Contador blasts LA

[Hugh Januss]

errr, Contadors comment was made after all the harassing comments by Lance during the tour. They were using contador as a punching bag. Contador deserved more respect and Lance should have done more to accommodate him given lance has advantages like more friends, speaks english, etc. Lance simply is not a very bright guy.

Hey dude I'm starting to suspect that your user name is not for real.

 

[richwagmn]

Some stuff from the spanish press on Astana. If anyone can translate...

But here's the google translation:

http://translate.google.com/transla...trong-contador/dasclm/20090729dasdaicic_4/Tes

 

[Hugh Januss]

You forgot "And made a one nut man cry in the process"

It's not nice to pick on the handicapped.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Some stuff from the spanish press on Astana. If anyone can translate...

But here's the google translation:

http://translate.google.com/transla...trong-contador/dasclm/20090729dasdaicic_4/Tes

Is it just me or are the Google TM translations just about 100% unintelegible?

 

[Carboncrank]

Dude, you are kidding right? How is going 3rd in line setting the tempo?

You are starting to waste my time with moronic arguments like that.

Let's see who's the moron.

It's Ventoux, it's the last 5k, 1st wheel and 2nd wheel are the Schecks. Contador is winning the tour. Contador takes Lance's wheel for a 2k breather.
Only a moron would take the front, in the wind, on a bare slope when he is on the wheel of his teammate's only threat?

I was merely pointing out that Lance was about as strong as anybody on day 20.

It was actually Saxo that "set tempo" on both 15 and 17 so what's the point of hanging on that term?

When AC attacked on 15 it was andy, AC, Lance, Wiggo and Frank together making AC the only rider with a teammate.

Implications that he didn't climb well, wasn't of help in the mountains to Alberto are false.

 

[Carboncrank]

i geuss you dont understand the whole point of your team setting tempo on a climb is so that you can sprint past them and gain time on the entire field,and calling 21 seconds gained in 2km into a 40 km headwind" mere " is laughable

As a feat of an incredibly strong rider it is not laughable, but in the context of winning the race it had no importance.

He said ""I wanted to take advantage of this stage but it was hard with the headwind,"

"I wanted to take advantage of this stage.. ".

This is clearly something he decided on his own and it sounds like forthought and was counter to Johan's plan for the race. Not good for his future.

He says now he only wants teammates that a 100 percent dedicated to him.

How are his teammates to know what is "dedicated to him" if after planning a stage in the bus he goes out and races on his own?

 

[palmerq]

Some stuff from the spanish press on Astana. If anyone can translate...

But here's the google translation:

http://translate.google.com/transla...trong-contador/dasclm/20090729dasdaicic_4/Tes

contador suffered abrasions due to sheepskins :S...... what a strage tour de france

god bless google translator .


ps
i think contadors attack in andorra was his best idea of the whole tour.

 

[Carboncrank]

actually berto said that all the team and internal turmoil only motivated him further to succeed

at least that's how his shrink said to look at it.

 

[frizzlefry]

Here is a great analogy of stage 17 and of JB's and LA's tactics. funny that LA didnt attack Landis , Basso, Klodi, or Ullrich that day!!!! CAUSE HE DIDNT NEED TO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yf1nJYkCHQ&feature=PlayList&p=62A6650931D26AE1&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6

As a feat of an incredibly strong rider it is not laughable, but in the context of winning the race it had no importance.

He said ""I wanted to take advantage of this stage but it was hard with the headwind,"

"I wanted to take advantage of this stage.. ".

This is clearly something he decided on his own and it sounds like forthought and was counter to Johan's plan for the race. Not good for his future.

He says now he only wants teammates that a 100 percent dedicated to him.

How are his teammates to know what is "dedicated to him" if after planning a stage in the bus he goes out and races on his own?

 

[Carboncrank]

Lance was never in the front setting tempo on Stage 7. Not once. He rode up to Cadel Evans' wheel and then Kloden went to the front and slowed the tempo.

He did his pulls earlier in the climb. You are just talking about that last section where AC attacked into the switchback.

Actually, Lance sitting on Evans and Kloden getting in front of him, virtually blocking him in was a good thing and they had been told to slow things down by Johan. Plus it is something they did to Evans on a couple of different stages. When you don't have teammates around to defend you that's what happens.
Looked like they were intimidating him.

 

[BroDeal]

He did his pulls earlier in the climb.

During this Tour the only pulls Armstrong did were on himself.

