Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[arvc40]

The biggest reason I think Contador will beat Froome is because He does not wear his cap over his friggin ears !

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

The biggest reason I think Contador will beat Froome is because He does not wear his cap over his friggin ears !

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

Why do all the anti Bertos come here with their 'remarks'? I don't visit threads to interrupt discussions on riders I dislike, mostly I avoid those threads. I fail to see the joy derived from this mocking behavior.

The one thing I never heard Alberto talk about this entire race was his sensations. I do not see that as a good sign......

I don't think many people dislike Contador. I don't see any reason to anyway. But this is the Contador discussion thread. Not the Contador praising thread. I don't see the problem in people criticizing Contador or claiming he won't stand much of a chance against Froome in the Tour. That said, I don't spend that much time in this thread. You know better if someone comes in here just to troll.

They know who they are and some remarks were removed.......some people get enjoyment from mocking the fans as well as the rider. Such is life when people are anonymous I guess.

Of course rational criticism is simply a point for discussion!

Do I think its an uphill battle for Contador to beat Froome at le Tour? Yes I do. He's going to need his A game and he is aging. Can he do it? I don't know, but I'll enjoy the journey without mocking other riders and their fans.

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

I saw a strong Berto today

Yes, it seems he has been making more progress than Froome throughout the race.

Absolutely.
Last Sunday he was 13 seconds in front of Froome, and today he's 35 behind. That's 48 seconds of progress.
Also, he was 21" ahead of Martin, and today he's 16" behind.
The progress no one could keep up with.

Which favourite rider from 2008-2011 did Contador destroy every single time for you to be so bitter?

Bitter? Sir fly is only stating facts, should we just ignore them because it doesn't fit in with some peoples agenda?

 

[arvc40]

Re: Re:

The biggest reason I think Contador will beat Froome is because He does not wear his cap over his friggin ears !

Think I will name him Capy!

 

[lenric]

Re: Re:

He looked pretty good tday. His advantage is in attacking over multiple days. Recovery.

Which won't mean a single thing if there won't be any other riders who can help him disrupting the Sky train.

Quintana and Aru and Nibali will be ready too

Quintana's Tour only begins in the 3rd week. With Landa, Poels and Thomas, along with the Sky II team (BMC), french guys will be needed. And luck, because we're supposing that Nibali and Aru will be physically good.

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

He looked pretty good tday. His advantage is in attacking over multiple days. Recovery.

Which won't mean a single thing if there won't be any other riders who can help him disrupting the Sky train.

Quintana and Aru and Nibali will be ready too

Indeed, Movistar and Astana need to contribute. Without help outside Tinkoff it may be to big an ask for anyone!

 

[filipepc]

Hello.

I continue thinking that the only chance of the contenders is to attack, and attack and attack Froome. If they simple let him go with that train, it will not be possible, at least i think not. But i think they can do it. They have to isolate it, like today for an exemple, than he can´t controll all. Lucky that Aru, Nibali and Bardet, are not going to do what i saw Richie doing today, and maybe the can put Froome in problems.

Today Contador in 2 km. isolated Froome, that is a good sign, he made that Landa, Henao and Powels didn´t follow him... Then it was a little descent and the last climb it was short, but in the tour will be different.

I´m not saying that even this way, isolated, Froome can´t win it, maybe he can, but, the other teams must try something, because letting that train go and go, and go.. It´s stupidity. If i was the sportif directeur of Froome challengers, i could loose the race but i wouldn´t let him go until the last mountain with his train.

Who wants to win, must try, must fight, must to something, that´s the point that make me believe that they can do it.

 

[BlurryVII]

I just watched a replay of the stage, I like how he looked on Noyer, cracked all Sky doms and Froome was a bit on the limit there at one point as well.

Good improvement since Friday now hopefully his form litterally shoots up for the Tour to see his 2014 July version. If he's there, I have no doubt he'll win the Tour, if not then his retirement should be put back on the table cause there's no excuse here, just him not knowing how to get his preperation right or he's just past it.

We'll see at the Tour now.

