Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Christian]

He's had a long career, he's done it all - now milk it for two more years before joining The Jensie on the Gran Fondo tour. Not exciting, but understandeable

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

Goodbye Bad GC team

Welcome even worse GC team

To be fair, the only good GC teams are Sky, Movistar and Astana. So there is not much choice here... And they all have the main GC guy already...

Oricas probably TDF Team 2017:

- Chaves
- Yates
- Yates
- Kreuziger
- Carlos Verona
....

Now way in hell OBE will send Chaves and both the Yates to the Tour next year...

Trek only have 23 on the books so far for next season so I'm thinking they'll bring in another couple of riders as support for Contador.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Contador, Mollema, Stetina, Pantano, Irizar, Hernandez, Brandle, Felline & Degenkolb would be my guess at the tour team.

No chance Degenkolb will go without De Kort.

 

[boasson]

Re: Re:

Goodbye Bad GC team

Welcome even worse GC team

To be fair, the only good GC teams are Sky, Movistar and Astana. So there is not much choice here... And they all have the main GC guy already...

Oricas probably TDF Team 2017:

- Chaves
- Yates
- Yates
- Kreuziger
- Carlos Verona
....

Now way in hell OBE will send Chaves and both the Yates to the Tour next year...

Trek only have 23 on the books so far for next season so I'm thinking they'll bring in another couple of riders as support for Contador.

https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/757628524660396032

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

Contador, Mollema, Stetina, Pantano, Irizar, Hernandez, Brandle, Felline & Degenkolb would be my guess at the tour team.

No chance Degenkolb will go without De Kort.

Fair point one keeps Alberto out of trouble while the other train surf's.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re: Re:

Another year to get his butt kicked by Froome and Quintana. Some guys never acknowledge when they're past their best.

Anyway, I don't buy that ****** of him having signed the contract prior to the Vuelta, while making the announcement 4 days after it.

Contador goes to the giro and some guys say "he is afraid to ride against froome and quintana". Contador goes to the tour and some guys say "he can't acknowledge he is past his prime". Some people will always complain.

De Jongh comes from Sky and knows their methods. Contador has his training data & race data. Comparing that with Froome's timing can easily tell if he is going to be competitive or not. He has won multiple times all GTs. So that cant be really a motivation. What he mostly likely wants to do is defeat Froome at his strongest at the TDF which he has never done and which would be good challenge and motivation. That he never had a good chance at that except 2014 would be frustrating for him and he probably wants a good go at Froome. Plus Froome is at 3 TDFs

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

Contador, Mollema, Stetina, Pantano, Irizar, Hernandez, Brandle, Felline & Degenkolb would be my guess at the tour team.

I'm pretty sure Felline won't do the Tour. Zubeldia will.

Hernandez is a joke, I presume.

 

[boasson]

Re: Re:

Another year to get his butt kicked by Froome and Quintana. Some guys never acknowledge when they're past their best.

Anyway, I don't buy that ****** of him having signed the contract prior to the Vuelta, while making the announcement 4 days after it.

Contador goes to the giro and some guys say "he is afraid to ride against froome and quintana". Contador goes to the tour and some guys say "he can't acknowledge he is past his prime". Some people will always complain.

De Jongh comes from Sky and knows their methods. Contador has his training data & race data. Comparing that with Froome's timing can easily tell if he is going to be competitive or not. He has won multiple times all GTs. So that cant be really a motivation. What he mostly likely wants to do is defeat Froome at his strongest at the TDF which he has never done and which would be good challenge and motivation. That he never had a good chance at that except 2014 would be frustrating for him and he probably wants a good go at Froome. Plus Froome is at 3 TDFs

Contador is with de Jong since 2013. His most horrible years in his carrer. So i doubt, that de Jongh is an important part of success. To know Froomes datas from 2011+12 means nothing for today. And everybody knows the datas as well. 420-430 watts with 66-67 kg bodyweight for 40-60 minutes. 6,2-6,4 w/kg at the TDF. It's not a secret.

Contador has to find 20 extra watts for next years TDF to be at the SAME Level with Froome. And then he has to break Team Sky and Quintana as well. Don't chrash, don't get ill, don't have a puncture at the wrong moment, don't have allergic problems, don't dehydrate, don't pick the wrong chainring, don't collapse in the heat...

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

Contador, Mollema, Stetina, Pantano, Irizar, Hernandez, Brandle, Felline & Degenkolb would be my guess at the tour team.