 

[Publicus]

on Ventoux, in the last 5k, AC spends 2k at one stretch riding Lances wheel, 4th in line. He's getting a breather so he can counter the last attack by Andy which he knows is coming.

and lance was in the 3 in front on stage 7 making tempo when Alberto jumped them.

2 out the 3 uphill finishes I believe.

He did his pulls earlier in the climb. You are just talking about that last section where AC attacked into the switchback.

Actually, Lance sitting on Evans and Kloden getting in front of him, virtually blocking him in was a good thing and they had been told to slow things down by Johan. Plus it is something they did to Evans on a couple of different stages. When you don't have teammates around to defend you that's what happens.
Looked like they were intimidating him.

I was responding to your original point. Apparently you've abandoned it in an effort to be right.

In any event your revised statement is still incorrect. Zubeldia, Paulhino and Popo did the work up the slopes, with Levi, Kloden, Armstrong and Contador sitting in their slip stream.

Also, Evans was not alone. He had a teammate, who launched the attack just before Contador flew the coop.

 

[Carboncrank]

Did your post require a serious response? Do you really believe allowing Frank Schleck to bridge to an isolated Andy Schleck without marking him was smart racing and not a tactical error?

He admitted he couldn't match franks move. he got clear of wiggo eventually and maybe possible could nave bridged up if AC had not dropped Kloden encouraging the schlecks to take advantage of it and race him 2 on 1 all the way to the finish which he either gave away to another team or was to gassed to get the stage win.

Actually, Wiggo was the one to mark at that point anyway. Frank was further back and wouldn't be good in th TT. So, no, letting Frank go was not an error.
The error came later when.. well, you know... drop Kloden, schlecks attack, pulled the schlecks up in the GC.

A move by the way for which he apologized to the entire team.

 

[Publicus]

Let's see who's the moron.

It's Ventoux, it's the last 5k, 1st wheel and 2nd wheel are the Schecks. Contador is winning the tour. Contador takes Lance's wheel for a 2k breather.
Only a moron would take the front, in the wind, on a bare slope when he is on the wheel of his teammate's only threat?

I was merely pointing out that Lance was about as strong as anybody on day 20.

It was actually Saxo that "set tempo" on both 15 and 17 so what's the point of hanging on that term?

When AC attacked on 15 it was andy, AC, Lance, Wiggo and Frank together making AC the only rider with a teammate.

Implications that he didn't climb well, wasn't of help in the mountains to Alberto are false.

Couple of points:

1. Frank Schleck was riding at the front of the group on Verbier, so AC wasn't the only one with a teammate.

2. As to Lance not climbing well . . . well what do you consider climbing well? Staying with the best? Able to cover big attacks? Not blowing up on a stage? Or is it getting back on after the tempo drops? On most accounts (and even Lance's) he can't climb with the best. He wasn't able to cover or go with the big accelerations. He blew up on Verbier. But to his credit did ride himself back on Stage 16. And hung tough on Stage 20 when the battle for third was played out. But I don't think you can say he climbed well. Good, but not "well."

3. Lance wasn't any help to Contador in the mountains. In fact, Lance benefitted from the help of his teammates more than any other Astana team member. Sure, he stayed with Wiggins on Stage 17, because . . . wait for it . . . he couldn't match the acceleration of Andy Schleck. Couple that with his mistake which allowed Frank to bridge up to Andy, and I say he was more a hinderance.

But your mileage my vary.

 

[scribe]

He admitted he couldn't match franks move. he got clear of wiggo eventually and maybe possible could nave bridged up if AC had not dropped Kloden encouraging the schlecks to take advantage of it and race him 2 on 1 all the way to the finish which he either gave away to another team or was to gassed to get the stage win.

Actually, Wiggo was the one to mark at that point anyway. Frank was further back and wouldn't be good in th TT. So, no, letting Frank go was not an error.
The error came later when.. well, you know... drop Kloden, schlecks attack, pulled the schlecks up in the GC.

A move by the way for which he apologized to the entire team.

Saxo and Astana had Wiggins marked that day as the primary rider to drop, as it was likely the rest could not be. Cross-team tactics required that Armstrong stay with Wiggins and not pull him back up the the lead pack, as he had 2 riders from his team up the road.

What was remarkable was Lance's effort to drop Wiggins when the terrain turned suitably steep, and motor back close the race. Too bad, Contador had his brain in 1st gear and padded the Shrek's lead on his podium teammates, with his own violent attack.

