Does Contador have what it takes, MENTALY, to be a consistant champion??

[Menndo]

He who must not be named won the TOUR 7 times in a row...not so long ago, Conti won 3, one being practically a gift...
If he beats Scheck convincingly next year, I'll see him as ATG, until than no more than a very good rider

The fact that Armstrong was a great champion and won 7 Tours doesn't make Contador better or worse rider. Nobody is comparing except you, and it's not necesary to win the Tour 7 times to be a champion.

If a cyclist isn't mentally strong he probably won't win (at least not always), no matter how strong his opponents are.

 

[La Pandera]

His opposition has been dredfull until the near present!

2009 Tour: An ancient Armstrong and a green Schleck
2008 Giro: Ricco, Bruseghin
2008 Vuelta: an ancient Sastre and Levi, who in their primes(middle of the Lance era) werent even top 5!!!!
2007: He was practically handed the wictory

Only in this years edition did he have a real opponent with a pulse in Schleck and a sneaky Menchov(aggain, a part of the old guard, who was nowhere in his prime, when prime Basso, Ullrich, Kloden, Vino, Armstrong ruled)

He had it easy so far, strongest team with weak opponents, the real test of his strenght and carachter beggins now... We will se if he has what it takes to be an ATG!

How did I know that you would chime in with your usual line of bs?

2009: Now you're admititing that your hero is ancient when it supports your weak argument? Schleck could be considered "green" at the 2007 Giro and the 2008 Tour. He was picked as a contender for the 2009 Tour.

All the rest, one races against whoever shows up.

Your obvious dislike of Contador does not allow youto think clearly. I'd use the "h" word but I personally vowed to never do so on this forum due to my belief that it is overused and abused. You are blinded by something that is truly unhealthy.

 

[El Pistolero]

Well, Eddy Merckx his Hour Record lasted until 2000, and it's practically impossible to compare cyclists of other generations, but the Hour Record is imo the best indicator for that. As they have to ride the same bike and in the same conditions as Merckx did.

Eddy Merckx even had a back injury when he broke the Hour record, so he could've done even better if it wasn't for that injury. And he only tried once after a busy season.

I hope Cancellara sets his goals to the Hour Record in the near future. He has won everything there is to win in a Time Trial then.

 

[Belokki]

Was Pereiro's win a gift too, or did that Tour rightfully belong to Landis?

missed that one... luckily...

 

[simoni]

He won 5 GTs in a row, if that doesn't make you a consistent champion I don't know what does.

This^^^^^^^^^

 

[jilbiker]

His anxiety problems have an easy solution.

I think his mail problem this year is that he did not show up at 100% and something tells me he underestimated Andy a little bit.

I bet next year is going to be different.

I agree, he underestimated AS. Remember also Andy hardly raced all year so it was hard to judge his form or advancement. I also think AC's thunder (sudden fast acceleration on the mountains) is much diminished, he has to find an additional weapon or find another way to execute his bomb.

I think all these made it a mentally tough tdf for him, but then AC hasn't had any easy tdf. I think next year he may be better prepared mentally unless there is another unknown factor....I am tipping Nibali as the next big tough factor.

 

[I Watch Cycling In July]

Where's Moose with a few FAIL pics when we need a laugh?

 

[Señor_Contador]

He who must not be named won the TOUR 7 times in a row...not so long ago, Conti won 3, one being practically a gift...

Whether it was a gift or not is an opinion. That Alberto Contador won that year's TdF is a fact. Do you understand the difference? Opinions don't count. TdFs do.

If he beats Scheck convincingly next year, I'll see him as ATG, until than no more than a very good rider

Do you realise that what you are saying makes you sound like a total jackass?

A guy who's won 5 grand tours is not a "very good rider". He may not be a good rider in your eyes, but his record speaks for itself. And Alberto's record does not need your opinion. It's now conventional wisdom.

 

[El Pistolero]

hm...
Pantani
Beloki
Ullrich
Basso
Kloden
Vino
Rasmusen

vs

ricco
cadel
di luca
frank
andy
wiggins

Yeah, I can se where you're coming from! Contadors opposition was waaaaaayy better wasnt it?
but what can I expect from a hater...?

