Contador NEVER race Giro again

[spalco]

It's disappointing that Contador thinks that way, I think with a little tweaking in his training regiment he has a very good chance to do the Giro-Tour double considering he probably had some excess energy in may and still could have won the Tour with a little bit more luck and by avoiding crashes in the first week. Maybe it's just the emotion of his disappointment speaking here and not rational consideration.

 

[Angliru]

What a tool. First he blamed the Giro, then the route didn't suit him (that takes the cake) and apparently the team was also not good enough.

Excuses galore.

So your interpretation of his saying that his team wasn't suited to the TTT was an excuse instead of a statement of fact? How would you honestly rate the team they brought to the Tour in a TTT? Also it's fairly reasonable and was anticipated that fatigue would be a factor after he rode the Giro. Is that another fact that you seem to see as an excuse? If you have an alternative to offer I'd love to hear it.

 

[dlwssonic]

I agree with the hushovd talk. He is a darn boring rider in the classics he wheelsucks all the time. And the only race he is really competitive in the classics is PR. I think his plan to win PR is to wheelsuck to the velodrome and out sprint them. I would prefer riders like fabian and tom to win rather than him even if he is in BMC. Thats why im not that thrilled that he is going to BMC.

 

[Angliru]

...but the implication is there. I didn't say he is blaming his team. I asked if he was implying that his team is week. Seems like AC, more than most, always has a comment about his team or a teammate. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed this.

@Angliru...didnt mean to stir up a big bowl of drama. I just though I was creating a discussion with a legitimate question.

I guess it's a matter of interpretation. His team was admittedly not expected to shine in the ITT and on the flats both according to Riis and Contador. I doubt that the riders would take offence considering the strategy that was used in resting everyone as much as possible until the mountains, which is where the team was expected to have it's strength but even in that area it was known that fatigue would be a factor with all the riders that rode the Giro.

One could simply look at the roster, the circumstances and draw the very same analysis prior to the Tour's start. It shouldn't come as a surprise.

 

[Angliru]

I agree with the hushovd talk. He is a darn boring rider in the classics he wheelsucks all the time. And the only race he is really competitive in the classics is PR. I think his plan to win PR is to wheelsuck to the velodrome and out sprint them. I would prefer riders like fabian and tom to win rather than him even if he is in BMC. Thats why im not that thrilled that he is going to BMC.

That sounds strangely like Evans M.O. in virtually every Tour that he's ridden with the exception of this year. Follow wheels and limit his losses. That isn't very exciting either. Amazing how a rider's success can make their previous less than exciting style of riding a distant memory or simply completely forgotten by some. I recall a teammate of Evans, Mario Aerts mentioning being directed on who's wheel Evans would be focusing on and how he was told to pull up to that rider's wheel. Evans would then make it his mission to stay glued to said rider's wheel at all costs. Now that is what I call sheer excitement.

 

[Desperate Moments]

What do people think about this story in Velo News, where Contador was described as having nearly quit the Tour because of knee injuries sustained when he crashed after having been "shoulder butted" by Karpets? (Andrew Hood's words, not mine.)

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011...karpets-bombing_186303?utm_medium=most-viewed

"Karpets flicked Contador off the road in a bizarre incident early in that crash-marred stage when Contador’s handlebars got tangled up with Karpets’ seat-post. The big Russian shoulder-butted Contador and the three-time Tour champion went slamming to the ground."

I know there was a lot of discussion here about this incident and the question of an intentional "flicking" by Vladimir was dismissed at the time (including by AC & Bjarne), but I'm wondering if people think the peloton may have more subtly prevented Alberto from moving up from the back of the pack early in the race, until he re-earned their respect? Especially in light of this comment in Robert Millar's fine piece in this week's CN, talking about Evans' team:

"A big part of peloton etiquette is establishing your right to be at the front of the bunch, earning respect so the others know that's where they'll find you and you won't be giving up that place easily."

 

[Angliru]

What do people think about this story in Velo News, where Contador was described as having nearly quit the Tour because of knee injuries sustained when he crashed after having been "shoulder butted" by Karpets? (Andrew Hood's words, not mine.)

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011...karpets-bombing_186303?utm_medium=most-viewed

"Karpets flicked Contador off the road in a bizarre incident early in that crash-marred stage when Contador’s handlebars got tangled up with Karpets’ seat-post. The big Russian shoulder-butted Contador and the three-time Tour champion went slamming to the ground."

