Contador about to leave the tour?

[inri2000]

It was because of the Crostis, the Italians were cheering for him the whole time, except for that day.

What do you hope to achieve by arguing with a hater?

 

[spanky wanderlust]

The squealing about "anglophones" on what is, after all, an English speaking forum is rude, stupid and, more importantly, wrong.

the 3 hallmarks a really good internet forum post!

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

you are not very well informed
tifosi at the giro booed contador only the day of the crostis and the following day
on the finestre, for instance, the public did not booed at contador
i was there and you can believe me.
the quota of italians anti-contador is physiologic and not particularly linked to doping issues.
anglophones are much more sensitive about doping issues and this probably must be considered when dealing about anti contador sentiment.

exactly. also add spain, belgium and netherlands to that list of country's that don't mind too much for doping athletes

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

you are not very well informed
tifosi at the giro booed contador only the day of the crostis and the following day
on the finestre, for instance, the public did not booed at contador
i was there and you can believe me.
the quota of italians anti-contador is physiologic and not particularly linked to doping issues.
anglophones are much more sensitive about doping issues and this probably must be considered when dealing about anti contador sentiment.

Some of these fanboys and doping apologists might want to have a word with their old school geography teachers, as they've apparently been left with the impression that countries like France and Germany are in the anglophone world.

 

[JPM London]

All the doping talk stops now!

Thank you...


ALSO stop the ridiculous going on about people - that too stops now!

 

[theswordsman]

I didn't go through the whole thread, but assume people picked up on it being a poor translation - the article wasn't about him leaving the Tour. I've searched for quotes from today. Basically, he hurt the other side of the knee he'd previously injured, he has had to pedal way too much with his left leg to compensate for right side swelling and pain, and massages don't help as much because they're painful. The doctor has him icing it and keeping it elevated today. He said he'll watch the knee and that will help decide when he attacks, but notes that Cadel is a good time trialist and the Schlecks will have to attack him too. On twitter he just posted a photo of the knee and said he's getting acupuncture.

http://yfrog.com/kjfh8fj

 

[mewmewmew13]

I can't imagine how he could continue in the tour with his present knee problems.
The toughest stages are still to come, there is no way his knee will get better through the next two weeks.

He will be risking damaging his knee even more which could jeopardize his future....it sure would seem foolish to go for a win ? this time around.

 

[Angliru]

Well he's about a 1:30 up and hasn't spent anytime on the floor. He's also answered every move Contador has made, save for about 8 seconds, when he wasn't even concerned with chasing. After a week, having over a minute advantage with no knee injuries, I'd say that's riding better.

Oh so he just gave Contador 8 seconds because he "wasn't even concerned with chasing"? Oh he was concerned. He admitted that he doesn't like that type of climb which tells me that he tried and just couldn't keep up in the end. The same as the Mende stage from last year that Purito snatched the win from Vino after his failed attack/break. Andy lost I believe 10 seconds on that stage. Was it also because he "wasn't concerned with chasing"?

 

[No_Balls]

I think his opponents - especially the two Muppet boys - will test him as soon as the road goes really uphill. If he's faking, he might have to lose a few more seconds, otherwise he will be found out. Would he be willing to give up, say, five seconds - or even more? I think he would, if it meant he would no longer be marked so closely, that his team could rest a bit more, and that he could later gain significant time because he was catching them unawares. That would be an awesome thing to watch.

Having said that, though, I agree he isn't faking. But we can always hope. Such a fake out - i.e. a successful one - would be brilliant.

Sadly, it don´t looks like it is a mental game. It is for real:

http://yfrog.com/kjfh8fj

The only thing one could hope for is that he manages to survive the first week in the mountains (if everything, injuries/tireness wont affect him) and then, as you said, at one stage takes everyone off guard and reclaims some seconds. But, well, i starting to feel some pessimism.

What is with all the yapping about "anglophones" on what is after all an English language forum?

