The official debate: Should Contador have waited for Schleck?

[nowhereman]

Listen your ranting and raving here is excesive and if you want to be taken seriously, then blanket statements like calling all in the forum who think otherwise a bunch of idiots isn't the way to do it.

Having said that, one has to consider that while, yes, this is a race and nobody gives away gifts or should be too humanitarian with one's rivals: there is nevertheless a gentleman's tradition at the Tour which says that you don't attack the Yellow Jersey when, in that moment, a misfortune happens (crash, mechanical, etc.).

Having said that: the real issue I think was whether or not, as it has already by noted, the "mechanical" was something the rider didn't cause, or was in fact caused by him (in Shleck's case trying to shift on a climb with too much torque on the chain). In my opinion this is what happened, namely Shleck made a bad shift. In this case his competitors where not required to wait. Sure Contador would have demonstrated more "fair-play" had he waited for Shleck to remount, though he was not breaking the traditional etiquette by not doing so in this case. The move was, however, controversial.
And to take time on Shleck that way, doesn't demonstrate a real athletic class on the road just a ruthless cunning that he was, in any case, entitled to persue. In other words he could do it, but it wasn't pretty.

"Excessive", to you, well that's your opinion. My "excessive" "rant" was simply stating my opinion of how overreactive and excessive this crowd, on this forum is. How easily they are manipulated by the media (Eurosport announcer, Paul Sherwen, etc.) into irretrievable opinions about any incidents or riders. My opinion was based on my life as a competitor in Tennis and Pro Ski Racing. I don't really care one bit if you don't take me seriously, just because I call a spade a spade. If you can't see the reality of the situation, that's not my problem, it's yours.
As far as all the shrill name calling, and derogatory descriptions(excessively believable?) that have been flung at Alberto Contador. Why don't you see what the true champions had to say about the subject(if you haven't already read it), and how they have worked it out, without the need for therapy. Which I would suggest for some on the forum here. check the link
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-and-schleck-make-up-on-french-tv
They got over it, I think this crew ought to get over it too.
_____________________________________________________________
Better to ask for Forgiveness, than to ask for Permission

 

[jackpin1]

Apologies doesn't give back the lost time to AS, Alberto is just trying to do damage control with everybody. Throughout the years I can name many classy champion and believe me Contador will never be remember as one of them, the latest incident is just one in AC shameful riding history. It doesn't matter if you are a Lance fan or hater it's about being a class rider.

 

[Barrus]

Apologies doesn't give back the lost time to AS, Alberto is just trying to do damage control with everybody. Throughout the years I can name many classy champion and believe me Contador will never be remember as one of them, the latest incident is just one in AC shameful riding history. It doesn't matter if you are a Lance fan or hater it's about being a class rider.

He rode the way a rider is supposed to ride, all the ex-pros I've heard talking about it in interviews didn't understand the commotion. Amongst them can be seen people like Hinault, Poulidor and a lot of others. I really don't understand the disgust a lot of people are feeling, it's a race, faults are part of the race, especially if it is your own fault

 

[ridley]

Dead horse ... flogging ...

Time to let it go, take a rest day, get the wheaties and tune in for stage 17 ...

 

[sartoris]

Apologies doesn't give back the lost time to AS, Alberto is just trying to do damage control with everybody. Throughout the years I can name many classy champion and believe me Contador will never be remember as one of them, the latest incident is just one in AC shameful riding history. It doesn't matter if you are a Lance fan or hater it's about being a class rider.

I just hope all the Armstrong embittered supporters disappear from this forum as soon as he hangs the bike next week.

PD: congrats on your 1st post

 

[cody_57]

??

Actually, I do have a question (and this is posed in all seriousness!) If neither Andy nor Alberto was in Yellow (let's say it was Cuddles, for a giggle) and the same problem occured, what does the unwritten rule state? Just curious.

 

[cody_57]

I really don't understand the disgust a lot of people are feeling, it's a race, faults are part of the race, especially if it is your own fault

I do! Here, finally, is 'evidence' that Alberto is everything all the fanboys have been saying since last TdF!

 

[Junk yard]

I just hope all the Armstrong embittered supporters disappear from this forum as soon as he hangs the bike next week.

