Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Taxus4a]

Didn't know that Quintana was crashed earlier on the stage. That makes his win even more impressive. Clearly Contador doesn't have the fitness (even w/o his injury) to compete with Froome and Quintana.

Quintana said he had crashed early on the stage when the front part of the bunch went down and as there were a number of riders braking hard, he fell. "It hurts a lot, but I hope it doesn't last too long. My hip, elbow and knee are all injured. Thanks be to God, this Tuesday we have a much-deserved restday and I will take advantage of that to ease back a little and rest."

Contador is at his best, it is what he said just before Ezaro: http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/contador-me-siento-muy-bien-21-08-2016 ( I feel very well)

And his time on Lagos is the best for him ever:

http://www.climbing-records.com/2016/08/amazing-new-entries-in-top-100-lagos-de.html

So stop saying he is not at his best. he is like in 2014, the difference it he had just to follow Froome, nowis a very different situation,and the only difference of to put some second at the end to Froome and now to lose half a minute with him. The only difference is the race situation,itisnot the same to attack from far than to follow wheels till 1 Km to the finish

 

[boasson]

Re: Re:

In my opinion he should not tackle the Giro - Vuelta the next year. If he will do that, he can not race the nice little stage races (in great shape). No Pais Vasco, no Catalunya, no Paris-Nice, no Dauphine. Instead he have to ride in some shitty races like Trentino, Burgos and so on.

His traditional Tour build up with a peak shape at Pais Vasco allows him to race in good condition at Paris Nice/Tirreno, Catalunya and Pais Vasco. He is able to win these races. And he is able to be in great shape at the Dauphine and TDF too. This is much more as to ride the Giro and get problems at the Vuelta, like every Giro riders shows (Krujse, Chaves and so on). The race kalendar is pretty shitty for a Giro+Vuelta double. Also you will haven't a great shape between May and August.

 

[Jelantik]

Didn't know that Quintana was crashed earlier on the stage. That makes his win even more impressive. Clearly Contador doesn't have the fitness (even w/o his injury) to compete with Froome and Quintana.

Quintana said he had crashed early on the stage when the front part of the bunch went down and as there were a number of riders braking hard, he fell. "It hurts a lot, but I hope it doesn't last too long. My hip, elbow and knee are all injured. Thanks be to God, this Tuesday we have a much-deserved restday and I will take advantage of that to ease back a little and rest."

Contador is at his best, it is what he said just before Ezaro: http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/contador-me-siento-muy-bien-21-08-2016 ( I feel very well)

And his time on Lagos is the best for him ever:

http://www.climbing-records.com/2016/08/amazing-new-entries-in-top-100-lagos-de.html

So stop saying he is not at his best. he is like in 2014, the difference it he had just to follow Froome, nowis a very different situation,and the only difference of to put some second at the end to Froome and now to lose half a minute with him. The only difference is the race situation,itisnot the same to attack from far than to follow wheels till 1 Km to the finish

I'm merely saying that he "doesn't have the fitness" to compete with Froome and Quintana. I'm not saying he is not his best. That's a relative. Only Contador can say that. If this is his best, then it's not enough. But in my opinion (of course your's is different), he clearly isn't flying like for example: 2014 Dauphene.

 

[movingtarget]

Sometimes Contador's aggression gets the better of him. When he was younger he could attack and even if he did not win he was strong enough to hang on and his acceleration on the climbs was too much for most riders. As an older rider now he rides much bigger gears, does not have the same acceleration and pays the price for his earlier attacks. He looks more human, of course the injuries may also be causing problems. But even he admitted after the stage that his ride was not a smart one. The race looks a lot harder for him now.

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

In my opinion he should not tackle the Giro - Vuelta the next year. If he will do that, he can not race the nice little stage races (in great shape). No Pais Vasco, no Catalunya, no Paris-Nice, no Dauphine. Instead he have to ride in some shitty races like Trentino, Burgos and so on.

His traditional Tour build up with a peak shape at Pais Vasco allows him to race in good condition at Paris Nice/Tirreno, Catalunya and Pais Vasco. He is able to win these races. And he is able to be in great shape at the Dauphine and TDF too. This is much more as to ride the Giro and get problems at the Vuelta, like every Giro riders shows (Krujse, Chaves and so on). The race kalendar is pretty shitty for a Giro+Vuelta double. Also you will haven't a great shape between May and August.

So do you mean is it more a problem to ride Giro than Tour for the Vuelta??

Aru doesnt agree with that.

Chaves is at a good level, he was better than Contador yesterday.

Kruijswick problems has nothing in relation with the Giro, it was a heatlh problem at the olimpics.

To win Giro and Vuelta is easier than to win the Tour, but it depends the year, the roster and so on...