What are you talking about? This was a general statement not directed at any specific members on this board. Besides, reading your post, one getting the impression that you are allowed to saying whatever you want directed at non-english people (things we could read from time to time at this board) because it is a "english speaking forum".

"Anglophones" in my context was more like a cheer for nearest english speaking rider with blond hair and the others are evil, non-english speaking southeners.

Are some people under the impression that only the anglophone media have been speculating about Contador's apparent injury? Or for that matter, that the booing at the Giro and Tour was carried out by stealth anglophones passing themselves off as Italian or French?

How come the booing in the picture? I have never spoken about it. They are french and it is a normal behavior from them acting in this way. They tried to screw for a classy rider like Indurain too.

They haven´t blamed him for the multitude of crashes yet, like some certain channel has.

 

[iZnoGouD]

have you guys seen his tweet?

http://yfrog.com/kjfh8fj

 

[LaFlorecita]

What do you hope to achieve by arguing with a hater?

It is pointless, I know.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

What are you talking about? This was a general statement not directed at any specific members on this board. Besides, reading your post, one getting the impression that you are allowed to saying whatever you want directed at non-english people (things we could read from time to time at this board) because it is a "english speaking forum".

"Anglophones" in my context was more like a cheer for nearest english speaking rider with blond hair and the others are evil, non-english speaking southeners.

Your second paragraph was precisely what I was "talking about".

What is with all this squealing about "Anglophones" and "blond hair" and "evil southerners"? You are clearly trying to give the impression that "Anglophones" as a group are prejudiced against Contador because they are bigots or racists. This is a rude, stupid and ignorant thing to keep claiming without the slightest attempt to justify your opinion.

People in many countries like Contador. People in many countries dislike Contador. It has nothing to do with his nationality or the language he prefers, except in so far as his nationality gains him more admirers in Spain (as is the norm for successful home riders in every country). It has everything to do with attitudes towards doping, both whether the person cares about doping at all and whether or not they believe in Contador's tainted steak. Other factors which play a role are attitudes towards that Texan guy who used to ride a bike some time ago and Contador's rivalry with him and, also, whether someone prefers to cheer for an underdog or a dominant favourite.

The attempts to set up some division between "anglophones" and "continentals" on these questions are dishonest and diversionary.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

It is pointless, I know.

On what basis precisely am I a "hater"?

I used to cheer for Contador when he was an exciting prospect. After he became the dominant GC rider of his generation I stopped cheering for him, because I can derive little pleasure from cheering on a dominant favourite and near-certain winner. I still find his personality much more pleasant than that of most hugely successful athletes, and have frequently commented favourably on his generosity towards those who help him and on his willingness to race to win every race.

I do however think that his positive test for clenbuterol should have seen him banned, unless he can prove his contaminated steak contention, and that national federations are entirely inappropriate bodies to make initial decisions on doping cases. Whether I'm right or wrong on that is a subject for the other forum, but it's hardly something which only a rabid "hater" could believe.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

have you guys seen his tweet?

http://yfrog.com/kjfh8fj

Interesting - Brian Nygaard just posted this foto.

 

[CatsNK]

On the original topic, I'd be surprised if he left now because his sponsors are not going to be happy if he leaves. Unfortunately, I'm sure they have a big say in what he does or doesn't do.

 

[Thomsena]

Interesting - Brian Nygaard just posted this foto.

Good one, Sir. Good one.

 

[LaFlorecita]

On what basis precisely am I a "hater"?

I used to cheer for Contador when he was an exciting prospect. After he became the dominant GC rider of his generation I stopped cheering for him, because I can derive little pleasure from cheering on a dominant favourite and near-certain winner. I still find his personality much more pleasant than that of most hugely successful athletes, and have frequently commented favourably on his generosity towards those who help him and on his willingness to race to win every race.

I do however think that his positive test for clenbuterol should have seen him banned, unless he can prove his contaminated steak contention, and that national federations are entirely inappropriate bodies to make initial decisions on doping cases. Whether I'm right or wrong on that is a subject for the other forum, but it's hardly something which only a rabid "hater" could believe.

