Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[LaFlorecita]

Interesting article about today's press conference http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-im-at-the-vuelta-to-fight-for-it-and-to-enjoy-it/

 

[DFA123]

Great chance for a top 3 here I think for Contador. Lots of things in his favour: he's going to be extra motivated, he handles the heat pretty well, his form was improving through the Tour, the level of competition isn't that high and there are loads of chances to do 'ambushes' throughout the three weeks.

I'd make him second favourite behind Froome right now, maybe alongside Aru. I think the heat will be too much for Nibali, Chaves hasn't done enough miles this season to have a proper base yet, and the rest just aren't genuine contenders for the win imo.

 

[No_Balls]

Re:

His upcoming retirement is really making me feel old... I mean; it wasn't that long ago he suddenly burst onto the Grand Tour scene, is it? I know it is... but it... isn't. It can't be.

Its just ten years ago since "those" duels with Rasmussen. Its not much at all although it is pratically a lifetime in the timeframe of a racer. And now we're standing here, a couple of years later with all the joy and all the grief, at the end of things wondering where the time did go. Cruel father time.

Wishing you all a memorable three weeks. Stay in the present.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re:

I'm taking the very safe bet of it being the 2nd best GT of the year.

Given that even the Giro was slightly disappointing (as in "not 2015 standard") this year, I think the Vuelta could again be the best GT of the year.

Btw, great pictures of Berto from the presentation on steephill, that someone posted in the race thread.

 

[HelloDolly]

I am backing a Contador v Nibali showdown at this Vuelta

Hang on to your hats its going to be a bumpy ride

 

[LaFlorecita]

Not a good performance, but I'm relieved he didn't crash.

 

[Irondan]

Re:

Not a good performance, but I'm relieved he didn't crash.

Yes, that seems to be a minor victory in itself...

 

[ice&fire]

I can't recall him crashing in a TT, but let's celebrate anyway

 

[Irondan]

Re:

I can't recall him crashing in a TT, but let's celebrate anyway

Just crashing in general, but in reality the post was made tongue-in-cheek.

 

[PremierAndrew]

He's got a better chance of winning this Vuelta than he did the Tour imo

 

[perico]

Not bad, in comparison to tg rest of the favorites. Lost 25 seconds to Froome, whose team was not quite as good as I expected. 4 seconds on Nibali, 2 seconds to Zakarin, and gained time on Aru, Bardet, Pozzovivo, Meijntes, etc...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Oooof just saw Alberto choking up on the start ramp going to be a tough 3 weeks

 

[bob.a.feet]

Re:

Oooof just saw Alberto choking up on the start ramp going to be a tough 3 weeks

The emotions finally got to him

 

[LaFlorecita]

Today is Alberto's last stage in France as a pro cyclist. Prades mayor gave him the city's gold medal at the sign in.

https://twitter.com/lavuelta/status/899590486750580736

Video here:
https://twitter.com/lavuelta/status/899596939628556288

 

[Forever The Best]

Contador knows La Rabassa from 2008 Vuelta. (same side was climbed that day)
I hope for an attack on the first slopes of Rabassa. Vamos!

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Contador knows La Rabassa from 2008 Vuelta. (same side was climbed that day)
I hope for an attack on the first slopes of Rabassa. Vamos!

I certainly don't. If he is gonna attack I hope for an attack that will actually stick. It wouldn't be on the penultimate climb. Truth is with the descent, today isn't for AC.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Contador knows La Rabassa from 2008 Vuelta. (same side was climbed that day)
I hope for an attack on the first slopes of Rabassa. Vamos!

Lol. That would prove that Contador doesnt believe he actually can win this race and only is riding for the show, he will wait until proven otherwise and then begin his long range antics.

 

[Forever The Best]

Re: Re:

Contador knows La Rabassa from 2008 Vuelta. (same side was climbed that day)
I hope for an attack on the first slopes of Rabassa. Vamos!

I certainly don't. If he is gonna attack I hope for an attack that will actually stick. It wouldn't be on the penultimate climb. Truth is with the descent, today isn't for AC.

I don't think he will win the GC anyways, better create carnage in every single stage and make this a great GT.

 

[Forever The Best]

Re: Re:

Contador knows La Rabassa from 2008 Vuelta. (same side was climbed that day)
I hope for an attack on the first slopes of Rabassa. Vamos!

Lol. That would prove that Contador doesnt believe he actually can win this race and only is riding for the show, he will wait until proven otherwise and then begin his long range antics.

I don't think he will win the GC anyways. Better create carnage on every stage and make this a great GT.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Contador knows La Rabassa from 2008 Vuelta. (same side was climbed that day)
I hope for an attack on the first slopes of Rabassa. Vamos!

Lol. That would prove that Contador doesnt believe he actually can win this race and only is riding for the show, he will wait until proven otherwise and then begin his long range antics.

I don't think he will win the GC anyways. Better create carnage on every stage and make this a great GT.

That would be sad and show he doesnt believe he actually can win (he has said he believe he can). And even if the chance is minimal, you chase that opportunity. Contador aint stupid

 

[Forever The Best]

Re: Re:

Contador knows La Rabassa from 2008 Vuelta. (same side was climbed that day)
I hope for an attack on the first slopes of Rabassa. Vamos!

Lol. That would prove that Contador doesnt believe he actually can win this race and only is riding for the show, he will wait until proven otherwise and then begin his long range antics.

I don't think he will win the GC anyways. Better create carnage on every stage and make this a great GT.

That would be sad and show he doesnt believe he actually can win (he has said he believe he can). And even if the chance is minimal, you chase that opportunity. Contador aint stupid

If he is in a shape to win he can drop some of the contenders in Rabassa. He also needs to get time on some fresher riders like Nibali, Zakarin and co. before he gets tired. (this is the first time in his career that he tries Tour-Vuelta so in the final week he may be worse than the others who rode the Tour.)

 

[Valv.Piti]

No, you just don't attack on Rabassa against this Sky team like that. Aint possible. Rabassa flattens on the top

 

[Forever The Best]

This is embarrassing.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Bye Bye Bertie.

 

[portugal11]

C'mon guys. His head is already out of the professional cycling