to. As he's aged the tactic of doing just enough without overly wasting energy has paid off. Smart riding with panache enough to keep it classy.

 

[Le Blaireau_13]

I watched yesterday's stage and Contador's empathic victory, which was great to see obviously. I read the posts here afterwards and I'd like to share some thoughts with you.

1) I could agree with the prediction that Contador should be able to follow Froome on the Tour's first MTF (Arcalis). But, I'm a bit afraid there's another possible option for time loss (not necessary for Contador, but anyone of the favourites could get in trouble if they aren't in top shape). That other option is the combination of the stage 'Pau - Luchon' and Fabio Aru / Astana. I won't be surprised - I even hope - to see Astana and Aru go all the way, like Giro 2015, at that stage, especially on the Col d'Azet and Peyresourde. If one of the favourites can't follow here, they might lose many minutes, more than on Arcalis I think.
2) I read some posts in which people think Contador will lose time to Froome in the "flat" Tour-time trial en win time in the mountain time trial. I'm not sure on each of them. I just took a look at the Bourg St. Andéol - Caverne du Pont d'Arc time trial and I think it's a time trial perfectly suited to Contador: it starts with a 5km-climb, then a flat part, a quite technically descent and another climb to the finish line.
As for the mountain time trial: I've never seen Froome on that kind of time trial, so I really don't know if Contador will lose time on him, or could take time on him. I think that's just speculation and I'd like to avoid that.

 

[amih77]

Re: Re:

I think it was mentioned before but I'm not sure: it seems that Contador used to be a good descender, aero position, on the drops etc. and nowadays not so much. What's the deal about descending in the hoods?

I think he just played it safe yesterday, avoiding crashes, knowing how much he was ahead of Henao. I don't think there's anything wrong with his descending.

I'm mostly referring to his descending on the hoods. He did that on the tdf 15 and in the giro (look at how he descends from the mortirolo i.e.).

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

I watched yesterday's stage and Contador's empathic victory, which was great to see obviously. I read the posts here afterwards and I'd like to share some thoughts with you.

1) I could agree with the prediction that Contador should be able to follow Froome on the Tour's first MTF (Arcalis). But, I'm a bit afraid there's another possible option for time loss (not necessary for Contador, but anyone of the favourites could get in trouble if they aren't in top shape). That other option is the combination of the stage 'Pau - Luchon' and Fabio Aru / Astana. I won't be surprised - I even hope - to see Astana and Aru go all the way, like Giro 2015, at that stage, especially on the Col d'Azet and Peyresourde. If one of the favourites can't follow here, they might lose many minutes, more than on Arcalis I think.
2) I read some posts in which people think Contador will lose time to Froome in the "flat" Tour-time trial en win time in the mountain time trial. I'm not sure on each of them. I just took a look at the Bourg St. Andéol - Caverne du Pont d'Arc time trial and I think it's a time trial perfectly suited to Contador: it starts with a 5km-climb, then a flat part, a quite technically descent and another climb to the finish line.
As for the mountain time trial: I've never seen Froome on that kind of time trial, so I really don't know if Contador will lose time on him, or could take time on him. I think that's just speculation and I'd like to avoid that.

Good post!

That said, I would really like to hear Blurry's response and see if I got it all wrong.

 

[Miburo]

Aru will definitely be contador's ally in the tour. That might be a really important factor because unlike most tdf contenders, aru is a racer.

 

[dacooley]

Re:

the most important thing in the 1st phase of the tour for bertie will be not allowing froome to ride away alongside with porte on arcalis, because if froome finds an ally in porte's face, that will be terrible.

and yet presumably most of us clearly overdo with thinking that all the things in july pan out according to the 2013-2015/2014 dauphine, vuelta schemes. that's always much more complicated in real life and old models almost never repeat themselves in details. I wouldn't be surpised to see bertie /quintana beating froome on arcalis, but froome reaching his peak on 3rd weak wouldn't be a shocker for me either.

 

[filipepc]

Great to see Him Winning.

Good race to by Quintana and a good TT. He´s very solid, and improving.

Contador now has to rest, it was a strong efort this 3 races he did. As i always say, he is Contador, and even if he don´t win, he will fight for it. This time he did it.

When you love one rider you like to see him perform, so i´m glad if he continues in 2017. He should end it to me with the vuelta. I think a double is possibly, not a tour/giro, ou a Tour Vuelta, but a Giro/ Vuelta. That´s my dream of an era to him...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Great to see Him Winning.

