Contador blasts LA

[jamfra67]

That doesn't make LA selfish. He's riding smart. I am not a big fan of LA but in this situation that LAnce is right and AC is very elfish and not grateful

LOL your original argument was he helped AC and i said no he did not. You came up with all kinds of excuses as to why he did not or could not help and now you try to deviate from the point and accuse AC of being selfish and not grateful. On what basis do you make that statement? Substantiate your claim

 

[thehog]

http://www.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=135140

The head of the state, Nursultan Nazarbayev, on behalf of all Kazakhstan fans of cycle racing and himself personally congratulated Astana Cycling Team on victory in the prestigious race of grand Tour de France, "Kazakhstan Today" agency reports citing official mass media.


"We all expected this victory and you did not disappoint us. Brilliant achievement in sports of Astana team became possible thanks to professional, accurate and harmonious work of all members of the team. Special words of gratitude go to sportsmen Alberto Contador, Lance Armstrong and others", the telephone message sent to the Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the French Republic, Nurlan Danenov, that will be delivered to the members of Astana team, states.


As informed earlier, last Sunday Kazakhstan Astana Cycling Team and its leaders won in the main race of the season in the world - well-known Tour de France. International team Astana won team classification. Spaniard A. Contador won the Tour de France and an American L. Armstrong finished third.

 

[RhodriM]

an American L. Armstrong finished third.

That line just makes me smile.

L. Armstrong, who?

 

[badboyberty]

LOL your original argument was he helped AC and i said no he did not. You came up with all kinds of excuses as to why he did not or could not help and now you try to deviate from the point and accuse AC of being selfish and not grateful. On what basis do you make that statement? Substantiate your claim

if you look closely he's not accusing AC of being selfish, but of being elfish. I assume that means AC has pointy ears and lives somewhere that looks a lot like New Zealand.

 

[balkou]

When did AC work with the SChlecks. Frank drove on the front for Andy. AC just sat on the wheel and attacked. This is the magical question: When AC attacks randomly how can lance work for him other than cover moves?

He attacked. And instead Kloeden putting 2 minutes on Lance he lost some seconds and off he went with the 3rd place. Lance should kiss his feet for that, he put him on the podium.
And though Frank can not time trial Lance can not climb like he once could. He was the only one of the main contenders that made the climb in the ITT of Annecy in more than 9', 9'11'' to be precise. Contador, Kloeden, the Schlecks, Wiggins, Cancellara, Luis Sanchez Leon, even Moreau made it in less than 9'

 

[Franklin]

Of course you are correct. Being isolated (self inflicted) on the Queen's stage with you two biggest rivals on the same team was Contador having the situation totally under control. No wonder he kept looking around for Kloden. At that point even AC knew he screwed the pooch. A crash, bike change, flat, bonk, whatever. You don't know what's around the next corner and you don't want to be isoloated if you don't have to be. Your point is easy to argue because you know the outcome. I guarantee you JB had a long talk with AC after that stage and I also guarantee you that Kloeden was not a happy camper.

Ah yes.... all those years when Lance attacked solo (even in Yellow) he was screwing the pooch. Thanks man, glad you are implying Lance is a fool^^

And about that pie on your face? Don't worry man, it has been there for 45+ pages, noone noticed

 

[Blake792008]

OK. See if you can follow along. Was Kloeden "setting up" AC to attack the Schleck Bros? Re-read your comments above. Too stupid for words is in there.

You are so biased its not funny mate , i dont like either rider but if your going to bag Contador , what bout Armstrong on the stage when it split cause of Columbia , he put 2 riders on the front to pull more time on his own team mates , whats the difference , he carries on bout its a team effort but bags his teammate at every opportunity , doesnt go to team dinners and on the podium showed Contador absolutely zero respect.
The difference between Lance and Contador was Lance needed JB to arrange the race to fall in his lap whereas Contador won it on the road with his Legs , i personally believed Kloden deserved Third spot a hell of a lot more than Lance did.

 

[Jonathan]

That doesn't make LA selfish. He's riding smart. I am not a big fan of LA but in this situation that LAnce is right and AC is very elfish and not grateful

Contador doesn't have anything to be grateful for towards Armstrong. As has been pointed out in this thread, Armstrong was not a good helper and his psychological games were not productive.

