Contador blasts LA

[Jonathan]

Are you really going to argue AC's attack on stage 17 was tactically smart? Really?

It was a mistake mostly because of the outcome, less because of the situation Contador was in. Trying to drop Andy Schleck and win the stage was a logical goal for Contador; the fact that all he did was make Klöden lose time proves he was wrong. Still I don't think it's a given that he should have been able to predict that. Bruyneel probably did, so it's fair to say Contador should have listened better.

 

[Stallion]

Armstrong stood on the podium with a face of a spoilt child. He should learn to accept his place with respect. Contador is the new face of cycling. This years tour lacked some of the big names of the sport. 2010 will be a real battle ground. AC will be one year older, wiser and stronger, this tour has been a learning exercise for the young man, watch him next year !! Armstrong should remove himself and concerntrate on his political dreams ( Texan Governor ). We all know the real reason for his comeback, he should be a man and make clear his real intentions, and let the future face of cycling progress. Well done Alberto, you deserve the win.

 

[thehog]

It was a mistake mostly because of the outcome, less because of the situation Contador was in. Trying to drop Andy Schleck and win the stage was a logical goal for Contador; the fact that all he did was make Klöden lose time proves he was wrong. Still I don't think it's a given that he should have been able to predict that. Bruyneel probably did, so it's fair to say Contador should have listened better.

It reminds me a little of "Did Ullrich wait on Luz Ardiden". Jan cleraly waited but spent the next 5 years defendiong his position.

Alberto will be the same. 5 years from now with 8 Tours he'll still be defending on why he was such a bad team-mate. Lance has that power. If any other rider was speaking like Lance the media wouldn't even print it.

 

[thehog]

Well done Alberto, you deserve the win.

Fignon lost. It was heartbreaking but he still had enough grace to congratulate Greg LeMond. Because of that they still speak and play golf occasionally.

 

[Señor_Contador]

Yes. It is OK for a champion to question the character of his teammate right after the race.

Note: I'm not saying that, YOU are.

Like I said, Contador WAS ASKED (hence was not questioning) by a Spanish newspaper whar his relationship with LA was like, and he politely responded. He did not say anything that was out of line. NOT ONE WORD.

Apart from that, let me tell you something... AC is one patient person, as LA has been critisizing him in public for a while now. Remember the "he's got a lot to learn" comment after the Paris-nice? That was back in March. AC bit his lip and did the talking where it counts.

LA is the only one in the peloton walking around with a bodyguard. That tells you something.

LA has a bad case of sore loser.

 

[MKirilenko]

It reminds me a little of "Did Ullrich wait on Luz Ardiden". Jan cleraly waited but spent the next 5 years defendiong his position.

Alberto will be the same. 5 years from now with 8 Tours he'll still be defending on why he was such a bad team-mate. Lance has that power. If any other rider was speaking like Lance the media wouldn't even print it.

Happily there are people that actually have brain and know the real truth, not the media/twit crap

 

[Anonymous]

I got it Scott. Contador put time into Wiggins, which is what he wanted to do . . . distance his biggest threat in the ITT. That was the goal going into the stage and it looks like it worked to perfection. What you don't get it is that Kloden and Armstrong's podium positions were IRRELEVANT to that goal. And it is clear that I can't help you understand that.

But do me a favor, come back here next year after the Tour and we can talk about all the things that Lance does to maximize Levi and Kloden's chances at podium. I predict it will be a very short conversation.

I'll try and take one more stab at this. You assume (wrongly) that Kloeden's podium position was the only thing in play on 17. There were 4 riders in the final, no? The Schlecks, Klodi and el pistolero. The Schlecks were riding flat out to put time in to Wiggins (primarily) and Lance (secondarily). AC was riding 3rd wheel, Klodi 4th. Now, in my humble opinion, all AC had to do was follow the Schlecks, prepare for a late flurry from Andy and keep Klodi as close as possible just in case something went wrong. Are you with me so far? With Frank and Andy riding au bloc to the finish, for time, AC and Klodi get an ARCHAIR RIDE TO THE LINE. Get it? El Pistolero could have attacked very late for the stage or better yet set up Klodi for a well deserved stage win, or be patient and conserve for a better opportunity. Instead, WHAT DID HE DO? He blew up his own mate. Brilliant move, no doubt about it.

Not sure I can be clearer so we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[Wheels Go Round and Round]

Note: I'm not saying that, YOU are.

Like I said, Contador WAS ASKED (hence was not questioning) by a Spanish newspaper whar his relationship with LA was like, and he politely responded. He did not say anything that was out of line. NOT ONE WORD.

Apart from that, let me tell you something... AC is one patient person, as LA has been critisizing him in public for a while now. Remember the "he's got a lot to learn" comment after the Paris-nice? That was back in March. AC bit his lip and did the talking where it counts.

LA is the only one in the peloton walking around with a bodyguard. That tells you something.

LA has a bad case of sore loser.

Actually Cadel has a body guard and there was another but the name escapes me for the moment.