 

[Cannibal72]

Movistar and Astana tend to copy Sky's tactics when they're the ones in the driving seat. It's imperative for all riders not called Chris Froome that they don't do so this time, especially if Quintana or Aru are in the yellow jersey. Using their teams to set pace will likely burn off most of Contador's domestiques, but the Sky train will have fun when Movistar/Astana drop them off, well rested, on the final climb. They need to get as many riders close on GT as possible, and they need to attack constantly. Valverde and Nibali need to stay as threats to the GC, so Sky are forced to chase down their attacks. Riders like Rosa and Izagirre (if he rides) can't be used to set tempo for Aru and Quintana, because Froome will simply prove his explosivity again. They need to attack. Hell, Aru/Nibali need to try and get in the day's break.

 

[Electress]

Re:

Hello.

I continue thinking that the only chance of the contenders is to attack, and attack and attack Froome. If they simple let him go with that train, it will not be possible, at least i think not. But i think they can do it. They have to isolate it, like today for an exemple, than he can´t controll all. Lucky that Aru, Nibali and Bardet, are not going to do what i saw Richie doing today, and maybe the can put Froome in problems.

Today Contador in 2 km. isolated Froome, that is a good sign, he made that Landa, Henao and Powels didn´t follow him... Then it was a little descent and the last climb it was short, but in the tour will be different.

I´m not saying that even this way, isolated, Froome can´t win it, maybe he can, but, the other teams must try something, because letting that train go and go, and go.. It´s stupidity. If i was the sportif directeur of Froome challengers, i could loose the race but i wouldn´t let him go until the last mountain with his train.

Who wants to win, must try, must fight, must to something, that´s the point that make me believe that they can do it.

Absolutely agree. And what a fun race it will be if it turns out this way! Tour last year was so frustrating with the constant waiting game.

I actually think Nibs could be really interesting - bit of a loose cannon. Which is always fun.

 

[SevenTimeTdfChamp]

Re:

Hello.

I continue thinking that the only chance of the contenders is to attack, and attack and attack Froome. If they simple let him go with that train, it will not be possible, at least i think not. But i think they can do it. They have to isolate it, like today for an exemple, than he can´t controll all. Lucky that Aru, Nibali and Bardet, are not going to do what i saw Richie doing today, and maybe the can put Froome in problems.

Today Contador in 2 km. isolated Froome, that is a good sign, he made that Landa, Henao and Powels didn´t follow him... Then it was a little descent and the last climb it was short, but in the tour will be different.

I´m not saying that even this way, isolated, Froome can´t win it, maybe he can, but, the other teams must try something, because letting that train go and go, and go.. It´s stupidity. If i was the sportif directeur of Froome challengers, i could loose the race but i wouldn´t let him go until the last mountain with his train.

Who wants to win, must try, must fight, must to something, that´s the point that make me believe that they can do it.

+1. They have to win it the same way your avatar won it back in 98. if they let froome ride behind the sky train and he is delivered to the final climb they are not gonna beat him

 

[bajbar]

Re: Re:

Hello.

I continue thinking that the only chance of the contenders is to attack, and attack and attack Froome. If they simple let him go with that train, it will not be possible, at least i think not. But i think they can do it. They have to isolate it, like today for an exemple, than he can´t controll all. Lucky that Aru, Nibali and Bardet, are not going to do what i saw Richie doing today, and maybe the can put Froome in problems.

Today Contador in 2 km. isolated Froome, that is a good sign, he made that Landa, Henao and Powels didn´t follow him... Then it was a little descent and the last climb it was short, but in the tour will be different.

I´m not saying that even this way, isolated, Froome can´t win it, maybe he can, but, the other teams must try something, because letting that train go and go, and go.. It´s stupidity. If i was the sportif directeur of Froome challengers, i could loose the race but i wouldn´t let him go until the last mountain with his train.

Who wants to win, must try, must fight, must to something, that´s the point that make me believe that they can do it.

+1. They have to win it the same way your avatar won it back in 98. if they let froome ride behind the sky train and he is delivered to the final climb they are not gonna beat him

The problem with Sky is, that their best two climbers (Henao and Landa) should not be in the Tour team. Now, since everything turned out as it is the team will be crazy strong. If all went according to plan they would only have Thomas in the mountains (Poels seems a bit weaker than last year). Now they have 4 amazing climbers in the team + Froome. That is the problem...