Ouch

But I do like this transfer, finally I will buy trek jersey

 

[Taxus4a]

Re: Re:

Another year to get his butt kicked by Froome and Quintana. Some guys never acknowledge when they're past their best.

Anyway, I don't buy that ****** of him having signed the contract prior to the Vuelta, while making the announcement 4 days after it.

Contador goes to the giro and some guys say "he is afraid to ride against froome and quintana". Contador goes to the tour and some guys say "he can't acknowledge he is past his prime". Some people will always complain.

No me. I am happy he face the big names in le Tour. I hope he get an strong team. And I hope a complete route, no a route with ITT for climbers.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Contador, Mollema, Stetina, Pantano, Irizar, Hernandez, Brandle, Felline & Degenkolb would be my guess at the tour team.

No chance Degenkolb will go without De Kort.

Fair point one keeps Alberto out of trouble while the other train surf's.

Nah De Kort will lead out Degenkolb while helping Berto when necessary. A Bennati-type role. De Kort is a good friend of Berto as well.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Contador is with de Jong since 2013. His most horrible years in his carrer. So i doubt, that de Jongh is an important part of success.

Contador started working with De Jongh at the end of 2013. Considering the huge difference between his 2013 and 2014 season I don't think we can claim the change wasn't a success.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Contador, Mollema, Stetina, Pantano, Irizar, Hernandez, Brandle, Felline & Degenkolb would be my guess at the tour team.

I'm pretty sure Felline won't do the Tour. Zubeldia will.

Hernandez is a joke, I presume.

I've always said Jesus should be contracted as a soigneur or whatever, he can go to races with Alberto without taking a spot on the team.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Why are you guys suggesting Trek is such a bad team? They are decent. And at the end of the day, it won't really matter if Contador isn't 100% on his A-game. At least, considering he is going up against Froome.

 

[May0maniac]

Meh, he should have signed with Androni, imagine Contador riding for the mighty Silverfox.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Meh, he should have signed with Androni, imagine Contador riding for the mighty Silverfox.

Yes or with Bardiani, it would have been lovely

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Why are you guys suggesting Trek is such a bad team? They are decent. And at the end of the day, it won't really matter if Contador isn't 100% on his A-game. At least, considering he is going up against Froome.

This exactly. He could have an alright team at the Tour. Trek has some good riders. None of this will matter if AC doesn't up his game. I have no clue what to expect for next year.

 

[Gigs_98]

I think his tour team will be fine. Pantano will be a superb domestique in the mountains, who knows what happens with Mollema but if he also has to help Alberto he will be a great support too, Zubeldia is still a descent climber and who knows, maybe the old Arredondo also returns. I think Felline will do Giro-Vuelta, although he would be a great rider to have in your team. The biggest problem of the team is probably Degenkolb who will want a few riders for him. However we are still "only" talking about Degenkolb. He isn't Cavendish or Kittel, his team doesn't have to control stages and Giant also didn't do that much work this year. I think the biggest strength of his team might be the flat. I'm surprised nobody mentioned Stuyven, since I assumed he will be in the team again for sure, and he is a great rider on the flat. Same counts for guys like Brandle or Theuns. Personally I really hope for a crosswind stage

 

[Valv.Piti]

Yeah, Trek have some very good rouleurs and classic guys to defend him on the flats and attack in crosswinds.

 

[lenric]

Re: Re:

Another year to get his butt kicked by Froome and Quintana. Some guys never acknowledge when they're past their best.

Anyway, I don't buy that ****** of him having signed the contract prior to the Vuelta, while making the announcement 4 days after it.

Contador goes to the giro and some guys say "he is afraid to ride against froome and quintana". Contador goes to the tour and some guys say "he can't acknowledge he is past his prime". Some people will always complain.

Blah blah blah blah, you quoted me, a guy that has never said anything about Contador going to the Giro to avoid stronger riders. You have lost a pretty good opportunity to be quiet, instead of writing foolish things.
Try again next time, or think better before writing.
Cheers.

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

Goodbye Bad GC team

Welcome even worse GC team

To be fair, the only good GC teams are Sky, Movistar and Astana. So there is not much choice here... And they all have the main GC guy already...

Oricas probably TDF Team 2017:

- Chaves
- Yates
- Yates
- Kreuziger
- Carlos Verona
....

Now way in hell OBE will send Chaves and both the Yates to the Tour next year...

