Why is Contador never the story?

[icefire]

He dominated the news last night in Spain. He's not the best interview because he's a bit stiff. He's not a naturally charismatic guy, but he's well enough liked in Spain.

To be fair, he had to share the news with all other Spaniards who won yesterday anything going on wheels with or without engines on it

 

[this_is_edie]

Contador is not a good guy. He seems like a pretty big douche quite frankly. Rotten teammate, selfish and a liar. Extremely talented, but also likely dirty. I see no reason to embrace him at all.

and there you go, someone that believed hook, line & sinker the versus/public strategies talking points.

 

[Villaba]

Alberto needs to speak English and perhaps, and French! Otherwise they will continue to sideline him. Contador is the best, he is not a spoiled brat like AS! He is dignified and doesnt show off. I heard one journalist admitting that AC is good but he would wish AS to win the TDF because AS is better when dealing with the press, more presentable perhaps!

It seems there, too, is a lot of racism . . .

. . . and the story of him attacking the alpha male in 2009??

But it shouldn't be that way. Journalist sidelining him because he doesn't speak their language says more about their incompetence to be able to deal with the stars of the sport they must cover than anything else. Contador doesn't need to learn languages, he is a star where he has to be, riding a bike and that's where he has to perform for his fans, not playing the showman in front of a mic. It's up to the stupid journalist who is unable to learn a language to deal with the champions or hire somebody to do the translation for him.
Anyway, Contador doesn't need the media, it's more the media who needs the stars of the sport to talk to them and be able to twist them and keep selling BS to keep up the business. For that, the less AC feed them, the better.

 

[junkie]

Why is Contador never the story?

I'm so envious!

On Eurosport-Russia we have plenty of Contador. No matter what is going on in the race, we keep hear "Contador, Astana, Astana, Contador". Lance is only #2 on their list now

 

[doublestandard]

Because he's Spanish and some petty Anglo's will always be jealous.

Welcome to Nadal's world of 2005 and even 2008 after winning his first Wimbledon and becoming No. 1. The story was still all Federer all the time. I muted tennis commentary just like I mute Versus because all the jealous commies talk about was how to beat Rafa or Alberto.

But in 2010 after Rafa's second Wimbeldon win and second stint as No. 1 along with Federer's downfall, the story is slowly changing to be about Rafa. Or at least I'm hoping for a pro-Rafa US hard court tour.

So here's hoping Alberto will eventually get the respect he deserves in the English speaking world. He deserves it now but jealousy and ignorance are hard to kill.

 

[El Pistolero]

Yes it is true. Or at least was until 10 years ago. IIRC french is the official language of the federation

Armstrong learned french I was told (but didn't speak it - was considered a valid reason to find him arrogant), Pantani spoke french, Chiappucci and Adboujaparov learned french virtually overnight the minute they got famous, Delgado, Bugno, Cippo, Riis....but you're right, Armstrong probably changed that too. I don't even know about Sastre or Ullrich; they probably didn't bother.
It used to be unthinkable for a tour de france contender to not speak french. Indurain was the first, he really was.

Vino speaks beautiful french

I think Armstrong just fakes he speaks French lol. I've seen him speak Dutch as well, but I think he just knows a few lines in both languages.

Well, I can speak decent(not good, sometimes I can make stupid mistakes in it lol) French as well, but I refuse to ever use it xD Had enough of that language at high school/university.

 

[Señor_Contador]

Versus not talking enough about Alberto Contador has very little to do with racism. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't lived or lives in the US. Here, in the USA, when it comes to "exotic" sports like cycling... unless there's an American winning it or almost about to win it... people really, really, really, really, really, really, really don't give a hoot. Soccer/football is another perfect example.

Add to it the fact that the American "hero" has been humiliated in public by a non-English speaking person and Lance's Texan's Wild West mentality (and it sipping into Versus' commentary big time) that you're either a friend or an enemy and... let's just say you end up with intensely fanatic pro-Lance gringos that will argue to death the fact that Lance's shít really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really smells like Old Spice or, when Lance does not win, which now seems to be the norm, irrational haters that will jump at anything and anyone in order to preserve Lance's "integrity". Which now has mutated into hating Contador at all costs.

