Contador 2010

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Mar 17, 2009
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theswordsman said:
Press release after recon ride at La Fleche Wallone.

http://www.albertocontador.com/prensa.detalle.php?id=355

Overall, I like how "prudent" he is on his chances to win in the Ardennes- AC knows well that one-day races are a different beast to domesticate-but what matters is that he's interested in being part of them, learn from the experience & comeback in the future to be challenger.

P.S. If given the chance, he'll go for the kill-no questions asked.
 
Feb 14, 2010
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hfer07 said:
Overall, I like how "prudent" he is on his chances to win in the Ardennes- AC knows well that one-day races are a different beast to domesticate-but what matters is that he's interested in being part of them, learn from the experience & comeback in the future to be challenger.

P.S. If given the chance, he'll go for the kill-no questions asked.

+1

I recall reading an interview report at some point in late 07 or early 08? in which he quietly made the point to the effect that if he wanted to be considered one of the "hard men of the peleton" there were things he needed to ignore and to do. So he makes a point of going for wins in filthy weather conditions, and I think that's an indicator that we can expect to see him contesting more of the classics as the years go by. But his comments will always tend to understatement, both before and after.
 
Dec 30, 2009
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cyclopeon said:
+1

I recall reading an interview report at some point in late 07 or early 08? in which he quietly made the point to the effect that if he wanted to be considered one of the "hard men of the peleton" there were things he needed to ignore and to do. So he makes a point of going for wins in filthy weather conditions, and I think that's an indicator that we can expect to see him contesting more of the classics as the years go by. But his comments will always tend to understatement, both before and after.

+1 also

Check out the 1900K post. Fleche training for LBL is my call..
 
Mar 30, 2009
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peloton said:
So you are saying the Giro is the same as a one day hilly classic?
Riight. ;)


:rolleyes: Yeah, that's exactly what I meant.

If I have to explain it, you're too ignorant to understand the explanation.

Not compring the races at all. Just Contadopes' "rope-a-dope" fake downplayed attitude.
 
Aug 6, 2009
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thehog said:
That guys looks like a good one day rider. What ever happened to him?

He god cancer. He actually made a comeback to cycling, but he never regained the same ability in 1-day races. Sad story really.
 
Feb 14, 2010
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First quote Google Translated from French (probably from Spanish)

Contador: "I'm satisfied"


Alberto Contador (3rd in the Fleche Wallonne): "I had a good climbing wall. I'm happy although I would obviously prefer to win. But I'm better in the ribs longer that best fit my qualities. I am in good condition when addressing Liege-Bastogne-Liege (Sunday) but to win this race, it is necessary to know well.
This is not my case. La Fleche (Walloon) is easier: we spend three times the final climb. We have time to analyze the final. Liege is a race that requires a lot more experience. If I participate this year, is also preparing for the future. Getting to know her. Winning the Dean, would obviously be fantastic. It would for me almost the same value as winning a Grand Tour, because I'm not a classics specialist.
http://www.leparisien.fr/sports/cyclisme/contador-je-suis-satisfait-21-04-2010-894512.php

Edit: And some more:

Contador said he might have required that the wall of Huy "would have been a bit longer to use my qualities. I am not a specialist in the Classic, because the best I have is the recovery, but despite that I'm happy with what I achieved today. After the circumstances of the journey here, not bad, but it is also true that when you're so close is no consolation to third. "

"The entire team has chosen me and have done a great job"

Alberto repeated that his goal this week is "to gain experience in these races and so I'm happy with what has been achieved. It is now Liege on Sunday, but do not know what will happen, I will try to recover and I would do well, but be aware that it is a different career. In Arrow is passed several times in Liege goal and no. I do not know how to answer there. "

Contador also appreciated the work of their peers. "The entire team has chosen me and have done a great job, has been a shame not to win, but neither had ever done in a classic third of this level and so I'm happy. To see how it comes out on Sunday, "he said.

http://www.marca.com/2010/04/21/ciclismo/1271866008.html
 
Mar 17, 2009
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Feb 14, 2010
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Part of an interesting opinion piece by Jean-Francois Bernard of L'Equipe

I do not think Alberto Contador has committed a strategic error in the final climb: maybe he should not have taken the wheel of Igor Anton 500 m from the line but I think it is level of its current form. Already in the Tour of Castilla and Leon, had been dominated by Igor Anton at the only mountain top finish. Cadel Evans was stronger, he could take a bigger gear in the last 150 meters that were not the steepest. The title of world champion and the environment Anglo-Saxon it was found BMC helped him gain confidence.

It is still in progress and despite what he said I think he can still play a role in Liege-Bastogne-Liège. The 50 additional miles on the course will necessarily well shaken the pack. Will be found within 15-20 kilometers one last favorite group Contador will obviously be the best. He will find his path Alejandro Valverde and Schleck brothers who are the great disappointment of the Arrow.Like Gilbert, less than puncher climber, the big goal of these riders is Liege-Bastogne-Liege and without minimizing the Fleche Wallonne race even do this without getting a big result, it prevents them to do four hours of training alone.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2010/20100421_212900_-la-fraicheur-et-la-confiance.html
 
Mar 17, 2009
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I know it's still early in the racing calendar with the biggest race yet to be raced, but I'm curious about how those folks who thought AC would have a let down because he was no longer with Bruyneel feel about that prediction now? Do you still think the absence of Bruyneel will impact his performance at the TdF?
 

