Article-With 3 tainted TDF victories Alberto Contador: Champion or Poseur?

[SilentAssassin]

With 3 tainted TDF victories Alberto Contador: Champion or Poseur?

Historically, Tour De France GC winners have always been about being the best, and showing dominance in certain stages of the race to show that you are a true champion, that you are indeed the best rider of the tour. Lance Armstrong for example, always won stages during his seven year reign as a TDF champion in dominating style, whether they were mountain stages, prologues, and time trials. In each tour victory he has shown great respect and sportsmanship to his rivals. Who can forget Armstrong waiting for Jan Ullrich after he crashed. He was the ultimate champion, sportsman, and respected the traditions of the TDF.

The Heir to Lance Armstrong's TDF throne, Alberto Contador however, has had some questionable wins in his three TDF titles, and certainly a questionable and tainted 2010 TDF Title win. Needless to say there was also doping allegations surrounding Contador all throughout his career, which is why the Astana team wasn't invited in 2008.

List of Problems surrounding Alberto Contador's wins:

In 2007 Contador wins the TDF as Rasmussen who had essentially clinched the TDF win after beating Contador in the final stage of the Pyrenees(Stage 15) is kicked from the tour for "internal team violations."

In 2009, Contador wins the TDF. Cancellara makes the complaint that Contador was drafting behind the motorcycle in Annecy to get the win in the Annecy Time Trial Stage. This could be all the more true since Contador hasn't come remotely close to that of Cancellara in this year's time trials.

And the now 2010 title victory probably marks Contador's most controversial and questionable win due to attacking Andy Schleck when he had a mechanical failure. The fact that Schleck was AC's rival at the time is bad enough, but what is even more concerning is that Schleck was wearing the maillot jaune. And everyone knows, you do not disrespect the maillot jaune on a mechanical failure, especially on a key stage that could decide the race. Many can easily argue that Contador won this year's tour due to a mechanical failure suffered by Schleck, especially sinice there was only 39 seconds separating these two men after the final time trial. Many considered this wasn't the act of a champion to take advantage of a mechanical failure, but more of a "Desperate Man" as described by the commentator, Paul Sherwen, "doing anything to he can to win the tour."

Another problem with Contador's 2010 win is that he failed to win one single stage. Past tour winners usually win stages. Armstrong for example, always won a stage in each win. Contador failed to show any dominance in the mountains, failed to win stages, and Schleck even beat Contador in the final mountain stage.

Are these the trends of the new era of riders where people must attack on a mechanical to win the TDF? Is it the new direction of approaching the TDF where champions don't win stages and time trials? Alberto Contador has demonstrated to us in 2010 with a resounding "Yes." This is the future of the TDF, the dark age where winners pose as champions, or as Contador demonstrated, Champion Poseurs.

The one glimmer of light that has come from the 2010 TDF is Radioshack's team classification win. At least in that sense, a true champion, one that respects the malliot jaune, and one that has proven his dominance in tours, can be bid farewell on the podium. Not it's not the GC podium and you don't get the malliot jaune, but like Lance said, "I have seven of them at home." Indeed you do Lance, and you won each of them like a true champion.

- Silent Assassin

 

[scribe]

The man's got some luck on his side, and some ability to always be at the right place, at the right time.

 

[Publicus]

You really nailed AC. He should give back all 5 of his grand titles until he has sufficiently earned them in the eyes of his detractors. You should email this to ASO and get the ball rolling on removing his name from the record books.

 

[El Pistolero]

I thought this was a serious- albeit dumb- article until I read the last paragraph.

 

[sartoris]

blahblahblah

- Silent Assassin

I didn't even read your post. Only the title.

However, I must acknowledge that this forum is going to be less exciting without all the Lance mob.

GOODBYE!!!!

 

[fixedgear]

Didn't Lance's 99 tour win come with 2 supposed positive doping tests as well as his attack when Zulle crashed and lost over 6 minutes on a stage? Does that fit into your equation of what makes a TDF winner a champion or a poseur?

 

[Belokki]

With 3 tainted TDF victories Alberto Contador: Champion or Poseur?

Historically, Tour De France GC winners have always been about being the best, and showing dominance in certain stages of the race to show that you are a true champion, that you are indeed the best rider of the tour. Lance Armstrong for example, always won stages during his seven year reign as a TDF champion in dominating style, whether they were mountain stages, prologues, and time trials. In each tour victory he has shown great respect and sportsmanship to his rivals. Who can forget Armstrong waiting for Jan Ullrich after he crashed. He was the ultimate champion, sportsman, and respected the traditions of the TDF.

