Contador Isolates Self

[Futuroscope]

Mount Ventoux isn't as steep as Colombiere or Romme. And there won't be two 1st category and one hellacious 2nd category climbs before the climb to Mount Ventoux. What Contador has to worry about is going too soon.

to be honest i dont think it will matter (the failed attack) even if it does give the schleck brothers positive energy (as they managed to neutralize contadors attack).

and i agree contador shouldnt (and doesnt need to) attack early on mount ventoux.

 

[Chomsky]

Your forgot to mention that JB will be heading up Lance's new team that is being announced tomorrow. I think AC knows that JB is thinking about Lance's chances more than his own and considers his "advice" accordingly.

JB backed the wrong horse in my opinion.

It said quite a bit that JB will back Lance rather than the best rider in thw world on a new team. But JB owns Contador's contract for next year not Astana so he could take Contador with him. I just don't know if JB will want to put up with Contador's shenanigans for another year. Obviously, he is declining to put up with similar problems form Vino. There is a reason we never see anyone say anything publicly positive about Contador's character or person. He may be a great rider but it's become quite obvious Contador is not a good human being.

Not sure if anyone else noticed Contador's look of dissatisfaction about having to let Frank win today to let Saxo honor Jens. He did not look happy about it all. You can see how petty he was when he jumped out in front of Andy at the finish to steal second. No class. I sure hope AC gets the team he deserves next year. But then again AC told the Times yesterday he does not need a team as he can win the race on his own. I hope Andy humbles him next year.

 

[indurain666]

Bullsh!t! Contador is the race leader, hardly has a team, has Lance trying to regain the throne, has a DS not in his corner, should try and gain time as much as he can...what the fook else is the guy supposed to do. Play 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Astana team tactics, or try to ensure for himself the win?

What would Armstrong have done? Or Hinault or Eddie have done? Come on, damn it, grow some balls! He would be the undisputed team leader on any other squadra. He only got caught up in team politics. If he wants to be the leader than he has to attack. Everything else is just whining from the Lance crew. Period.

Couldn't agree more, these guys are dreaming in fanboy land.

Fortunately for Alberto, he only has to endure two more painful days around this stupid environment.

 

[Futuroscope]

Hindsight has the habit of always being 20/20. It appears as if most of the comments here come from people who have been watching the Lance train over the last decade or so. (Not meaning "the Lance train" as an insult, just don't want to list all the teams ) That was: get the jersey and then just control the other hopefuls.

Think Eddy ever sat back and preserved his lead? The hell with that: atack, attack, attack.

Makes me want to dust off my bike and start riding again.

well..there is a balance. everyone has to find their own way to win.

doesnt really matter what lance or eddy did...contador has to find his way.

don't get me wrong tho..you can always learn from earlier champions, but you cant copy everything.

 

[Futuroscope]

It said quite a bit that JB will back Lance rather than the best rider in thw world on a new team. But JB owns Contador's contract for next year not Astana so he could take Contador with him. I just don't know if JB will want to put up with Contador's shenanigans for another year. Obviously, he is declining to put up with similar problems form Vino. There is a reason we never see anyone say anything publicly positive about Contador's character or person. He may be a great rider but it's become quite obvious Contador is not a good human being.

Not sure of anyone else noticed Contador's look of dissatisfaction about having to let Frank win today to let Saxo honor Jens. He did not look happy about it all. You can see how petty he was when he jumped out in front of Andy at the finish to steal second. No class. I sure hope AC gets the team he deserves next year. But then again AC told the Times yesterday he does not need a team as he can win the race on his own. I hope Andy humbles him next year.

plz try to be more objective.

 

[fulcrum]

Now I see a post here where some accountant adds prize money and would like to see race tactics determined by maximizing it? Try to put a price tag on charisma, chuzpah and style in which a race is won. How much are legendary performances and epic wins worth in your opinion? Do you think sponsors don't appreciate that? Don't you think that increases the value of a rider, a team, or a sporting event as a whole? Jeez, stop thinking with your pocket calculator.

Amen. I'm pretty sure Merckx wasn't looking at the prize money split during his wins. Plus as I said earlier, that accountant logic is silly. How do we know Alberto didn't secure $200,000 for letting the Schleck win? How do you quantify the revenue sponsors get from exciting races? How does that affect racing salaries?

It is just one of the silliest arguments I've read in a long time.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Not sure if anyone else noticed Contador's look of dissatisfaction about having to let Frank win today to let Saxo honor Jens. He did not look happy about it all. You can see how petty he was when he jumped out in front of Andy at the finish to steal second. No class.

If AC had been petty or lacking in class he would simply have won the stage. He repeatedly indicated to the Brothers (friendly pats on the bum ) that he was not interested in contesting the stage. I saw no look of dissatisfaction either.

