Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Jelantik]

http://www.velonews.com/2016/11/news/road/new-team-is-key-to-contadors-2017-tour-ambitions_425251
Some insight

Contador leaves behind Team Tinkoff, a team whose owner Oleg Tinkov was as loud and obnoxious as its neon yellow kit.

:lol:

Seem like Guercilena and Trek supported him wholeheartedly more than Oleg. Trek treat and view him as a person rather than like a race horse. Hopefully, with a new environment, a new kit, a new equipment will bring total fresh start for Contador to finally be able to race relax and concentrate on what stages are mattered. And hopefully, new team and a new year will finally bring a good luck for Contador. I really want him to stick it to Oleg.

Guercilena is spot on, Cancellara was old too, but he still can win the race that matters. If he can do it, I don't see why not for Contador. Maybe straight duel of strength to strength, Froome and Quintana has the upper hand. But Contador has wealth of experience and wit. I guess as long as he stays upright... .

 

[Pennino]

http://www.velonews.com/2016/11/news/road/new-team-is-key-to-contadors-2017-tour-ambitions_425251
Some insight

Contador leaves behind Team Tinkoff, a team whose owner Oleg Tinkov was as loud and obnoxious as its neon yellow kit.

:lol:

Seem like Guercilena and Trek supported him wholeheartedly more than Oleg. Trek treat and view him as a person rather than like a race horse. Hopefully, with a new environment, a new kit, a new equipment will bring total fresh start for Contador to finally be able to race relax and concentrate on what stages are mattered. And hopefully, new team and a new year will finally bring a good luck for Contador. I really want him to stick it to Oleg.

Guercilena is spot on, Cancellara was old too, but he still can win the race that matters. If he can do it, I don't see why not for Contador. Maybe straight duel of strength to strength, Froome and Quintana has the upper hand. But Contador has wealth of experience and wit. I guess as long as he stays upright... .

I still don't believe that Tinkov has had such a bad influence on whether Berto was relaxed or not. In my view it has a lot more to do with the past seasons and several other factors like the awful lot of stress in the first week. If you look at his performance in the Vuelta this year he not only gave it his all, but had on top of that he had that fantastic inspiration to once again create the attack of the year.

No, Conta has just to manage his own expectations and obsessions I guess. To maintain a good balance between aggressiveness and focus. And oh yes that's difficult as hell. But I don't see anything that might change his approach nor any reasons for that. Because the champion himself is always the one that puts the most pressure on him. Intrinsic motivation. As long as he keeps fully believing that he's able to win the Tour, he's able to win the Tour. And as long as that's the case it's complete BS to talk about him as finished, beyond his prime, not the same anymore, and so on.

He can still do it. But the problem is that there are a several other guys who can do exactly the same.

 

[07collian]

El Pistolero - Story on the great Alberto Contador

http://theballpoint.org/index.php/2016/11/05/el-pistolero/

Hey guys, a friend wrote this piece for a site and I thought you guys might enjoy!

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2016/12/06/alberto-contador-34-today-one-thegreatest-ever-stage-racers/

David Millar, who raced against the Spaniard throughout his career, says he's the greatest grand tour rider he's ever seen while Sean Kelly, who was the world No 1 between 1984 and 1989, reckons only Eddy Merckx was better. But has the seven-time grand tour winner got what it takes to win an eighth, or is is over the hill at 34-years-old?

Interesting read

 

[sir fly]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2016/12/06/alberto-contador-34-today-one-thegreatest-ever-stage-racers/

David Millar, who raced against the Spaniard throughout his career, says he's the greatest grand tour rider he's ever seen while Sean Kelly, who was the world No 1 between 1984 and 1989, reckons only Eddy Merckx was better. But has the seven-time grand tour winner got what it takes to win an eighth, or is is over the hill at 34-years-old?

Interesting read

Indeed.
One's greatness can be comprehended through the field he raced against.
To the British audience must be amusing to learn that Froome's year after year beating the second greatest GT rider of all time.

 

[rick james]

He breaks all the rules.....

Indeed he does Mr Millar, indeed he does

 

[red_flanders]

Any comparison to the palmares of Eddy Merckx is laughable on its face.

 

[Angliru]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2016/12/06/alberto-contador-34-today-one-thegreatest-ever-stage-racers/

David Millar, who raced against the Spaniard throughout his career, says he's the greatest grand tour rider he's ever seen while Sean Kelly, who was the world No 1 between 1984 and 1989, reckons only Eddy Merckx was better. But has the seven-time grand tour winner got what it takes to win an eighth, or is is over the hill at 34-years-old?

Interesting read

Indeed.
One's greatness can be comprehended through the field he raced against.
To the British audience must be amusing to learn that Froome's year after year beating the second greatest GT rider of all time.

What exactly are you implying here?

 

[sir fly]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2016/12/06/alberto-contador-34-today-one-thegreatest-ever-stage-racers/

David Millar, who raced against the Spaniard throughout his career, says he's the greatest grand tour rider he's ever seen while Sean Kelly, who was the world No 1 between 1984 and 1989, reckons only Eddy Merckx was better. But has the seven-time grand tour winner got what it takes to win an eighth, or is is over the hill at 34-years-old?

Interesting read

Indeed.
One's greatness can be comprehended through the field he raced against.
To the British audience must be amusing to learn that Froome's year after year beating the second greatest GT rider of all time.

What exactly are you implying here?

Exactly what I've written in the following sentence.

 

[Red Rick]

Oh head to head. If there was ever a *** argument, it's the head to head

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2016/12/06/alberto-contador-34-today-one-thegreatest-ever-stage-racers/

David Millar, who raced against the Spaniard throughout his career, says he's the greatest grand tour rider he's ever seen while Sean Kelly, who was the world No 1 between 1984 and 1989, reckons only Eddy Merckx was better. But has the seven-time grand tour winner got what it takes to win an eighth, or is is over the hill at 34-years-old?

