Contador Isolates Self

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AC was in front of Kloden so that he could follow the Schlek's accelerations. To be stuck behind Kloden would have possibly given a bunch of time to one or both Shreks.

 

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wow, now you know their thoughts too. I'll just shut up then.

hahahahaha

 

[richwagmn]

So, apparently you see no benefit to being 2 on 2 in a break vs outnumbered, from a tactical perspective? Kloden busted his hump to stay with Contador to help protect him, it's not always about who pulls who. Contador has proven he doesn't need anyone to pull him anywhere. He has proven that he isn't smart enough, or is spiteful enough, to ruin other people's tours for no reason whatsoever.

Sure it's good to have a teammate who isn't at his limit.

Again, how was AC spiteful? Read what he had to say. He said Kloden told him he could attack when he wanted. Your assertion that AC was out to ruin Kloden's day is supported how?

 

[Max Cadence]

Huh? Did you read what he said after the stage?

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

Read up, then reply.

OK, I read it and it did not say Contador thought Kloden would go with him on the attack. Make a point please, you're killing me.

 

[colwildcat]

Sure it's good to have a teammate who isn't at his limit.

Again, how was AC spiteful? Read what he had to say. He said Kloden told him he could attack when he wanted. Your assertion that AC was out to ruin Kloden's day is supported how?

I read what he had to say, what his DS had to say, and what his teammates had to say. He didn't need to attack, it gained nothing, it served no purpose.

 

[fulcrum]

So where does Contador end up?

Sounds like Garmin had him signed in the case that Astana fell apart.

Saxo is obviously going with the Schlecks.

Not sure if Columbia is after a GT rider or if they can support Cav and a GT rider.

Garmin and Columbia are good choices. Pretty much any team with decent TTT capabilities should fit the bill. Good TTT capabilities and without Lance.

 

[yourwelcome]

OK, I read it and it did not say Contador thought Kloden would go with him on the attack. Make a point please, you're killing me.

Here's the text: "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.

Point is he did not expect or want Kloden to be dropped so badly by the Schlecks and waited for him as soon he saw it. What he wanted was to go on a solo attack and leave Kloden with the Schlecks.

 

[klodifan]

Sure it's good to have a teammate who isn't at his limit.

Again, how was AC spiteful? Read what he had to say. He said Kloden told him he could attack when he wanted. Your assertion that AC was out to ruin Kloden's day is supported how?

I just don't believe AC's defense. If you watch the climb, AK is clearly shaking his head no. Is this another case of no meaning yes? If so, he's got a lot to learn...

 

[Anonymous]

in some countries a nod means no, and a shake means yes..

Maybe AC was confused, hes not the brighest penny in the pelaton remember..

 

[vrusimov]

I was resisting responding but your stupidity is unbelievable. He doesn't need a team?? Who do you think has been controlling the race for him the past three weeks? Perhaps you have missed the hours that Popo and Rast have spent on the front sheltering him, LA and Klodi day after day? Perhaps you lack the understanding of the benefit of having another team member with you in the mountains, if only to discourage attacks from other teams that have more numbers. It is not about just being the strongest climber, its about being delivered into the mountains fresh from the work your domestiques have done for you on the lead up and Astana have done a great job of that all week and that includes LA in the last few stages.

If you knew anything at all you would be agreeing that the attack Conti did today was a total brain explosion, which is why he spent the next 2km looking back to Klodi, probably thinking "that wasn't a great move in hindsight". The fact that he is the worlds best climber doesn't exempt him from doing stupid things that could have had potentially bad results for him. Today he got away with it.

...bingo!...well spotted...well said...even going uphill, there's still a draft, be it a small one...but it's enough to allow a guy like Kloden to hang on longer than he could by himself...once Contador dumped him he went backwards pretty quickly...from a tactical standpoint, Lance has proven his comments about Alberto correct...

 

[TRDean]

False. You guys are missing the point.

Most people will agree that Contador has amazing talent. No one can talk about his record of 3 for 3 in Grand Tour starts without saying that he's one in a billion.

"He has a lot to learn" is not meant to denigrate his talent. He is the best stage racer in the world right now. The statement IS meant to say that he can go farther and higher if he hones his tactical acumen.

Not eating enough in Paris-Nice? It's a pretty novice mistake. Armstrong made it early in his Tour de France domination. Yes, at the time, LA had a lot to learn and he learned that lesson. Let's hope Contador learned his lesson and doesn't bonk on Ventoux.