PD: congrats on your 1st post

What about the emittered Armstrong haters? It will be interesting to see if they continue to follow the sport now he is out of the picture.

They'll have to have someone to hate if they are to stay.

They seem to like Contador because he beat Lance, so it won't be him. Frank Schleck seems like quite a nice guy so it's hard to see them having much material to work with. So who will be the new bogey man?

 

[Horizon Deep]

Apologies doesn't give back the lost time to AS, Alberto is just trying to do damage control with everybody. Throughout the years I can name many classy champion and believe me Contador will never be remember as one of them, the latest incident is just one in AC shameful riding history. It doesn't matter if you are a Lance fan or hater it's about being a class rider.

Care to list your many classy champion with better palmares than A.C ?
Care to list all the incidents in A.C's shameful riding history? Just curious!

 

[Big GMaC]

What about the emittered Armstrong haters? It will be interesting to see if they continue to follow the sport now he is out of the picture.

They'll have to have someone to hate if they are to stay.

They seem to like Contador because he beat Lance, so it won't be him. Frank Schleck seems like quite a nice guy so it's hard to see them having much material to work with. So who will be the new bogey man?

Your mother has volunteered

 

[Apostate]

Your mother has volunteered

I like you because you're not a troll. 99 percent of your stuff is serious comments and not little pointless and unfunny jokes.

Of course, if anyone's stuff was 99% silly then they wouldn't last very long - the great mods at this site would ban them in an instant, regardless if they happened to agree with them or not. And even if the mods weren't here, the regulars would round on them to make their feelings clear.

No fat hypocrites around here.

 

[AtletiSK]

ok just one quick note to give this case some new perspective from couple of important sporting personalities:
Bruynell - Contador should not have stopped because it was the very end of the climb and stage
Hinault - Schleck should first learn to shift
and I´ve watched today´s stage as usually on Czech version of Eurosport where Pavel Padrnos (former Armstrong TdF teammate), the father of Roman Kreuziger and some other former riders agreed that though unfortunate it was Andy´s mistake and Contador made the right decision...
I can just add: I agree with these men
and I want to appreciate today´s remarks by Andy that he was grateful for Contador´s gesture at Spa and that this incident would not have any influence on final results of TdF...
we shall now look forward to Tourmalet and enjoy the cycling as we have unfortunately seen very little true racing and more tactics and polemic... it´s surely going to be fascinating stage

 

[Hugh Januss]

I like you because you're not a troll. 99 percent of your stuff is serious comments and not little pointless and unfunny jokes.

Of course, if anyone's stuff was 99% silly then they wouldn't last very long - the great mods at this site would ban them in an instant, regardless if they happened to agree with them or not. And even if the mods weren't here, the regulars would round on them to make their feelings clear.

No fat hypocrites around here.

Is this the next one after Junkyard or did I miss one by being too busy to look in for a couple of hours.
Hello again you big fat troll.

 

[Apostate]

Is this the next one after Junkyard or did I miss one by being too busy to look in for a couple of hours.
Hello again you big fat troll.

Did you get my PM btw?

This AC thing works both ways, does it not? Where are all those people who said that real cycling fans understand why stage 2 was neutralised and are always endlessly harping on against anything they consider slightly dishonourable behaviour?

Seems AC can do no wrong because he had a tiff with Armstrong.

At least the Armstrong fans share the position of most people that it perhaps wasn't a great move - but you guys are all standing on your heads and saying the sport needs tough guys etc. I mean, Jesus!

 

[scribe]

Did you get my PM btw?

This AC thing works both ways, does it not? Where are all those people who said that real cycling fans understand why stage 2 was neutralised and are always endlessly harping on against anything they consider slightly dishonourable behaviour?

Seems AC can do no wrong because he had a tiff with Armstrong.

At least the Armstrong fans share the position of most people that it perhaps wasn't a great move - but you guys are all standing on your heads and saying the sport needs tough guys etc. I mean, Jesus!

A couple of quick thoughts. Contador is NOT a tough guy. Sure, he is really great at recovery from day to day, but otherwise, he could just as easily being doing nails for a living.

