Where does Contador go next year?

[richwagmn]

My sense is we are all singing to JBs tune which is being conducted to perfection.

The only reason he would not hold onto to AC is if he does not want to be a DS the year after next. This is possible as he and LA are obviously good friends. Maybe it is just not the same with AC?Either way, he is clearly smart enough to keep that option open.

I expect AC will sleep well tonight knowing that he will be able to recharge his cellphone anywhere in the world.

Read back a few pages. JB has said AC won't be racing for him next year. AC said he won't race with LA and LA doesn't want to race with AC. It's that simple.

I'm sticking with Garmin and adding Casse d'Eparnge as places for AC. I think it's in the bag for Garmin given the events before the tour.

 

[biker77]

Not so sure I agree, but it is quite likely you are right. Can you post some links to credible news? I could not find any.

 

[turner7]

Not on the same team please!

It is best for cycling if LA and AC are on opposite teams so the media will find something else to talk about besides the tension between them. Amazing that there were 150+ riders that finished the tour and we only heard about a small group of them

 

[Clemson Cycling]

This has the making to be the real life Rocky 6 movie. How much of a chance will the old guy stand?

 

[hfer07]

Alberto Contador = Garmin

 

[Señor_Contador]

This has the making to be the real life Rocky 6 movie. How much of a chance will the old guy stand?

Ask his ego.

 

[richwagmn]

Not so sure I agree, but it is quite likely you are right. Can you post some links to credible news? I could not find any.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iGHUQyvKf3pMbjDGKWGs34GQbgjQ

See also AC's press conference from today.

 

[scribe]

Alberto Contador = Garmin

I don't think so. Matt White would be about 100 times more difficult for Contador to understand. Or easier to ignore.....Maybe there is something to this.

 

[Epicycle]

Fernando Alonso says that he still hopes to have Contador on his new team. Alonso has also hinted at a director for his new team and it sounds like someone who is very experienced.

Who is the DS with the capability of putting a high quality team together quickly and whom Contador could trust? Manolo Saiz of course. Saiz desperately wants to get back into the sport and Contador sees him much different than the rest of the cycling world. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to bring Manolo back.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Ugh, anything but Manolo please...

Wouldn't it be simpler to Alonso to associate himself with an existing Spanish them?
As others said, I have doubts that a team could be set up as quickly as that.

 

[Señor_Contador]

Ugh, anything but Manolo please...

Wouldn't it be simpler to Alonso to associate himself with an existing Spanish them?
As others said, I have doubts that a team could be set up as quickly as that.

I agree!

I've read somewhere that the Spanish Cycling Federation was trying to prevent him from coming back to the sport, but that it's imposible from a legal standpoint.

 

[skippy]

alberto speaks reasonable english, so much so that you can have a conversation with him and what he has to say makes sense.
he is approachable and sociable towards those he knows and when asked he will cooperate for strangers/fans.
last year i introduced him to a bunch of aussies on the tonale ,levi did a disappearing trick as usual!

lance has almost certainly invited conquistador to head up the team for certain races,perhaps even the tdf as better the devil you know!

johann is a winner and will want a winning team, guess who was his 2nd pick for 2010!

big mig can tell you that lance&johann are the smartest in the business and phillipe brunel/equipe will already have speculated in his column on 2010 tdf podium!

 

[Andre.J]

I was thinking that maybe Contador could go to Quickstep. It would be good for Seeldrayers and some other young riders to get some more experience from the Spaniard. Hopefully in a few years Seeldrayers can become the champ. Anyway, I don't think it would hurt. QS would need to sign a rider or 2 more to make a better TTT.

Andre

 

[danyela]

I agree that Contador would do well at Garmin, but I just really don't see him going there because as individuals, there are too many big names in that team and AC can't handle not being the top dog on his own.

 

[richwagmn]

I agree that Contador would do well at Garmin, but I just really don't see him going there because as individuals, there are too many big names in that team and AC can't handle not being the top dog on his own.

I have to disagree. AC would be the top dog. I assume that's ok with CDV. Not sure about wiggo. We don't know if he can really win a GT yet.

Vaughters has said it's time to win a GT. AC is his best chance of that.

 

[elapid]

Lots of teams have had two or more co-leaders. I only know of Lemond-Hinault on La Vie Claire in 1986 and Contador-Armstrong on Astana in 2009 which resulted in such open disharmony. I don't think Contador would have much trouble fitting in at Garmin when you look at how genuinely happy Vande Velde was about Wiggins. Furthermore, Wiggins's feet are firmly planted on the ground and while a GT win maybe in his future, there are shorter stage races and three-week stage races other than the TdF. Lastly, Garmin seem like a happy team and many of them train in and around Girona. I think Contador would do well at Garmin, but better at Caisse. Regardless, people are making too much of a big thing about the TTT factor. Do we know if it will even be included next year in the TdF? And, if so, in what format?