But don't confuse the Wild West mentality with racism though. Two different things. It's the introduction of Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggett into the Versus team that give it a very sinister dimension of Anglo-Saxonian paradoxy that has everyone thinking why the heck are two British guys kissing Lance's culo in such a borderline fanatical way? Personally I think they found those two somewhere in Europe and they met three of the requisites: 1. They spoke English, 2. They knew about cycling and 3. They loooooooove Lance.

 

[khardung la]

he has nothing to say, ever. So there is nothing to report but the win and they did report the win.

What do you want him to say??? The guy is a cyclist, one of the bests. For something to say check out politicians, philosophers, writers....Did armstrong had something to say??? His press conferences where just as boring as contador unless you like gossiping or self-idolatry.

I admire those guys for how they pedal. That is about it.

 

[khardung la]

Well, through this post I have learnt that quite many succesfull Spanish sportmen are too humble, therefore boring (Contador, Indurain, Nadal, Alonso...). The same could probably be applied to other superstars such as Iniesta, Xavi or Gomez-Noya. Great, probably humbleness and lack of interest for appearing in the media are something I would like my children would share with them.

Probably in other countries humbleness could work against their sporting heroes. It sounds weird to me, but hey, I am educated in a certain way.

Anyway I have the feeling that the humbleness of Contador is not the main reason why he is not appreciated in some countries, I believe his poor English and a certain racism play an important role. Sad. Poor profesionalism from the media, who is giving up their work.

I hope Contador keeps doing the same thing, I would not like another ego-maniac with the yellow jersey.

 

[koolkinks]

Well, through this post I have learnt that quite many succesfull Spanish sportmen are too humble, therefore boring (Contador, Indurain, Nadal, Alonso...). The same could probably be applied to other superstars such as Iniesta, Xavi or Gomez-Noya. Great, probably humbleness and lack of interest for appearing in the media are something I would like my children would share with them.

Probably in other countries humbleness could work against their sporting heroes. It sounds weird to me, but hey, I am educated in a certain way.

Anyway I have the feeling that the humbleness of Contador is not the main reason why he is not appreciated in some countries, I believe his poor English and a certain racism play an important role. Sad. Poor profesionalism from the media, who is giving up their work.

I hope Contador keeps doing the same thing, I would not like another ego-maniac with the yellow jersey.

+100

I would completely agree with you. Its a matter of education and upbringing. Some people are brash and arrogant but others are not. Its a difference of cultures. Instead of trying to bash one or the other it is best to accept it and respect their sporting achievements.

 

[sotampacane]

and there you go, someone that believed hook, line & sinker the versus/public strategies talking points.

That's stupid. I can form my own opinions and don't base them anything other than my own eyes and ears. I didn't like Contador last year and like him less this. He is a wonderful talent but extremely selfish and immature. I am sure that if I got to know him I might feel differently but that isn't realistic.

That apology was a nice gesture, but only came after he was booed off the stage. It is conjecture but I wonder if this was a PR stunt or from his heart.

And I am not a fan of Lance any longer so don't try to play that card.

 

[roundabout]

Well, through this post I have learnt that quite many succesfull Spanish sportmen are too humble, therefore boring (Contador, Indurain, Nadal, Alonso...).

Err, Alonso is your typical primadonna Formula 1 driver. He's hardly humble by any definition of the word.

 

[ustabe]

Those Michelob Ultra people who run up stairs won't watch tv if Lance's hate for others is not promoted and maintained.

I'm not a Michelob Ultra person. Too old and too dull. I relate to Contador and Indurain.

Well, there's a Slavic side to me, also, that cheers for Vinokourov.

 

[nia O'Malley]

Was your post sarcasm?

Because Vino does speak French, but like his english he doesn't speak very much or loudly in any language

No it wasn't actually, his french is very good. After his stage win he rattled off a long story without a problem. Can't remember what it was about but he surely wasn't tongue-tied.