 

[dolophonic]

Oh boy. This has been fun boys, but it is off to the office for me!

Like you have a job.. ha ha.!

 

[Anonymous]

Alberto has the right to spout off, but it would be better if he listens to the Danish National Anthem every training session for the next 8 years and makes his point years from now by holding up 10 fingers.

Here's what he had to put up with:
Pre tour: Follow the leader, who's the leader? AC: Thought I was, huh?
Stage 1: Beat all favorites and the story was still about LA
Stage 3: Team pulls for Lance in split, gains 41 seconds, Lance hailed as genius, rips Contador (btw Wiggins misses 3rd because of this, so it was smart by the team)
Stage 7: Made a relatively small point (in retrospect) by attacking, Alberto assailed as backstabber
Week 2 quiet save the constant chatter of who's the leader, twitters...
Verbier 15: Alberto wins big, and Lance shows he's 38 - Alberto accused of abnormal VAM, Watts, VO2Max, and lack of facial hair
Stage 16: First of two stages where Alberto is easily able to mark attacks, Lance is dropped, but his ability to bridge back is hailed as the second coming
Stage 17: Alberto makes a tactical error, and rightly hears about it (still hard on him though), But Lance has no right to Twitter about it, poor form
Stage 18: Alberto Crushes EVERYONE, rare for a Spanish climber, stupendous demonstration - Lance announces Radio Shack (good business, baaad form)
Stage 20: Alberto intelligently sits on Andy Schleck, had lost the break, no chance at the win, looking back on it, Alberto "paced" Lance once up to AS, but it's had to say he was "helping", probably we know not based on what we're hearing.
Paris: Lance acted the roll of turd on the podium, not even looking at AC. Then they play the wrong anthem, while everyone talks about Lance, and whispers about doping.

However you think about Lance (whom I happen to appreciate for what he's accomplished and for the advancement of American cyling) I think it's fair to say that the best bike racer in the world has been treated like garbage for the last month. I hope he wins 8, does the Giro, Tour, Vuelta TRIPLE, and wins a stage on the Alpe while riding a fixie. If we don't treat the sport's champions well, what's the point?

There are some un-written rules in cycling you might not be aware of. Like attacking in the feed zone or when the MJ stops to p!ss. Stuff like that. Oh, and attacking your own team. That's one too.

 

[Señor_Contador]

I am friends with the guy who used to walk the dog for the sister of one of the trainers on one of the other teams.[...]

Priceless.

 

[Anonymous]

I am friends with the guy who used to walk the dog for the sister of one of the trainers on one of the other teams. And he says Alberto always pretended that he couldn't understand or hear information in his 2 way radio. Kloden was begging him to not drop him off the podium, and AC just sneered and steamed away.

Classic. Your'e on a roll...

 

[TRDean]

I'll try and take one more stab at this. You assume (wrongly) that Kloeden's podium position was the only thing in play on 17. There were 4 riders in the final, no? The Schlecks, Klodi and el pistolero. The Schlecks were riding flat out to put time in to Wiggins (primarily) and Lance (secondarily). AC was riding 3rd wheel, Klodi 4th. Now, in my humble opinion, all AC had to do was follow the Schlecks, prepare for a late flurry from Andy and keep Klodi as close as possible just in case something went wrong. Are you with me so far? With Frank and Andy riding au bloc to the finish, for time, AC and Klodi get an ARCHAIR RIDE TO THE LINE. Get it? El Pistolero could have attacked very late for the stage or better yet set up Klodi for a well deserved stage win, or be patient and conserve for a better opportunity. Instead, WHAT DID HE DO? He blew up his own mate. Brilliant move, no doubt about it.

Not sure I can be clearer so we will have to agree to disagree.

How do you know that they were attacking Wiggo primarily and Armstrong secondarily?

 

[thehog]

Oh, and attacking your own team. That's one too.

What do you mean by attacking? You mean via twitter like LA? or in the teambus like LA? Turning the entire team against AC. Why did AC attack - because he couldn't trust anyone in his team. It started back in March. Lance drip feed the insults so by Tour time Alberto could do nothing but attack, attack, attack. Good bike rider Contador.

 

[balkou]

He was recovering from cancer.

And the whole strong fight he fought was that change him and made him physically and mentally capable to win 7 times in a row. I mean he wouldn't have been a TdF contender if that terrible thing never had happened to him. It happened though and he managed to beat it and draw benefits from this victorious battle. If only he hasn't had this tendency to play word-wars with others.

 

[Anonymous]

It was a mistake mostly because of the outcome, less because of the situation Contador was in. Trying to drop Andy Schleck and win the stage was a logical goal for Contador; the fact that all he did was make Klöden lose time proves he was wrong. Still I don't think it's a given that he should have been able to predict that. Bruyneel probably did, so it's fair to say Contador should have listened better.

This is my point of stage 17. He was told to follow Schleck's and he launched. He should have listened.