Polish

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Mar 11, 2009
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Publicus said:
I know it's still early in the racing calendar with the biggest race yet to be raced, but I'm curious about how those folks who thought AC would have a let down because he was no longer with Bruyneel feel about that prediction now? Do you still think the absence of Bruyneel will impact his performance at the TdF?

I think the absence of Bruyneel will have a definite impact on AC's TdF.

And having the presence of Bruyneel directing a Team in competition with AC at the TdF
will have an impact also.

What that impact will be is still to be seen.
Positive impact?
Negative impact?
Hard to guess....but I think the consensus would be positive impact.


Changing gears to L-B-L, looks like Vino is going to be a worker bee
for Alberto again. Just like Astana did unsuccessfully at Crit Int'l:(

I think Martinelli should let the race decide who the stronger rider is.
Of course, I'm a Vino fan so that impacts my opinion....
 
Apr 3, 2009
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Polish said:
Changing gears to L-B-L, looks like Vino is going to be a worker bee
for Alberto again. Just like Astana did unsuccessfully at Crit Int'l:(

I think Martinelli should let the race decide who the stronger rider is.
Of course, I'm a Vino fan so that impacts my opinion....

Is that a piece of news from a team statement or are you inferring this from AC's form in FW and Vino's current race leader status and timing (he'll be tired)? I hadn't heard news to this effect from the team. Thanks.
 
red_flanders said:
Is that a piece of news from a team statement or are you inferring this from AC's form in FW and Vino's current race leader status and timing (he'll be tired)? I hadn't heard news to this effect from the team. Thanks.

I think it's from the CyclingNews article.
I think the fanboy you quoted wants Astana to follow Bruyneel's plan from 1999-2005. You know, letting the race decide who leads the team.

Yep. That's it.
 

Polish

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Mar 11, 2009
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red_flanders said:
Is that a piece of news from a team statement or are you inferring this from AC's form in FW and Vino's current race leader status and timing (he'll be tired)? I hadn't heard news to this effect from the team. Thanks.


I read the news today in CN.

But now that you mention it, it is NOT a team statement or a Vino quote.
Maybe Vino WILL be able to ride for himself in LBL.
Look over your shoulder, Alberto;)
Oh Boy - VINO4EVER!


http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vinokourov-returns-to-liege-bastogne-liege
 
Mar 17, 2009
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Polish said:
I think the absence of Bruyneel will have a definite impact on AC's TdF.

And having the presence of Bruyneel directing a Team in competition with AC at the TdF
will have an impact also.

What that impact will be is still to be seen.
Positive impact?
Negative impact?
Hard to guess....but I think the consensus would be positive impact.


Changing gears to L-B-L, looks like Vino is going to be a worker bee
for Alberto again. Just like Astana did unsuccessfully at Crit Int'l:(

I think Martinelli should let the race decide who the stronger rider is.
Of course, I'm a Vino fan so that impacts my opinion....

If it wasn't clear, the implication was that Bruyneel's absence would have a negative effect since, as I understand it, there was a negative impact on others who left the fold so to speak (e.g., Landis, Hamilton, Leipheimer, etc.).

As for L-B-L, I don't believe Martinelli is the DS for that race. It's LaPlage (sp) and I think he will utilize the tools he has correctly (he has so far).
 
Mar 22, 2010
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Moose McKnuckles said:
I think it's from the CyclingNews article.
I think the fanboy you quoted wants Astana to follow Bruyneel's plan from 1999-2005. You know, letting the race decide who leads the team.

Yep. That's it.

10 weeks to go. I hope we all have a rare treat in store for us.
 

thehog

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Jul 27, 2009
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Publicus said:

"The big objective is the Tour de France. So although I want to win every race if I can, I never forget about that," the Astana rider told Reuters following a morning ride to Maastricht where he stopped to enjoy a hot chocolate in the sun with his team mates.

- How boring. He wants win every race? What not hide away? I prefer to watch riders racing to train and when they train they hide. Why watch rider actually race when they race. Bring back the 00's. Much more fun. Go LANCE! a press release on what you're going to do rather than what you're doing is much better than racing. GO LANCE!

Is the Tour de Gila on HBO?
 

thehog

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Jul 27, 2009
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thehog said:
Maastricht where he stopped to enjoy a hot chocolate in the sun with his team mates.


Good to see Lance in Europe enjoying tweets of Coffee with his team mates.
 
Aug 6, 2009
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Polish said:
Changing gears to L-B-L, looks like Vino is going to be a worker bee for Alberto again. Just like Astana did unsuccessfully at Crit Int'l.:(

No guarantee Vino would have won, but that's what happens when you have to work for your team leader. You ride and do your work regardless of the outcome.

Maybe you can ask Armstrong about that. He knows as much about the responsibilities of riding for the team leader as you do.

Then again, as someone who wanted the Tour handed over to him by a stronger rider on his own team, Armstrong would say the same thing you would say.

As a rule I always go to you for my pro race tactics...

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