 

[lagartija]

I do not know the area(Madrid) part of Spain. Also Contador seems Moorish,Arabic, Moroccan? I am open minded to all that. I see him as the most incredible cyclist since Merckx. His personality is flawed for someone of his stature in my eyes. Something in his eyes that he shows is evil to me.

what the F.......you are far from open minded .........im stunned by the racist blather, its your personality that is flawed and you continue to prove it with every key stroke

 

[lagartija]

Hey I like and love Lance. I also realize that C-pistol will probably win more TdFs than Lance. Unfortunatly I believe in the cultures outside Spain ther is a stigma against brown folks. Versus carries no influence on who I like or if Contador appears Moorish. I like Schlecks personality above Contadors. Ulrich more than Lances, Kloedens more than Ulrich. Sometimes it is not the greatest rider ie; Poulidor/France.

and yet again you have proven your indelible racial proclivity.......just stop....
you are pathetic

 

[nia O'Malley]

what the F.......you are far from open minded .........im stunned by the racist blather, its your personality that is flawed and you continue to prove it with every key stroke

I missed that post you quoted. There's so much wrong with it, it's impossible to even know where to start.
Lance must be proud of who supports him in public.

 

[powerste]

Jan wasn't boring he just wasn't particularly ebullient in his speech. Get him at a party and it was a different story.

Just be sure to park your bike a few streets over

 

[khardung la]

I do not know the area(Madrid) part of Spain. Also Contador seems Moorish,Arabic, Moroccan? I am open minded to all that. I see him as the most incredible cyclist since Merckx. His personality is flawed for someone of his stature in my eyes. Something in his eyes that he shows is evil to me.

I am getting pretty angry with these kind of comments (i.e. from SilentAssasin also). I know you guys in the US can be pretty nice people, like anywhere else, but there is surely a collection of American uneducated guys here in the forum, completely obssesed by race and an anglocentric view of the World.

First, moorish are just people from Northern Africa, wether of bereber, "arab" or black african origin. Moroccans are citizens of Morocco, most part of them "arab" or bereber (Morocco is a country in case you don´t know). Arabs are not properly a race neither, but a panethnicity mostly defined by culture, religion and language.

Contador is not from the North of Africa, he is not from Morocco and he is obviously not arab since he is christian, his culture is spanish and his many last generations of ancestors did not come from Middle East or the North of Africa. So he is obviously nothing of the 3 you mentioned.

In Spain (I don´t understand that reference to Madrid, like if it would be an isolated region or something) we are an intermix of dozens of peoples, races and cultures. Mainly a blend of the original inhabitants (celts and ibers), phoenicians, greeks, romans, germanic visigoths, moors, jewish, franks etc.. Some of us look more white and fair some more dark, you can find the whole array.

Ok, now: why the hell your comment about Contador looking moorish??? What is your point, what does it have to do with anything?? Why after your silly comment you have to say that you are open minded??? Open minded to what??? Maybe it is a defect to "look like" moorish?

Unbelieveable....

 

[powerste]

Because he never seems to take advantage of people athletically, he always seems to take advantage of people sneakily.

He attacked his own team in 2009, and attacked the MJ in a traditionally neutralized situation in 2010. In 2007 he backed into the win.

Personally I think he should have attacked on the mountaintop finish a few hundred meters from the line. It could have given his lead more legitimacy, and would have given him a stage win. It might have been howled at as piling on Schleck, but that would have faded quickly and the fact that he was simply faster on the hill would have dominated his image. Instead, he snuck along behind Andy, scowled as they crossed the line, and preserved the lead he's perceived as having stolen.

And if such an attack failed, his image would be in exactly the position it's in now. Laughing on the way to the bank while the people he's neglected and abused plot their revenge.

2009: "Attacked his own team" WTF? Declared leader for the TdF by team mgmt, then LA announces he's riding the TdF, then LA says "we'll settle it on the road," then LA Twittacks AC incessantly, by which point AC realizes what a joke his "team" is and wins the TdF on his own.

2010 MJ "mechanical" that wasn't really a mechanical: AS stomped the pedals and executed a rear shift at the same time - a mistake (with which "he's furious" according to brother Frank)

2010 mountaintop (I assume you're thinking of the Tourmalet): I couldn't agree with you more. I was sorely disappointed that AC didn't solo to a big win on this stage and I think his doing so would have stamped some real authority on the race. Since I'm not him, I don't know why he didn't - lacked the legs, saving it for later in the race (TT), trying to perpetuate the "Andy and Alberto, best of friends" image, etc. Who knows?

