Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[Vino attacks everyone]

What am I trying to do?

I honestly can't see Alberto beat Andy by a lot. He's only better in the TT.

where do you have that from? Only time they have been equals in the mountains was in 2010. And that year was Contadors weakest year (and probably Andys strongest) so far.

 

[Publicus]

What am I trying to do?

I honestly can't see Alberto beat Andy by a lot. He's only better in the TT.

Apologies. I read that as attempting to downplay his chances for fear of jinxing him--I guess I'm the only one who does that. I don't think they are equals in any way, but perhaps this Vuelta will alter my opinion.

 

[LaFlorecita]

where do you have that from? Only time they have been equals in the mountains was in 2010. And that year was Contadors weakest year (and probably Andys strongest) so far.

But it's the only race we can use to compare them. Or do you prefer to use last year's Tour?

 

[Publicus]

But it's the only race we can use to compare them. Or do you prefer to use last year's Tour?

2009 is still available to compare the two. And frankly I'll take 2011 as well--an injured and fatigued Contador was still only a notch below a healthy Andy Schleck. I think barring the injuries and lost time from the first stage, Contador would have, at a minimum, finished on the podium (I think the Giro took too much out of him to win the overall).

 

[LaFlorecita]

Apologies. I read that as attempting to downplay his chances for fear of jinxing him--I guess I'm the only one who does that. I don't think they are equals in any way, but perhaps this Vuelta will alter my opinion.

I hope Alberto can prove me wrong though.

Also when you're expecting the worst you'll never end up disappointed.

 

[LaFlorecita]

2009 is still available to compare the two. And frankly I'll take 2011 as well--an injured and fatigued Contador was still only a notch below a healthy Andy Schleck. I think barring the injuries and lost time from the first stage, Contador would have, at a minimum, finished on the podium (I think the Giro took too much out of him to win the overall).

In 2009 Andy was still very young. I wouldn't take 2011, we just don't know how much the Giro and his crashes affected Alberto.

 

[vcampbell]

2009 is still available to compare the two. And frankly I'll take 2011 as well--an injured and fatigued Contador was still only a notch below a healthy Andy Schleck. I think barring the injuries and lost time from the first stage, Contador would have, at a minimum, finished on the podium (I think the Giro took too much out of him to win the overall).

I think it was mostly the injurys and only a little part the fatigue. He lost contact on the Galibier, but he was one of the riders who set the pace from long way from home. Also he was able to attack twice on the next day. And don't forget the time trial where he was able to finish 3rd. I think without the crashes he could have won the Tour. The worst part of this, that there is no if in sport

 

[Forunculo]

I think it was mostly the injurys and only a little part the fatigue. He lost contact on the Galibier, but he was one of the riders who set the pace from long way from home. Also he was able to attack twice on the next day. And don't forget the time trial where he was able to finish 3rd. I think without the crashes he could have won the Tour. The worst part of this, that there is no if in sport

If Cas would had to strip Contador about 2 Tours and 1 Giro...

 

[airstream]

Well, folks, could I kindly inform you who is going to be the 2012 Vuelta winner?

 

[burning]

Had he a hunger knock in Galibier? If he was really that cooked, next day he couldnt go crazy and the other day he got 3rd in TT

 

[LaFlorecita]

Had he a hunger knock in Galibier? If he was really that cooked, next day he couldnt go crazy and the other day he got 3rd in TT

Yes.
...........

 

[Afrank]

Well, folks, could I kindly inform you who is going to be the 2012 Vuelta winner?

Andy!!! He will have the anger necessary to win.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well, folks, could I kindly inform you who is going to be the 2012 Vuelta winner?

Of course. Go ahead.

 

[airstream]

Had he a hunger knock in Galibier? If he was really that cooked, next day he couldnt go crazy and the other day he got 3rd in TT

Nah, that was just a typical example of one going beyond its reserves in order not to be dropped as long as it's possible on adrenaline without thinking about the final outcome and then a logical atonement came.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Undoubtedly they spur each other on during Mountain finishes. They have proven since 2009 that when they are in respective good health, they can attack like no other members of the Peleton.