The Heir to Lance Armstrong's TDF throne, Alberto Contador however, has had some questionable wins in his three TDF titles, and certainly a questionable and tainted 2010 TDF Title win. Needless to say there was also doping allegations surrounding Contador all throughout his career, which is why the Astana team wasn't invited in 2008.

List of Problems surrounding Alberto Contador's wins:

In 2007 Contador wins the TDF as Rasmussen who had essentially clinched the TDF win after beating Contador in the final stage of the Pyrenees(Stage 15) is kicked from the tour for "internal team violations."

In 2009, Contador wins the TDF. Cancellara makes the complaint that Contador was drafting behind the motorcycle in Annecy to get the win in the Annecy Time Trial Stage. This could be all the more true since Contador hasn't come remotely close to that of Cancellara in this year's time trials.

And the now 2010 title victory probably marks Contador's most controversial and questionable win due to attacking Andy Schleck when he had a mechanical failure. The fact that Schleck was AC's rival at the time is bad enough, but what is even more concerning is that Schleck was wearing the maillot jaune. And everyone knows, you do not disrespect the maillot jaune on a mechanical failure, especially on a key stage that could decide the race. Many can easily argue that Contador won this year's tour due to a mechanical failure suffered by Schleck, especially sinice there was only 39 seconds separating these two men after the final time trial. Many considered this wasn't the act of a champion to take advantage of a mechanical failure, but more of a "Desperate Man" as described by the commentator, Paul Sherwen, "doing anything to he can to win the tour."

Another problem with Contador's 2010 win is that he failed to win one single stage. Past tour winners usually win stages. Armstrong for example, always won a stage in each win. Contador failed to show any dominance in the mountains, failed to win stages, and Schleck even beat Contador in the final mountain stage.

Are these the trends of the new era of riders where people must attack on a mechanical to win the TDF? Is it the new direction of approaching the TDF where champions don't win stages and time trials? Alberto Contador has demonstrated to us in 2010 with a resounding "Yes." This is the future of the TDF, the dark age where winners pose as champions, or as Contador demonstrated, Champion Poseurs.

The one glimmer of light that has come from the 2010 TDF is Radioshack's team classification win. At least in that sense, a true champion, one that respects the malliot jaune, and one that has proven his dominance in tours, can be bid farewell on the podium. Not it's not the GC podium and you don't get the malliot jaune, but like Lance said, "I have seven of them at home." Indeed you do Lance, and you won each of them like a true champion.

- Silent Assassin

WOW!!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Oh for god sake people

Lance is history, go cry over a river that Alberto not only won already 3 TDF's and is now almost halfway, but also won a Giro and Vuelta to boot, something dear Lance never tried or accomplished.

 

[hrotha]

I think I got dumber from reading this thread.

 

[TopCarbon]

I think I got dumber from reading this thread.

at least you still have the ability to think

 

[La Pandera]

With 3 tainted TDF victories Alberto Contador: Champion or Poseur?

Historically, Tour De France GC winners have always been about being the best, and showing dominance in certain stages of the race to show that you are a true champion, that you are indeed the best rider of the tour. Lance Armstrong for example, always won stages during his seven year reign as a TDF champion in dominating style, whether they were mountain stages, prologues, and time trials. In each tour victory he has shown great respect and sportsmanship to his rivals. Who can forget Armstrong waiting for Jan Ullrich after he crashed. He was the ultimate champion, sportsman, and respected the traditions of the TDF.

The Heir to Lance Armstrong's TDF throne, Alberto Contador however, has had some questionable wins in his three TDF titles, and certainly a questionable and tainted 2010 TDF Title win. Needless to say there was also doping allegations surrounding Contador all throughout his career, which is why the Astana team wasn't invited in 2008.

List of Problems surrounding Alberto Contador's wins:

In 2007 Contador wins the TDF as Rasmussen who had essentially clinched the TDF win after beating Contador in the final stage of the Pyrenees(Stage 15) is kicked from the tour for "internal team violations."

In 2009, Contador wins the TDF. Cancellara makes the complaint that Contador was drafting behind the motorcycle in Annecy to get the win in the Annecy Time Trial Stage. This could be all the more true since Contador hasn't come remotely close to that of Cancellara in this year's time trials.

