Contador blasts LA

[mambo#5]

for 80% of the posters in this forum, this is the perception:

if LA says something about AC, he is an ***.

if AC says something about LA, he is telling the truth. He is showing class.

LOL!!

I am a so called "fanboy" and even I know they (BOTH) are assholes.

 

[Aguirre]

When would you say he deserved it? He had actually won multiple events/stages over the course of the season, and demonstrated unequivocally that he was physically stronger than Armstrong in the race against the clock. He had no injuries and had won the last 3 grand tours he started (in a two year span).

Nothing Lance did prior to or after the start of the Tour warranted the leadership of the team or even to be considered. No, not even winning 7 TdF's. He had been out of competition for almost 4 years. Had not won a major race he entered since he came out of retirement. Had broken his collarbone. And frankly looked like a shadow himself in the mountains.

If Contador didn't deserve the leadership at the start of the Tour, then NO ONE deserves to be designated leader prior to the start of the race. Ever.

great post, very good,
I add, the astana rythm was always for Lance, never for AC, NEVER. they wanted to slow down the rythm three weeks, the non-attacks-confortable pace for the old man, and then, suddenly during the Ventoux day they put a rythm as in hell, just to get tired Franck in the flat, but that was a hells ruthm that could hurt Contador tooo!!!! that was a hiper risky move against the team leader (who had allmost won the tdf), and in benefit of Lance. Bruynnel even risked the overall!!!
so don't recall, anyone of you, the AC move in La Colombiere!!!!! with the submissive Klodi...

 

[Anonymous]

wow...

I do believe that Armstrong did expect to win. He probably could have won in 2008. Contador is lucky that armstrong didnt hire a hit man to kill him. Armstrong was probably ready to lose to evans or sastre but not some punk kid like Contador.

Wow...some punk kid who has one all three major tours, and the Tour de France twice...get out those ball washing items out man...Lance is going to need some serious cleaning so get on your knees....Lance will love you and maybe you will get a ball washing job with bene's...Contador will crush him next year...grow up and look around...

 

[Publicus]

Contador had won the tour previously, but not in dominating fashion. That was his only true item on his resume that should absolutely suggest he deserved the team. A returning 7 times champion with a history of peaking only for the tour cannot be denied.

And the Vuelta and the Giro.

As for Armstrong, I stand by my earlier statement. No 38 year old man, who hasn't raced competitively for almost 4 years, with no wins over the course of the season, recovering from a broken collarbone, should be considered for the leadership at the start of the Tour. Especially when you have a healthy Alberto Contador on your squad. It's just a no-brainer.

If events on the road demonstrated that he was superior to Alberto, then that's a different matter. But at no point, on any day, did I ever see that demonstrated. Not once. The fact that Johan entertained the idea was, in my opinion, a mistake and the source of all of this drama.

 

[Otto123]

Regardless of the outcome of AC kicking LA's ****, one thing Mr. "I've won 7 TDF's, so I deserve some respect" doesn't take into consideration is that he has only won the TDF. All of the other guys he puts himself into a category with have won the other grand tours as well. Seriously, think of the record Merckx would have had if he solely trained for the TDF and only raced that. We all saw how LA went in the Giro and how it quickly became a training race for the tour. But if the Giro was a training race, then why did LA always have two to three guys around him at all times?

LA just needs to fade to the Radioshack team and lets all hope they don't get their PT license so we don't have to deal with Phil and Paul saying Armstrong every 17 seconds given there are 179 other riders in the peloton that deserve the acknowledgement as well.

 

[Publicus]

for 80% of the posters in this forum, this is the perception:

if LA says something about AC, he is an ***.

if AC says something about LA, he is telling the truth. He is showing class.

LOL!!

I am a so called "fanboy" and even I know they (BOTH) are assholes.

I'm pretty sure this is the only thing he has actually said about Lance. All of his prior statements were relatively diplomatic.

 

[Publicus]

Regardless of the outcome of AC kicking LA's ****, one thing Mr. "I've won 7 TDF's, so I deserve some respect" doesn't take into consideration is that he has only won the TDF. All of the other guys he puts himself into a category with have won the other grand tours as well. Seriously, think of the record Merckx would have had if he solely trained for the TDF and only raced that. We all saw how LA went in the Giro and how it quickly became a training race for the tour. But if the Giro was a training race, then why did LA always have two to three guys around him at all times?

LA just needs to fade to the Radioshack team and lets all hope they don't get their PT license so we don't have to deal with Phil and Paul saying Armstrong every 17 seconds given there are 179 other riders in the peloton that deserve the acknowledgement as well.

