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Old 07-21-09, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by erader
of course i don't believe everything i read. i used to be a member of the press .

let me ask you something: am i the only person who thinks like i do? there's plenty of people who agree with me....guys like delgado, sean kelly etc.

ed rader
Oh you mean this Delgado? "pedro delgado, former tour winner and friend of contador says that the inner fight on the team has caused a lot of unnecessary stress on contador, and i think that's putting it mildly."
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Old 07-21-09, 08:35 PM
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Did anyone else think of this while reading this argument?

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Old 07-21-09, 08:36 PM
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Contrador is already rumored to be starting a team backed by Fernando Alonso. Its my understanding that the protour license is actually held by Johan and not Astana.
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Old 07-21-09, 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by erader
contador has won three grand tours, one of five champions to ever to accomplish that feat plus he is demonstrably the strongest man in this race.

and you say he hasn't earned the right to lead a team !
You can laugh if you like but I'm just stating the facts: Contador doesn't control the team. After he's won a few more tours and paid his dues he will likely be able to play the rainmaker role and be capable of controlling a team like Lance did. In Astana's case I'm not familiar with all the details but it appears to me that Bruyneel is the one who re-built the team and calls the shots.

Contador is strong and shrewd and isn't whining.
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Old 07-21-09, 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by gregf83
You can laugh if you like but I'm just stating the facts: Contador doesn't control the team. After he's won a few more tours and paid his dues he will likely be able to play the rainmaker role and be capable of controlling a team like Lance did. In Astana's case I'm not familiar with all the details but it appears to me that Bruyneel is the one who re-built the team and calls the shots.

Contador is strong and shrewd and isn't whining.
what bruyneel did was choose lance over contador. maybe for his own survival he had to. i really don't know or care.

one thing i do is contador will never work for bruyneel again, and that may be something bruyneel will live to regret.

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Old 07-21-09, 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by erader
what bruyneel did was choose lance over contador. maybe for his own survival he had to. i really don't know or care.
Other than increasing his 'stress' level I still don't see how bringing Lance onto the team has hurt Contador's chances this year. It's not like Contador has been riding on his own with no support. Perhaps not your first choice, but bringing Armstrong on board seems perfectly understandable from Bruyneel's point of view. Hardly seems despicable to me...
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Old 07-21-09, 09:37 PM
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I don't know if that's true or not Ed.

In the end, it wouldn't surprise me if Contador stays with the Armstrong / Bruyneel combination if he feels like they supported him in the Alps and he sees they can put by far the best team in the world on the road. I think it would be a shame for the sport if Bruyneel and Contador split, since they so clearly work very well together and Bruyneel's tactical mind has wrung the most out of Contador's ability and somewhat free spirit.

We'll see how it shakes out. It will surely be interesting, that's for sure.
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Old 07-21-09, 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by vadimivich
I don't know if that's true or not Ed.

In the end, it wouldn't surprise me if Contador stays with the Armstrong / Bruyneel combination if he feels like they supported him in the Alps and he sees they can put by far the best team in the world on the road. I think it would be a shame for the sport if Bruyneel and Contador split, since they so clearly work very well together and Bruyneel's tactical mind has wrung the most out of Contador's ability and somewhat free spirit.

We'll see how it shakes out. It will surely be interesting, that's for sure.
you could be right....if contador's a forgiving sort and doesn't already have a deal lined up. when he knew armstrong was joininh astana contador asked to be let out of his contract but bruyneel said no way.

i'd be surprised if they remained together but like you said we'll see .

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Old 07-21-09, 10:08 PM
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It will in fact be interesting. Who other than Contador will Nike/Livestrong find to fill the role of proven "Young GT Contender"? And what team is Contador going to find that can offer the sort of support and incredible strenght and depth that Nike/Livestrong will likely have?

All any of us know, is what has been in the press. We have absolutely no idea what's been discussed over the dinner tables and what these guys true thoughts are. I for one, all be it a slim chance, won't be surprised if we see JB/LA & AC on the same team next year. Plus, doesn't Contador still have one year to serve in his contract with JB?
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Old 07-21-09, 10:14 PM
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Simply, Armstrong will be Contador's domestique next year. LA's role will be manager/rider/coaching/mentor et al. JB Director. Contador team lead.
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Old 07-21-09, 11:05 PM
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I'm betting Contrador will not be on the LA/JB Team. I think Contrador will be a Spanish oriented team. Contrador is not really a good fit for a US oriented team. From a sponsorship perspective, he is a tough sell. Sure, he is probably the best GC guy out there by far, but its not just about winning.
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Old 07-21-09, 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by asv
I'm betting Contrador will not be on the LA/JB Team. I think Contrador will be a Spanish oriented team. Contrador is not really a good fit for a US oriented team. From a sponsorship perspective, he is a tough sell. Sure, he is probably the best GC guy out there by far, but its not just about winning.
I think Contador would do fine on a US sponsored team. Especially if Lance threw his full support behind him. Winning IS very important in racing. A US team that doesn't win, won't garner much fan support. There's not that much of a core bike racing fan base in the US. Lots of casual TdF watchers when Lance is involved. Lance is an icon here. Whoever he throws his support behind will be accepted by American fans and the media. Contador can learn to speak some english. To pass on a guy who looks like he may win a half dozen more grand tours is foolish.

