Is Alberto Contador watching the Giro,training or seeking a new team?

[hfer07]

With all this nonsense surrounding Astana, I wonder what's going on with Alberto lately...

 

[gatete]

enough is enough

This has to be a wake up call for AC, get out of that fng team already last year banned for someone else's mistakes now having the nerve of showing supposedly no money, please give me a break, bring back Vino and you'll see how money starts pouring in.

Alberto get out now, go to Caisse de pargne I'm sure they need a new captain now that alejandro is pretty much Fcked.

 

[ingsve]

If AC were to leave Astana mid season then that would certainly make for a diffrent Tour. Astana would no longer be the team to look out for at all imo. They would gave to count on a Leipheimer that has gone all out in the giro or an Armstrong that looks to need alot of work and that in no way would be the Armstrong of the past.

Also at the same time AC would be as big of a favourite as I think he is atm because I don't think many other teams could support him as well as Astana might do.

 

[bikepure]

10/1 AC fills Valverde's ***** slapped shoes.

Lance wont share the limelight

 

[badboygolf16v]

He would fill Valverde's shoes in a different way were anything to come to light as a result of the retroactive testing of last year's Giro samples.

 

[BroDeal]

I heard he is resting on a beach.

 

[Rob_Roy]

I heard he is resting on a beach.

After the Giro success last year that might be his favourite way to get in shape..

 

[Biciclette Bianchi]

This has to be a wake up call for AC, get out of that fng team...

If I were Contador, I would certainly be looking for a new team. If Armstrong steps in as a major backer of Astana (or is instrumental in lining up money from other people so that Astana doesn't fold), is there any doubt who will be the team leader for the Tour? Contador needs to flee as quickly as can if he wants to ride the Tour as a team leader.


Dave

 

[joe_papp]

If I were Contador, I would certainly be looking for a new team. If Armstrong steps in as a major backer of Astana (or is instrumental in lining up money from other people so that Astana doesn't fold), is there any doubt who will be the team leader for the Tour? Contador needs to flee as quickly as can if he wants to ride the Tour as a team leader.
Dave

Even if Armstrong stepped into an ownership role w/ a post-Kazakhstan Astana, do you think he would have much claim to be TdF leader after the way he rode backwards in today's stage of the Giro (assuming his form doesn't improve dramatically by Tour-time)?

jp

 

[BroDeal]

Even if Armstrong stepped into an ownership role w/ a post-Kazakhstan Astana, do you think he would have much claim to be TdF leader after the way he rode backwards in today's stage of the Giro (assuming his form doesn't improve dramatically by Tour-time)?

jp

I think everyone is expecting Armstrong to load up on the dope/blood and ride significantly better in July. Even so I have my doubts that he can beat younger riders like Contador. Armstrong looks fairly bulky.

 

[joe_papp]

Armstrong looks fairly bulky.

That's the first thing that I noticed - that he looks quite stocky. You could see him really suffering today, quite early on in the climb...he was up out of the saddle and stomping on the pedals, but in desperation...not with confidence.

I was watching the Universal video feed from today's stage with the sound muted, and in a separate window had a grainy feed from the RAI open, showing the same video but w/ the proper Italian audio. It was funny - after the stage, the only rider that RAI tried to interview was Lance...not Menchov, not DiLuca or even Basso.

 

[Biciclette Bianchi]

Even if Armstrong stepped into an ownership role w/ a post-Kazakhstan Astana, do you think he would have much claim to be TdF leader after the way he rode backwards in today's stage of the Giro (assuming his form doesn't improve dramatically by Tour-time)?

jp

Ah, I posted before today's final climb (he did well enough yesterday). However, given what I think I know of Armstrong's personality (I don't claim to speak authoratatively on this), I think that he feels the Tour is still a long way away. For weeks/months he's been downplaying his chances at the Giro and saying that the Tour is his focus. So, I think that he probably still feels like he can be competative by mid-July. Whether his ego is big enough to demand to be the leader even if his form is not good enough and he stands no chance, I don't know...


Dave

 

[quadsRme]

AC is in the catbird seat right now. Lance doesn't look like he will be ready to complete realistically for the TDF podium. He would be a fool to leave mid-season. Lance is done with cycking and being a podium contender. AC is going to be just fine...

 

[quadsRme]

AC is in the catbird seat right now. Lance doesn't look like he will be ready to complete realistically for the TDF podium. He would be a fool to leave mid-season. Lance is done with cycking and being a podium contender. AC is going to be just fine...

if i could only type

 

[marinoni]

AC is in the catbird seat right now. Lance doesn't look like he will be ready to complete realistically for the TDF podium. He would be a fool to leave mid-season. Lance is done with cycking and being a podium contender. AC is going to be just fine...

I think you're probably right. However I will say there is no one better at feeding off of other peoples negative comments than him. I think it was Carmichal who once said "The best way to get Lance to do something is to tell him he can't". So just in case he reads this forum, I'm not saying a thing about his Tour chances.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

AC is in the catbird seat right now. Lance doesn't look like he will be ready to complete realistically for the TDF podium. He would be a fool to leave mid-season. Lance is done with cycking and being a podium contender. AC is going to be just fine...