 

[Blake792008]

http://twitter.com/cyclingweekly

Cycling weekely Twitter
"Is Twitter bullying going to be the new thing this year? Seems it's all the rage with some people."
I wonder if thats directed at anyone in particular

 

[LugHugger]

What a mess 17 is. Imagine if instead of going downhill against Andy it would have been someone who could decend like Cancellera or Landis.

At the end 1 of 2 things is true and neither one of them speaks good for Alberto.

1. He dropped his teammate, made some stupid deal with the Schlecks, then gave the stage win away to a rival team and faked a lunge at the end to sell it.. or

2. He dropped his teammate, was isolated by the Schlecks and was so gassed at the end that he couldn't win the stage.

Look, again we're discussing what ifs. And please, generally speaking (and there are exceptions), the best descenders are sprinters. They don't go over cat 1 climbs too well and therefore aren't contesting stages like 17 hence we saw the Schlecks and Contador riding over the line en bloc. Also, deals are an every day part of racing. Apparently, even a tactically naive rider like Contador knew that he could not win that stage politically and expect to get away with it. Then the Saxo knives really would have been out.

 

[Blake792008]

Contador's interview = considered and appropriate. Armstrong and Bruyneel's Twitter response = pathetic

Another Twitter response from Cycling weekly , im glad someone is sticking up for AC
http://twitter.com/home

 

[Jonathan]

After the stage in which he dropped Klöden, Contador apologised to each of his teammates, according to Bruyneel. So it was an admitted mistake, but an honest one, as the goal of attacking the Schlecks must have seen reasonable. I really don't see what more can be said about it.

As for Contador's remarks about Armstrong, the latter has yet to apologise for his behaviour.

 

[Bagster]

There is no "class" in "white trash".

Well mate LA certainly shows a lot more class than you do. You spend all day slagging the guy off and then have the cheek to actually criticise his behaviour! You're a joke.

It makes me laugh that clowns like you can call him on the most minor comment and yet you feel vindicated in calling him all the names under the sun!

The fact is that LA is a 7 time winner and you unfortunately are far short of that.

 

[Jonathan]

The fact is that LA is a 7 time winner...

Yet it has been proven (again); that fact does not make him a great man.

 

[lanceismyhero]

Well mate LA certainly shows a lot more class than you do. You spend all day slagging the guy off and then have the cheek to actually criticise his behaviour! You're a joke.

It makes me laugh that clowns like you can call him on the most minor comment and yet you fell vindicated in calling him all the names under the sun!

The fact is that LA is a 7 time winner and you unfortunately are far short of that.

you dont belong in these forums, my friend. you are out of line.

 

[Bagster]

He attacked. And instead Kloeden putting 2 minutes on Lance he lost some seconds and off he went with the 3rd place. Lance should kiss his feet for that, he put him on the podium.
And though Frank can not time trial Lance can not climb like he once could. He was the only one of the main contenders that made the climb in the ITT of Annecy in more than 9', 9'11'' to be precise. Contador, Kloeden, the Schlecks, Wiggins, Cancellara, Luis Sanchez Leon, even Moreau made it in less than 9'

Two points: Firstly although AC's move was dumb, Kloden was clearly on the rivet when he attacked. Would he have hung on to the top? Who knows but he said himself he was smashed. Secondly Lance put himself on the podium, he was the third strongest rider on Ventoux and it showed. I notice there is little discussion of Andy dragging Franks sorry *** up the mountain. I'm sure the hatboyz are annoyed that LA didn't finish back with Cadel, Sastre and Menchov but hey thats life and sometimes the people you hate don't play the game. No he didn't win and the best two riders finished ahead of him but so what, he still showed that at 38 he can still match it with the best and in fact beat all but two of them. If he is a broken down old man as many on here say, then what does that make Frank Schleck, Wiggo and the others? Using the logic of some of the morons on here it makes them pretty crap. What makes it even sadder is that most of the armchair critics are probably just that.

 

[Bagster]

you dont belong in these forums, my friend. you are out of line.