Attacking unnecessarily and isolating yourself? Not necessarily the best idea. The Schlecks had already stopped attacking and were trading long pulls to distance Armstrong and Twiggo. With only a couple km left in the climb, Kloeden could've hung on in the classification (possibly). That would've been good for the sponsor. Furthermore, if one of the Schlecks attacked in the last few K, Kloeden might've been able to help in a chase after recovering on part of the descent.

Contador is NOT perfect. He's above everyone else at the moment, but he can do even more if he figured out these tactical things.

I'm sure a Contador fanboy is going to say "BUT CONTADOR DOESN'T NEED TACTICS!" Right now, he's just so strong that it might be true that he can just ride away from everyone at will. At some point, though, he will have to avoid these little mistakes. Andy Schleck is only going to get stronger. Tony Martin won't peak too early and will improve his resilience in the Grand Tours. Twiggo will improve his strength in the 3rd week... and will increase his mental fortitude (I have a feeling that he's also suffering from the pressure of the media and doping allegations).

Kloden didn't eat enough yesterday!! He bonked!! Why is nobody saying he needs to learn? Total BS!!

 

[Danilot]

in some countries a nod means no, and a shake means yes..

Maybe AC was confused, hes not the brighest penny in the pelaton remember..

If that is a genuine attempt to excuse AC, it is one of the lamest excuses I've ever read.

 

[jilbiker]

Here's the text: "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.

Point is he did not expect or want Kloden to be dropped so badly by the Schlecks and waited for him as soon he saw it. What he wanted was to go on a solo attack and leave Kloden with the Schlecks.

AC's plan was that AK would tag frank so that Andy would be isolated so they can have a one-on-one. He felt he could handle Andy alone. But AK couldn't respond and so it was one against two which would have been difficult to gain much time. I think there was either a communication problem or AK did not know he would bonk.

 

[TRDean]

They clearly have been for the last week, but still sat in sight of the podium. Their own teammate skewered their chances, while gaining absolutely nothing over competition on other teams, other than Wiggins, who they clearly had broken. Co-leaders or not, the fact is that all 3 were in the top 5. The fact is Contador made a huge mistake today.

Let's see how magnanimous he is when he wins. Will AC share the prize money with his teammates as LA always did? Personally, I doubt it.

You have been watching too much VS television..the way they made LA out as some kinda god for splitting the money...this is not something he invented and it is pretty common. Pull your head out of your anus!!

 

[rhubroma]

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.

Indeed and let's not forget, beyond Contador, who are the best time trialists: probably Kloden, Wiggins and Armstrong (at least traditionally).

The Wiggins threat was eliminated, while Armstrong could have eliminated his losses even more, had AC not attacked and kept Kloden hitched on. Plus Kloden even pulled for Armstrong when Contador printed away on the previous mountain stage to assist the Texan. But I didn't hear anyone compaining about that for Alberto.

By attacking, AC took LA out of the running, but Kloden too. And I'm not at all sure that had AC not attacked, that FS or AS would not have accelerated and droped Kloden anyway, who had a hunger bonk. Kloden would most likely gotten dropped anyway, therefore, with the only difference that nobody in the fanboys' camp could cry sour milk as they have because it was AC.

As far as the team pact goes, AC, not Lance or Kloden, should be complaining over how the best current stage racer in the world wasn't given total support from the begining, simply because someone with an over-inflated ego came out of retirement and told his good chum (JB) to allow him to have a go at it, even at Alberto's expense (which is exactly what resulted).

If I were in the man's shoes and had the power to do it, I'd of acted exctly the same. If anything to humiliate the two who betrayed his good pedigree and right to lead the team, as his past and present dominant performances should have given him "legal title" to. Everything else is just whining from the fanboys, who are incapable of looking at this cycling situation objectively.

 

[poupou]

Will AC share the prize money with his teammates as LA always did? Personally, I doubt it.

You should ask Vasseur about it. Or maybe ask directly Armstong what he has done of the Vasseur's money. You can twitt him!

 

[TRDean]

Indeed and let's not forget, beyond Contador, who are the best time trialists: probably Kloden, Wiggins and Armstrong (at least traditionally).

The Wiggins threat was eliminated, while Armstrong could have eliminated his losses even more, had AC not attacked and kept Kloden hitched on. Plus Kloden even pulled for Armstrong when Contador printed away on the previous mountain stage to assist the Texan. But I didn't hear anyone compaining about that for Alberto.

By attacking, AC took LA out of the running, but Kloden too. And I'm not at all sure that had AC not attacked, that FS or AS would not have accelerated and droped Kloden anyway, who had a hunger bonk. Kloden would most likely gotten dropped anyway, therefore, with the only difference that nobody in the fanboys' camp could cry sour milk as they have because it was AC.