You really think Lance believes that? How about JB? As I see it, Lance does think the Tour is a long way off and he just needs to get the racing miles in. When it comes to the Tour, JB will have Astana ride mostly for Lance, with Alberto on his own. If they are at all close after Stage 4's TTT, I full expect Johan to have Astana ride like the old "USPS train" on Stage 7 to Arcalis, which may spell disaster if Lance can't keep up, and if Contador isn't allowed to ride his own race.

Stages 8 and 9 are in the mountains, but end after long descents and ride-outs. So again, if Lance is close to AC or up on GC, the team will still ride for him. Stage 15 is an uphill finish, but not a large one. This leaves the two tough days on 16 and 17 - and they will be very hard, for Contador to make sure he has team support if Lance is done. The Ventoux of course will sort everything out on Stage 20.

I agree with you that Lance is highly unlikey to win the Tour. No amount of JB/Astana magic dust is going to turn him into a 29 year old super climber, no matter how many miles he rides, and how much weight he loses. But I don't know that Lance, or JB believe that enough to not have him be the team leader come July.

 

[Epicycle]

AC is in the catbird seat right now. Lance doesn't look like he will be ready to complete realistically for the TDF podium. He would be a fool to leave mid-season. Lance is done with cycking and being a podium contender. AC is going to be just fine...

Today erased all doubt in AC's mind about who will get the most support at the Tour.

 

[messisgod]

Armstrong looks fairly bulky.

A good regimen of uppers & corticosteroids can take care of that.

 

[franciep10]

This is what seprates Contador from Lance this year last year which was a more attcking Giro Contador stayed alive battling out until he rode himself into form now Lance he's obviously not fit from the crash but he is not on the same level as contador, I think contador just has to stay put and show everybody how good you are and then JB will realize that he is the now and the future now i think he get's Lance a stage win in the tour but that's when he's out of contention.

 

[linenoiz]

Even though Lance I'm sure is convinced he will be able to lead, I'm not sure that JB is on that bandwagon. JB gave Lance a chance today, but he didn't put the A team with Lance. Horner and Pope were with Levi until popo cracked.

At this point I see Horner getting more protection than Lance. Hopefully we'll see Lance doing some domestique duties and being a true professional.

AC should stay where he is, as long as the team gets a sponsor.

 

[boazmoss]

AC

Hi everybody, I'm new here,all the same , I'm very disappointed with, whoever may be, responsible, for AC not participating in the Giro .Unless it was his own choice ?
All previous signs were ,that he was getting ready for it ?

 

[quadsRme]

You really think Lance believes that? How about JB? As I see it, Lance does think the Tour is a long way off and he just needs to get the racing miles in. When it comes to the Tour, JB will have Astana ride mostly for Lance, with Alberto on his own. If they are at all close after Stage 4's TTT, I full expect Johan to have Astana ride like the old "USPS train" on Stage 7 to Arcalis, which may spell disaster if Lance can't keep up, and if Contador isn't allowed to ride his own race.

Lance doesn't believe that or JB. i partially agree with you on the "USPS train", BUT Lance doesn't have the same energy he had in the old days. like you say 'if Lance can't keep up'. That is a very large IF.


Stages 8 and 9 are in the mountains, but end after long descents and ride-outs. So again, if Lance is close to AC or up on GC, the team will still ride for him. Stage 15 is an uphill finish, but not a large one. This leaves the two tough days on 16 and 17 - and they will be very hard, for Contador to make sure he has team support if Lance is done. The Ventoux of course will sort everything out on Stage 20.

I just can't see lance keeping up with AC in the steeper and longer mountains this year. He doesn't have the stamina and age seems to be playing a part here. Not that 37 is old but when you've been away from the sport for 3-4 years, it's got to be tough on him or anyone attempting the comeback.

I agree with you that Lance is highly unlikey to win the Tour. No amount of JB/Astana magic dust is going to turn him into a 29 year old super climber, no matter how many miles he rides, and how much weight he loses. But I don't know that Lance, or JB believe that enough to not have him be the team leader come July.

I feel that he is not ever going to be a podium contender, maybe a team owner is more appropriate for him at this point. the young riders and those that have remained active are the stars now.

Whether or not Lance or JB believe that he is the real deal will eventually play out when AC soars up the climbs in the TDF.

I still think Lance will play a good supporting role once he realizes he is out of the podium, in his mind.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

JB gave Lance a chance today, but he didn't put the A team with Lance. Horner and Pope were with Levi until popo cracked. .

I didn't see Popo crack. Did he? It looked like he fell back with Brajkovic, Rubiera and Navarro to protect Lance, and never even tried to stay with Levi and Chris once Lance was dropped. Though he did finish a half minute ahead of them. Would like some clarification on this.

 

[boazmoss]

Will I be too far off if I say ,I have a strange feeling that AC is not with Astana anymore?

 

[Anonymous]

i think you may be................