Why Alberto Contador will never be a champion for the ages

[Carols]

History determines the Legends not us during the current day. We can appreciate and praise or detract, but it is when people watch, read and discuss someone decades later that Legends become true Legends.

Alberto is a modern day Legend and will continue to be a Legend long after I leave this earth IMO. He will always be recognized and appreciated in the history of the sport as someone who was Very Special.

 

[SeriousSam]

He didn't do his research properly at all, while making this thread saying contador isn't a legend so yea he's an idiot. Or a troll if he left it out on purpose.

A new poster whose first post is this thread. That's like testing positive for trolling in the A and B.

Does make some legit points, though (most importantly: the 2007 Tour is Rasmussen's if we work with the very reasonable position that the strongest on the road is the rightful victor regardless of sanctions)

 

[The Hitch]

@OP
Why do you only selectively mention the field of each GT? The field in the 2011 Giro was much worse than the 2009 Tour, where the guys on the podium together arguably won 10 Tours. Living fossil or not.

The field in the 2011 giro was the best the giro has had in a long time. I think basso and vino were the only 2 active gt winners not present. Of course not everyone performed but still.

 

[Akuryo]

A new poster whose first post is this thread. That's like testing positive for trolling in the A and B.

Does make some legit points, though (most importantly: the 2007 Tour is Rasmussen's if we work with the very reasonable position that the strongest on the road is the rightful victor regardless of sanctions)

Since in this part of the forum there is no clinic-talk, we have to ...

 

[The Hitch]

To become a champion for the ages, it's not just about how much you win, it's also about how you win it.

How you win is exactly why contador will go down in history. Fuente de they'll be talking about 20 years from now. I can't think if any other moment in gts the last few years that will have such long term impact.

 

[BigMac]

What, pray tell, does your point of view consist of?

Many 1-day races (not only monuments) over Grand Tours. A WC victory over any other race - even Le Tour. Cadel has won both. Contador will never win another big classic (if one considers M-T one) (again, not necessarily a monument) not only because he doesn't aim said races often, but because his constant Grand Tour focus has taken away from him the tactics and mentality needed for one-days, if there was any to start with.

Valverde for the same reasons. And if he wins the WC this year, I won't think twice.

 

[Red Rick]

According to OP, if he doesn't win by minutes it's not good enough and if he does win by minutes against the likes of Schleck, Armstrong, Nibali and Wiggins he had no competition

 

[SergeDeM]

Many 1-day races (not only monuments) over Grand Tours. A WC victory over any other race - even Le Tour. Cadel has won both. Contador will never win another big classic (if one considers M-T one) (again, not necessarily a monument) not only because he doesn't aim said races often, but because his constant Grand Tour focus has taken away from him the tactics and mentality needed for one-days, if there was any to start with.

Valverde for the same reasons. And if he wins the WC this year, I won't think twice.

IMO... So wrong, but then again nobody has a final say on what a "legend" is.

For me, apart from hardcore cycling freaks no regular cycling fan would ever rate the WC over a GT win. Legends are the ones who manage to capture the attention of those that aren't even looking at cycling to start with which is why they become household names. WC winners are often forgotten. GC winners less so. You need to be remembered in order to be a legend.

Of course, it all depends on where you're from. In the Americas the WC isn't important at all.

 

[HyperMartin]

The sport of road cycling is a sport built on legends and heroism. Contador has won GT's in which he was by far the best and he has won GT's in which others were better than him. That's the true mark of a champion. He always races to win, and if he doesn't win, he usually goes down in a heroic and legendary way. You know what he did after he lost the Tour in 2011, you know what he did when he lost a **** race like Paris Nice in 2009.

One could argue that it's the true mark of a fighter (and I certainly ain't going to deny Alberto's got shiploads of fighting spirit). But, considering that he was arguably not the strongest rider in 50% of the Grand Tours he has won (2007 Tour, 2008 Vuelta and 2012 Vuelta), isn't it a step too far to put him alongside the likes of Merckx and Hinault?

Nowadays it's impossible to be dominant both in Classics and in GT's. Evans won a rainbow jersey when all stars alligned for him, Schleck one LBL and Valverde won a couple of monuments and worlds medals mostly cause of his sprinting pedigree. Are you really judging a guy cause he chooses to do what he's best at?

Fair point: it is much tricker to excel at both classics and GTs at present. However, even if we aren't speaking of Cannibal levels of dominance, one would expect a true cycling legend for the ages to at least win a monument or two (Lombardia and/or LBL, perhaps), no?

