El Pistolero : Please put your hands ON the DROPs of your bars when sprinting

[AussieGoddess]

just for the record - I wasnt here last July, so I am hoping I am not included in this illustrious group

 

[Angliru]

At this year's Giro, in one of the post-stage shows ( Processo alla Tappa)
Both Paolo Salvodelli and Vincenzo Nibali criticized Alberto Contador's descending skills, in particular Alberto's placement of his hands on the bars, adding that he can still improve this facet of racing.
Further into the show they spoke to Riis about this very thing, and Riis retorted that " Alberto knows how to ride a bike".

Not sure if dismissing the idea that riders, even a winning rider like Alberto, can have room left for improvements ....

On another note, but stage 4 related,
Was I the only guy who heard Phil say that Vinokourov lost the 2007 time trial due to taking "drugs" ??? ( this was in reference to Cadel being given that win in place of Vino's disqualification)

Riis' response can easily be translated into: "He's doing fine with all the shortcomings that you gentlemen feel the need to point out. "

 

[oncehadhair]

most likely they will all vanish never to be heard from again. i remember hitch saying sportzchick started posting last year before the tour and got like 500 posts hyping evans and the very moment evans cracked she just disappeared only to appear again this year a couple days before the tour hyping evans again.

il falco and il squalo should remember that their bike handling skills completely out of this world and that most likely 99% of the riders don't feel as comfortable as them descending on the drops.

i mean look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuGzA_o0HBc&feature=related

how many riders in the current peloton do you people reckon have the bike handling skills to do that?

Then again there are those of us who have been following the race since before indurain and le skippy.

And only speak when there is something to say.

If you want bike handling skills look no further than robbie mcewan, who several times, on mountain top finishes, crossed the line on his back wheel

 

[Angliru]

lol- i recall evans spanking contador earlier this year on an uphill finish. or did the spaniards forget that?

One tries to give Evans some dap and yet you are still ranting? Slow on the uptake or just out to cause a ruckus?

 

[dlwssonic]

alberto contador.

oh yes must be the superhuman contador I think he is a real favorite for the champs elysees

 

[Angliru]

next thing I know from the contador fanboys they are gonna say something like he gave the stage win to evans. Because they think he is invincible and unbeatable and the giro fatigue wont affect him.

Can we label you as an Evans "fanboy" since you're less than hesitant to toss that label at others?

 

[dlwssonic]

Can we label you as an Evans "fanboy" since you're less than hesitant to toss that label at others?

ok i dont mind. arent you a contador fanboy yourself.

 

[Angliru]

I havent read any replies, so forgive me.

I believe Moo Moo and other riders adopt the position mentioned as they are trying to get as much body weight forward as they can, to adjust the centre of gravity. More pusing behind than pushing ahead if you get the idea.

I assume Moo Moo does this because of his relatively low upper body strength, when compared to chunkier riders. I dont think he has the upper body strength to really pull/push on the bars and transfer that energy, through the frame to the wheels. A cyclist can have good upper body strength without bulk, it just takes training. A good strong upper body, that comes from core strength is explained like this patented explanation of mine.

Ride a bike with a frame that flexes when you hammer it a big fat ole aluminium Cannondale, that is Contador. Now get a steel frame 18kg job and hammer that, it wont flex and you will go faster, further and over a k, you wont notice any extra effort on the heavier bike.

I've owned 4 Cannondales in my lifetime, 3 that I still ride and from my experiences they (their racing frames) are recognized as some of the stiffest in the industry as has been their reputation since I can remember. Where you get this idea that a steel frame will not flex as much as a Cannondale aluminum frame (your example) completely escapes me as does your point in general. Please help me understand.

 

[Angliru]

Lots of truth there. Cadel is a pretty complicated character. You will notice, even when he wins, he has some tale of woe.

I found his interview on Versus after yesterday's stage win quite enlightening.
He spoke of the difficulty of the finish and the uncertainty of who actually won the stage, Contador or himself. It made me think more highly of him and I'm one of the staunchest Evans critics on here. I can appreciate his humility which is something quite lacking in a certain pair of Leopard-Trek riders.

 

[Angliru]

Lots of truth there. Cadel is a pretty complicated character. You will notice, even when he wins, he has some tale of woe. If he has a sports psychologist, I recommend he give him the khyber, coz it hasnt worked since he left the mud. I could do a better job, I would turn him into the world champ in everything but the track.

He is emotionally very immature, very secluded, an only child. He is used to certain things and hasnt had a life outside of cycling.

I love him to bits, but he is his own worst enemy. he has had the luck of the irish, made some good moves, had huge support, but he is not happy, ohh it was hard, the wind, the rain, my chain, the crowd, the cars, the moon, the stars, geeze, he is morphing into Cav.

The day he says "I had a great stage, it was fantastic, I felt enormous, the team was outstanding, le directeur was superb, I feel on top of the world, bring on tomorrow" I will bare my backside in myers christmas windows, but I love him.

So I guess the local Myers will have to censor who views their Christmas windows this season with you in there paying your bare debt to the forum.

 

[Angliru]

most likely they will all vanish never to be heard from again. i remember hitch saying sportzchick started posting last year before the tour and got like 500 posts hyping evans and the very moment evans cracked she just disappeared only to appear again this year a couple days before the tour hyping evans again.

il falco and il squalo should remember that their bike handling skills completely out of this world and that most likely 99% of the riders don't feel as comfortable as them descending on the drops.

i mean look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuGzA_o0HBc&feature=related

how many riders in the current peloton do you people reckon have the bike handling skills to do that?

I figure if either of them could climb like Contador they wouldn't have had to risk life and limb on the descents trying to make up for getting dropped on the climbs.

 

[Angliru]

ok i dont mind. arent you a contador fanboy yourself.

I am what I am. I'd rather call myself a fan of the climbing specialists. Those that make what I struggle to do look like they're creating art. Contador just happens to be the best that I've seen in a long while. Additionally I can appreciate his humility, lack of arrogance and the respect he shows for his opponents. If that makes me a fanboy in some people's eyes, oh well.