Interesting read

Indeed.
One's greatness can be comprehended through the field he raced against.
To the British audience must be amusing to learn that Froome's year after year beating the second greatest GT rider of all time.

Im not British but Im not really Nationalist in general and I just laugh and laugh and laugh. It just makes Contador look worse and then everyone googles his palmares and goes oh yeah, he never even podiumed in the biggest race once without Bruyneel. AC is objectively not a legendary cyclist but he has somehow gained a legendary cult of personality however i don't blame him or see any evidence that he wanted this to happen.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Any comparison to the palmares of Eddy Merckx is laughable on its face.

I don't think anyone compared his palmares to Eddy Merckx'.

 

[hrotha]

AC is objectively not a legendary cyclist

What.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2016/12/06/alberto-contador-34-today-one-thegreatest-ever-stage-racers/

David Millar, who raced against the Spaniard throughout his career, says he's the greatest grand tour rider he's ever seen while Sean Kelly, who was the world No 1 between 1984 and 1989, reckons only Eddy Merckx was better. But has the seven-time grand tour winner got what it takes to win an eighth, or is is over the hill at 34-years-old?

Interesting read

Indeed.
One's greatness can be comprehended through the field he raced against.
To the British audience must be amusing to learn that Froome's year after year beating the second greatest GT rider of all time.

Im not British but Im not really Nationalist in general and I just laugh and laugh and laugh. It just makes Contador look worse and then everyone googles his palmares and goes oh yeah, he never even podiumed in the biggest race once without Bruyneel. AC is objectively not a legendary cyclist but he has somehow gained a legendary cult of personality however i don't blame him or see any evidence that he wanted this to happen.

By your standards, who is then a legendary cyclist other than Merckx, Hinault and possibly de Vlaeminck??? Apparently winning 9 GT's is not enough.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2016/12/06/alberto-contador-34-today-one-thegreatest-ever-stage-racers/

David Millar, who raced against the Spaniard throughout his career, says he's the greatest grand tour rider he's ever seen while Sean Kelly, who was the world No 1 between 1984 and 1989, reckons only Eddy Merckx was better. But has the seven-time grand tour winner got what it takes to win an eighth, or is is over the hill at 34-years-old?

Interesting read

Indeed.
One's greatness can be comprehended through the field he raced against.
To the British audience must be amusing to learn that Froome's year after year beating the second greatest GT rider of all time.

Im not British but Im not really Nationalist in general and I just laugh and laugh and laugh. It just makes Contador look worse and then everyone googles his palmares and goes oh yeah, he never even podiumed in the biggest race once without Bruyneel. AC is objectively not a legendary cyclist but he has somehow gained a legendary cult of personality however i don't blame him or see any evidence that he wanted this to happen.

By your standards, who is then a legendary cyclist other than Merckx, Hinault and possibly de Vlaeminck??? Apparently winning 9 GT's is not enough.

I said objectively because objectively when a rider is relegated to last place for cheating that doesnt count as a win.

 

[Red Rick]

Not this again

 

[LaFlorecita]

 

[BigMac]

 

[jens_attacks]

The king is going full vietcong. Anglos,beware!

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

wtf

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

wtf

I'm scared, what if he's a reptilian or possessed by a demon

 

[LaFlorecita]

Mollema more or less confirmed Berto will start his season in Argentina and Abu Dhabi. Meh...

"Mollema and Contador will hit some of the early season races together, debuting in Argentina and then at Abu Dhabi and split the European stage race calendar ahead of the grand tours."
Read more at http://www.velonews.com/2016/12/news/mollema-race-giro-support-contador-tour_426165#BMqut2iBHMOguYh1.99

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

Mollema more or less confirmed Berto will start his season in Argentina and Abu Dhabi. Meh...

"Mollema and Contador will hit some of the early season races together, debuting in Argentina and then at Abu Dhabi and split the European stage race calendar ahead of the grand tours."
Read more at http://www.velonews.com/2016/12/news/mollema-race-giro-support-contador-tour_426165#BMqut2iBHMOguYh1.99

It's a big deal though that Mollema will be a domestique rather than a second protected rider at the Tour. If Mollema is even close to his 2016 level, Sky don't automatically have the strongest lieutenant in the race for a change.

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

Mollema more or less confirmed Berto will start his season in Argentina and Abu Dhabi. Meh...

"Mollema and Contador will hit some of the early season races together, debuting in Argentina and then at Abu Dhabi and split the European stage race calendar ahead of the grand tours."
Read more at http://www.velonews.com/2016/12/news/mollema-race-giro-support-contador-tour_426165#BMqut2iBHMOguYh1.99

It's a big deal though that Mollema will be a domestique rather than a second protected rider at the Tour. If Mollema is even close to his 2016 level, Sky don't automatically have the strongest lieutenant in the race for a change.

Yeah.
But Movistar didn't show they know how to utilize the strongest duo in the race. I doubt they'll manage in the third attempt.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Mollema more or less confirmed Berto will start his season in Argentina and Abu Dhabi. Meh...

"Mollema and Contador will hit some of the early season races together, debuting in Argentina and then at Abu Dhabi and split the European stage race calendar ahead of the grand tours."
Read more at http://www.velonews.com/2016/12/news/mollema-race-giro-support-contador-tour_426165#BMqut2iBHMOguYh1.99

It's a big deal though that Mollema will be a domestique rather than a second protected rider at the Tour. If Mollema is even close to his 2016 level, Sky don't automatically have the strongest lieutenant in the race for a change.

Very true. Now I hope Mollema won't backstab Alberto like Majka or Kreuziger. His words are reassuring