 

[BlurryVII]

Stop worrying about the Sky Train, if Contador is where he should be at the Tour, he can follow and not lose time to Froome in the first place like he surprisingly did on Vaujany here and will be able to make the difference on key MTFs.

If not then regardless of the Sky train, Contador will not win the Tour lol, it's really simple. He's gonna attack a bit like today after having lost minutes on the first MTF and that's not gonna do jack ***.

All down to his form.

 

[boasson]

Re: Re:

Hello.

I continue thinking that the only chance of the contenders is to attack, and attack and attack Froome. If they simple let him go with that train, it will not be possible, at least i think not. But i think they can do it. They have to isolate it, like today for an exemple, than he can´t controll all. Lucky that Aru, Nibali and Bardet, are not going to do what i saw Richie doing today, and maybe the can put Froome in problems.

Today Contador in 2 km. isolated Froome, that is a good sign, he made that Landa, Henao and Powels didn´t follow him... Then it was a little descent and the last climb it was short, but in the tour will be different.

I´m not saying that even this way, isolated, Froome can´t win it, maybe he can, but, the other teams must try something, because letting that train go and go, and go.. It´s stupidity. If i was the sportif directeur of Froome challengers, i could loose the race but i wouldn´t let him go until the last mountain with his train.

Who wants to win, must try, must fight, must to something, that´s the point that make me believe that they can do it.

+1. They have to win it the same way your avatar won it back in 98. if they let froome ride behind the sky train and he is delivered to the final climb they are not gonna beat him

This "isolate him and see what happens" is a kind of dreaming. To isolate Froome you must attack full gas and burn yourself completely for a while. It's not enough to attack for 300m and then stop and catch your breath as you saw yesterday at la Madeleine. To isolate him at Ventoux for example, you have to go 2-3k's with fullgas. There is nobody in the Tinkoff team who can make this, so he must go on his own.

And then? Struggeling and watch Quintana ride away from you? Is this a better scenario as to stay on the Sky wheels?

If you want to win you must have the same or better legs as the best rider in the race. Or a better team, were you can play some tactics like Astana did with Scarponi and the other riders sending up the road in this Giro or last years Vuelta. When Contador hasn't the legs to beat or follow Froome and Quintana it will be a mission impossible with this Tinkoff Team. Then he can surprise Froome maybe, but there is a Quintana who wait for this moments too...

 

[BlurryVII]

I just watched Col de Madeleine and Ventoux top finishes from the Dauphiné 2009, Contador looked as what we'd judge today, bad lol.

Not often out of the saddle, head tilting, attacked once on Madeleine - didn't work, dropped in the last k of both MTFs. He didn't just "not care", he actually looked bad.

For this Dauphiné and especially after seeing the prologue, I think we were expecting him to be too much on his Dauphiné 14' shape which was much better than he usually is in this race. It sure would've been reassuring to see him in that kind of form but that doesn't prevent that jump in form between Dauphiné and Tour.
The only year the form "boost" didn't happen was 2013 cause he didn't have any base and was fat.

 

[sir fly]

Re:

I just watched Col de Madeleine and Ventoux top finishes from the Dauphiné 2009, Contador looked as what we'd judge today, bad lol.

Not often out of the saddle, head tilting, attacked once on Madeleine - didn't work, dropped in the last k of both MTFs. He didn't just "not care", he actually looked bad.

For this Dauphiné and especially after seeing the prologue, I think we were expecting him to be too much on his Dauphiné 14' shape which was much better than he usually is in this race. It sure would've been reassuring to see him in that kind of form but that doesn't prevent that jump in form between Dauphiné and Tour.
The only year the form "boost" didn't happen was 2013 cause he didn't have any base and was fat.

I wouldn't pay much attention to the years under Bruyneel's regime.

 

[dacooley]

Re:

Stop worrying about the Sky Train, if Contador is where he should be at the Tour, he can follow and not lose time to Froome in the first place like he surprisingly did on Vaujany here and will be able to make the difference on key MTFs.