 

[willbick]

He's just a skinny spanish rat with a lop-sided gait

 

[Red Rick]

One could argue that it's the true mark of a fighter (and I certainly ain't going to deny Alberto's got shiploads of fighting spirit). But, considering that he was arguably not the strongest rider in 50% of the Grand Tours he has won (2007 Tour, 2008 Vuelta and 2012 Vuelta), isn't it a step too far to put him alongside the likes of Merckx and Hinault?


Fair point: it is much tricker to excel at both classics and GTs at present. However, even if we aren't speaking of Cannibal levels of dominance, one would expect a true cycling legend for the ages to at least win a monument or two (Lombardia and/or LBL, perhaps), no?

Winning a monument is very difficult for a true climber who basically has to finish solo. A lot of luck is involved and without a sprint getting top positions is also very hard. Why ride the classics for a small chance of winning when there's an equal chance that your preperation for the GT's get compromised

 

[HappyLoser]

Who else could be expected nowadays to:

1. Win GT by long range solo attack? Vuelta '12
2. Make the WT race "ka boom" just because we wants to check his form? T-A '14
3. Kick all rivals' as@$#% on all MTF during single GT? Giro '11
4. Beat another legend (LA) in the open battle? Tour '09

 

[Red Rick]

Who else could be expected nowadays to:

1. Win GT by long range solo attack? Vuelta '12
2. Make the WT race "ka boom" just because we wants to check his form? T-A '14
3. Kick all rivals' as@$#% on all MTF during single GT? Giro '11
4. Beat another legend (LA) in the open battle? Tour '09

5. Losing a GT full blown kamikaze mode? Tour '11

 

[HyperMartin]

Winning a monument is very difficult for a true climber who basically has to finish solo. A lot of luck is involved and without a sprint getting top positions is also very hard. Why ride the classics for a small chance of winning when there's an equal chance that your preperation for the GT's get compromised

To become a true cycling legend.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Whatever it is you say, I'll prolly disagree

Same same.

 

[Netserk]

Furthermore, Contador "won" the Tour by only 23". But do you know how many time bonuses Contador got? 24" more than Evans! So Alberto wasn't even the strongest rider in real time. A true cycling legend wins à la pédale, not thanks to time bonuses.

Fabricated lie number 1.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Who else could be expected nowadays to:

1. Win GT by long range solo attack? Vuelta '12
2. Make the WT race "ka boom" just because we wants to check his form? T-A '14
3. Kick all rivals' as@$#% on all MTF during single GT? Giro '11
4. Beat another legend (LA) in the open battle? Tour '09

5. Losing a GT full blown kamikaze mode? Tour '11

Good points

I have said it before and will say it again, for me Alberto is a legend and the best ever. Objectively? Not sure. Definitely not the best ever.

 

[HyperMartin]

Fabricated lie number 1.

It's not a lie, it was a mistake, but thanks for pointing it out. I'll amend my OP.

However, the fact remains that Rasmussen was the stronger rider throughout the Tour, and Alberto only won it because the Chicken was withdrawn by his team.

 

[Jagartrott]

For me, Contador is a champion, a great fighter and a nice guy.
But indeed, to enter the true league of legends, he lacks a win or two in a monument (I find it disappointing he doesn't even try) and a direct win in a GT against his great current rivals: Froome, Nibali, Quintana.

 

[HyperMartin]

For me, Contador is a champion, a great fighter and a nice guy.

Absolutely.

 

[LaFlorecita]

not ready yet

says it all lol

ALBERTO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

he saw the thread

Lol Jensie

 

[LaFlorecita]

what about mentioning those GT's he coulda won not only those who coulda lose you fool

Lol good point

 

[LaFlorecita]

He's just a skinny spanish rat with a lop-sided gait

 

[LaFlorecita]

To become a true cycling legend.

Bertie doesn't care.

 

[GJB123]

For me, Contador is a champion, a great fighter and a nice guy.
But indeed, to enter the true league of legends, he lacks a win or two in a monument (I find it disappointing he doesn't even try) and a direct win in a GT against his great current rivals: Froome, Nibali, Quintana.

Strictly speaking he has beaten Froome and Quintana in the Vuelta 2012 and has beaten Nibali in the Giro 2011, but I see your point although it is always difficult if people aren't of the same age and in the same stage of their careers. With age creeping up it will become more and more difficult for AC to beat all three of the before his career is over and especially in the case of Quintana who is of an entirely different, younger generation.