I know there was a lot of discussion here about this incident and the question of an intentional "flicking" by Vladimir was dismissed at the time (including by AC & Bjarne), but I'm wondering if people think the peloton may have more subtly prevented Alberto from moving up from the back of the pack early in the race, until he re-earned their respect? Especially in light of this comment in Robert Millar's fine piece in this week's CN, talking about Evans' team:

"A big part of peloton etiquette is establishing your right to be at the front of the bunch, earning respect so the others know that's where they'll find you and you won't be giving up that place easily."

Karpets and Contador have disputed Hoods details of that crash in the days following that stage and no one that I can recall has come forward to support the claim that Karpets sent Contador flying into the fans and any video that I've seen is obscured by the riders in the peloton.

Hood also states that Contador tried to hide his injury from his opponents but there are no quotes in that article attesting to that fact and his public admission of the problem with his knee contradicts Hoods statement.

Riis stated that it was their intention to ride midpack and save energy. He admitted he was rolling the dice by doing this but with their limited roster and riders having ridden the Giro they couldn't wear out their domestiques in the first week and then have nothing left for the remainder of the Tour. It was gamble that they lost at when Contador lost a minute and a half because of being on the wrong side of a crash.

 

[Desperate Moments]

All good points. Thanks.

 

[peloton]

Karpets and Contador have disputed Hoods details of that crash in the days following that stage and no one that I can recall has come forward to support the claim that Karpets sent Contador flying into the fans and any video that I've seen is obscured by the riders in the peloton.

Hood also states that Contador tried to hide his injury from his opponents but there are no quotes in that article attesting to that fact and his public admission of the problem with his knee contradicts Hoods statement.

Riis stated that it was their intention to ride midpack and save energy. He admitted he was rolling the dice by doing this but with their limited roster and riders having ridden the Giro they couldn't wear out their domestiques in the first week and then have nothing left for the remainder of the Tour. It was gamble that they lost at when Contador lost a minute and a half because of being on the wrong side of a crash.

+1
well put

Hood stating that Contador tried to hide the injury on his knee when he even posted a photo of it, is pretty hilarious...

That said, I think why Riis chose the team for the Tour, was to get as many riders Contador had ridden with, because of the possible hostile welcome, which indeed happened. The team had only 2 riders that had never ridden with Contador, the Sørenses.

I still don't think the Karpets push was on purpose, as VN paints it, more like a reflex. Though I must admit I've never seen anything like that before, someone pushing the race favorite to the ground. BMC must send some flowers to Katusha!

 

[jacko_69]

So your interpretation of his saying that his team wasn't suited to the TTT was an excuse instead of a statement of fact? How would you honestly rate the team they brought to the Tour in a TTT? Also it's fairly reasonable and was anticipated that fatigue would be a factor after he rode the Giro. Is that another fact that you seem to see as an excuse? If you have an alternative to offer I'd love to hear it.

Whilst I agree that Contador was stating the facts re the parcour and his team, I've seen other riders put forth similar comments as Contador's and be called a whiner and excuse maker. In the past I remember Evans getting cained over stating the 'facts' and being called a whiner. It's easy to interpret the comments from riders as either an excuse or simply stating the facts as they see it.  

 

[I Watch Cycling In July]

Whilst I agree that Contador was stating the facts re the parcour and his team, I've seen other riders put forth similar comments as Contador's and be called a whiner and excuse maker. In the past I remember Evans getting cained over stating the 'facts' and being called a whiner. It's easy to interpret the comments from riders as either an excuse or simply stating the facts as they see it. *

Some explain why they failed, others explain how they might win next time.

 

[greenedge]

That's a pity as he rode the Giro well and then still rode the TDF with honour after having a knee injury/ crash. Next year ( CAS Pending ) he would change his mind if he wins the TDF again.

He would then focus on Vuelta later.

 

[Carols]

Some explain why they failed, others explain how they might win next time.

+1 and then some. It's the 'attitude' of a winner not a whiner.

 

[jacko_69]

I must admit I was surprised to hear him say that the parcour didn't suit him, even with the TTT, his climbing has always been enough to take minutes out of his rivals. The article does suggest that he thinks the double is possible, that being the case we may see him at the Giro again. Hope so.

 

[No_Balls]

I must admit I was surprised to hear him say that the parcour didn't suit him, even with the TTT, his climbing has always been enough to take minutes out of his rivals. The article does suggest that he thinks the double is possible, that being the case we may see him at the Giro again. Hope so.

I really do think that the parcours didnt suit him depending on which kind of shape he arrived in.

 

[Angliru]

I must admit I was surprised to hear him say that the parcour didn't suit him, even with the TTT, his climbing has always been enough to take minutes out of his rivals. The article does suggest that he thinks the double is possible, that being the case we may see him at the Giro again. Hope so.