 

[anlockett_50@msn.com]

lance and contador

Lance, the self centered *** that he is, should go into politics and stay out of bicycle racing. He makes me want to vomit. Contador on the other hand has super class. I hope he lands on a team that will support him rather than fight him. Kudos to AC for an absolutely super win.

 

[eleven]

I know you're supposed to pick sides and defend one rider at the immense expense of the other in this thread, but let's face it:

Both guys sound rather pathetic. They both had great tours, they are both great champions, and they both need to shut the *^%$ up and act like adults.

 

[Publicus]

It reminds me a little of "Did Ullrich wait on Luz Ardiden". Jan cleraly waited but spent the next 5 years defendiong his position.

Alberto will be the same. 5 years from now with 8 Tours he'll still be defending on why he was such a bad team-mate. Lance has that power. If any other rider was speaking like Lance the media wouldn't even print it.

Maybe 10 years ago that was the case, but the nature of communication has changed. Lance reminds me a little bit of Bill Clinton in the 2008 election cycle. He was saying and doing all the things he use to say and do but the nature of the media cycle changed. I'm sure Lance is just being Lance, but now there is a brighter light on him and his comments and antics, and he can't rely on the fact that it will take months if not years for stories about those antics to bubble to the surface.

At least that's my read on things. I could be wrong and Lance comes out smelling like roses yet again.

 

[joeags]

Originally Posted by auscyclefan94 View Post
He (kloden) didn't intentionally bonk. Kloden couldn't keep up with AC and the schlecks pace. SChlecks were really the riders who set the pace to drop kloden. Armstrong was the team player by marking Wiggins because he wouldn't want to drag Wiggins up to AC as Wiggins was a major threat. Lance was the team player. Contador was being selfish by not sticking to team tatics. That's why i think AC is selfish and should be more thankful for putting their suport behind AC and putting their own ambitions last priority. AC slapped LA and his team's support they gave him which he wouldn't of won without them.

I thought the whole complaint for Contador's non-teamwork ethic was about his attack on Kloeden. Make up your mind!
Armstrong was left behind with Wiggins and Frank initially. After 10 to 15 secs Frank went solo and bridged the other three. Lance simply didn't have the legs, it's not a shame.
Anyway, only Contador had the possibility to deliver the overall victory and you know, he delivered.

I disagree with both of these assessments partially. The Schlecks pace didn't drop Kloden, it was Contador's acceleration. Kloden could have made it to the top with the pace the Schleck's were setting. Keeping a consistent pace isn't too much to hope for, but the second that acceleration kicked in, it's over. Either of the Schlecks could have picked up the pace and dropped Kloden, but they were working steady tempo, and I bet Kloden would have made it over the top.

As for Armstong, yes, he was left with Wiggins and Frank. Frank caught LA with his head down, and by the time he noticed Frank had gone, Frank already had a few meters. If anything, this shows that he had a lot to learn, as he caused this himself. I do believe he went into teammate mode at this point in time and didn't push towards the four, but that's just my thought.

I also want to state that I didn't mind Leipheimer's comment at this point wondering why Contador did what he did. He was a viewer at that point in time, with a strong connection to the team, with no "team" insight into what was going on. His post later stating AC's position made his comment quite innocent. If I was blogging during any sporting event, I'd look pretty stupid afterwards questioning quite a few things. But LA forwarding this thought on his twitter line though, hours after the incident, and something he didn't even see, was a low blow.

Honestly, I never would be following cycling now if it hadn't been for Lance. I rooted for him every year, and rooted for Discovery after he left, and Astana, because of these roots. But LA has been quite the jerk with the twittering all year long. I don't care how many Tour de France victories you have, this doesn't give you a free pass to being a jerk.

 

[balkou]

Instead, WHAT DID HE DO? He blew up his own mate. Brilliant move, no doubt about it.

Not sure I can be clearer so we will have to agree to disagree.

And who benefited from that move?

 

[balkou]

There are some un-written rules in cycling you might not be aware of. Like attacking in the feed zone or when the MJ stops to p!ss. Stuff like that. Oh, and attacking your own team. That's one too.

Sounds to me like USPS vs Igor Glz de Galdeano...

 

[Publicus]

This is my point of stage 17. He was told to follow Schleck's and he launched. He should have listened.

Franciep10 had an interesting anecdote that he shared about the events surrounding Stage 17 a few pages back that you should check out. Obviously it should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism, but it certainly provides more context on the subject.

 

[Anonymous]

How do you know that they were attacking Wiggo primarily and Armstrong secondarily?

Who was closest in GC at the time. That's your answer.

 

[Señor_Contador]

Actually Cadel has a body guard and there was another but the name escapes me for the moment.

Yes, but I'm not argueing that. I am argueing the fact that if you need a bodyguard to be a cyclist then you're definitely doing something wrong. I mean... remember the now infamous ride up Alpe D'Huez in which the german fans were spitting at him? If people are THAT ****ed off with you it's probably because you're a *** to begin with.

And I'm pretty sure his ex-wife and Ms. Crow would agree with me.