I wasn't the one who called you a hater. But, judging from your posts it looks like you're anti-Contador. If you're not, my apologies. Our opinions about his positive test and acquittal differ, though.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

Oh so he just gave Contador 8 seconds because he "wasn't even concerned with chasing"? Oh he was concerned. He admitted that he doesn't like that type of climb which tells me that he tried and just couldn't keep up in the end. The same as the Mende stage from last year that Purito snatched the win from Vino after his failed attack/break. Andy lost I believe 10 seconds on that stage. Was it also because he "wasn't concerned with chasing"?

From what I saw, Andy didn't even react. He didn't even try to react which tells me he wasn't concerned.

Maybe he knew he didn't have the legs, but you'd think if he was that worried he would have at least jumped.

 

[LaFlorecita]

From what I saw, Andy didn't even react. He didn't even try to react which tells me he wasn't concerned.

Maybe he knew he didn't have the legs, but you'd think if he was that worried he would have at least jumped.

Have you seen pics from that stage? Something tells me you haven't

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

From what I saw, Andy didn't even react. He didn't even try to react which tells me he wasn't concerned.

Maybe he knew he didn't have the legs, but you'd think if he was that worried he would have at least jumped.

You can't jump if you don't have the legs. Andy didn't. He was red-lined already. Look at his face. He's either in pain, or Leipheimer just crop-dusted the chase group.

 

[slim charles]

From what I saw, Andy didn't even react. He didn't even try to react which tells me he wasn't concerned.

Maybe he knew he didn't have the legs, but you'd think if he was that worried he would have at least jumped.

if he wasn't concerned at all than he's not too smart. he should be aware how important can even 8 seconds be, don't you think?

 

[No_Balls]

What is with all this squealing about "Anglophones" and "blond hair" and "evil southerners"? You are clearly trying to give the impression that "Anglophones" as a group are prejudiced against Contador because they are bigots or racists. This is a rude, stupid and ignorant thing to keep claiming without the slightest attempt to justify your opinion.

No, i did not. I have to the contrary good impression by people in here rejecting some of the worst kind of journalism/commentary i have ever read on a board. That doesn´t change the fact that these people i point out exists (not as a general rule though) and they are the kind of negative fanboyism i targeted, or intended to do, in my first post.

You should by the way visit the clinic on this forum from time to time.

People in many countries like Contador. People in many countries dislike Contador. It has nothing to do with his nationality or the language he prefers, except in so far as his nationality gains him more admirers in Spain (as is the norm for successful home riders in every country).

Agree with this.

It has everything to do with attitudes towards doping, both whether the person cares about doping at all and whether or not they believe in Contador's tainted steak. Other factors which play a role are attitudes towards that Texan guy who used to ride a bike some time ago and Contador's rivalry with him and, also, whether someone prefers to cheer for an underdog or a dominant favourite.

I don´t want to discuss doping-related issues here but people really need to realize that it is still under trial and that he has not been banned yet. What are we saying? Not guilty unless... Sure, it is not an ideal (or comfortable) situation but these are the rules we must cope with. I emphasize on blaming the rules instead of the rider until he is proven guilty.

The attempts to set up some division between "anglophones" and "continentals" on these questions are dishonest and diversionary.

That was not my intention and i am sorry if i have offended someone. It look however like people understand my purpose and that not many in here feel targeted. And those who are, point taken.

 

[Cimber]

Is it the inside or the outside of his knee? I've always been told the inside is much more serious.

The crash he had earlier in the TOur hurt the outside but yesterday's crash hurt the inside - so its both sadly

 

[Bag_O_Wallet]

You can't jump if you don't have the legs. Andy didn't. He was red-lined already. Look at his face. He's either in pain, or Leipheimer just crop-dusted the chase group.

Pfft, Wigans is so unconcerned, he doesn't even lift his head.

 

[Parrulo]

Pfft, Wigans is so unconcerned, he doesn't even lift his head.

thats geraint thomas. . . . just sayin