Contadors Form

[hammt34]

I have been reading all the posts as of recent and it seems that a lot of people have seen some vulnerability in A.C.So what are opinions on A.C and what percentage his form is really at. Does anyone think he has been on top form but down playing his chances or Do u think he is maybe at 75% and just gonna everyone in July.

 

[Andrichuk]

I think hes just gonna everyone.

 

[I Watch Cycling In July]

If he wants to be in top form for the tour, he needs to peak for the tour, which means not being in top form now. Going according to plan is my guess.

 

[auscyclefan94]

If he wants to be in top form for the tour, he needs to peak for the tour, which means not being in top form now. Going according to plan is my guess.

Well, if he was in 100% form, I would of not expected him too completely dominate the field. Personally, Contador always comes to races with very good form. He is a very consistent rider.

 

[ErmOkk]

He's not 100%, but most likely leaning at great form now. Time for vacation now I guess!

 

[Jan the Man]

I have been reading all the posts as of recent and it seems that a lot of people have seen some vulnerability in A.C.So what are opinions on A.C and what percentage his form is really at. Does anyone think he has been on top form but down playing his chances or Do u think he is maybe at 75% and just gonna everyone in July.

-Other than at Criterium International I have seen no weakness in Contador's form.

As has been said he is always very consistent when he races, he likes to race to win. Come July he will be the overwhelming favourite on the basis of past history, and the form he has shown thus far this season.

 

[python]

percentage ??

i dont worry about his form but since you asked...

it is 87.66% right now to be ramped up to 92.77 by the end of may followed by 100% in july.

 

[595RED]

Vulnerable? Really? The GT maestro has been the only 3 week stage racer who has been winning regularly and its only April. My prognosis, untouchable in July like never before.

 

[wattage]

Vulnerable? Really? The GT maestro has been the only 3 week stage racer who has been winning regularly and its only April. My prognosis, untouchable in July like never before.

The way Ferrari has fine-tuned Vino this year at the age of 36...I wouldn't be suprised if Lance would be in shape of his life come July.

 

[Polish]

Early Season Form

I have been reading all the posts as of recent and it seems that a lot of people have seen some vulnerability in A.C.So what are opinions on A.C and what percentage his form is really at. Does anyone think he has been on top form but down playing his chances or Do u think he is maybe at 75% and just gonna everyone in July.

Alberto's form at this point is irrelevent.
Hopefully for Alberto - it will stay irrelevent.

I mean, c'mon, Alberto can only lose. Unless of course he wins the TdF.
But thats is just it - he is EXPECTED to WIN the TdF. Yawn.
He is expected to "just gonna everyone in July". Stretch and Yawn.
Second place in the Tour for Alberto would be a crushing defeat.

If he does not win the TdF - fans will SECOND GUESS his early season prep.
At THAT point his early season form would become relevent.

(But I do find it interesting that Alberto CHOKED only once in his early season prep - Criterium International. I wonder why he choked.......)

But that does not matter. Alberto is going to RULE at the TdF.
Unfortunately, it will not suprise me if his total domination at the TdF ignites some Boo's from the side of the roads in France

 

[Angliru]

Alberto's form at this point is irrelevent.
Hopefully for Alberto - it will stay irrelevent.

I mean, c'mon, Alberto can only lose. Unless of course he wins the TdF.
But thats is just it - he is EXPECTED to WIN the TdF. Yawn.
He is expected to "just gonna everyone in July". Stretch and Yawn.
Second place in the Tour for Alberto would be a crushing defeat.

If he does not win the TdF - fans will SECOND GUESS his early season prep.
At THAT point his early season form would become relevent.

(But I do find it interesting that Alberto CHOKED only once in his early season prep - Criterium International. I wonder why he choked.......)

But that does not matter. Alberto is going to RULE at the TdF.
Unfortunately, it will not suprise me if his total domination at the TdF ignites some Boo's from the side of the roads in France

The French appreciate Contador's old school approach to racing. If he wins IMO the French will continue to cheer for him. The fact that he's respectful of the sport and his opponents makes him more of a rider that one would find it difficult to boo primarily because of his dominance of his competition. It's alot easier to boo an arrogant a55.

 

[gatete]

Alberto's form at this point is irrelevent.
Hopefully for Alberto - it will stay irrelevent.

I mean, c'mon, Alberto can only lose. Unless of course he wins the TdF.
But thats is just it - he is EXPECTED to WIN the TdF. Yawn.
He is expected to "just gonna everyone in July". Stretch and Yawn.
Second place in the Tour for Alberto would be a crushing defeat.

