Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[bajbar]

Re: Re:

Really looking forward to today. Think Froome for the win but I really hope that Contador can turn back the clock. The good thing is today for the first time in years we're going to see him with no excuses. He's not crashed like 2014-2016, he's got no Giro in his legs like 2011/2015, his form is much better than 2013, he's got a good team who are totally committed to him, he's had rest, his weight couldn't be any lower, no knobhead team owner etc....This is it, if he's not got it today, we can conclude that his decline is certain and we'll have to reminisce on a great champion who has entertained us for a decade with the most stylish and inspirational victories of the modern era

I think he would still have a Giro/Vuelta in him depending on the competition

I agree with this. There is some question mark about his form this early (as im expecting a slightly better level for the second and third week) but today should give us a clearer picture then we have had for years.

Contador himself hinted about 2014 levels in numbers so the bar is set pretty high.

Well, he is not in 2014 shape. If he was, he would have held Porte's wheel on stage 3 easily. Without a grimmace even.

 

[No_Balls]

Re: Re:

Really looking forward to today. Think Froome for the win but I really hope that Contador can turn back the clock. The good thing is today for the first time in years we're going to see him with no excuses. He's not crashed like 2014-2016, he's got no Giro in his legs like 2011/2015, his form is much better than 2013, he's got a good team who are totally committed to him, he's had rest, his weight couldn't be any lower, no knobhead team owner etc....This is it, if he's not got it today, we can conclude that his decline is certain and we'll have to reminisce on a great champion who has entertained us for a decade with the most stylish and inspirational victories of the modern era

I think he would still have a Giro/Vuelta in him depending on the competition

I agree with this. There is some question mark about his form this early (as im expecting a slightly better level for the second and third week) but today should give us a clearer picture then we have had for years.

Contador himself hinted about 2014 levels in numbers so the bar is set pretty high.

Well, he is not in 2014 shape. If he was, he would have held Porte's wheel on stage 3 easily. Without a grimmace even.

Yeah, i mean, the Contador i used to know wouldnt say anything regarding his form and if he did he would be unsure of it (meaning it was lethal). But having said that i wouldnt make any assumptions about current level from that little blip.

Didnt look very convincing though.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Wow! Tom Boonen's nephew will be racing with the Fundacion Contador junior team
https://twitter.com/FundContaTeam/status/882573799517978624
Apparently Tommeke himself advised his nephew to ride with them!
I'm not sure if it's just for one race or for longer but it's cool either way

 

[Forever The Best]

Re:

The hope should be that he will be better than 2015 and 2016 (thats hard to judge tho), not that necessarily is at 2014 level. I think he can win the Tour with less, depending of how well Porte and Froomey are going.

Am I the only one who thinks he could have won in 2016 without the crashes and that he doesn't stand a chance this year?

 

[TheYouyou7]

Re: Re:

The hope should be that he will be better than 2015 and 2016 (thats hard to judge tho), not that necessarily is at 2014 level. I think he can win the Tour with less, depending of how well Porte and Froomey are going.

Am I the only one who thinks he could have won in 2016 without the crashes and that he doesn't stand a chance this year?

Yes you are

 

[benzwire]

Re:

Really looking forward to today. Think Froome for the win but I really hope that Contador can turn back the clock. The good thing is today for the first time in years we're going to see him with no excuses. He's not crashed like 2014-2016, he's got no Giro in his legs like 2011/2015, his form is much better than 2013, he's got a good team who are totally committed to him, he's had rest, his weight couldn't be any lower, no knobhead team owner etc....This is it, if he's not got it today, we can conclude that his decline is certain and we'll have to reminisce on a great champion who has entertained us for a decade with the most stylish and inspirational victories of the modern era

I think he would still have a Giro/Vuelta in him depending on the competition

Great post and I agree completely. I think he will lose 10-20 seconds and we will all continue to hope he will peak later in the race. I'm nervous, but hopeful. Go Alberto!

 

[Forever The Best]

I had him as the nr 1 fav for the 2016 TDF and I think he would have been the winner without the crashes but this year I'm not giving him any chance. He didn't look very strong in spring and was crappy in Dauphine.
So, him crashing in 2016 instead of in 2017 is horrible because while he had a big chance to win last year he has close to zero chances to win this year.

 

[Jelantik]

Before the start Alberto's intereview said something that I've prepared myself as best, so we'll see. Hmmm.. reminds me of 2015 answer. Certainly doesn't bode any confidence, makes me really nervous. I think this will be Froome vs Porte show. I really hope that Aru, Bardet, Martin will spoil the party. Otherwise this is just another demolition derby by Sky team again

 

[Carols]

Well I've taken a chill pill and my heart meds. Show us what you have Alberto, be it good or bad, I'm ready.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Re:

Well I've taken a chill pill and my heart meds. Show us what you have Alberto, be it good or bad, I'm ready.

Let us all pray.

Vamos Alberto!!

 

[Carols]

 

[Carols]

He paced much better and made a comeback, but tired late.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Not good enough

 

[Captain_Obvious]

This was fine. He closed the gap. Only lost 8 sec. Took time on Nairo and Thomas.

 

[Gloin22]

Contador is gonna fight for 4th/5th place as predicted. Shame

 

[Cance > TheRest]

6 seconds lost to Froome/Porte. That could have been a lot worse. Good pacing by Berto. This was uplifting

 

[Red Rick]

Did he just attack before the final ramp?

 

[No_Balls]

Re:

Not as bad as the predicted worst-case scenarios but whats worse is that he looks completely ***. Cant really see any major improvements either.

 

[buchanan]

I'm surprised you guys haven't realised by now that he isn't a top tier rider anymore. A realistic goal might be 5th or 6th. It's very hard to see him finishing above Aru and Bardet. The podium is not realistic.

 

[rune1107]

Perfect day from my perspective. Yeah he lost 6 sec but wasn't that what we expected? Bounced back from cracking and had a small dig at the end. The high MT stages will of course suit him better. Podium still very much in reach

 

[VanBsr]

So he is a diesel now. I think this was a great comeback

 

[No_Balls]

Re:

Did he just attack before the final ramp?

Yeah

 

[Pricey_sky]

Not a disaster by any means losing just a few seconds, but he just didn't look good today. Would have lost a lot more time had the four riders behind Aru not looked around for a while and stopped riding.

 

[Matteo.]

As i expected: he's not good enough. Anyway he made a comeback. It was a pity the final attack where he blew up

 

[May0maniac]

Could have been much worse, he'll be there in the high mountains.