 

[slcbiker]

If AC had been petty or lacking in class he would simply have won the stage. He repeatedly indicated to the Brothers (friendly pats on the bum ) that he was not interested in contesting the stage. I saw no look of dissatisfaction either.

Same here. Looked to me like he was congratulating them on a good effort and that they had agreed to let Frank win.

And to his credit, while I think he goofed by attacking and dropping Kloden, it did appear that he quickly realized his mistake. Unfortunately, Kloden was already at the limit, so it was too late.

 

[Publicus]

Contador elaborates a little more on JB's advice:

"It has been a pity. I had spoken with Johan Bruyneel, who told me that I should speak with Andreas Kloden. I did and he told me that I should attack if I wanted. I was thinking of going ahead alone or with Andy, but in the end the only one that was behind was Andreas. Because of this I decided to stop, to see if he was coming back, but he could not and lost a lot of time.”

http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/special_features/acst17.html

More:

To a new question about Kloden, Alberto assured that they had planned the tactics "in Romme's col and in The Colombiere. Andreas had said to me that I could attack without problems, but the brothers Schleck surprised me very much and when I saw that Andreas was in difficulty I stopped. I looked back to see if Kloden was coming and he wasn't and because of this I am very disappointed.”



Alberto said that he wanted to do "the same like on Verbier, but on having seen that I was not making differences and that Kloden was dropped, I decided to stop and wait for him. In the end, I had to continue to the finish to place as best as possible in the general. I am not happy at all with what has happened to Kloden,” he emphasized.


Alberto said that he still does not feel like the winner of the Tour."There still remain three complicated stages, including one time trial and it will still be complicated to win.” Anyway, he acknowledged that he’s "satisfied with the result, except for Kloden. It was a very dangerous stage and today I have taken an important step, because the riders just behind me on the podium are not very good in the time trial, so the Tour is not won by any means. I have come across (the mountains) very well and I had good legs,” he concluded.

 

[frizzlefry]

Same here. Looked to me like he was congratulating them on a good effort and that they had agreed to let Frank win.

And to his credit, while I think he goofed by attacking and dropping Kloden, it did appear that he quickly realized his mistake. Unfortunately, Kloden was already at the limit, so it was too late.

I hope the Schlecks remember his gesture in the future. I am sure they will.

 

[Aguirre]

I think that Kloden and Armstrong are one team, Contador another. Otherwise why did Kloden jump across to AC and the Schlecks, then sit on? He didnt even pull once. He was sent up there for Lance not for AC.

right, agreed, so why don't repeat same move than stage 3 in La motte?

stage 3: Pop y Zubeldia pull for Armstrong, back AC and rest don't move

stage 17: klodi pull with contador and the schlecks, they distance main threat Wiggo, Lance stays like teammate

It must be very sad for AC stay in a team that has two faces, than always favourits Lance,

Levi (more faitfull LA teammate) should shup up on Twitter! wondering what Benjamin Noval thinks from his home........

Ps: Noval is the only teammate AC asked to JB to bring to the tdf and refused from the belgian...

 

[Publicus]

It said quite a bit that JB will back Lance rather than the best rider in thw world on a new team. But JB owns Contador's contract for next year not Astana so he could take Contador with him. I just don't know if JB will want to put up with Contador's shenanigans for another year. Obviously, he is declining to put up with similar problems form Vino. There is a reason we never see anyone say anything publicly positive about Contador's character or person. He may be a great rider but it's become quite obvious Contador is not a good human being.

Not sure if anyone else noticed Contador's look of dissatisfaction about having to let Frank win today to let Saxo honor Jens. He did not look happy about it all. You can see how petty he was when he jumped out in front of Andy at the finish to steal second. No class. I sure hope AC gets the team he deserves next year. But then again AC told the Times yesterday he does not need a team as he can win the race on his own. I hope Andy humbles him next year.

JB has already said that Contador and Lance are incompatible and that Contador won't be coming to the new team.

As for the finish, he didn't try to win . . . he didn't want any time gaps.

 

[frizzlefry]

Contador elaborates a little more on JB's advice:



http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/special_features/acst17.html

If he was thinking of going ahead alone or with AS, why would he worry about AK. Doesnt make sense.

 

[Publicus]

right, agreed, so why don't repeat same move than stage 3 in La motte?

stage 3: Pop y Zubeldia pull for Armstrong, back AC and rest don't move

stage 17: klodi pull with contador and the schlecks, they distance main threat Wiggo, Lance stays like teammate

It must be very sad for AC stay in a team that has two faces, than always favourits Lance,

Levi (more faitfull LA teammate) should shup up on Twitter! wondering what Benjamin Noval thinks from his home........

Ps: Noval is the only teammate AC asked to JB to bring to the tdf and refused from the belgian...

Kloden did not take a single pull today. And only rode in front of Contador once at the beginning of the Colombiere. He was hanging on to Contador's wheel the entire time.

 

[frizzlefry]

It will be very interesting to see how AC does on team without JB.

