Contador's fframe of mind and his attacks in the mountain stages

[gree0232]

I think Alberto's mind was pretty clear. He clearly did not trust that Armstrong or Bruyneel had his best interests in mind. It is clear also that he did not coordinate his actions with the team. Whether he took advantage of the team or 'lead' them is probably a matter of opinion.

 

[Boeing]

Although I think Alberto is a tool off the bike. His mindset was like any other top athlete should be in competition. Put yourself in the best place to win. Can't fault him for it. In the end it is the strongest man regardless

 

[LaBici]

Although I think Alberto is a tool off the bike.

That is one ignorant statement!

Everything i have read about him would lead one to think he is a level headed clear thinking gentleman.

 

[Boeing]

Everything i have read about him .

That is one ignorant statement!

E
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[Mont Ventoux]

Although I think Alberto is a tool off the bike. His mindset was like any other top athlete should be in competition. Put yourself in the best place to win. Can't fault him for it. In the end it is the strongest man regardless

Now how did you go about getting to know him "off his bike" ??
That's a very broad statement given that most of his life is spent off his bike...

 

[ggusta]

If he hasn't read these posts, he can't know how right he was.
It seems to me for the most part, and I'm not saying that there aren't exceptions, that the question of whether or not Lance was out of bounds with his behavior splits along a rough line based on bike racing experience.
So maybe the point needs to be translated to sports that some people understand better.
Imagine if you will that Brett Favre had'nt decided to finally (hopefully) retire for good, and instead announced he was coming back to help raise alzheimers awareness and that he was going to play for free for the Giants.
All season he was a good teammate, but as the play-offs approached he began to snipe at Eli Manning in the press.
By the Superbowl he was telling any and all who would listen that Manning was too young and inexperienced and he, Favre should be starting QB.
At the game he spent the whole time walking the sidelines trying to entice the crowd into "we want Favre" cheers. And then when Manning had won the game and was asked how he got along with his teammate the great Brett Favre he replied. Well he was a great player but on a personal level I have to say I lost a little respect for him there at the Superbowl.

+1

you left out leaving Eli at the hotel the day of the nfc championship game. sometimes these comebacks blur the most pleasant memories you have of someone.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

i think contador atacked because he wanted to win the tour and beat all his rivals

 

[scribe]

Now how did you go about getting to know him "off his bike" ??
That's a very broad statement given that most of his life is spent off his bike...

Because of everything we have read about him.

 

[scribe]

Ohhh really ?!

VeloNews Jul. 2, 2009

http://velonews.com/article/94182/riis-confident-in-saxo-squad

While Riis's plan is to start with Andy Schleck as team leader and his older brother Frank as back-up, he believes Astana will kill off any remaining doubts about who the team leader is by forcing Armstrong into a supporting role for Contador.


"To me, it's obvious they should have one leader and to me, that leader is Contador," Riis said Thursday, two days before his team, and Fabian Cancellara in particular, aim to grab the first yellow jersey of the race.

"If I should take a guess, that's the way it is going to be. If they have other plans, then it's going to be funny to watch."

Yhrrlly!

Any DS would have had their GC guy take turns pulling that group ahead. It is tactics 101. There are no other GC guys in the group - you have 2 diesels and a GC guy up the road - put some time in the bank. You relax in that situation, and something happens to Contador (such as saddle/diaper rash) putting him out of the tour, then you are in better position to still win. You'd have to be an idiot (or idiot worshiper) to not think that way.

While we are on 'funny to watch'. Astana was damn close to a full podium placement. I'd bet Riis wouldn't have been chucking about that. As it was, several other DS were red in the face because Astana took 2 podium positions.

 

[Zen Master]

Yhrrlly!
. There are no other GC guys in the group - you have 2 diesels and a GC guy up the road - put some time in the bank. You relax in that situation, and something happens to Contador (such as saddle/diaper rash) putting him out of the tour, then you are in better position to still win. You'd have to be an idiot (or idiot worshiper) to not think that way.