But I think you're seriously overdoing the "perceived as stolen," "neglected and abused people plotting their revenge" bit.

 

[StyrbjornSterki]

Lets face it, the cycling commentators have made fortunes off the career of Lance Armstrong. Commentators get paid according to what the event's advertisers are willing to pay for commercials. A commercials in a race featuring Armstrong commanded substantially higher advertising fees. Whether they realize it or not, the commentators have become sycophantic toward Armstrong and prejudiced against anyone who posed a threat.

Sherwen and Roll are two of the worst. They both would rather neuter themselves with a dulled spoon than present a balanced account of any worthy competitor to Armstrong. All through this year's TdF, the two of them only ever praised Contador through clenched teeth but waxed ebullient over every pedal stroke that Andy Scheck managed to execute without falling over. It was disgusting.

Allah be praised, Phil Ligget put them in their place, especially when it came to ChainGate.

 

[reubenr]

+100

I would completely agree with you. Its a matter of education and upbringing. Some people are brash and arrogant but others are not. Its a difference of cultures. Instead of trying to bash one or the other it is best to accept it and respect their sporting achievements.

This is the bottom line. Having respect for Mr. Armstrong's sporting achievements is the issue and it seems highly unlikely that such a disingenuous man could achieve anything honestly. When you watch Mr. Armstrong going up the mountain with Mr. Pantani, it is hard to believe, even for a second, that Mr. Armstrong did not use performance enhancing drugs. This year he entered the race looking 38 and went out looking 58. At least now, he probably understands what it means to do the TDF without using drugs, maybe, but it will have no real effect on this very arrogant man. We like Contador because he seems human and I believe he is based on his behavior, thus far.

 

[Biffins]

This is the bottom line. Having respect for Mr. Armstrong's sporting achievements is the issue and it seems highly unlikely that such a disingenuous man could achieve anything honestly. When you watch Mr. Armstrong going up the mountain with Mr. Pantani, it is hard to believe, even for a second, that Mr. Armstrong did not use performance enhancing drugs. This year he entered the race looking 38 and went out looking 58. At least now, he probably understands what it means to do the TDF without using drugs, maybe, but it will have no real effect on this very arrogant man. We like Contador because he seems human and I believe he is based on his behavior, thus far.

He DID get on the podium last year at 37. Lay off already. This thread is about Contador.

 

[Dedelou]

And Miguel Indurain.. he spoke no english, I don't seem to remember if he spoke french either..... I heard he was a pretty reasonable rider

funny that cycling being a sport practiced mostly with one's legs we should have to worry about the champions' tongue. I think most commentators failed to pick this year's drama. Contador won a tour in a physical condition that was such as allowing his competition a chance. There is the possibility that this may not happen next time.

 

[Dedelou]

2009: "Attacked his own team" WTF? Declared leader for the TdF by team mgmt, then LA announces he's riding the TdF, then LA says "we'll settle it on the road," then LA Twittacks AC incessantly, by which point AC realizes what a joke his "team" is and wins the TdF on his own.

2010 MJ "mechanical" that wasn't really a mechanical: AS stomped the pedals and executed a rear shift at the same time - a mistake (with which "he's furious" according to brother Frank)

2010 mountaintop (I assume you're thinking of the Tourmalet): I couldn't agree with you more. I was sorely disappointed that AC didn't solo to a big win on this stage and I think his doing so would have stamped some real authority on the race. Since I'm not him, I don't know why he didn't - lacked the legs, saving it for later in the race (TT), trying to perpetuate the "Andy and Alberto, best of friends" image, etc. Who knows?

But I think you're seriously overdoing the "perceived as stolen," "neglected and abused people plotting their revenge" bit.

Contador was not in shape this year.. Smart competition should have seen it and taken advantage. 2010 will go down in his winning history as the tour he won using one leg (figuratively) because he couldn't use the other. That victory will be cherished in Contador's mind because it cost him a lot to get it. But get it , he did and i wouldn't want to be his competitors next time.