If I'm not mistaken, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, but he did not say that the parcours didn't suit him. Just that the TTT was not his Tour roster's forte'.

 

[Publicus]

If I'm not mistaken, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, but he did not say that the parcours didn't suit him. Just that the TTT was not his Tour roster's forte'.

As I read it, you are correct, but Cycling News editorialized the piece a bit to add in this language:

He claimed that the route of this year's Tour de France did not suit him and admitted things got off to a bad start, as he lost time due a crash on the first stage, and in the stage two team time trial.

"You need to have stages that suit you, either a prologue, a mountain time trial or two time trials. But not a team time trial if you don't have a strong team. With attention to detail like this and good preparation, you can win both the Giro and the Tour in the same season," he said according to Marca.com

 

[jacko_69]

If I'm not mistaken, and someone please correct me if I am wrong, but he did not say that the parcours didn't suit him. Just that the TTT was not his Tour roster's forte'.

You make good observation here (u beat me to it Publicus ), in the article CN say AC claims that the parcour didn't suit him, that's the jerno's interpretation not a quote from AC. AC is suggesting the course was not optimal for him to do the double, needs a different TT configuration etc plus no TTT.

 

[burninglegs]

I think that I have seen an article in Cycling News that quotes Alberto as saying the TDF and Vuelta in one year is possible for him. I really wanted him to do that double in 2010 and couldn't understand why he didn't do it until the news came out in September 2010.

 

[movingtarget]

That sounds strangely like Evans M.O. in virtually every Tour that he's ridden with the exception of this year. Follow wheels and limit his losses. That isn't very exciting either. Amazing how a rider's success can make their previous less than exciting style of riding a distant memory or simply completely forgotten by some. I recall a teammate of Evans, Mario Aerts mentioning being directed on who's wheel Evans would be focusing on and how he was told to pull up to that rider's wheel. Evans would then make it his mission to stay glued to said rider's wheel at all costs. Now that is what I call sheer excitement.

And some people live in the past too much. As for Hushovd, I thought his performance in the TDF was far from boring. I would rather see him go to BMC than Gilbert who will change the whole dynamic of the team. I would be surprised if Evans supported the Gilbert signing. Hushovd will get good support from BMC in the Spring and does not need a sprint train to get results in stage races.

 

[uphillstruggle]

Makes perfect sense. His main point is that you need your prep to go well and for the stages to suit you. That's where the team reference come in. If you don't have a good TTT team, that's not a stage that suits you. Nothing controversial or offensive there.

While I agree AC team where a bit week this year. He was regularly left alone in the mountains in both the Giro and the Tour unlike last year with Astana who supported him very well. The fact is he only lost 25-30 seconds to some of the other contenders in the TTT. If that had been a prologue he would of gained maybe 30-40 seconds on the other contenders. Contador lost the tour through crashes and lack of form in the high mountains. An in form AC does not concede time to Cadel in the mountains.

I still think he could do the double though. Hopefully he will try again towards the end of his career.

 

[Angliru]

Whilst I agree that Contador was stating the facts re the parcour and his team, I've seen other riders put forth similar comments as Contador's and be called a whiner and excuse maker. In the past I remember Evans getting cained over stating the 'facts' and being called a whiner. It's easy to interpret the comments from riders as either an excuse or simply stating the facts as they see it. *

Or you can base your critique on the rider's history of comments regarding their team and teammates and then draw your own conclusions.

 

[Angliru]

And some people live in the past too much. As for Hushovd, I thought his performance in the TDF was far from boring. I would rather see him go to BMC than Gilbert who will change the whole dynamic of the team. I would be surprised if Evans supported the Gilbert signing. Hushovd will get good support from BMC in the Spring and does not need a sprint train to get results in stage races.

History can't be changed. Once it happens its there for all to see and relive at will. My statement was not meant to demean or minimize Evans' accomplishments or transformation. It was posted as a reminder that even this particular forumite's favorite rider had a style quite similar to the one that he finds so unattractive and boring in Hushovd. Hushovd IMO represented the WC stripes quite well in the Tour and should be commended for it. At the same time your first sentence could also be applied to the post that mine was made in response to, but of course you chose to single mine out. Curious.

 

[Deagol]

double-post

 

[Deagol]

..... The Giro is just boring at times with its uninspiring parcourse. Mountain finish after mountain finish after mountain finish... .

What's not to love about that?

Nothing more inspiring than the mountains, especially vs the dry dusty plains of Spain often used in the Vuelta