 

[Taxus4a]

Re:

Sometimes Contador's aggression gets the better of him. When he was younger he could attack and even if he did not win he was strong enough to hang on and his acceleration on the climbs was too much for most riders. As an older rider now he rides much bigger gears, does not have the same acceleration and pays the price for his earlier attacks. He looks more human, of course the injuries may also be causing problems. But even he admitted after the stage that his ride was not a smart one. The race looks a lot harder for him now.

You were very clear, he looks more human. Pantani nowadays would look more human as well.

 

[Taxus4a]

Didn't know that Quintana was crashed earlier on the stage. That makes his win even more impressive. Clearly Contador doesn't have the fitness (even w/o his injury) to compete with Froome and Quintana.

Quintana said he had crashed early on the stage when the front part of the bunch went down and as there were a number of riders braking hard, he fell. "It hurts a lot, but I hope it doesn't last too long. My hip, elbow and knee are all injured. Thanks be to God, this Tuesday we have a much-deserved restday and I will take advantage of that to ease back a little and rest."

Contador is at his best, it is what he said just before Ezaro: http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/contador-me-siento-muy-bien-21-08-2016 ( I feel very well)

And his time on Lagos is the best for him ever:

http://www.climbing-records.com/2016/08/amazing-new-entries-in-top-100-lagos-de.html

So stop saying he is not at his best. he is like in 2014, the difference it he had just to follow Froome, nowis a very different situation,and the only difference of to put some second at the end to Froome and now to lose half a minute with him. The only difference is the race situation,itisnot the same to attack from far than to follow wheels till 1 Km to the finish

I'm merely saying that he "doesn't have the fitness" to compete with Froome and Quintana. I'm not saying he is not his best. That's a relative. Only Contador can say that. If this is his best, then it's not enough. But in my opinion (of course your's is different), he clearly isn't flying like for example: 2014 Dauphene.

Alberto in Dauphine could just follow Froome, no more, he answered all his attacks, but just at his wheel, couldn win at the end... here even he was able to drop him in La Camperona. I think he has the same level.

 

[DFA123]

Alberto in Dauphine could just follow Froome, no more, he answered all his attacks, but just at his wheel, couldn win at the end... here even he was able to drop him in La Camperona. I think he has the same level.

Completely agree Taxus. This is Contador's GT level, and has been since 2011. He's just not as good as Quintana or Froome when they are close to their best, and never has been since those two emerged as GC riders. Of course, if Froome or Quintana's level falls enough then he can compete and win, like in 2014. Along with Valverde, he's arguably been the third strongest climber in this race, but just hasn't raced intelligently and so is only 5th overall.

 

[HelloDolly]

The sad fact after all the noise and what if and discussion about form is Contador (at his current best) is not at the level of Quintana or Froome. Its sad but it is true . I think he knows it and hence his desperation. All his crashes and blowing up are an indication of desperation for me.He wants so badly to beat Froome & Quintana. And his team is so much weaker than Movistar and SKY but the days of the lone ranger wining GT's is over . You need riders up there to pace you if dropped or have a mechanical. You need a strong team.The lack of which Contador needs to take some responsibility for

But I think unless they are injured or otherwise it has been clear since 2013 that Contador is not better than Froome & Quintana at a GTs . Even if one is below par there is the other

What does he do now... I think go for the podium and accept the situation

With Trek ride the Giro and finish at the Vuelta ....

Someone wrote earlier that we need to see the end of the great champion but the champions listed did not drag out their end . Once they were beaten they went .Wining and losing are all part of the sport

 

[Matteo.]

Didn't know that Quintana was crashed earlier on the stage. That makes his win even more impressive. Clearly Contador doesn't have the fitness (even w/o his injury) to compete with Froome and Quintana.

Quintana said he had crashed early on the stage when the front part of the bunch went down and as there were a number of riders braking hard, he fell. "It hurts a lot, but I hope it doesn't last too long. My hip, elbow and knee are all injured. Thanks be to God, this Tuesday we have a much-deserved restday and I will take advantage of that to ease back a little and rest."

Contador is at his best, it is what he said just before Ezaro: http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/contador-me-siento-muy-bien-21-08-2016 ( I feel very well)

And his time on Lagos is the best for him ever:

http://www.climbing-records.com/2016/08/amazing-new-entries-in-top-100-lagos-de.html

So stop saying he is not at his best. he is like in 2014, the difference it he had just to follow Froome, nowis a very different situation,and the only difference of to put some second at the end to Froome and now to lose half a minute with him. The only difference is the race situation,itisnot the same to attack from far than to follow wheels till 1 Km to the finish

Contador is at same level of 2014...so the scarponi which we saw yesterday , in 2014 he would have beat contador and won the vuelta....only because yesterday beat Alberto. ...who is the same of 2014.

ok.ok. we understand

 

[jens_attacks]

https://twitter.com/albertocontador/status/770355754792525824

check the tone of this tweet. grab your popcorn for tomorrow and the next two weeks.

i believe he can bounce back. of course winning is impossible unless quintana fades which seems unlikely.