If not then regardless of the Sky train, Contador will not win the Tour lol, it's really simple. He's gonna attack a bit like today after having lost minutes on the first MTF and that's not gonna do jack ****.

All down to his form.

quite puzzling why you are applying that kind of logic exclusively for bertie. im absolutely convinced nairito and dawg think so as well. with good reason.

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Re:

Stop worrying about the Sky Train, if Contador is where he should be at the Tour, he can follow and not lose time to Froome in the first place like he surprisingly did on Vaujany here and will be able to make the difference on key MTFs.

If not then regardless of the Sky train, Contador will not win the Tour lol, it's really simple. He's gonna attack a bit like today after having lost minutes on the first MTF and that's not gonna do jack ****.

All down to his form.

quite puzzling why you are applying that kind of logic exclusively for bertie. im absolutely convinced nairito and dawg think so as well. with good reason.

This is the Contador thread, isn't it?

 

[BlurryVII]

Re: Re:

I wouldn't pay much attention to the years under Bruyneel's regime.

It could be indicative as it could not, that we don't know.

 

[TheYouyou7]

Re:

I just watched a replay of the stage, I like how he looked on Noyer, cracked all Sky doms and Froome was a bit on the limit there at one point as well.

Good improvement since Friday now hopefully his form litterally shoots up for the Tour to see his 2014 July version. If he's there, I have no doubt he'll win the Tour, if not then his retirement should be put back on the table cause there's no excuse here, just him not knowing how to get his preperation right or he's just past it.

We'll see at the Tour now.

Very true if he is in 2014 form then he'll be hard to beat.

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

I wouldn't pay much attention to the years under Bruyneel's regime.

It could be indicative as it could not, that we don't know.

I think it's less relevant than his recent years.
It's been awhile since then, methodology and technology have evolved, different opposition with different attitude and approach... Not much in common, both intrinsically and extrinsically, the two periods have.

 

[BlurryVII]

After stage:

“I am very happy with the way I feel and I think my preparation couldn't have been better. In the end I finished fifth but that doesn't bother me. Second or fifth doesn't change anything because the goal was to keep improving my form. We achieved it as we also scored a stage win on a day in which one could assess if the legs were strong or not. I'm happy and very motivated to recover, assimilate the work done here and reach the Tour in optimal form.”

 

[filipepc]

Re:

Stop worrying about the Sky Train, if Contador is where he should be at the Tour, he can follow and not lose time to Froome in the first place like he surprisingly did on Vaujany here and will be able to make the difference on key MTFs.

If not then regardless of the Sky train, Contador will not win the Tour lol, it's really simple. He's gonna attack a bit like today after having lost minutes on the first MTF and that's not gonna do jack ****.

All down to his form.

Sure is all about his form but when you realise that you´re playing against the most powerfull team in the world that has 4 or 5 five riders capable of doing a top 10 in the Tour ( if they dindít go as domestics), you need to have the plan B. To me, that train his important yes, because his the sky plan A, his what sky do always, since bradley... So if contador, quintana, and Aru see that Froome his on top form in The tour, they need to do something. When you say that Contador will loose energy attacking by far, is truth, but who follow will loose it too, and i never saw a race with froome isolated... I trully believe that is not prepared to that, and Contador there is more prepared.

Look, tactics, is important, like in any game, sometimes you need to realise that eye in the eye you can´t win, and go for another type of race...

If Contador is Top form, the best ever, maybe the way he ride in the vuelta 2014 will be enough, but remeber that in the vuelta Froome hadn´t that train, it was a weak team comparing to this one... If he had a strong team maybe it was diferent. What i mean, his that Froome his so strong, and with that train when you attack, and they follow, letting froome rest, you are playing his game, but when you attack, and isolate him he has to follow, he has to spent energy, and then he is more vulnerable.

Take him... Take them, from they conforto plan, and let´s see...

 

[Miburo]

He's gonna win the tour as the champion of Spain

Seriously though, long range attacks won't work unless he gets major help from astana. Sky is so strong