 

[Bagster]

What you don't seem to understand and sadly that's Lance's case also, is that for a 38 year old that had retired for 3 years to end in the podium in Paris is of course a great achievement. And that's what Contador said, he respects him as an athlete. Of course he couldn't say the same for his attitude and that's where me and other people around here are arguing about.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn't have won this year's Tour and I don't think he has a chance next year, too, unless we eliminate somehow a handful of riders. It would have made a great story to have won again on his second return but frankly I don't think it would have been too good for the sport. And it's bad to see that when he realised that he wouldn't have a chance, he began all this mind-games against a team-mate only in a vain try to alter things. I mean it doesn't suit up with his other goal, obtain awareness in the fight against cancer.
PS Menchov at least won the one of the two races he competed and you don't seem to respect it, although you want the same respect be shown to Lance.

Regarding Menchov: Not at all I do have respect for him, he has had a great season. I respect all the other riders I mentioned to. I was being sarcastic in mentioning that fact that to many on here LA is a broken down old man, hence by that logic it must make the rest look pretty bad.
Regarding LA winning: Personally I never thought he had a chance to win over AC. Would it have been bad for the sport if he had? maybe in the sense that it would have showed a weakness in the current generation of riders if a guy his age and three years out could come back and beat them. So in that sense it would have been bad. Publicity wise for the average joe it would have been great for the sport and it would have made a lot of riders take a long hard look at themselves.
In terms of respect: I believe (unlike others on here) that any rider who podiums at the TdF is worthy of respect.

 

[Publicus]

He admitted he couldn't match franks move. he got clear of wiggo eventually and maybe possible could nave bridged up if AC had not dropped Kloden encouraging the schlecks to take advantage of it and race him 2 on 1 all the way to the finish which he either gave away to another team or was to gassed to get the stage win.

Actually, Wiggo was the one to mark at that point anyway. Frank was further back and wouldn't be good in th TT. So, no, letting Frank go was not an error.
The error came later when.. well, you know... drop Kloden, schlecks attack, pulled the schlecks up in the GC.

A move by the way for which he apologized to the entire team.

He actually admitted that he got caught out TACTICALLY. By the time he lifted his head, Frank was 20 meters up the road.

And what the heck does this "maybe possible could have" mean? He had NO CHANCE of bridging back. Maybe if he hadn't been tactically caught out, then Kloden doesn't bonk and Andy is either forced to go it alone with AK and AC, or slow down to allow the Wiggins Group (with Armstrong and F Schleck) to come back (minimize any time loss for Armstrong).

You can game this out anyway you like, but the fact remains . . . Armstrong screwed himself, Kloden (in no small way) and Contador, and allowed BOTH Schleck Brothers to move up on GC with his mistake. That's why he was so angry after Stage 17. Nothing to do with Kloden (who he had used as domestique before and after Stage 17 without a HINT of concern for Kloden's podium position).

 

[cheese_eating_surrender_monkey]

You are correct in asserting that Indurain was superior to both. However wrong is asserting that only baseball rivals cycling in drug problems. North American NHL and NFL are both riddled with drug abuse and doping.

Glad to see the Indurain props. If there were more like him in the sport (true champions with a good heart) then the sport would be even more popular world wide. I know the public eats up this twitter reality crap but is it really good for the sport? As for the NHL and NFL of course they have big problems also but due to their gladiator nature and not ever being considered so "pure" they get more of a pass from the fans. It may not be fair but certain sports are more tainted than others in the minds of the general public. I would say baseball, track and field, and cycling (not necessarily in that order) would come to most peoples mind first. Cycling even had the infamous incident in the 60's where a guy died on the ToF hopped up on meth. Drug abuse is not new just more publicized. I just hope to see sometime soon in the future an American cycling champion that doesn't embarass us and act like a giant tool. We haven't had many lately.

 

[patriot]

Look where trying to help a teammate got Cavendish with regards to the green Jersey, though a very sucessful tour for him

 

[fulcrum]

Let's see who's the moron.

It's Ventoux, it's the last 5k, 1st wheel and 2nd wheel are the Schecks. Contador is winning the tour. Contador takes Lance's wheel for a 2k breather.
Only a moron would take the front, in the wind, on a bare slope when he is on the wheel of his teammate's only threat?

I was merely pointing out that Lance was about as strong as anybody on day 20.

It was actually Saxo that "set tempo" on both 15 and 17 so what's the point of hanging on that term?

When AC attacked on 15 it was andy, AC, Lance, Wiggo and Frank together making AC the only rider with a teammate.

Implications that he didn't climb well, wasn't of help in the mountains to Alberto are false.