 

[Zen Master]

Fernando Alonso says that he still hopes to have Contador on his new team. Alonso has also hinted at a director for his new team and it sounds like someone who is very experienced.

Who is the DS with the capability of putting a high quality team together quickly and whom Contador could trust? Manolo Saiz of course. Saiz desperately wants to get back into the sport and Contador sees him much different than the rest of the cycling world. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to bring Manolo back.

Nope !!! Francisco Paco Antequera is the right answer as coach in that new Banco Santander - Renault team

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Lots of teams have had two or more co-leaders. I only know of Lemond-Hinault on La Vie Claire in 1986 and Contador-Armstrong on Astana in 2009 which resulted in such open disharmony.

I guess the team was too small for their ego. LA is a given, esp. since he always organized teams where he would be the only captain on ship. I wouldn't put past Contador to have some ego as well, considering all the compliments he must receive. I'm sure he will do fine in any other team with any other GC rider than Armstrong.

 

[Oldman]

I have to disagree. AC would be the top dog. I assume that's ok with CDV. Not sure about wiggo. We don't know if he can really win a GT yet.

Vaughters has said it's time to win a GT. AC is his best chance of that.

Agree as before. Contador to Garmin, Schleck to Radioshack. Big $$$ for all to be had there. Sorry to keep talking about the money but with LA back in the saddle the US advertisers are more interested.

 

[pmcg76]

How likely is Alejandro Valverde being ok to rider the Tour next year. He could still receive a worldwide ban. I think Caisse D'Epargne is the perfect fit. LL Sanchez is a great friend of Contadors and there is some decent domestiques Uran, Arroyo, Kiriyenka, Moreau plus a DS who has won the Tour a few times with Indurain.

I just cannot see Valverde ever winning the Tour but he and Contador could split up the season nicely between them. Valverde Classics/Dauphine/Vuelta and Contador Paris-Nice/Tour. Depends on whether they have the budget or not.

 

[richwagmn]

Agree as before. Contador to Garmin, Schleck to Radioshack. Big $$$ for all to be had there. Sorry to keep talking about the money but with LA back in the saddle the US advertisers are more interested.

Schlecklet is under contract through 2010. I can't see him going to ride for Radio Shack unless LA gives up trying to win it. I just can't see LA doing that but I've been wrong before. Maybe LA just wants revenge on Contador. Who knows?

Be interesting to see just how big Radio Shack's budget is too. Not like they're a big powerhouse.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

I guess the whole Valverde is up in the air. If he is banned, CE will have to find a GC rider (LL Sanchez is good but will not transform overnight?) anyway.

It was weird watching CE this year at TdF. The team was doing the right moves (get in breaks, be in the climbs...) but for no one. LL Sanchez was 26 in the final GC, which was okay, but the team was obviously working as if Valverde was there.

Be interesting to see just how big Radio Shack's budget is too. Not like they're a big powerhouse.

I asked the same question. Astana was one of the biggest budget on the Tour. Even if Armstrong isn't paid anything, Radio Shack will need some serious money to build the team that everyone speculates on...

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Lots of teams have had two or more co-leaders. I only know of Lemond-Hinault on La Vie Claire in 1986 and Contador-Armstrong on Astana in 2009 which resulted in such open disharmony

Sorry to re-quote this, but I didn't follow the TdF in 97. How did the Riis-Ullrich thing played up?

If I believe the summary: Riis had to let Ullrich and his contenders go on the first moutain stage. Ullrich waited for Riis though and lost the stage.
In the second Pyrenées stage (at Andorre Arcalis...), he goes on attack and distance all his rivals, including Riis.

The situation was superficially similar to 2009. Anyone remember the media coverage?

 

[ridley]

Apologies if I missed it in an earlier thread ...

But how good are the DS's on teams like Caisse ? Are they capable of directing a large three week outfit like a Riis or a JB - these guys had some sort of a track record.

 

[Smera1]

Schlecklet is under contract through 2010. I can't see him going to ride for Radio Shack unless LA gives up trying to win it. I just can't see LA doing that but I've been wrong before. Maybe LA just wants revenge on Contador. Who knows?

Be interesting to see just how big Radio Shack's budget is too. Not like they're a big powerhouse.

Maybe you're right. But I think, in his mind, he would taste vengeance knowing that Schlecket was bought by his team and won under his direction. In the head of the poor guy maybe it would be enough.