Last time I checked Kloden, Basso and Vino are still in the current peloton. And Basso is still a good cyclist to this day as he really impressed me in the Giro this year. You know, the one he won

And Vino is looking as good as ever this year. One victory in this years TdF and LBL.

Rasmussen will be back soon I guess. I doubt he'll be able to come close to Contador.

How was Beloki competition by the way? Sure he was good, but he crashed and he was never the same again after that crash.

 

[erader]

champions survive the inevitable bad day. that's what i saw today.

erader

 

[La Pandera]

I hope you realize with this thread you have lost the respect of the entire forum, not that that actually matters to you. I have a fairly short ignore list but you have inspired me to add you to it. Have a good day.

 

[Belokki]

Whether it was a gift or not is an opinion. That Alberto Contador won that year's TdF is a fact. Do you understand the difference? Opinions don't count. TdFs do.



Do you realise that what you are saying makes you sound like a total jackass?

A guy who's won 5 grand tours is not a "very good rider". He may not be a good rider in your eyes, but his record speaks for itself. And Alberto's record does not need your opinion. It's now conventional wisdom.

Im not questioning his record! Im questioning his opposition! He rode aggainst bums and relics so far, this year he faced a rider with an actuall pulse, he suffered... the opposition will be harder for him from now on, does he have an ATGs will and continue winning like Hinault, HHMNBN, Eddie, or will he crumble aggainst the first real opponent he faces and just be an overhyped bust...

 

[jilbiker]

champions survive the inevitable bad day. that's what i saw today.

erader

Yes, LA did say that once, that what a lot of people don't know is that he had his bad days in those 7 years but he managed it well. A champion isn't just one who has good riding days everytime but one who can also manage the bad days well. That makes a huge difference.

 

[hrotha]

Last time I checked Kloden, Basso and Vino are still in the current peloton. And Basso is still a good cyclist to this day as he really impressed me in the Giro this year. You know, the one he won

And Vino is looking as good as ever this year. One victory in this years TdF and LBL.

Rasmussen will be back soon I guess. I doubt he'll be able to come close to Contador.

How was Beloki competition by the way? Sure he was good, but he crashed and he was never the same again after that crash.

Well, before that crash he was twice 3rd and once 2nd. But he was always a step behind Ullrich and two behind Armstrong.

The interesting bit is that he was never a contender... until he finished 3rd. And then he repeated it. My point is, the measure of your opponents isn't the fancy names ingrained in your memory through nostalgia. It's the results, and people like Evans, Menchov and the others have them too. By definition, all the top GC riders have earned that status.

 

[fixedgear]

You're nitpicking and doing what most do when they dislike a certain team or athlete. They look for certain criteria to prove that this athlete, in your case, Alberto Contador, is not really deserving of their win.

For example, Jordan had weak opposition, Montana had Jerry Rice, the Yankees had the biggest payroll, etc.

However, look at the facts. Contador has beaten ALL of the best cyclists since he has been a pro. Just as Armstrong did, Indurain did, Hinault did, Eddy did. If you want to compare Contador to those riders, then fine, you can use your biased criteria about the level of competition. However, don't blame Contador just because he's risen to the top by beating competition that YOU deem mediocre.

In my opinion, the riders Contador has beaten compared to Armstrong is not that wide as you make it. Armstrong beat two former winners of the TDF. Contador has also beaten two. Also, Contador has beaten all of Armstrong's main competitors that you listed with the exception of Ulrich and Pantani.

 

[Menndo]

hm...
Pantani
Beloki
Ullrich
Basso
Kloden
Vino
Rasmusen

vs

ricco
cadel
di luca
frank
andy
wiggins

Yeah, I can se where you're coming from! Contadors opposition was waaaaaayy better wasnt it?
but what can I expect from a hater...?

Armstrong never had to face Pantani at his best.
Talking like you I could say that the only opponent of Armtrong was an overweight Ulrich.

 

[Belokki]

Last time I checked Kloden, Basso and Vino are still in the current peloton. And Basso is still a good cyclist to this day as he really impressed me in the Giro this year. You know, the one he won

And Vino is looking as good as ever this year. One victory in this years TdF and LBL.

Rasmussen will be back soon I guess. I doubt he'll be able to come close to Contador.