Trek only have 23 on the books so far for next season so I'm thinking they'll bring in another couple of riders as support for Contador.

https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/757628524660396032

So Matt White who is a smart DS has already decided in September to send Chaves and both the Yates to the Tour without knowing the routes for any of the GT's next season? Yeah I don't buy it

 

[Cance > TheRest]

I think his tour team will be fine. Pantano will be a superb domestique in the mountains, who knows what happens with Mollema but if he also has to help Alberto he will be a great support too, Zubeldia is still a descent climber and who knows, maybe the old Arredondo also returns. I think Felline will do Giro-Vuelta, although he would be a great rider to have in your team. The biggest problem of the team is probably Degenkolb who will want a few riders for him. However we are still "only" talking about Degenkolb. He isn't Cavendish or Kittel, his team doesn't have to control stages and Giant also didn't do that much work this year. I think the biggest strength of his team might be the flat. I'm surprised nobody mentioned Stuyven, since I assumed he will be in the team again for sure, and he is a great rider on the flat. Same counts for guys like Brandle or Theuns. Personally I really hope for a crosswind stage

Jasper is very capable in hilly terrain aswell. Obviously not longer climbs, but he's quite versatile. I agree Trek is a great team for Alberto. In the mountains, he probably won't have that one guy who can be there with 5-10 guys left (i.e. Majka), but as a whole, I think Trek will give him better support in the mountains. Apart from the names you mention, there's also Stetina and Zoidl (Is he leaving Trek after 2016?).

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Another year to get his butt kicked by Froome and Quintana. Some guys never acknowledge when they're past their best.

Anyway, I don't buy that ****** of him having signed the contract prior to the Vuelta, while making the announcement 4 days after it.

Contador goes to the giro and some guys say "he is afraid to ride against froome and quintana". Contador goes to the tour and some guys say "he can't acknowledge he is past his prime". Some people will always complain.

Blah blah blah blah, you quoted me, a guy that has never said anything about Contador going to the Giro to avoid stronger riders. You have lost a pretty good opportunity to be quiet, instead of writing foolish things.
Try again next time, or think better before writing.
Cheers.

I didn't write you say he went to the giro to avoid stronger riders but it's a fact that people said so. The point of my post is that whatever he does some people will always disagree with his decision since not all cycling fans have the same opinion.

 

[Christian]

I think his tour team will be fine. Pantano will be a superb domestique in the mountains, who knows what happens with Mollema but if he also has to help Alberto he will be a great support too, Zubeldia is still a descent climber and who knows, maybe the old Arredondo also returns. I think Felline will do Giro-Vuelta, although he would be a great rider to have in your team. The biggest problem of the team is probably Degenkolb who will want a few riders for him. However we are still "only" talking about Degenkolb. He isn't Cavendish or Kittel, his team doesn't have to control stages and Giant also didn't do that much work this year. I think the biggest strength of his team might be the flat. I'm surprised nobody mentioned Stuyven, since I assumed he will be in the team again for sure, and he is a great rider on the flat. Same counts for guys like Brandle or Theuns. Personally I really hope for a crosswind stage

Jasper is very capable in hilly terrain aswell. Obviously not longer climbs, but he's quite versatile. I agree Trek is a great team for Alberto. In the mountains, he probably won't have that one guy who can be there with 5-10 guys left (i.e. Majka), but as a whole, I think Trek will give him better support in the mountains. Apart from the names you mention, there's also Stetina and Zoidl (Is he leaving Trek after 2016?).

Arredondo is listed as leaving Trek on Transfer Karussell: http://06.live-radsport.ch/details_19594/TransferKarussell_ProTeams__Alle_Transfers_auf_einen_Blick.html

I am hopeful for Stetina; I like Zoidl but he has been mediocre ever since he moved up to WT, I doubt he would be much use in the TDF high mountains

 

[lenric]

Re: Re:

Another year to get his butt kicked by Froome and Quintana. Some guys never acknowledge when they're past their best.

Anyway, I don't buy that ****** of him having signed the contract prior to the Vuelta, while making the announcement 4 days after it.

Contador goes to the giro and some guys say "he is afraid to ride against froome and quintana". Contador goes to the tour and some guys say "he can't acknowledge he is past his prime". Some people will always complain.

Blah blah blah blah, you quoted me, a guy that has never said anything about Contador going to the Giro to avoid stronger riders. You have lost a pretty good opportunity to be quiet, instead of writing foolish things.
Try again next time, or think better before writing.
Cheers.

I didn't write you say he went to the giro to avoid stronger riders but it's a fact that people said so. The point of my post is that whatever he does some people will always disagree with his decision since not all cycling fans have the same opinion.

Once you quote someone, even if you're talking to various people, you're also addressing the one you quoted. Hence my answer.