And the now 2010 title victory probably marks Contador's most controversial and questionable win due to attacking Andy Schleck when he had a mechanical failure. The fact that Schleck was AC's rival at the time is bad enough, but what is even more concerning is that Schleck was wearing the maillot jaune. And everyone knows, you do not disrespect the maillot jaune on a mechanical failure, especially on a key stage that could decide the race. Many can easily argue that Contador won this year's tour due to a mechanical failure suffered by Schleck, especially sinice there was only 39 seconds separating these two men after the final time trial. Many considered this wasn't the act of a champion to take advantage of a mechanical failure, but more of a "Desperate Man" as described by the commentator, Paul Sherwen, "doing anything to he can to win the tour."

Another problem with Contador's 2010 win is that he failed to win one single stage. Past tour winners usually win stages. Armstrong for example, always won a stage in each win. Contador failed to show any dominance in the mountains, failed to win stages, and Schleck even beat Contador in the final mountain stage.

Are these the trends of the new era of riders where people must attack on a mechanical to win the TDF? Is it the new direction of approaching the TDF where champions don't win stages and time trials? Alberto Contador has demonstrated to us in 2010 with a resounding "Yes." This is the future of the TDF, the dark age where winners pose as champions, or as Contador demonstrated, Champion Poseurs.

The one glimmer of light that has come from the 2010 TDF is Radioshack's team classification win. At least in that sense, a true champion, one that respects the malliot jaune, and one that has proven his dominance in tours, can be bid farewell on the podium. Not it's not the GC podium and you don't get the malliot jaune, but like Lance said, "I have seven of them at home." Indeed you do Lance, and you won each of them like a true champion.

- Silent Assassin

You and Belokki must have been separated at birth. Great minds think alike.

 

[Siriuscat]

With 3 tainted TDF victories Alberto Contador: Champion or Poseur?

Historically, Tour De France GC winners have always been about being the best, and showing dominance in certain stages of the race to show that you are a true champion, that you are indeed the best rider of the tour. Lance Armstrong for example, always won stages during his seven year reign as a TDF champion in dominating style, whether they were mountain stages, prologues, and time trials. In each tour victory he has shown great respect and sportsmanship to his rivals. Who can forget Armstrong waiting for Jan Ullrich after he crashed. He was the ultimate champion, sportsman, and respected the traditions of the TDF.

The Heir to Lance Armstrong's TDF throne, Alberto Contador however, has had some questionable wins in his three TDF titles, and certainly a questionable and tainted 2010 TDF Title win. Needless to say there was also doping allegations surrounding Contador all throughout his career, which is why the Astana team wasn't invited in 2008.

List of Problems surrounding Alberto Contador's wins:

In 2007 Contador wins the TDF as Rasmussen who had essentially clinched the TDF win after beating Contador in the final stage of the Pyrenees(Stage 15) is kicked from the tour for "internal team violations."

In 2009, Contador wins the TDF. Cancellara makes the complaint that Contador was drafting behind the motorcycle in Annecy to get the win in the Annecy Time Trial Stage. This could be all the more true since Contador hasn't come remotely close to that of Cancellara in this year's time trials.

And the now 2010 title victory probably marks Contador's most controversial and questionable win due to attacking Andy Schleck when he had a mechanical failure. The fact that Schleck was AC's rival at the time is bad enough, but what is even more concerning is that Schleck was wearing the maillot jaune. And everyone knows, you do not disrespect the maillot jaune on a mechanical failure, especially on a key stage that could decide the race. Many can easily argue that Contador won this year's tour due to a mechanical failure suffered by Schleck, especially sinice there was only 39 seconds separating these two men after the final time trial. Many considered this wasn't the act of a champion to take advantage of a mechanical failure, but more of a "Desperate Man" as described by the commentator, Paul Sherwen, "doing anything to he can to win the tour."

Another problem with Contador's 2010 win is that he failed to win one single stage. Past tour winners usually win stages. Armstrong for example, always won a stage in each win. Contador failed to show any dominance in the mountains, failed to win stages, and Schleck even beat Contador in the final mountain stage.