It stands to reason that if Schleck has recovered, and more pointedly can motivate himself to pursure the Vuelta GC, then we will witness a very exciting race. Although the time differential may now be reduced between 1st and 2nd position, it is conversely likely that the gap bewteen 2nd and the rest will rise. The bigger the gap the more fireworks

Given the circumstances the following is purely hypothetical (and may have already been discussed). I am also interested to gain opinions as to whether a fully fit Contador could have bettered Wiggins and Sky in the 2012 TDF? Would Wiggins have gained too much time in the ITT? Could Contador have gained enough back in the Mountains?

 

[Publicus]

Well, folks, could I kindly inform you who is going to be the 2012 Vuelta winner?

We already have a good idea of who the favorite is for the 2012 Vuelta in reality. Now the winner of the 2012 Vuelta in Airstreamistan is probably a different matter. By the way, what color is the sky in Airstreamistan?

On a more selfish note, with Andy riding the Vuelta there is a better than average chance NBCSports (old Versus) will cover it live/in HD

 

[Forunculo]

Airstream and LaFlorecita will have a head-to-head challenge next Vuelta.

Hopefully Andy recover before 6 weeks because we are at 8 weeks from Vuelta start.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Argh why oh why did Andy have to be his stupid self again? Why did he have to crash? Now he's going to ruin everything.
Everyone is now hyping up the Vuelta and hoping for an epic battle and an exciting race etc. but I want Alberto to win. I don't want epic battles. For me a race is epic when Alberto is awesome and wins.
If Andy is going to race the Vuelta for the win Alberto won't even win the only race he could win this season. Stupid Andy probably doesn't understand how selfish that is. Just because he needs to save his **** season he's going to ruin someone else's season. It's just not fair.
I hope the Spaniards give Andy the same treatment as the Frenchies gave Alberto last year. He needs to know how that feels. Maybe he'll grow up when he finds out not everyone loves him. But the Spaniards won't do that because they've got 100000000x more class than the Frenchies.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I am also interested to gain opinions as to whether a fully fit Contador could have bettered Wiggins and Sky in the 2012 TDF?

Yes.

Would Wiggins have gained too much time in the ITT?

No.

Could Contador have gained enough back in the Mountains?

Yes.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Airstream and LaFlorecita will have a head-to-head challenge next Vuelta.

Hopefully Andy recover before 6 weeks because we are at 8 weeks from Vuelta start.

Fcuk I'd hoped he would be gone by the end of July.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

If however he beats Schleck, is the victory not sweeter?

 

[airstream]

We already have a good idea of who the favorite is for the 2012 Vuelta in reality. Now the winner of the 2012 Vuelta in Airstreamistan is probably a different matter. By the way, what color is the sky in Airstreamistan?

On a more selfish note, with Andy riding the Vuelta there is a better than average chance NBCSports (old Versus) will cover it live/in HD

My cycling outlook is pretty standart, just a not Contador- centric one, unlike many people here, I'd say. So no need to ascribe to me an exclusive nationality.

You see, you owe Andy a lot. ))

 

[burning]

Fcuk I'd hoped he would be gone by the end of July.

You seemed worried yet airstream is confident, have some faith in your guy

 

[Publicus]

My cycling outlook is pretty standart, just a not Contador- centric one, unlike many people here, I'd say. So no need to ascribe to me an exclusive nationality.

You see, you owe Andy a lot. ))

I'd say your cycling outlook is your own and very Andy-centric. Which is perfectly fine with me--you're like a one-stop devil's advocate for all things related to stage racing.

EDIT: And perhaps you didn't get the joke. Airstreamistan means you are living in your own little fantasy world. Or maybe you did.

 

[Forunculo]

Argh why oh why did Andy have to be his stupid self again? Why did he have to crash? Now he's going to ruin everything.
Everyone is now hyping up the Vuelta and hoping for an epic battle and an exciting race etc. but I want Alberto to win. I don't want epic battles. For me a race is epic when Alberto is awesome and wins.
If Andy is going to race the Vuelta for the win Alberto won't even win the only race he could win this season. Stupid Andy probably doesn't understand how selfish that is. Just because he needs to save his **** season he's going to ruin someone else's season. It's just not fair.
I hope the Spaniards give Andy the same treatment as the Frenchies gave Alberto last year. He needs to know how that feels. Maybe he'll grow up when he finds out not everyone loves him. But the Spaniards won't do that because they've got 100000000x more class than the Frenchies.

Thanks but I'm not sure about your last paragraph.

Pretty clear Alberto will ride at home and Andy away