Good race to by Quintana and a good TT. He´s very solid, and improving.

Contador now has to rest, it was a strong efort this 3 races he did. As i always say, he is Contador, and even if he don´t win, he will fight for it. This time he did it.

When you love one rider you like to see him perform, so i´m glad if he continues in 2017. He should end it to me with the vuelta. I think a double is possibly, not a tour/giro, ou a Tour Vuelta, but a Giro/ Vuelta. That´s my dream of an era to him...

I'm dreaming... he wins his 4th Tour this year... and his 4th Giro and 4th Vuelta next year... oh my and he would be in double digits for GT wins even when only counting official wins

 

[Red Rick]

Great to see Him Winning.

Good race to by Quintana and a good TT. He´s very solid, and improving.

Contador now has to rest, it was a strong efort this 3 races he did. As i always say, he is Contador, and even if he don´t win, he will fight for it. This time he did it.

When you love one rider you like to see him perform, so i´m glad if he continues in 2017. He should end it to me with the vuelta. I think a double is possibly, not a tour/giro, ou a Tour Vuelta, but a Giro/ Vuelta. That´s my dream of an era to him...

I'm dreaming... he wins his 4th Tour this year... and his 4th Giro and 4th Vuelta next year... oh my and he would be in double digits for GT wins even when only counting official wins

Would be unofficial perfect symmetry

2 Giro's 3 Tours 1 Vuelta pre ban, 2 Giro's, 1 Tour, 3 Vuelta's post ban, for 4-4-4 overall

 

[ray j willings]

If Bertie wins the tour this year I would like him to retire. Finish on top . Why drag out another year.
Go out a winner.

The Sky train and Froome were under a lot of pressure in last years tour. We will " I hope" also have a bonkers Astana and if they perform at the tour like last years Giro then they will Blow Sky's team train tactics off the road. I think Astana will put Sky/Froome under a lot of pressure. If Nibs and Aru both ride the tour this could potentially blow the race apart regards tactics. I could see a lot of long attacks from Nibs with strong tactical team support i.e Astana sending riders up the road early. Sky would have real problems if this happens. .If Froome is isolated early in a stage he will be attacked and will lose chunks of time
This could work very well for Bertie and Aru.

 

[Le Blaireau_13]

Suppose Contador would win this years Tour and next years Giro + Vuelta (which isn't totally unrealistic).

That would make for:
- 3x (4) Giro d'Italia
- 3x (4) Tour de France
- 4x Vuelta a España

If he would achieve that, would that put him on equal heights with Bernard Hinault, just below Eddy Merckx?

 

[Poursuivant]

When has Quintana and Froome said they are going to next years Giro? I would be surprised if they all went there, Nibali too.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

When has Quintana and Froome said they are going to next years Giro? I would be surprised if they all went there, Nibali too.

Wouldn't be surprised with Nibali doing it, Quintana either really, but I would be very surprised to see Froome.

 

[Poursuivant]

Re: Re:

When has Quintana and Froome said they are going to next years Giro? I would be surprised if they all went there, Nibali too.

Wouldn't be surprised with Nibali doing it, Quintana either really, but I would be very surprised to see Froome.

Found an interview where Quintana talks about maybe doing it next year but nothing from Froome.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

When has Quintana and Froome said they are going to next years Giro? I would be surprised if they all went there, Nibali too.

Wouldn't be surprised with Nibali doing it, Quintana either really, but I would be very surprised to see Froome.

Found an interview where Quintana talks about maybe doing it next year but nothing from Froome.

Yeah and from the current peloton, I think Quintana is the only one who have a realistic shot at winning both or at least being very competitive in both, I dont see Froome having those qualities, I could be mistaken

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Suppose Contador would win this years Tour and next years Giro + Vuelta (which isn't totally unrealistic).

That would make for:
- 3x (4) Giro d'Italia
- 3x (4) Tour de France
- 4x Vuelta a España

If he would achieve that, would that put him on equal heights with Bernard Hinault, just below Eddy Merckx?

IMO it would put him above Hinault (as a stage racer of course)

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

Suppose Contador would win this years Tour and next years Giro + Vuelta (which isn't totally unrealistic).

