Official Thread: TdF Stage 8, Andorre-La-Vieille to Saint-Girons

[Anonymous]

He doesn't have the confidence to do that (in the team support). As any young hot shot he has to strut his stuff.
And while AC has been cool during the tour he did try or threaten to change teams multiple times in the last year. He just plays his aggression a different way because he's not as comfortable playing it out in the media.

I think you are spot on. He also has the legs to back up his type of aggression.

 

[BroDeal]

Interesting that on Eurosport yesterday they said that Canellara was descending at 90 kph. Paul is saying "touching a 100 kilometers per hour." I think Sherwin has a history of exaggerating descending speeds.

 

[Publicus]

He doesn't have the confidence to do that (in the team support). As any young hot shot he has to strut his stuff.
And while AC has been cool during the tour he did try or threaten to change teams multiple times in the last year. He just plays his aggression a different way because he's not as comfortable playing it out in the media.

How do you draw these conclusions (about his confidence)? As for him looking for other teams prior to the TDF, I seem to recall that there was a real question whether Astana would still have a pro license, so why wouldn't he look for another team? I seem to recall LA talking openly about forming his own team and that a Livestrong-Nike team was a definite possibility so AC doing the same is of no consequence in my own mind.

As for how he plays out his aggression, I think he leaves it on the road where it matters. Grandstanding in the media is a sign of weakness IMO.

 

[BroDeal]

LMAO. According to Sherwin the front tires are 15 mm wide.

 

[RigelKent]

Yet you didn't proffer the same comment when JB sent Popo and Zubeldia on stage 3. JB showed then that he is DS for everyone but Contador (and any rider who might be loyal to him.) Why would AC have consulted anyone regarding the attack?

The funniest part is that by the end of this tour, the "JB is a genius" myth will be completely busted.

I don't agree. It'll be spun that he held it together with all the tension and still put multiple riders on the podium and/or in the top 10. I'm not going to argue whether he is a genius or not, but if you look at where the perception originates i don't think this Tour will damage the perception.

 

[BroDeal]

I don't agree. It'll be spun that he held it together with all the tension and still put multiple riders on the podium and/or in the top 10. I'm not going to argue whether he is a genius or not, but if you look at where the perception originates i don't think this Tour will damage the perception.

Might work until Contador goes to another team and talks about what a tool The Hog was.

 

[RigelKent]

How do you draw these conclusions (about his confidence)? As for him looking for other teams prior to the TDF, I seem to recall that there was a real question whether Astana would still have a pro license, so why wouldn't he look for another team? I seem to recall LA talking openly about forming his own team and that a Livestrong-Nike team was a definite possibility so AC doing the same is of no consequence in my own mind.

As for how he plays out his aggression, I think he leaves it on the road where it matters. Grandstanding in the media is a sign of weakness IMO.

I said exactly what you said in your last paragraph. As far as leaving the team, he threatened that last winter as well. I'm not saying it wasn't merited, just that it happened.

 

[Anonymous]

Just showed the interview with Lance. Sour grapes always pucker the face even if you don't say so.

Funny, he just has to be the turd in the punchbowl because please remember, this was AC's team until the Uniballer decided to ride again for cancer.

 

[Publicus]

I said exactly what you said in your last paragraph. As far as leaving the team, he threatened that last winter as well. I'm not saying it wasn't merited, just that it happened.

My bad. Thanks for clarifying

 

[Irish2009]

If there is "tension" then it started on stage 3 when only certain Astana riders in the break worked and others were protected. Contador may be in a better position than we think, as he is still part of Astana and can rely on some support from riders on another team who have lost thier 2 GC contenders(1 before the start and the other today)!

 

[RigelKent]

If there is "tension" then it started on stage 3 when only certain Astana riders in the break worked and others were protected. Contador may be in a better position than we think, as he is still part of Astana and can rely on some support from riders on another team who have lost thier 2 GC contenders(1 before the start and the other today)!

Really? I think it started the day the first rumor came out that LA was coming back.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Just showed the interview with Lance. Sour grapes always pucker the face even if you don't say so.

Funny, he just has to be the turd in the punchbowl because please remember, this was AC's team until the Uniballer decided to ride again for cancer.

Was Lance suggesting more people might die of cancer (copyright Livestrong) if Contador attacks again ?

 

[mambo#5]

Yet you didn't proffer the same comment when JB sent Popo and Zubeldia on stage 3. JB showed then that he is DS for everyone but Contador (and any rider who might be loyal to him.) Why would AC have consulted anyone regarding the attack?

The funniest part is that by the end of this tour, the "JB is a genius" myth will be completely busted.

difference being, Lance DID NOT cause that attack and Popo and Zubeldia did not come to the front until it was clear the group back was not gonna catch up. The Astana team story is the Kobe/Shaq/Phil story in a different sport.

 

[Publicus]

Just showed the interview with Lance. Sour grapes always pucker the face even if you don't say so.