Sorry mate but do you have your own thoughts or only Lance Armstrong's thoughts that you think are your own ?!!
Astana have 4 GC contenders !?
What if something happens to Contador ?!
I've heard this " made by Lance " stupid fairytales so many times

 

[jamfra67]

Here i am Alberto Contador.
I was declared as the rider who has earned the right to lead the team at the tour de france by the DS Bruyneel at the teams presentation. Remember that when i heard that Lance was coming to join the team i tried to get out beause i foresaw problems. Anyway DS Bruyneel convinced me to stay and that everything would be ok. The race is about to begin and Lance with his PR machine begins to create doubt as to who the leader would be. Bruyneels mouth is shut and does not set the record straight as he did in the presentation of the team. Anyway we rode the first time trial and i showed that i had what it takes and is indeed worthy. then comes this stage where i am caught in the back in a crosswind. Lance took advantage of it with the help of a few teammates tacidly endorsed by the DS. Boy i ask my self questions . whats this all about? Lance continues to run his mouth in the media about my inexperience and Bruyneels does nothing to shut him up. I ask myself again should i trust these guys in light of what is happening? Is there somethng i am missing here? Ok i am going to try something to see where thy stand. I attack and take the time back from LA to again prove that i am the leader. LA,LL cries fowl and then Bruyneel open his mouth and shows where his loyalty lies. LL even blows the cover by saying that had i not attacked that lance would have been in yellow. Those guys really take me for an idiot. In that case i decided to le my legs do the talking and continue to play along with their game. I have decided that i am going to keep my mouth shut until after the tour. My objective is to win the tour. After allowing my legs to do the talking and establishing myself as the leader they began to whine in the media as to how i left Kloden stranded. Never mind Kloden is not saying anythng but the usual whiners LA,LL and Bruyneel. The unintended consequences of my attack is that it made LA prematurely anounce his gran old plan with Bruyneel. What Project the RadioShack Project. Oh boy those guys really have respect for their team Astana don't you think? I would have really been an idio had i played their game. Now i have proven that i am the champ and that Armstrong and Bruyneel are not invincible. It is a new era and i am going to prove further in 2010. To my fans and those who placed their confidence in me than you. Always remember that the legs is what do the talking in a bike race. Their sinister motive have failed and they can whine as much as they want but history will absolve me

 

[scribe]

Sorry mate but do you have your own thoughts or only Lance Armstrong's thoughts that you think are your own ?!!
Astana have 4 GC contenders !?
What if something happens to Contador ?!
I've heard this " made by Lance " stupid fairytales so many times

Well, you can interpret it as a pro-Armstrong position, but that just shows your own bias-weakness vs tactics.

But since you must know where I stand. I'll give you a hint. I was OK with Contador's attack on Arcalis from a tactical standpoint. It just wasn't so smart in the headwind.....

 

[scribe]

Here i am Alberto Contador.
I was declared as the rider who has earned the right to lead the team at the tour de france by the DS Bruyneel at the teams presentation. Remember that when i heard that Lance was coming to join the team i tried to get out beause i foresaw problems. Anyway DS Bruyneel convinced me to stay and that everything would be ok. The race is about to begin and Lance with his PR machine begins to create doubt as to who the leader would be. Bruyneels mouth is shut and does not set the record straight as he did in the presentation of the team. Anyway we rode the first time trial and i showed that i had what it takes and is indeed worthy. then comes this stage where i am caught in the back in a crosswind. Lance took advantage of it with the help of a few teammates tacidly endorsed by the DS. Boy i ask my self questions . whats this all about? Lance continues to run his mouth in the media about my inexperience and Bruyneels does nothing to shut him up. I ask myself again should i trust these guys in light of what is happening? Is there somethng i am missing here? Ok i am going to try something to see where thy stand. I attack and take the time back from LA to again prove that i am the leader. LA,LL cries fowl and then Bruyneel open his mouth and shows where his loyalty lies. LL even blows the cover by saying that had i not attacked that lance would have been in yellow. Those guys really take me for an idiot. In that case i decided to le my legs do the talking and continue to play along with their game. I have decided that i am going to keep my mouth shut until after the tour. My objective is to win the tour. After allowing my legs to do the talking and establishing myself as the leader they began to whine in the media as to how i left Kloden stranded. Never mind Kloden is not saying anythng but the usual whiners LA,LL and Bruyneel. The unintended consequences of my attack is that it made LA prematurely anounce his gran old plan with Bruyneel. What Project the RadioShack Project. Oh boy those guys really have respect for their team Astana don't you think? I would have really been an idio had i played their game. Now i have proven that i am the champ and that Armstrong and Bruyneel are not invincible. It is a new era and i am going to prove further in 2010. To my fans and those who placed their confidence in me than you. Always remember that the legs is what do the talking in a bike race. Their sinister motive have failed and they can whine as much as they want but history will absolve me