That would make for:
- 3x (4) Giro d'Italia
- 3x (4) Tour de France
- 4x Vuelta a España

If he would achieve that, would that put him on equal heights with Bernard Hinault, just below Eddy Merckx?

IMO it would put him above Hinault (as a stage racer of course)

Lots of races still to win in this scenario. But should he manage it he could be ranked ON PAR with Hinault as a stage racer. Hinault would still be well ahead of him as an overall rider. Yes times are different, much more specialized, but I saw Hinault race in his prime. He was a Beast in classics, monuments, Worlds as well as stage races. If Alberto should pull off an Olympic medal that would give him something Hinault doesn't have

I'd be quite happy to have Alberto's legacy to be remembered as an equal to Hinault in stage racing. That would be an Enormous Legacy!

 

[Cannibal72]

Re: Re:

When has Quintana and Froome said they are going to next years Giro? I would be surprised if they all went there, Nibali too.

Wouldn't be surprised with Nibali doing it, Quintana either really, but I would be very surprised to see Froome.

Found an interview where Quintana talks about maybe doing it next year but nothing from Froome.

"To combine the Giro with the Tour is much more difficult than an attempt at the Giro-Vuelta or Tour- Vuelta. The choice will be influenced by many factors, ranging from the courses to the team. But I know that 2017 will be a historic Giro and this will be an extra incentive to think about it.”
Read more at http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/froome_the_tour_is_more_important_than_the_olympics/#ztJsokeI4cwc3YZj.99

There are more categorical interviews around, I'm sure of it.

 

[Simurgh]

http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/alberto_contador_looking_to_push_back_retirement_plans_and_continue_racing/

Perhaps it isn't a coincidence, that earlier today Lars Seier (Saxo Bank owner) and Bjarne Riis put out an ad, seeking (preferably Danish according to themselves) main sponsors to their cycling project, which is set to start next year (if not next year, then most certainly in 2018).

Oh, perhaps I should mention my absolute joy, when I read this! He is an all-time great for a youngster like me! (And hoping that Pinot may become one, too )

 

[infeXio]

Re:

http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/alberto_contador_looking_to_push_back_retirement_plans_and_continue_racing/

Perhaps it isn't a coincidence, that earlier today Lars Seier (Saxo Bank owner) and Bjarne Riis put out an ad, seeking (preferably Danish according to themselves) main sponsors to their cycling project, which is set to start next year (if not next year, then most certainly in 2018).

Oh, perhaps I should mention my absolute joy, when I read this! He is an all-time great for a youngster like me! (And hoping that Pinot may become one, too )

Riis was interviewed last week; he said that they lack a title sponsor and thus don't expect the team to be ready for next season, but rather 2018.

http://sport.tv2.dk/cykling/2016-04-07-bjarne-riis-om-eget-cykelhold-sandsynligvis-foerst-i-2018

 

[inri2000]

Re: Re:

"Riis was interviewed last week; he said that they lack a title sponsor and thus don't expect the team to be ready for next season, but rather 2018.

http://sport.tv2.dk/cykling/2016-04-07-bjarne-riis-om-eget-cykelhold-sandsynligvis-foerst-i-2018[/quote]"

He is not ruling out 2017 at all, he just says the chances are bigger for 2018 start than 2017 which could mean he thinks there is a 40% chance for 2017 for example, they are going all out right now on finding a main sponsor for next year, I really hope they succeed so they can be in the mix for Contador, Majka and Sagan among others.

 

[ray j willings]

I would like to see Ricco join up with Bertie and Sir Bradley Wiggins also Chris Horner and if possible Lance Armstrong .
It would be a very strong team for the mountains

 

[ILovecycling]

Re: Re:

When has Quintana and Froome said they are going to next years Giro? I would be surprised if they all went there, Nibali too.

Wouldn't be surprised with Nibali doing it, Quintana either really, but I would be very surprised to see Froome.

Found an interview where Quintana talks about maybe doing it next year but nothing from Froome.

I think Quintana would do that only if he wins Tour this year (and he is not going to )

 

[rhubroma]

La Gazzetta dello Sport speculated today that Contador's future, with the economic ties to Specialized, may lie with Etixx.

 

[yaco]

Re:

La Gazzetta dello Sport speculated today that Contador's future, with the economic ties to Specialized, may lie with Etixx.

How much support would Contactor receive at Etix. Would seem a strange choice.