I was always curious of that myself. Same thing actually happened in the Tour. Lance flatted and three guys paced him back. Contador had to change bikes and only Kloden waited for him.

 

[iceaxe]

for 80% of the posters in this forum, this is the perception:

if LA says something about AC, he is an ***.

if AC says something about LA, he is telling the truth. He is showing class.

LOL!!

I am a so called "fanboy" and even I know they (BOTH) are assholes.

It's pretty clear that Lance was a bully and jerk towards Contador. AC doesnt even speak english. AC got disrespected to the 10th degree. Playing the wrong anthem really summed up how contador was treated throughout the tour.

 

[Anonymous]

quote

Regardless of the outcome of AC kicking LA's ****, one thing Mr. "I've won 7 TDF's, so I deserve some respect" doesn't take into consideration is that he has only won the TDF. All of the other guys he puts himself into a category with have won the other grand tours as well. Seriously, think of the record Merckx would have had if he solely trained for the TDF and only raced that. We all saw how LA went in the Giro and how it quickly became a training race for the tour. But if the Giro was a training race, then why did LA always have two to three guys around him at all times?

LA just needs to fade to the Radioshack team and lets all hope they don't get their PT license so we don't have to deal with Phil and Paul saying Armstrong every 17 seconds given there are 179 other riders in the peloton that deserve the acknowledgement as well.

agreed! and I hate to say it as a long time fan but Phil seems to really have lost his bearings...not just via the Armstrong jackoff crap but even who is who or where the hell they are at the moment of the race...

 

[Cobblestones]

It's over. Since he'll likely never ride a race with LA on the same team again (if the earlier season is any indication), he can let it all out.

He always said the right things during the TdF. Always humble and deferential. Never a single word against the team or LA. You can't keep it in forever. Now it's a good time to get it all out. Good for The Kid. Go Bertie!

 

[MKirilenko]

I was always curious of that myself. Same thing actually happened in the Tour. Lance flatted and three guys paced him back. Contador had to change bikes and only Kloden waited for him.

Contador doesnt need baby-sitting, thats all

Btw. guys. Is it really that bad on Versus or is it exaggerated? Armstrong evry 17secs? LOL

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Very dissapointed, link did not deliver on promise of meltdowns, blasts and snapping.

I doubt we'll see much more dirty laundry coming out (it's not like it was really a secret to be frank...). Would do no good to Armstrong PR. Contador will move on to another team and has more important things to prepare.

 

[Otto123]

In all honesty, it would be hard to wake up everyday and look at yourself in the mirror if you were LA after that tour. Everyone states that he is a master with the press (and I agree, he is very political (maybe practicing for what seem to be his reasoning for making a comeback) and speaks well in front of the camera). But his actions along with Bruyneel are totally inexplicable. I still can't believe that they publicly complained about a rider attacking to gain time on a climb, albeit Contador...Armstrongs nemesis. But it's a race and to win, you have to be aggressive. It was interesting to hear Armstrong talk throughout the tour starting with the egotistical LA saying we'll see who the team leader is after the prologue...hmmm, 4th (not overall, but in the team!). That seems to me that Mr. Armstrong, welcome to the domestique ranks. Then eventually being back only 2 seconds off of Contador but still thinking the team leader wasn't depicted yet. What is wrong with this guy...does he truly see himself as someone who can only stand on the top step or what? In the Tour of California, he was so shaky on his bike that he actually took his team leader (Levi) out by swerving and taking his front wheel out. You know...even in that race and even after creating the crash, he didn't wait up for Levi to help pace him back. What an ***!

 

[Clemson Cycling]

I have an inside source telling me that Alberto is not interested in joining team Livestrong next year. Hopefully my guy got it right.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Very dissapointed, link did not deliver on promise of meltdowns, blasts and snapping.

I doubt we'll see much more dirty laundry coming out (it's not like it was really a secret to be frank...). Would do no good to Armstrong PR. Contador will move on to another team and has more important things to prepare.

+1 If that is Alberto blasting back, then he is either the most mellow guy on earth or he is heavily medicated. Or maybe just a lot more mature than the "old fart" and in fact most of us ?

 

[Belokki]

Tipical story of 2 alpha males confronting each other...

Only thing is that Lance has a bit more experience in handling it, lookslike Conti got the Cav sindrome

 

[Oldman]

I was always curious of that myself. Same thing actually happened in the Tour. Lance flatted and three guys paced him back. Contador had to change bikes and only Kloden waited for him.