I can't get through this without banging my head against the monitor. Anyone care to lend me their cliff notes?

 

[jamfra67]

I can't get through this without banging my head against the monitor. Anyone care to lend me their cliff notes?

lol hahahahahahaha

 

[Anonymous]

I can't get through this without banging my head against the monitor. Anyone care to lend me their cliff notes?

Lance is a narcissistic prick.

 

[Hugh Januss]

I can't get through this without banging my head against the monitor. Anyone care to lend me their cliff notes?

So you're saying you don't normally read much? Maybe that is how you formulate most of your opinions?

 

[scribe]

So you're saying you don't normally read much? Maybe that is how you formulate most of your opinions?

I read just fine. My opinions are awesome and difficult to usurp as well.

 

[Hugh Januss]

I read just fine. My opinions are awesome and difficult to usurp as well.

Okie dokie............

 

[scribe]

No prob, huge.

 

[psychlist]

I would have voted option number 1. I think Alberto felt that there would be pressure not to ride for the victory if LA got the yellow jersey first.

Regarding the vast majority of this thread, both LA and AC are self interested which is shown by their actions.

We really need an Uber New Topic that can give this one a dirt nap.

 

[Mont Ventoux]

Please direct me to the BAD press re: Contador's Life

Because of everything we have read about him.

I'm really keen on reading the material that has led you to the conclusion that Contador is not a good person off his bike.

Any links you can share would be greatly appreciated.

 

[thehog]

Any links you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Lance's Twitter page is a good start.

 

[manolo]

You have a point about LA's twittering. He uses it as his opinion column. I just can't see how telling a teammate he has a lot to learn, starting with Contador's bonk at Paris-Nice and continuing with his comment after Stage 3 of the Tour, could possibly do anything but alienate Contador. How could any teammate be ok with those comments made in such a public way? If it were Leipheimer, would those comments have been made in public? On the other hand, it didn't happen, but I wish Armstrong had done some pulling like he did at the ToC, or had shown any kind of support to AC, a little admiration or praise in the press, or sitting on the back of the break on Stage 3... Then maybe AC would have let LA have a little glory, like maybe let him wear the yellow jersey one day.

 

[Zen Master]

You have a point about LA's twittering. He uses it as his opinion column. I just can't see how telling a teammate he has a lot to learn, starting with Contador's bonk at Paris-Nice and continuing with his comment after Stage 3 of the Tour, could possibly do anything but alienate Contador. How could any teammate be ok with those comments made in such a public way? If it were Leipheimer, would those comments have been made in public? On the other hand, it didn't happen, but I wish Armstrong had done some pulling like he did at the ToC, or had shown any kind of support to AC, alittle admiration or praise in the press, sitting back on the break. Then maybe AC would have let LA have a little glory, like maybe let him wear the yellow jersey one day.

Uniballer was just trying to play his stupid mind games with AC, to put the pressure on Bertie and eventually shake him. And at the end of TdF we have this picture as a result of all Uniballer's efforts !?

Good job Lance and better luck next year

 

[manolo]

Great picture! Everything aside, it's great honor to be on a Grand Tour podium. I just wish LA and AC had been able to talk it all out so deserving people could have had a better shot at the podium, i.e., someone like super-domestique Kloden, one of my favorite riders! Ha ha!