 

[Cobblestones]

It said quite a bit that JB will back Lance rather than the best rider in thw world on a new team. But JB owns Contador's contract for next year not Astana so he could take Contador with him. I just don't know if JB will want to put up with Contador's shenanigans for another year.

JB's holding company might own AC's contract, but can they pay him the contractual sum? AC's salary is pretty high. Astana can afford him because they're a rich sponsor (although not always punctual payers), how much sponsor money will JB pull in the first year? Will he be able to fulfill his contractual obligations? The problem is much more likely the exact opposite from what you're writing. JB might have to let AC go because he can't pay him.

 

[Publicus]

If he was thinking of going ahead alone or with AS, why would he worry about AK. Doesnt make sense.

I added more of his quote, but I'll added it here too:

to a new question about Kloden, Alberto assured that they had planned the tactics "in Romme's col and in The Colombiere. Andreas had said to me that I could attack without problems, but the brothers Schleck surprised me very much and when I saw that Andreas was in difficulty I stopped. I looked back to see if Kloden was coming and he wasn't and because of this I am very disappointed.”



Alberto said that he wanted to do "the same like on Verbier, but on having seen that I was not making differences and that Kloden was dropped, I decided to stop and wait for him. In the end, I had to continue to the finish to place as best as possible in the general. I am not happy at all with what has happened to Kloden,” he emphasized.


Alberto said that he still does not feel like the winner of the Tour."There still remain three complicated stages, including one time trial and it will still be complicated to win.” Anyway, he acknowledged that he’s "satisfied with the result, except for Kloden. It was a very dangerous stage and today I have taken an important step, because the riders just behind me on the podium are not very good in the time trial, so the Tour is not won by any means. I have come across (the mountains) very well and I had good legs,” he concluded.

 

[Publicus]

It will be very interesting to see how AC does on team without JB.

I'll say that it will be better than JB does with Lance next year.

 

[ruamruam]

It will be very interesting to see how AC does on team without JB.

I would say a lot better. Next year he just might have a DS that supports him.

 

[frizzlefry]

I'll say that it will be better than JB does with Lance next year.

maybe, but beating up on a 38 year old on his way out isnt saying much.
AC could become the next Heras when he left Postal.

 

[uphillstruggle]

Chomsky, where are you getting the infomation on AC letting Frank take the stage as a gesture to Jens, not saying you are wrong just would like to know because to me it looked like he was telling frank he or his bro could have it and the sprint at the end was for show.

As for him being a bad human being again where are you getting this from? Either you have a good source about this stuff or you are just ranting.

 

[hfer07]

"If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders ARE clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers."

Sun-Tzu: The Art of War

 

[saphblue]

It said quite a bit that JB will back Lance rather than the best rider in thw world on a new team. But JB owns Contador's contract for next year not Astana so he could take Contador with him. I just don't know if JB will want to put up with Contador's shenanigans for another year. Obviously, he is declining to put up with similar problems form Vino. There is a reason we never see anyone say anything publicly positive about Contador's character or person. He may be a great rider but it's become quite obvious Contador is not a good human being.

Not sure if anyone else noticed Contador's look of dissatisfaction about having to let Frank win today to let Saxo honor Jens. He did not look happy about it all. You can see how petty he was when he jumped out in front of Andy at the finish to steal second. No class. I sure hope AC gets the team he deserves next year. But then again AC told the Times yesterday he does not need a team as he can win the race on his own. I hope Andy humbles him next year.

That's not even close to what AC said in the interview. Read this post for the actual quote in Spanish and the translation: http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=51973&postcount=316

 

[lean mean &green]

JB's holding company might own AC's contract, but can they pay him the contractual sum? AC's salary is pretty high. Astana can afford him because they're a rich sponsor (although not always punctual payers), how much sponsor money will JB pull in the first year? Will he be able to fulfill his contractual obligations? The problem is much more likely the exact opposite from what you're writing. JB might have to let AC go because he can't pay him.

not likely, one of two things will happen...

1. AC goes with JB b/c JB is no fool. AC is the best tour rider. LA and LL try to scoop up giro/veulta's wins. (seems very unlikely based upon obvious tensions)

2. Another wealthy team negotiates a buy out of AC's contract. JB probably doesn't win tour but makes a ton of money with American sponsors who get a ton of exposure based upon LA's rockstar status. Plus some extra cash from the buyout.

why would you just release AC when you can keep him or weaken a rival's finances giving you extra money you'll need to re-paint your team bus?

 

[Publicus]

maybe, but beating up on a 38 year old on his way out isnt saying much.
AC could become the next Heras when he left Postal.

Now that's an insult. He's won 3 Grand Tours and is oh so close to winning a 4th. Barring injury he should win a few more. That's the benefits of backing a 26 year old over a 38 year old.

And btw, if Lance clips in, there are no excuses.