Contador reappreciation thread

[CatsNK]

I absolutely love watching him. I think he becomes one with his bike in a way that I don't see much in other riders. He has a fluidity that makes it look both like the bike is a part of him and that everyone else is on tricycles. Amazing guy, amazing rider. Fun to watch and also beautiful in his way.

 

[spanky wanderlust]

Yes it would be remiss not to acknowledge Cadel, he is riding like a winner!!! Alas for him the Champion is starting to feel better. If Cadel wins I will celebrate for him, he's done a great ride so far and if he manages to carry on, Chapeau to him!

that is just silly. there is a whole thread for that.

 

[spanky wanderlust]

i'm with those that never stopped appreciating the indomitable bertie.

i really never stopped believing that he will win this whole thing. i still think that when he has good sensations, as the others get more tired, his superior recovery takes over... and he will simply ride away from everyone else and gain major time.

in the end it will look a lot closer (about 1:42 closer ) than it really was. which just makes the racing all that much more enjoyable.

 

[lagartija]

He's a true champion. He races to win. Full stop.

As for today, I'm definitely excited about the development, but I'm not reading any more into than it was an effective day for him. He could just as well have a bad day tomorrow or during one of the Alpine stages, so I'm going to hold my enthusiasm in reserve.

I know this is the Contador re-appreciation thread, but I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge and celebrate Cuddles. He's really impressed me with his fighting spirit. He's not wheelsucking to victory, which barring a collapse in the Alps (which I don't foresee), he's going to win his first GT (and it will be well deserved).

exactly.....well said

 

[leftover pie]

Sadly there isn't. Unawareness is spreading all over France...

10 chaaaarrrr

 

[danjo007]

i still dislike contador (with a passion), but when we see alberto, struggling at times, yet fights on; i do admire that.

 

[Publicus]

this picture made me laugh (looking at the faces of the other riders)

 

[jobiwan]

this picture made me laugh (looking at the faces of the other riders)

A collective "Uh-oh" from the peleton!!!

(And of course, this picture somehow shows Andy not paying attention!! )

 

[Publicus]

A collective "Uh-oh" from the peleton!!!

(And of course, this picture somehow shows Andy not paying attention!! )

It looks like Andy sees something shiny in the crowd or something.

 

[Galic Ho]

It looks like Andy sees something shiny in the crowd or something.

It looks like he's perving on Spartacus ****.

 

[Christchurch]

About time - stuff the Asterisks

At last, a real race is breaking out! I was getting sick of the procession and the whining of the so called "peoples' champion"

Go bertie! Give us a real race.

Cuddles for the win.

 

[Marmot]

That photo is great. Obviously, it was taken mid-attack, so we can't read too much into his grimace. But Contador also didn't look entirely comfortable in many of the photos in one of the links posted by Cimber. In my mind, that only underscores one of his best qualities: that he almost always races to win, whatever the circumstances.

This is a little bit off topic, but I thought someone posted in another thread that Contador told Sanchez he'd attack. What was Sanchez doing sitting a couple of wheels behind Evans and Basso? I would have expected him to be glued to Contador from the base of the climb if he knew what was about to unfold. Obviously, Sanchez bridged eventually, but it might have been interesting if he'd reacted more quickly and the two of them had been able to collaborate to make that first attack stick (possibly they'd have taken more time from the others, and a bit of time off Evans too - pure speculation of course).

 

[meat puppet]

Actually, Bertie revealed the big secret behind his newfound venga on a restday tweet:

"Now celebrate 28 birthday of Dani Navarro = Crack"

 

[greenedge]

Go Conti. I would cheer for you if Cadel was not your main rival. Nice photo. Cadel is well shielded, the rain makes Cancellara look blurred and Voeckler looks so cherubic

 

[Parrulo]

lol at the faces of the other riders.

best faces are no doubt: hincapie, canc, and frankie

clearly thinking: "oh noes, tis this guys doing?"