Are these the trends of the new era of riders where people must attack on a mechanical to win the TDF? Is it the new direction of approaching the TDF where champions don't win stages and time trials? Alberto Contador has demonstrated to us in 2010 with a resounding "Yes." This is the future of the TDF, the dark age where winners pose as champions, or as Contador demonstrated, Champion Poseurs.

The one glimmer of light that has come from the 2010 TDF is Radioshack's team classification win. At least in that sense, a true champion, one that respects the malliot jaune, and one that has proven his dominance in tours, can be bid farewell on the podium. Not it's not the GC podium and you don't get the malliot jaune, but like Lance said, "I have seven of them at home." Indeed you do Lance, and you won each of them like a true champion.

- Silent Assassin

You took the time to type that out or was a Cut and Paste from a proscribed text......

Go away idiot

 

[Polish]

never say never

Oh for god sake people

Lance is history, go cry over a river that Alberto not only won already 3 TDF's and is now almost halfway, but also won a Giro and Vuelta to boot, something dear Lance never tried or accomplished.

Realize that it is IMPOSSIBLE to win one two three four five six seven TdF's IN A ROW and also race the Giro and Vuelta.

I do not see anyone else EVER again winning Seven TdF's in a row.

Big Mig was impressive with 5 in a row.
Jacques & Eddy were impressive winning 4 in a row.
Louison Bobet was a stud winning 3 in a row.
And now Alberto can join Hinault and LeMond and others with 2 in a row.
Bravo Alberto.

But 7 in a Row will never happen again.

 

[Cobber]

Realize that it is IMPOSSIBLE to win one two three four five six seven TdF's IN A ROW and also race the Giro and Vuelta.

I do not see anyone else EVER again winning Seven TdF's in a row.

Big Mig was impressive with 5 in a row.
Jacques & Eddy were impressive winning 4 in a row.
Louison Bobet was a stud winning 3 in a row.
And now Alberto can join Hinault and LeMond and others with 2 in a row.
Bravo Alberto.

But 7 in a Row will never happen again.

Not if they allow the WADA to oversee the drug testing in future tours...

 

[La Pandera]

Realize that it is IMPOSSIBLE to win one two three four five six seven TdF's IN A ROW and also race the Giro and Vuelta.

I do not see anyone else EVER again winning Seven TdF's in a row.

Big Mig was impressive with 5 in a row.
Jacques & Eddy were impressive winning 4 in a row.
Louison Bobet was a stud winning 3 in a row.
And now Alberto can join Hinault and LeMond and others with 2 in a row.
Bravo Alberto.

But 7 in a Row will never happen again.

If I'm not mistaken Indurain did the Giro/Tour double in consecutive years. I don't know if he bothered to also race the Vuelta those years but he is the most recent champion to have successfully done it in one year more than once.

Never is a very long time.

 

[Publicus]

Realize that it is IMPOSSIBLE to win one two three four five six seven TdF's IN A ROW and also race the Giro and Vuelta.

I do not see anyone else EVER again winning Seven TdF's in a row.

Big Mig was impressive with 5 in a row.
Jacques & Eddy were impressive winning 4 in a row.
Louison Bobet was a stud winning 3 in a row.
And now Alberto can join Hinault and LeMond and others with 2 in a row.
Bravo Alberto.

But 7 in a Row will never happen again.

If the investigation into Lance pans out against him, several of those wins will be wiped off the books.

 

[Big GMaC]

If the investigation into Lance pans out against him, several of those wins will be wiped off the books.

This. And it will be too funny

 

[ericthesportsman6]

With 3 tainted TDF victories Alberto Contador: Champion or Poseur?

Historically, Tour De France GC winners have always been about being the best, and showing dominance in certain stages of the race to show that you are a true champion, that you are indeed the best rider of the tour. Lance Armstrong for example, always won stages during his seven year reign as a TDF champion in dominating style, whether they were mountain stages, prologues, and time trials. In each tour victory he has shown great respect and sportsmanship to his rivals. Who can forget Armstrong waiting for Jan Ullrich after he crashed. He was the ultimate champion, sportsman, and respected the traditions of the TDF.

The Heir to Lance Armstrong's TDF throne, Alberto Contador however, has had some questionable wins in his three TDF titles, and certainly a questionable and tainted 2010 TDF Title win. Needless to say there was also doping allegations surrounding Contador all throughout his career, which is why the Astana team wasn't invited in 2008.