Funny, he just has to be the turd in the punchbowl because please remember, this was AC's team until the Uniballer decided to ride again for cancer.

Again, I think AC does a better job of managing this whole situation than Lance. He's (Lance) never had to deal with a challenge to his leadership and I think it is rattling him. AC has had to with LL at the 2007 Tour and the 2008 Vuelta. But listening to LA talk about there were some "hurt feelings" last night--and let's be clear AC's feelings weren't hurt. All that was missing was a few tears...

 

[msjett]

Just showed the interview with Lance. Sour grapes always pucker the face even if you don't say so.

Funny, he just has to be the turd in the punchbowl because please remember, this was AC's team until the Uniballer decided to ride again for cancer.

lol - from what I saw of him after the race, he had the cats bum mouth of someone who was royally ****ed off by being upstaged by his team mate.

 

[Anonymous]

How do you draw these conclusions (about his confidence)? As for him looking for other teams prior to the TDF, I seem to recall that there was a real question whether Astana would still have a pro license, so why wouldn't he look for another team? I seem to recall LA talking openly about forming his own team and that a Livestrong-Nike team was a definite possibility so AC doing the same is of no consequence in my own mind.

As for how he plays out his aggression, I think he leaves it on the road where it matters. Grandstanding in the media is a sign of weakness IMO.

See, when you are a media whore and give interview after interview (because you are not currently throwing a tantrum and boycotting the media because they dared say something unfavorable towards you) where you say that you are a team leader, people tend to believe you when the other guy on your team that is stronger doesn't open his mouth every chance he gets.

Contador is showing much more class about all of this than is Lance. You don't see him all over every media outlet available. The word "class" comes to mind.

 

[RigelKent]

See, when you are a media whore and give interview after interview (because you are not currently throwing a tantrum and boycotting the media because they dared say something unfavorable towards you) where you say that you are a team leader, people tend to believe you when the other guy on your team that is stronger doesn't open his mouth ever chance he gets.

Contador is showing much more class about all of this than is Lance. You don't see him all over every media outlet available. The word "class" comes to mind.

Yikes! No defense of LA here at all, but when a ***** is attacked by a pack of hundreds of horny johns, can we really fail to spread the blame around? Supply and demand. Both seem excessive here.

 

[RigelKent]

HEY! How come Thoughtforfood could use the W word and I couldn't? I'm switching teams!

 

[Anonymous]

Again, I think AC does a better job of managing this whole situation than Lance. He's (Lance) never had to deal with a challenge to his leadership and I think it is rattling him. AC has had to with LL at the 2007 Tour and the 2008 Vuelta. But listening to LA talk about there were some "hurt feelings" last night--and let's be clear AC's feelings weren't hurt. All that was missing was a few tears...

Yes, there should have been a violin soundtrack over the interview.

JB's was also pretty weak.

 

[Publicus]

difference being, Lance DID NOT cause that attack and Popo and Zubeldia did not come to the front until it was clear the group back was not gonna catch up. The Astana team story is the Kobe/Shaq/Phil story in a different sport.

Lance exploited a race situation. JB gave them the ok to hit the gas when it appeared that the group with the GC contenders (including AC, LL and AK) closed to within in 18 seconds. He was putting time into his rivals. Suggesting that AC and the other GC contenders were stupid didn't help or make him any friends, but I won't begrudge LA trying to gain a psychological advantage on his rivals.

Yesterday was all about a race situation to me. Once the attacks started I didn't expect Contador to simply follow wheels. That's not his style (to ride defensively) and as JB said there was no plan yesterday, that if there was an opportunity for one of the guys to take time on their rivals to do so. AC did that and it apparently hurt LA's feelings. But at the same time if Wiggins' comments are to be believed, AC's acceleration put the fear of g-d in him. LA use to do that back in the day.

 

[Anonymous]

Yikes! No defense of LA here at all, but when a ***** is attacked by a pack of hundreds of horny johns, can we really fail to spread the blame around? Supply and demand. Both seem excessive here.

Um, if Contador came out and offered himself to the media as does the Uniballer, I am pretty sure there would be plenty of takers. He doesn't, and it shows class years beyond that of Mr Armstrong.

 

[BroDeal]

HEY! How come Thoughtforfood could use the W word and I couldn't? I'm switching teams!

You have to know the secret. whore.

 

[Irish2009]

Really? I think it started the day the first rumor came out that LA was coming back.

True......

 

[Anonymous]

difference being, Lance DID NOT cause that attack and Popo and Zubeldia did not come to the front until it was clear the group back was not gonna catch up. The Astana team story is the Kobe/Shaq/Phil story in a different sport.

Nice revision of history. They were sent to the front when there was 18 seconds and the second group was close to catching. That can be confirmed any time you want to watch the replay.

 

[RigelKent]

You have to know the secret. whore.

I see! Well, being an anal retentive rule follower I'll just moderate myself.