I'm out of line? You come on here just to troll, offer nothing of any substance and then say that? Go get a life mate and come back when you know what you are talking about. Even your name shouts troll

 

[BroDeal]

you dont belong in these forums, my friend. you are out of line.

You have just run into a problem with the forum. Certain posters here don't think anyone should have a right to post an opinion. They appear to have appointed themselves to membership in the Engsoc Ministry of Truth.

 

[balkou]

Two points: Firstly although AC's move was dumb, Kloden was clearly on the rivet when he attacked. Would he have hung on to the top? Who knows but he said himself he was smashed. Secondly Lance put himself on the podium, he was the third strongest rider on Ventoux and it showed. I notice there is little discussion of Andy dragging Franks sorry *** up the mountain. I'm sure the hatboyz are annoyed that LA didn't finish back with Cadel, Sastre and Menchov but hey thats life and sometimes the people you hate don't play the game. No he didn't win and the best two riders finished ahead of him but so what, he still showed that at 38 he can still match it with the best and in fact beat all but two of them. If he is a broken down old man as many on here say, then what does that make Frank Schleck, Wiggo and the others? Using the logic of some of the morons on here it makes them pretty crap. What makes it even sadder is that most of the armchair critics are probably just that.

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.

 

[dgduris]

This is all a bit sad, isn't it.

Lance, frankly, the elder statesmen of active cyclists, comes back from a 3-year lay-off to finish third in Le Tour. Stunning! Fantastic! Beyond reproach!

Now, let's be honest. Lance was never going to win. He time-trialed like,,,well, like he took too much time.

He was beaten by a 26 year-old who may be the best climber the sport has seen in the modern era. But, had AC not beaten him, AS would have and - um - did!

Too bad for Lance that he and AC were on the same team. But, there is no reason for Lance to attack Alberto. He should demonstrate the character he insists AC is lacking and either get-off-it or attack Andy Schleck as well for having the unmitigated gall to beat him too!

Lance, I wish you all the best. You have a real opportunity to do good things for pro cycling as a sport here. Please don't let your Napoleon complex get in the way (you are a better man than that) and - PLEASE - don't pull a Muhammed Ali (know when it is time to get out of the ring).

Cheers!

 

[Artemis]

I used to admire Lance quite a lot, but he seriously is sinking lower with every tweet he sends. He seriously needs to grow up and just shut the hell up!

Contador won the Tour despite his teams efforts. Quite remarkable actually.

 

[balkou]

Well said, err... written, Dgduris!!

 

[Amsterhammer]

You have just run into a problem with the forum. Certain posters here don't think anyone should have a right to post an opinion. They appear to have appointed themselves to membership in the Engsoc Ministry of Truth.

All non-offensive and non-abusive points of view should be accepted, but you really are the last poster who should be referring to Orwell!

Talk about irony.

 

[TRDean]

I honestly cannot see where the comments AC made are out of bounds. He is just telling the truth. Lance treated him in the same manner he has treated many people. Many of them don't like it either.

One other thing, I thought all of this "comeback" was about "cancer." How in the world has any of this benefited "cancer?"

You know TFF...I totally agree!!

When lance came back it was all about cancer awareness. That and posting testing results. Well, at the TDU there was a lot of talk about cancer awareness, and funding, etc. Great stuff. The posting of drug testing never did materialize, but I thought, "ok I can let that go".

As the season has progressed...I hear less and less about cancer and more and more about lance. Now all this...you gotta be kidding me. Compared to what AC said, lance seems like a child....I mean a real child.

I was thinking how great it would have been if lance had done the tour. Rode a strong domestique race for AC and gotten a high placing...but had been gracious...talked about cancer...and been a real teammate. The versus crew could have talked up the great sportsman...cancer awareness...and all would have been happy. Instead, armstrong wanted to win, was clearly a poor teammate, and is now nothing more than a joke. Twittering...what a freaking baby!!

To sum it up...I was hopeful his return to cycling would have been a positive one, for both cancer awareness, and cycling awareness in the USA. Instead, cancer awareness is out the window, and lance is just the *** he has always been.

 

[Jonathan]

I agree with TRDean; Armstrong adopted a policy of not talking much to the press (also during the giro) and thereby avoided opportunities to raise awareness for cancer. That is not right.