That's because JB is no fool (despite what everyone thinks). He knew he had the Tour win pretty much covered, wasn't going to work for Astana next year and KNEW where the next big paycheck was coming from-Radio Shack. His deal will be long term enough it won't matter if Lance wins again. Their PR machine will spin it as heroic and get plenty of press. The sponsors pay the bills, not us.

 

[Cobber]

Contador doesnt need baby-sitting, thats all

Btw. guys. Is it really that bad on Versus or is it exaggerated? Armstrong evry 17secs? LOL

It is horrible......

 

[frizzlefry]

I was always curious of that myself. Same thing actually happened in the Tour. Lance flatted and three guys paced him back. Contador had to change bikes and only Kloden waited for him.

Have you ever thought that maybe JB had a set plan if AC or LA has a flat on that particular stage. You know, designate who falls back and stays with LA and AC respsectively before the stage ever starts. Maybe JB felt LA would need the extra help, and as you said, "BEING THAT HE IS 38 AND HASNT RACED IN 4 YEARS." Who knows?
nobody knows what goes on during team meetings when strategies are set up for each stage, except the team.
Or do you think JB makes that call when it happens? I doubt that.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

All according to keikakku, then.

It's time to put this thing to rest.
Hopefully next year they will compete in TdF and make some great spectacle.

 

[Otto123]

Well, if Bruyneel is making plans like that for each stage, shame on him. Why in the world do you send three or four guys back to protect someone that is ranked 4th within your team after the prologue? From that day forward, LA should have been protecting Kloden, Leipheimer and Contador...not the other way around. I won't even go into the crying that Bruyneel did about the radio ban on what was to be a huge strategic stage for LA to land on the podium! Safety my ****...how many of us doing the weekend warrior type of races have people shouting into our ear keeping us safe!? Those guys are the pros, if anyone is going to be safe, it is going to be them because they live on their bikes!

 

[Publicus]

Have you ever thought that maybe JB had a set plan if AC or LA has a flat on that particular stage. You know, designate who falls back and stays with LA and AC respsectively before the stage ever starts. Maybe JB felt LA would need the extra help, and as you said, "BEING THAT HE IS 38 AND HASNT RACED IN 4 YEARS." Who knows?
nobody knows what goes on during team meetings when strategies are set up for each stage, except the team.
Or do you think JB makes that call when it happens? I doubt that.

I have no idea, but it made zero sense at the time since Contador's mechanical happened on a much more critical stage (I believe stage 17). Seems to me that is why you have Rast and the Kazakh. Kloden was pretty high up in the overall to be pacing Contador back. But as you note, I don't know the team strategy, but it sure looked odd a the time.

 

[jamfra67]

Finally he answered to all those rubbish, selfish LA's words, we've heard during TdF. Unlike LA he shows some respect and tries to be modest. When Lance and his cyclist's fanboys cried about AC attacking and other stuff, u werent putting him in pampers. Very objective....NOT

Love it bang on target. AC did not dignify all the talk during the race. He kept his mouth shut and let his legs do the talking. He did what he had to win and refused to taint his reputation during the race. Now that he has done what he set out to do which is winning the tour he sets the record straight. Now thats Class. Now is the time to respond Lance the race is done. AC is the Champ now and he decides when it is appropriate to take you on. Now thats an intelligent champ. The message to LA is that u cannot throw me of my game during the race try me now.

 

[richwagmn]

It's over. Since he'll likely never ride a race with LA on the same team again (if the earlier season is any indication), he can let it all out.

He always said the right things during the TdF. Always humble and deferential. Never a single word against the team or LA. You can't keep it in forever. Now it's a good time to get it all out. Good for The Kid. Go Bertie!

There was a time when NO ONE in the peloton would have said anything like this about LA. Says something about LA's current status.

I think it makes AC's status grow even more in the peloton. The guy who finally put the bully down. Even AC's detractors have to admit this guy is tough as nails. Not putting up with ****e from anyone.

 

[eleven]

the original source is from Radio Television Espanola RTVE on his press conference in Spain after his arrival.
Proper translation:
My relationship with Armstrong is none-but independent from his personality, he's a great champion, has won 7 tours and done a great job in this one, but on a personal level(referring to his personality) I haven't had a great admiration towards his, and never will, but again-as a rider-he's a great champion.
for Spanish speakers
http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20090727/contador-relacion-con-armstrong-nula/286686.shtml


but then again- what more can everybody expects from "LA's worshiping VELONEWS?

That's a very different translation - and a much less controversial or provocative comment - than the original on here. I found the original kind of obnoxious, but that one sounds pretty mellow and for the most part complimentary.