Teams & Riders Alberto Contador Discussion Thread

[vcampbell]

I'm sorry CN, but this is pathetic...

"The biggest surprise of the day was the performance of Alberto Contador, who many had expected to dominate in this first individual time trial since returning from a doping-related suspension. However, the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank rider was only able to put in a time of 30:47, a whole 22 seconds slower than Tuft and only enough for sixth place on the stage. Still, it was enough to move him up to 10th place, only 49 seconds down."

 

[Publicus]

I'm sorry CN, but this is pathetic...

"The biggest surprise of the day was the performance of Alberto Contador, who many had expected to dominate in this first individual time trial since returning from a doping-related suspension. However, the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank rider was only able to put in a time of 30:47, a whole 22 seconds slower than Tuft and only enough for sixth place on the stage. Still, it was enough to move him up to 10th place, only 49 seconds down."

I don't recall ANYONE expecting him to dominate a pancake flat TT after being out of competition for 6 months plus. Top 5 is the most folks thought (based on the comments in the race thread). Also, I think he finished 7th and his time was 20'47" not 30'47"

 

[vcampbell]

I don't recall ANYONE expecting him to dominate a pancake flat TT after being out of competition for 6 months plus. Top 5 is the most folks thought (based on the comments in the race thread). Also, I think he finished 7th and his time was 20'47" not 30'47"

Oh I haven't seen that, I have just read that they actually saying, that he is bad, because he was only able to reach that bad-bad place, with that bad-bad time...

 

[Cimber]

Mmmm. Still no dedicated Vuelta thread?

There are plenty

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=18015

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=18096

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=16509

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=17983

 

[Miburo]

Contador's comment after TT=

"Ik had er iets meer van verwacht, maaruiteindelijk is zevende niet slecht op een parcours dat me niet echt ligt. Ik voelde ook dat ik nog een aantal zware koersen tekortkom. Maar met het oog op de Vuelta ben ik zeker niet ongerust."

"Ik wil zeker meekoersen in de koninginnenrit. Net als 2 jaar geleden voor de doortocht van de Tour in Vlaanderen vroeg ik raad aan Peter Van Petegem. Als het kan, gooi ik me in de strijd. Maar veel zal afhangen van het koersverloop."

Translated: He expected to do better in the TT but overall ok, and not worried for vuelta. And he wants to perform tomorrow, he even asked some advice of van petegem (2 time rvv-winner if you didn't know)

 

[Aguirre]

I'm sorry CN, but this is pathetic...

"The biggest surprise of the day was the performance of Alberto Contador, who many had expected to dominate in this first individual time trial since returning from a doping-related suspension. However, the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank rider was only able to put in a time of 30:47, a whole 22 seconds slower than Tuft and only enough for sixth place on the stage. Still, it was enough to move him up to 10th place, only 49 seconds down."

wow, I think he made an amazing TT. don't know who expected AC to dominate this.
he is quite shaped, and I think he is main favorit for vuelta. he can do also an impact tomorrow

 

[gingerwallaceafro]

Not exactly setting the world alight, amongst an average field.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Not exactly setting the world alight, amongst an average field.

no exactly something we expected either, even amongst an average field.

 

[Forunculo]

 

[richwagmn]

Outstanding position.

 

[movingtarget]

I'm sorry CN, but this is pathetic...

"The biggest surprise of the day was the performance of Alberto Contador, who many had expected to dominate in this first individual time trial since returning from a doping-related suspension. However, the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank rider was only able to put in a time of 30:47, a whole 22 seconds slower than Tuft and only enough for sixth place on the stage. Still, it was enough to move him up to 10th place, only 49 seconds down."

All they are saying is that his standard is usually so high, that this was a surprise. This race was only ever going to be training for him. CN and some of his fans may have expected too much.

 

[airstream]

I don't recall ANYONE expecting him to dominate a pancake flat TT after being out of competition for 6 months plus. Top 5 is the most folks thought (based on the comments in the race thread). Also, I think he finished 7th and his time was 20'47" not 30'47"

But Contador learnt how to ride such TTs earlier than to climb.

 

[Cimber]

The TT basically showed what most expected. He is ready, but naturally he is only 90% atm. The first week of the Vuelta is where his competitors wanna try to hurt him. After that when he reach his max its game over

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

But Contador learnt how to ride such TTs earlier than to climb.

doenst mean that he is better at it

 

[Miburo]

The TT basically showed what most expected. He is ready, but naturally he is only 90% atm. The first week of the Vuelta is where his competitors wanna try to hurt him. After that when he reach his max its game over

Problem being is that Contador at 90 % is still more than good enough especially in the vuelta.

In the mountains btw we haven't seen anything of him, and vuelta is in 6 days, you can improve a lot in 6 days. Look at giro '08.

 

[airstream]

doenst mean that he is better at it

does mean thats the last point where he can faint

 

[Nilsson]

Outstanding position.

Head and shoulders could probably be a bit lower, I think. But overall it looks good, and so was his TT (after six months, on a flat course, for such a lightweight)

 

[Publicus]

But Contador learnt how to ride such TTs earlier than to climb.

Obviously you don't know his story all that well.

 

[Carols]

Well I'd say that coming in 5th in his first race back on a course that didn't suit him is a darned good showing Watching him dance up the Muur the first time was unreal!! He tired in the finale but this has to give him a fittest boost; rubbing off the rust. And honoring the race at the same time

Vamos Alberto!!!

 

[Miburo]

Well I'd say that coming in 5th in his first race back on a course that didn't suit him is a darned good showing Watching him dance up the Muur the first time was unreal!! He tired in the finale but this has to give him a fittest boost; rubbing off the rust. And honoring the race at the same time

Vamos Alberto!!!

the last time he was just too far away and he had to close too many gaps which costed a lot of energy of course

 

[Forunculo]

Well I'd say that coming in 5th in his first race back on a course that didn't suit him is a darned good showing Watching him dance up the Muur the first time was unreal!! He tired in the finale but this has to give him a fittest boost; rubbing off the rust. And honoring the race at the same time

Vamos Alberto!!!

He is 4th

the last time he was just too far away and he had to close too many gaps which costed a lot of energy of course

That's because he is not good on one day races, positioning

 

[Miburo]

I'm real confused, will Contador ride san sebastian or not?

News sites say he will, I think he needs to do it for some real climbing rythm and because I want to see him ride of course lol

After eneco tour no one can deny anymore that Contador always wants to race whatever it is.

 

[Miburo]

That's because he is not good on one day races, positioning

Exactly, that's his biggest weakness. He can't position well.

 

[DominicDecoco]

I really wouldn't call it a weakness. He's not that bad at it.

 

[sulgpallur]

I'm real confused, will Contador ride san sebastian or not?

News sites say he will, I think he needs to do it for some real climbing rythm and because I want to see him ride of course lol

After eneco tour no one can deny anymore that Contador always wants to race whatever it is.

Probably not. He tweeted he is gonna have 5 day break