Look at what Cavendish has done for Columbia. And its not because he speaks english. He wins, a lot. Nobody cares what he has to say.
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Old 07-21-09, 11:28 PM
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there's a poll and a discussion here.....

https://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthr...2488#post52488

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Old 07-21-09, 11:56 PM
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I have a feeling that JB and LA will be doing some serious sweet talking to Alberto Contador. JB and LA are both used to winning. Watching Contador go to another team and win multiple grand tours is not going to sit well with them. They're not dummies. I think AC will walk if he really is fed up after this Astana situation. But I don't think it will be because JB and LA don't want him.


I wouldn't be surprised to see them go after Andy and Frank Schleck if Contador walks.
Outside of Andy Schleck, there isn't anybody with near the upside as Contador for the next 5 years.
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Old 07-22-09, 12:02 AM
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Originally Posted by asv
I'm betting Contrador will not be on the LA/JB Team. I think Contrador will be a Spanish oriented team. Contrador is not really a good fit for a US oriented team. From a sponsorship perspective, he is a tough sell. Sure, he is probably the best GC guy out there by far, but its not just about winning.
Knock it off please.
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Old 07-22-09, 02:55 AM
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Originally Posted by cotatrials
I didn't think Lance was getting paid by Astana to ride this year, and may have even used some of his own (as in personal sponsors like Nike) money to keep Astana going through the tour............. You can not work for someone if you are paying them..... they work for you...
correct.

Originally Posted by julian
He hears voices. We don't know if they are from the press, from other sources or perhaps from his nightmares.
where you just make it up.

Originally Posted by julian
Who is going to ride for Astana when they have trouble paying the bills and a character like Vino is running the show?
nobody. duh.
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Old 07-22-09, 03:53 AM
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Originally Posted by asv
I'm betting Contrador will not be on the LA/JB Team. I think Contrador will be a Spanish oriented team. Contrador is not really a good fit for a US oriented team. From a sponsorship perspective, he is a tough sell. Sure, he is probably the best GC guy out there by far, but its not just about winning.

Who is this Contrador person of whom you speak? Or this is a lame attempt at humor?

If it's not about winning, then what is this about? This is not the kids soccer league, of which you appear to be familiar, where everybody gets a little trophy.
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Old 07-22-09, 03:54 AM
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Originally Posted by botto
correct.



where you just make it up.



nobody. duh.
This thread is hilarious.
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Old 07-22-09, 04:59 AM
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Originally Posted by julian
I heard it caught Contador by surprise.
I read that Contador has a fellow countryman (race car driver) setting up a team to feature him.
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Old 07-22-09, 05:03 AM
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Originally Posted by gear
I read that Contador has a fellow countryman (race car driver) setting up a team to feature him.
alonso, and i doubt you'll see that happen.
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Old 07-22-09, 05:30 AM
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Contador may be wise to stay with JB. How was he doing before he signed with JB?

Say what you want about JB, he knows how to win, and that's all that matters to them.
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Old 07-22-09, 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Garthr
Contador may be wise to stay with JB. How was he doing before he signed with JB?
he was doing just fine for a then 23 year old who almost died in 2004.

Originally Posted by Garthr
Say what you want about JB, he knows how to win, and that's all that matters to them.
how many classics did postal/discovery/astana win?
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Old 07-22-09, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by botto
how many classics did postal/discovery/astana win?
There is no reason to waste effort and risk injury on races that are insignificant to an American team and American sponsors.
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Old 07-22-09, 12:14 PM
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Contador will go on his own to a new Spanish based team.

The whole rest of Astana including Bruyneel will create a new team with Oracle / Trek / Nike as sponsors.

https://oraclecycling.com/

Just a thought.
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Old 07-22-09, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by vadimivich
In the end, it wouldn't surprise me if Contador stays with the Armstrong / Bruyneel combination
Info I have is that it will be a new team with JB coaching and Lance riding. Contador is under contract to Astana through 2010. Only way he'll be free is if Astana folds. Major sponsor will be a US company. Announcement will be Thursday.

More than that I'm not privvy to say. Oh, I work for a major news company
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