If he does not win the TdF - fans will SECOND GUESS his early season prep.
At THAT point his early season form would become relevent.

(But I do find it interesting that Alberto CHOKED only once in his early season prep - Criterium International. I wonder why he choked.......)

But that does not matter. Alberto is going to RULE at the TdF.
Unfortunately, it will not suprise me if his total domination at the TdF ignites some Boo's from the side of the roads in France

I think the fact that AC is going to try new venues (OTHER GTS) will maintain the edge of french cheering, imagine how extremelly BORING it would be to just focus on the Tour? reason why I think LA should really worry, not only his record will be smashed, but with other GT in the bag... LANCE who????

 

[BroDeal]

(But I do find it interesting that Alberto CHOKED only once in his early season prep - Criterium International. I wonder why he choked.......)

Be careful. If you say it was not allergies then swordsman will wig out.

It is more interesting that even when he "choked" he still did alright.

It is still more interesting how Contador and Evans can ride well in the early season while many of the other Tour contenders--when they actually enter races--are lucky if they are within a kilometer of the finish line when the race winner crosses it.

 

[Kazistuta]

It is still more interesting how Contador and Evans can ride well in the early season while many of the other Tour contenders--when they actually enter races--are lucky if they are within a kilometer of the finish line when the race winner crosses it.

I've been thinking the same. Why is it that guys like Contador, Evans, Valverde and Lulu Sanchez are competitive in almost all races, and guys like Sastre, the Schlecks and Pellizotti can be invisible until their major goals?

Could it be the easy answer: Motivation - the desire to BE competitive? (That actually seems to be the case with Evans) Is it that some riders are better to pick races that suit them? Or is it just about the mental preparation, the fact that some riders can't handle to be under race stress all the time?

In fact I don't know if I have to be impressed by the first riders ability to maintain a decent form, dissappointed in the latter for not being able to, or to just be suspicious about the diversity of form in the top GC riders?
I know there's always been riders that could be competitve all year long - riders like Bettini, Cancellara, Freire and Gilbert springs to mind more recently (Eddy Merckx obviously had all-season form), but they are all riders for one day races - primarily. Is it the "one race to rule them all" philosophy of Armstrong, Bruyneel, Riis et al. that makes it difficult to see the legitamacy of GC riders performing all season long?

 

[palmerq]

i think albertos form has gone down a bit from paris nice and he is certainly not on top form right now.... although he is not on bad form... seems he had a bad day at the critireum whatever... He hasn't looked invincible like he did last year at the tdf..... he lost fairltyy to evans in fleche.... So he has showen a bit of weakness but this is not the time of year for him... I dont believe he is in top condition yet and will be stronger in july than he is now..

I think looking at this season he won't be able to do the giro tour double..... I dont think he or maybe anyone can be in good enough form to win both these days. depends on who his opponents are though.

 

[Nick777]

I've been thinking the same. Why is it that guys like Contador, Evans, Valverde and Lulu Sanchez are competitive in almost all races, and guys like Sastre, the Schlecks and Pellizotti can be invisible until their major goals?

Could it be the easy answer: Motivation - the desire to BE competitive? (That actually seems to be the case with Evans) Is it that some riders are better to pick races that suit them? Or is it just about the mental preparation, the fact that some riders can't handle to be under race stress all the time?

In fact I don't know if I have to be impressed by the first riders ability to maintain a decent form, dissappointed in the latter for not being able to, or to just be suspicious about the diversity of form in the top GC riders?
I know there's always been riders that could be competitve all year long - riders like Bettini, Cancellara, Freire and Gilbert springs to mind more recently (Eddy Merckx obviously had all-season form), but they are all riders for one day races - primarily. Is it the "one race to rule them all" philosophy of Armstrong, Bruyneel, Riis et al. that makes it difficult to see the legitamacy of GC riders performing all season long?

Maybe some guys just 'load up' for the big occasion.

 

[simoni]

I think both the Schlecks generally turn out pretty consistent performances in the first part of the year - I remember Frank being up there in, say, Paris-Nice in the past and they both tend to deliver the goods in the Ardennes.

Sastre is completely unique in that apart from 3 week tours he barely races at all.

But theres a lot of factors going into it all - some riders need racing to get form more than others, some riders just like to race a fair bit and recover well (Contador cites one of his main talents as his recovery power), sponsors requirements (e.g in a team with 4 leaders the likes of Basso, Pellizotti can build at their own pace with no pressure as one of the others will probably get a result/publicity whereas Evans has always been a one-man band.

In the end its a diverse sport with diverse riders and even the same races vary from year to year with routes and conditions and I think thats why we all love it so much!