Did anyone see whatever news show that comes on after the tour coverage last night? They were LAUGHING at Shrek's tough talk. Gotta admit, if I didn't know Shrek couldn't kick my *** on a bike....but I LOL'd too.

 

[scribe]

ok just one quick note to give this case some new perspective from couple of important sporting personalities:
Bruynell - Contador should not have stopped because it was the very end of the climb and stage
Hinault - Schleck should first learn to shift
and I´ve watched today´s stage as usually on Czech version of Eurosport where Pavel Padrnos (former Armstrong TdF teammate), the father of Roman Kreuziger and some other former riders agreed that though unfortunate it was Andy´s mistake and Contador made the right decision...
I can just add: I agree with these men
and I want to appreciate today´s remarks by Andy that he was grateful for Contador´s gesture at Spa and that this incident would not have any influence on final results of TdF...
we shall now look forward to Tourmalet and enjoy the cycling as we have unfortunately seen very little true racing and more tactics and polemic... it´s surely going to be fascinating stage

Complete bull****. You don't give up your advantage that was building to a time trial specialist and still consider the race on equal footing.

 

[El Pistolero]

Did you get my PM btw?

This AC thing works both ways, does it not? Where are all those people who said that real cycling fans understand why stage 2 was neutralised and are always endlessly harping on against anything they consider slightly dishonourable behaviour?

Seems AC can do no wrong because he had a tiff with Armstrong.

At least the Armstrong fans share the position of most people that it perhaps wasn't a great move - but you guys are all standing on your heads and saying the sport needs tough guys etc. I mean, Jesus!

Sport does need tough guys instead of a bunch of pussies crying over a little incident the entire Tour.

We need more guys like Eddy Merckx, they don't wait while you're down. They kick you in the imaginary ball(s) while you're down, as is the appropriate thing to do in a Grand Tour.

 

[Apostate]

Sport does need tough guys instead of a bunch of pussies crying over a little incident the entire Tour.

We need more guys like Eddy Merckx, they don't wait while you're down. They kick you in the imaginary ball(s) while you're down, as is the appropriate thing to do in a Grand Tour.

Problem is, they absolutely hated the macho side of Armstrong and his tactics over the years. Think about how they reacted last year when Lance played hardball with Bertie, or the notorious chasing down Simoeni incident (shock horror!)

I'm not going to throw my toys out of the pram and hold this one little incident against Contador forever and say it has marred his entire career - it was just a mistake and it has largely ruined the last week of this tour. I'm not that vindictive. But these guys certainly are that vindictive, which makes it all the more hypocritical to start bleating on about the need for tough guys after everything they've said.

 

[BYOP88]

I agree with the ex-pros who've said "it's tough luck on Schleck but that's bike racing etc etc etc".

The only way I think Schleck could've a complaint is if it happened whilst he was riding tempo in the bunch and they all attacked then, but as it was he was attacking when it happened so it's just tough luck for him.

 

[nia O'Malley]

At least the Armstrong fans share the position of most people that it perhaps wasn't a great move -

Sorry, most people say it was a perfectly valid move.
I've been here 3 days but I'm already seeing a certain obvious disconnect between Lance fandom and Reality.

 

[AtletiSK]

Complete bull****. You don't give up your advantage that was building to a time trial specialist and still consider the race on equal footing.

it´s just want Andy himself said today....

 

[Apostate]

Sorry, most people say it was a perfectly valid move.
I've been here 3 days but I'm already seeing a certain obvious disconnect between Lance fandom and Reality.

So that's why Contador admitted he made a mistake and apologised, right, and the french are booing him?

 

[Apostate]

You may have noticed in cycling that the establishment tend to suck up to the top rider.

 

[scribe]

it´s just want Andy himself said today....

Dumb. His tour was over in a blink of an eye. There is no other way to rationalize it.

 

[AtletiSK]

Dumb. His tour was over in a blink of an eye. There is no other way to rationalize it.

Citation of A.Schleck: "The TdF will not be decided because of what happend tomorrow, the real battle will come on Thursday, we have already spoken (with AC), we are not angry with each other. It will have no impact neither on our relation, nor on the development of the race"