How was Beloki competition by the way? Sure he was good, but he crashed and he was never the same again after that crash.

they are still here, as is Lance, but they are waaaay past their primes, even Basso a little...


Beloki and Contador are like twins
Beloki had great potential, he was a great opponent, thats why I took up his name as a nick, as a tribute to the rider who made Armstrong life hell on earth for a few days...

 

[El Pistolero]

they are still here, as is Lance, but they are waaaay past their primes, even Basso a little...


Beloki and Contador are like twins
Beloki had great potential, he was a great opponent, thats why I took up his name as a nick, as a tribute to the rider who made Armstrong life hell on earth for a few days...

I can doubt Lance Armstrong's competition just as much as AC's competition.

And funny how your first list of competitors is filled with some of the biggest dopers in cycling. With the exception of Klöden and Beloki I guess?

 

[fixedgear]

Im not questioning his record! Im questioning his opposition! He rode aggainst bums and relics so far, this year he faced a rider with an actuall pulse, he suffered... the opposition will be harder for him from now on, does he have an ATGs will and continue winning like Hinault, HHMNBN, Eddie, or will he crumble aggainst the first real opponent he faces and just be an overhyped bust...

Come now. Use some critical thinking skills.

Contador is obviously not an overhyped bust. 5 grand tours, 2 being in the same year, does not warrant that criticism. An overhyped bust could be seen as someone that never wins, but has the expectations to do so.

I wouldn't call Contador's opponents bums and relics. Armstrong and Simoni are the only 'relics'. And I wouldn't call Levi, Kloden, Cadel, Vandevelde, Menchov, Sastre, Valverde, Frank Schleck, Wiggins, Basso, and Ricco 'bums'. They definitely have heartbeats and most have won big races.

 

[scribe]

I hope you realize with this thread you have lost the respect of the entire forum, not that that actually matters to you. I have a fairly short ignore list but you have inspired me to add you to it. Have a good day.

You know it's bad when the man's fans aren't really even strong enough mentally. Put me on ignore too.....I'll miss your 42 posts.....

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Well, Eddy Merckx his Hour Record lasted until 2000, and it's practically impossible to compare cyclists of other generations, but the Hour Record is imo the best indicator for that. As they have to ride the same bike and in the same conditions as Merckx did.

Eddy Merckx even had a back injury when he broke the Hour record, so he could've done even better if it wasn't for that injury. And he only tried once after a busy season.

I hope Cancellara sets his goals to the Hour Record in the near future. He has won everything there is to win in a Time Trial then.

But the current world record holder is the great Ondrej Sosenka, no?

Sosenka would probably not even make top 50 in a TDF time trial.
Hence, half the peloton is better than Merckx evolutionary.

 

[La Pandera]

You know it's bad when the man's fans aren't really even strong enough mentally. Put me on ignore too.....I'll miss your 42 posts.....

You were actually already on the fence...but since you asked so nicely.....

 

[Belokki]

However, look at the facts. Contador has beaten ALL of the best cyclists since he has been a pro. Just as Armstrong did, Indurain did, Hinault did, Eddy did. If you want to compare Contador to those riders, then fine, you can use your biased criteria about the level of competition. However, don't blame Contador just because he's risen to the top by beating competition that YOU deem mediocre.

His opposition was medicore, until now...
Im not blaming him for anything, Im just curious on how he does aggainst riders of his own level...
Rivalries, complex carachter, suffering, and winning aggainst all ods make athletes great, not walkovers!

 

[El Pistolero]

But the current world record holder is the great Ondrej Sosenka, no?

Sosenka would probably not even make top 50 in a TDF time trial.
Hence, half the peloton is better than Merckx evolutionary.

I doubt that Sosenka would have been able to break the record after doing the Giro, Tour de France, LBL, Giro di Lombardia, etc

And isn't he a doper?

They have better diets and training schedules now, but I wouldn't say they're better per se.

And like I said, it's extremely difficult to compare cyclists of different generations, and the Hour Record is the best indicator if you're going to compare them. It's not a good indicator, but it's the best one. At least for the ones that are good at time trials.

 

[scribe]

You were actually already on the fence...but since you asked so nicely.....

Too late! I've already put you on mine!!