 

[jens_attacks]

and yeah i believe too that if he's pacing himself correctly, he's the 2nd best climber in the race.

 

[boasson]

Re: Re:

In my opinion he should not tackle the Giro - Vuelta the next year. If he will do that, he can not race the nice little stage races (in great shape). No Pais Vasco, no Catalunya, no Paris-Nice, no Dauphine. Instead he have to ride in some shitty races like Trentino, Burgos and so on.

His traditional Tour build up with a peak shape at Pais Vasco allows him to race in good condition at Paris Nice/Tirreno, Catalunya and Pais Vasco. He is able to win these races. And he is able to be in great shape at the Dauphine and TDF too. This is much more as to ride the Giro and get problems at the Vuelta, like every Giro riders shows (Krujse, Chaves and so on). The race kalendar is pretty shitty for a Giro+Vuelta double. Also you will haven't a great shape between May and August.

Aru doesnt agree with that.

Chaves is at a good level, he was better than Contador yesterday.

Kruijswick problems has nothing in relation with the Giro, it was a heatlh problem at the olimpics.
So do you mean is it more a problem to ride Giro than Tour for the Vuelta??
To win Giro and Vuelta is easier than to win the Tour, but it depends the year, the roster and so on...

For me its not easier to win the giro and vuelta. With a perfect shape at the TDF you can recover 3 weeks after the tour and be pretty fresh and with a good basic-fitness at the start of La vuelta. Purito, Valverde, Froome, Quintana etc showed that this year and in the past. Last year Aru was far away from his topshape. He won because his rival was Dumo. Landa pretty the same. Also same with Nibali in 2013. With the Giro in the legs you rest and loose your topshape in June and July. You have to build up a new peak shape but there are no really good races in July and August to do this. So for me both - Giro+Vuelta and TDF+Vuelta - are pretty similar.

The best race calendar for a rider like Contador in my opinion is:

Ruta del Sol - Paris-Nice - Catalunya - Pais Vasco - break, training camp - Dauphine - TDF - break, regeneration - Vuelta - Lombardia

For a Giro+Vuelta probably:

Ruta del Sol - Tirreno - break, training camp - Trentino - Giro - loooooong break, training camp - Classica San Sebastian - Burgos - Vuelta - Lombardia

Race calendar 1 fits him and his strengths far better in my opinion.

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re:

https://twitter.com/albertocontador/status/770355754792525824

check the tone of this tweet. grab your popcorn for tomorrow and the next two weeks.

i believe he can bounce back. of course winning is impossible unless quintana fades which seems unlikely.

He will definitely won't go down without a fight. I still expect Contador to improve as race goes on and we'll see if he can challenge Froome and Quintana. If he is still minutes behind in 3 week maybe we can see one of his infamous long range attacks. He will definitely keep making Vuelta more exciting and entertaining.

 

[Brullnux]

Basically exactly what he has done this year, though.

 

[dacooley]

alberto is not accustomed to pacing himself at all as he never needed to use that kind of strategy..although, froome has got absolutely special
proclivity of yo-yoing. I don't really think suchlike climbing work would suit bertie, quintana or anyone else.

 

[DFA123]

I'd like to see Contador try a change of approach next season. Ride the Tour as a stage hunter, building toward a super peak for the Vuelta. It's a waste of time him peaking for the Tour and trying to do well in the GC there, because he can't challenge Froome and Quintana there. And it's been a very long time since he even won a stage there, so that would be something good to aim for. Then he can come into the Vuelta with top shape, hopefully win that if Froome and Quintana are on their way down after the Tour. Perhaps he could even hold the peak then to challenge for Milan-Torino or even Lombardia.

If he tries to peak for the Tour again, he won't win anything.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

https://twitter.com/albertocontador/status/770355754792525824

check the tone of this tweet. grab your popcorn for tomorrow and the next two weeks.

i believe he can bounce back. of course winning is impossible unless quintana fades which seems unlikely.

Of course, this is why he is the people's champion, CN forum's no1 favorite he never gives up. Vamos grande!!

 

[Ataraxus]

Re:

alberto is not accustomed to pacing himself at all as he never needed to use that kind of strategy..although, froome has got absolutely special
proclivity of yo-yoing. I don't really think suchlike climbing work would suit bertie, quintana or anyone else.

It's like the negative splits of ITT.
If the numbers that support a process are sound, then sooner or later the majority will adopt that process.