 

[danjo007]

This is a little bit off topic, but I thought someone posted in another thread that Contador told Sanchez he'd attack. What was Sanchez doing sitting a couple of wheels behind Evans and Basso? I would have expected him to be glued to Contador from the base of the climb if he knew what was about to unfold. Obviously, Sanchez bridged eventually, but it might have been interesting if he'd reacted more quickly and the two of them had been able to collaborate to make that first attack stick (possibly they'd have taken more time from the others, and a bit of time off Evans too - pure speculation of course).

sanchez was a bit boxed out of it when contador went.
he probably planned to sit on cadel when he chased contador; maybe thought he'd tire, then jump over to contador. unfortunately for him, cadel was too strong for all of them.

 

[Angliru]

I absolutely love watching him. I think he becomes one with his bike in a way that I don't see much in other riders. He has a fluidity that makes it look both like the bike is a part of him and that everyone else is on tricycles. Amazing guy, amazing rider. Fun to watch and also beautiful in his way.

You've described exactly what I've been searching to find in describing his riding/climbing style. Calling him a natural is another fairly accurate assessment. Someone else described his Giro performance as "poetic".

 

[thirteen]

You've described exactly what I've been searching to find in describing his riding/climbing style. Calling him a natural is another fairly accurate assessment. Someone else described his Giro performance as "poetic".

poetry in motion

 

[Blakeslee]

Enjoy it while it lasts, Contador will probably soon be going away for at least a year, hopefully two.

I was encouraged by how Contador looked more human yesterday. He still made an aggressive attack, but without the kind of superhuman acceleration we've seen in the past where he leaves everyone minutes behind. Gives us a glimpse of how exciting clean racing could potentially be.

 

[El Pistolero]

People have a short memory. Look at stage 9 of the Giro. No one in this Tour would have had a reaction to that attack. Contador never wins with minutes and never has. He quickly opens up a gap with his fast accelerations and then maintains that gap. It's how he climbs.

And Contador, if banned, will be there next year at the Vuelta as they can't ban him for 3 years.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Enjoy it while it lasts, Contador will probably soon be going away for at least a year, hopefully two.

I was encouraged by how Contador looked more human yesterday. He still made an aggressive attack, but without the kind of superhuman acceleration we've seen in the past where he leaves everyone minutes behind. Gives us a glimpse of how exciting clean racing could potentially be.

What is the point of posting such things in this thread? Are you being a troll?

 

[Blakeslee]

People have a short memory. Look at stage 9 of the Giro. No one in this Tour would have had a reaction to that attack. Contador never wins with minutes and never has. He quickly opens up a gap with his fast accelerations and then maintains that gap. It's how he climbs.

That's a good point. What I meant was while it was still a hard acceleration by Contador, it wasn't as explosive or decisive as some of the attacks we've seen him make in the past. Some of the riders were able to respond and go with him, which resulted in the exciting finish we had yesterday with several groups chasing each other over the top of the climb and down the descent.

 

[Blakeslee]

What is the point of posting such things in this thread? Are you being a troll?

I'm just a little bothered that there are so many people willing to glorify Contador and seem to be so quick to forget he failed a drug test. I don't want to single out Contador too much since he is one of many who doped in the past and is still a talented rider who would still have been one of the best without the doping, however I think it is important for the future of the sport that the rules are upheld and that he is suspended.

 

[Apollonius]

I'm just a little bothered that there are so many people willing to glorify Contador and seem to be so quick to forget he failed a drug test. I don't want to single out Contador too much since he is one of many who doped in the past and is still a talented rider who would still have been one of the best without the doping, however I think it is important for the future of the sport that the rules are upheld and that he is suspended.

Indeed - he had one small kick yesterday, which was by in large unsuccessful (his main rival still added seconds on him) and you'd think it was the second coming of Christ!

It's a disgrace he's even riding in this tour.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I'm just a little bothered that there are so many people willing to glorify Contador and seem to be so quick to forget he failed a drug test. I don't want to single out Contador too much since he is one of many who doped in the past and is still a talented rider who would still have been one of the best without the doping, however I think it is important for the future of the sport that the rules are upheld and that he is suspended.

OK, I disagree, but it is your opinion.