The conversation started around whether Lance had set any tempo uphill for AC. You claimed that he had done so. Then you gave an instance of Lance riding 3rd in a group behind Andy and Frank as an example of Lance setting tempo. You argue about wind, like going uphill on 3rd or 4th would make any difference.

I think the moron question just answers itself.

I'm sorry but you are a serious waste of time. You should come back when you decide to have an intelligent conversation.

 

[fulcrum]

As a feat of an incredibly strong rider it is not laughable, but in the context of winning the race it had no importance.

He said ""I wanted to take advantage of this stage but it was hard with the headwind,"

"I wanted to take advantage of this stage.. ".

This is clearly something he decided on his own and it sounds like forthought and was counter to Johan's plan for the race. Not good for his future.

He says now he only wants teammates that a 100 percent dedicated to him.

How are his teammates to know what is "dedicated to him" if after planning a stage in the bus he goes out and races on his own?

You still believe that Contador owed JB any respect after what he had done to him? JB was Lance's DS. Implementing Lance's race strategy. Driving behind Lance in the ITT. Contador was smart to see through that and do his own thing. And it paid off. He won. And left you guys talking about how he didn't follow the team plan. Well, the team plan was to win the TdF. He followed it to the T. He delivered. Case closed.

PD: and please, don't give the "if he would have followed orders, they've would have been 1-2-3 on the podium" because I will seriously blow a gasket.

 

[fulcrum]

...and maybe possible could nave bridged up if AC had not dropped Kloden encouraging the schlecks to take advantage of it

This is another moronic statement. The Schleck brothers had already open the gap with Kloden on their wheel. They were already encouraged and motivated and committed to staying away and they had the strength to do so. AC's attack did not significantly change the race position of the lead group (give or take 5 seconds). With or without Kloden, with or without AC's attack that group would have ended up ahead of Armstrong by 2:18.

Thus ending the hopes of a 1-2-3 podium for Astana. And all because Armstrong could not keep up with Andy. Or mark Frank's attack, making a huge rookie mistake.

Thinking that Lance would have come up to that group closing a gap of over 1.30 minutes is just plain ignorance.

 

[autologous]

He admitted he couldn't match franks move. he got clear of wiggo eventually and maybe possible could nave bridged up if AC had not dropped Kloden encouraging the schlecks to take advantage of it and race him 2 on 1 all the way to the finish which he either gave away to another team or was to gassed to get the stage win.

Actually, Wiggo was the one to mark at that point anyway. Frank was further back and wouldn't be good in th TT. So, no, letting Frank go was not an error.

Lance himself :

“I got caught out tactically a bit. I didn’t follow the accelerations and then tactically I have to stay with other teams,” Armstrong said. “I was stuck there with Wiggins and I couldn’t go until the end when it was steeper. In hindsight, I probably should have gone with the earlier accelerations.”

seems like he disagrees with you. But what would he know?

 

[Hugh Januss]

He admitted he couldn't match franks move. he got clear of wiggo eventually and maybe possible could nave bridged up if AC had not dropped Kloden encouraging the schlecks to take advantage of it and race him 2 on 1 all the way to the finish which he either gave away to another team or was to gassed to get the stage win.

Actually, Wiggo was the one to mark at that point anyway. Frank was further back and wouldn't be good in th TT. So, no, letting Frank go was not an error.
The error came later when.. well, you know... drop Kloden, schlecks attack, pulled the schlecks up in the GC.

A move by the way for which he apologized to the entire team.

There is just no way in the world that AC's 20 sec acceleration caused the gap back to LA, Wiggens etc to get any bigger than it would have anyway. If anything it would have caused Schlecks to ride a little more cautiously, saving something in case AC were to attack again. In that way maybe you could say it helped LA, he just couldn't close the gap anymore once he got free of Wiggens

 

[poupou]

You still believe that Contador owed JB any respect after what he had done to him? JB was Lance's DS. Implementing Lance's race strategy. Driving behind Lance in the ITT. Contador was smart to see through that and do his own thing. And it paid off. He won. And left you guys talking about how he didn't follow the team plan. Well, the team plan was to win the TdF. He followed it to the T. He delivered. Case closed.

PD: and please, don't give the "if he would have followed orders, they've would have been 1-2-3 on the podium" because I will seriously blow a gasket.

You wrote BS... the team plan was Lance's plan: to give Armstrong the win, to have a full team dedicated to HRH Lance 1st and to destroy his biggest threat named Contador. Nothing more.