 

[IMA]

Re:

I'd like to see Contador try a change of approach next season. Ride the Tour as a stage hunter, building toward a super peak for the Vuelta. It's a waste of time him peaking for the Tour and trying to do well in the GC there, because he can't challenge Froome and Quintana there. And it's been a very long time since he even won a stage there, so that would be something good to aim for. Then he can come into the Vuelta with top shape, hopefully win that if Froome and Quintana are on their way down after the Tour. Perhaps he could even hold the peak then to challenge for Milan-Torino or even Lombardia.

If he tries to peak for the Tour again, he won't win anything.

Contador as a stage hunter............Maybe he should just aim for Algarve...

Before doing that he´d do Giro-Vuelta.

But do you really think that Alberto became a champion with a loser mentality? He´s not Virenke nor Basso. He´s a f****** legend ffs.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I'd like to see Contador try a change of approach next season. Ride the Tour as a stage hunter, building toward a super peak for the Vuelta. It's a waste of time him peaking for the Tour and trying to do well in the GC there, because he can't challenge Froome and Quintana there. And it's been a very long time since he even won a stage there, so that would be something good to aim for. Then he can come into the Vuelta with top shape, hopefully win that if Froome and Quintana are on their way down after the Tour. Perhaps he could even hold the peak then to challenge for Milan-Torino or even Lombardia.

If he tries to peak for the Tour again, he won't win anything.

Contador as a stage hunter............Maybe he should just aim for Algarve...

Before doing that he´d do Giro-Vuelta.

But do you really think that Alberto became a champion with a loser mentality? He´s not Virenke nor Basso. He´s a f****** legend ffs.

He hasn't won a Tour de France stage for seven years, and has only won three in his whole career. It would be a decent achievement if he could win a couple more. Certainly better than finishing 5th or 6th in the GC, which would be the alternative. Of course, it's not so easy to win TdF stages, so there is a decent chance he would come away from the Tour with nothing, but he would still have good shape for the Vuelta if he doesn't fight for GC.

It's not a question of having a loser's mentality, it's about being realistic about your ability relative to the rivals. If he goes to the Tour he can't win against Froome and Quintana on top form, and he probably wouldn't do well in the Vuelta after fighting a hard GC battle in the Tour.

Giro would be another good option as long as Nibali doesn't show up. But, instead of padding out his palmares with possible GC podiums against weak fields and taking week long stage races that no-one else is peaking for, I'd prefer him to try to broaden his palmares a bit. Challenge for some one day races or start stage hunting.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I think a proper GC-bid in the Giro would be a lot wiser than stagehunting in the Tour. Lets not forget he has good chances of winning it, probably even the favourite, I'd suppose? But with Nibali, Aru, Kruijswijk, Landa etc. around this will be a hotly contested race, so he will definitely have to be at this best. There is no Aru to wait for now and Nibali is another calibre rider than what he faced in 2015 which basically exclusively was a very strong, but heavily Aru-biased Astana which was detrimental to their winning chances. This will be much different and he will be 2 years older.

 

[Angliru]

Re:

alberto is not accustomed to pacing himself at all as he never needed to use that kind of strategy..although, froome has got absolutely special
proclivity of yo-yoing. I don't really think suchlike climbing work would suit bertie, quintana or anyone else.

I believe in the Giro where Ricco referred to Contador as "Cabana Boy" because he supposedly came off of the beach from his vacation to ride and win the overall, Contador had to utilize the strategy of pacing himself, spinning more on the climbs and attacking very little to compensate for his lack of specific training, in order to be competitive. It was a Contador that we hadn't seen prior.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

I think a proper GC-bid in the Giro would be a lot wiser than stagehunting in the Tour. Lets not forget he has good chances of winning it, probably even the favourite, I'd suppose? But with Nibali, Aru, Kruijswijk, Landa etc. around this will be a hotly contested race, so he will definitely have to be at this best. There is no Aru to wait for now and Nibali is another calibre rider than what he faced in 2015 which basically exclusively was a very strong, but heavily Aru-biased Astana which was detrimental to their winning chances. This will be much different and he will be 2 years older.

These riders in a giro together with Contador? I'd take that any minute.
I was one of the people saying he should go to the tour again but this Vuelta made me rethink that. And please cycling god, show us Nibali vs Contador, with both in more or less the same shape, one single time. And anyway I can't see how a giro with these riders wouldn't be good.

 

[movingtarget]

Contador said before that he was finished with the Giro and i believe him. He has had more success there than in the Tour in recent years so he prefers to look to the Tour and the Vuelta. Next year I expect him to do similar and target the Tour, I don't expect him to win unless something unusual happens but it's obvious that that is the GT he wants to win before he retires. No podium since 2010 so it's unfinished business for him but at this stage I think a podium is the best he will do and maybe a podium will be satisfactory for him considering what has happened or hasn't happened in the last six tears in the Tour.