As far as the team pact goes, AC, not Lance or Kloden, should be complaining over how the best current stage racer in the world wasn't given total support from the begining, simply because someone with an over-inflated ego came out of retirement and told his good chum (JB) to allow him to have a go at it, even at Alberto's expense (which is exactly what resulted).

If I were in the man's shoes and had the power to do it, I'd of acted exctly the same. If anything to humiliate the two who betrayed his good pedigree and right to lead the team, as his past and present dominant performances should have given him "legal title" to. Everything else is just whining from the fanboys, who are incapable of looking at this cycling situation objectively.

Very well said!!

 

[Anonymous]

You should ask Vasseur about it. Or maybe ask directly Armstong what he has done of the Vasseur's money. You can twitt him!

Actually, you can ask Andreau also. Lance is a dirtbag for sure when it comes to paying teammates who will not be with the team the next year.

 

[MEGADETH]

I know I wont be pulling for Contador ever again and I don't care who he rides for. He might be the best climber in the world, but not the best teammate!

 

[Futuroscope]

You guys are awfully thick. Both in mass and dense-ness. When you have 3 of the top 5 riders of the tour, you have to leave your options on the table until the road shakes it out. Bruyneel has handled this situation as well as anyone could.

no he certainly hasn't, as it was he who created this problem by allowing lance to ride the tour on the same team as contador.

and sure when you have such a strong team you can keep your options open to some degree but not to the point of holding back the team captain.

 

[elapid]

This is probably going to ignite some flames, but having just watched the stage (and reading post-race statements by Contador and Bruyneel) I am not really sure what Contador did that was so wrong. He talked to Kloden, Kloden was about to bonk and told AC to go for it, Contador then tried to distance the Schleck brothers to maximize his advantages over Wiggins (and yes, probably Lance and Kloden), and when this didn't work he sat on the back of the Schlecks. What's so horrible about the team and race leader trying to gain time on his rivals? Bruyneel may have suggested that he didn't need to attack, but would he have said the same thing to Armstrong in 1999-2005? Why would you tell your best rider and race leader not to increase his time gains over his main competition and gain a mental edge over these cyclists? He tested once and then sat back when it didn't work, so he expended minimal additional energy and conserved for today's TT.

 

[Futuroscope]

They clearly have been for the last week, but still sat in sight of the podium. Their own teammate skewered their chances, while gaining absolutely nothing over competition on other teams, other than Wiggins, who they clearly had broken. Co-leaders or not, the fact is that all 3 were in the top 5. The fact is Contador made a huge mistake today.

Let's see how magnanimous he is when he wins. Will AC share the prize money with his teammates as LA always did? Personally, I doubt it.

how was it a huge mistake when he didn't lose any time on any of his rivals and gained time on wiggins?

 

[TRDean]

Just a thought...I wonder if there is a positive correlation between LA fans and posters claiming that AC is a bad person and teammate? Just curious.

 

[BYOP88]

47 pages on an attack hahahahahahaha

At the end of the day does it really matter where the teammates finish in the GC? No as long as the leader wins the race that's all that matters. I don't think on the 99-05 run LA or JB lost sleep about Landis, Hincapie or whoever else was part of the TdF team and them only being in 45th place and not being in the top 3 etc. I mean in 2004 did Lance wait for Azevedo when he was in the top 5, maybe Lance could have done some of the riding on the front on the final climb and saved Azevedo's legs so he could be there at the end of the stage to receive one of Lance's gifts.

I'm pretty sure that a "wiseman" once said "the road will decide" and he was right the road has decided who the strongest riders are.

 

[Anonymous]

This is probably going to ignite some flames, but having just watched the stage (and reading post-race statements by Contador and Bruyneel) I am not really sure what Contador did that was so wrong. He talked to Kloden, Kloden was about to bonk and told AC to go for it, Contador then tried to distance the Schleck brothers to maximize his advantages over Wiggins (and yes, probably Lance and Kloden), and when this didn't work he sat on the back of the Schlecks. What's so horrible about the team and race leader trying to gain time on his rivals? Bruyneel may have suggested that he didn't need to attack, but would he have said the same thing to Armstrong in 1999-2005? Why would you tell your best rider and race leader not to increase his time gains over his main competition and gain a mental edge over these cyclists? He tested once and then sat back when it didn't work, so he expended minimal additional energy and conserved for today's TT.

Oh no you didin' just suggest that a 20 second attack to isolate Schlecklet and leave Kloden with Frank which was then shut down the minute Contador saw that Kloden was gone from Frank's wheel is anything but him being a spoiled brat and obviously an evil person because The Hog and The Uniballer twitter as much and make sure they say so on TV to further isolate a rider they have been isolating since last November...No you didin'