List of Problems surrounding Alberto Contador's wins:

In 2007 Contador wins the TDF as Rasmussen who had essentially clinched the TDF win after beating Contador in the final stage of the Pyrenees(Stage 15) is kicked from the tour for "internal team violations."

In 2009, Contador wins the TDF. Cancellara makes the complaint that Contador was drafting behind the motorcycle in Annecy to get the win in the Annecy Time Trial Stage. This could be all the more true since Contador hasn't come remotely close to that of Cancellara in this year's time trials.

And the now 2010 title victory probably marks Contador's most controversial and questionable win due to attacking Andy Schleck when he had a mechanical failure. The fact that Schleck was AC's rival at the time is bad enough, but what is even more concerning is that Schleck was wearing the maillot jaune. And everyone knows, you do not disrespect the maillot jaune on a mechanical failure, especially on a key stage that could decide the race. Many can easily argue that Contador won this year's tour due to a mechanical failure suffered by Schleck, especially sinice there was only 39 seconds separating these two men after the final time trial. Many considered this wasn't the act of a champion to take advantage of a mechanical failure, but more of a "Desperate Man" as described by the commentator, Paul Sherwen, "doing anything to he can to win the tour."

Another problem with Contador's 2010 win is that he failed to win one single stage. Past tour winners usually win stages. Armstrong for example, always won a stage in each win. Contador failed to show any dominance in the mountains, failed to win stages, and Schleck even beat Contador in the final mountain stage.

Are these the trends of the new era of riders where people must attack on a mechanical to win the TDF? Is it the new direction of approaching the TDF where champions don't win stages and time trials? Alberto Contador has demonstrated to us in 2010 with a resounding "Yes." This is the future of the TDF, the dark age where winners pose as champions, or as Contador demonstrated, Champion Poseurs.

The one glimmer of light that has come from the 2010 TDF is Radioshack's team classification win. At least in that sense, a true champion, one that respects the malliot jaune, and one that has proven his dominance in tours, can be bid farewell on the podium. Not it's not the GC podium and you don't get the malliot jaune, but like Lance said, "I have seven of them at home." Indeed you do Lance, and you won each of them like a true champion.

- Silent Assassin

Haha, it's funny, you actually had a descent point going and then...Anyways, When push comes to shove Carlos Sastre is right, this whole unwritten rule thing is ridiculous. Contador won, get over it.

 

[richwagmn]

Bob Roll, is that you?

 

[TopCarbon]

Bob Roll, is that you?

this guy makes Bob look like a rocket scientist

 

[lagartija]

wow you live in a strange strange world.............but thats ok , now that lance is gone im guessing you will be also............good bye

 

[eurotrash]

I'm guessing you think the couple cat 5 crits you have under your belt makes you an expert. Real bike racers know:

They don't ask how, only who!

 

[Hugh Januss]

With 3 tainted TDF victories Alberto Contador: Champion or Poseur?

Bla bla bla. Mindless troll musing.





- Silent Assassin

 

[Scirea]

Realize that it is IMPOSSIBLE to win one two three four five six seven TdF's IN A ROW and also race the Giro and Vuelta.

I do not see anyone else EVER again winning Seven TdF's in a row.

Big Mig was impressive with 5 in a row.
Jacques & Eddy were impressive winning 4 in a row.
Louison Bobet was a stud winning 3 in a row.
And now Alberto can join Hinault and LeMond and others with 2 in a row.
Bravo Alberto.

But 7 in a Row will never happen again.

Alberto has 3 in a row, just to make it clear. If you don't start it doesn't count.

 

[the vagabond]

dekker -tifosi:
You might want to get your facts straight.

Lance rode the Vuelta once - finished 4th ('98). He rode the Giro once - finished 12th.

Also, the idea that tdeF would strip Lance of titles (as someone wrote) and not Pantani, Ulrich, and Riis is absurd. Riis has admitted doping in the 1996 Tour and has not been stripped. Merccx took drugs, Delgado doped, Anquetil
took drugs, Fignon took drugs. Get over it.

The Lance haters on this forum seem to me to be more delusional than the Lance lovers or apologists. And why homologous blood transfusions are any bigger sin than illegal stimulants or other forms of doping is beyond me. Lance won his tours, he was extensively tested, he was never sanctioned - just like all the riders before him.

Where is the forum for Riis and Pantani haters? Oh, now I get it. They're not rich enough, they didn't win enough, and they're not Americans.