Contador's Rise
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what bruyneel tried to do was hamstring the tour champion and place armstorng as team captain. if lance had taken yellow on arcalis bruyneel's machinations could have very well cost astana the yellow jersey.
all this having the yellow jersey ride to place domestiques on the podium is just more lance twitter BS .
ed rader
all this having the yellow jersey ride to place domestiques on the podium is just more lance twitter BS .
ed rader
For all of the talk about AC being stupid and not understanding tactics, he did understand that he had to get the yellow before Lance. And he took matters into his own hands. He should have attacked sooner on arcalis and left no doubt about it. He would have been up 5 minutes on the field going into the TT.
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As per botto:
INCORRECT
INCORRECT
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"He (Contador) has worked very hard, earning the right to represent our team as the leader this July."
Buryneel on 6/26/09
YEAH RIGHT...........
Can anyone show me where the "team" actually acted in the best interest of Contador and treated him as a true leader?
Dropping in him in a wind split peloton and actually putting riders in front to drive up a time gap?
Keeping him “throttled” from attacking rivals on mountain top finishes under the guise of hurting his team?
The only time the teams interests aligned with “supporting” Contador was when they coincided with supporting Lance. The TTT was important to LA, driving/controlling the peloton was important to LA, etc.
It was obvious to me that from the beginning, it was JB and LA plan to get Lance into yellow ASAP AHEAD of Contador. If they had been successful in doing that, Lance would have been anointed “temporary” leader (just pretending) and use it as further justification to throttle Contador. The longer Lance stayed in yellow the more it would have become impossible for AC to attack without being heavily, heavily criticized. AC knew this and took matters into his own hands.
Buryneel on 6/26/09
YEAH RIGHT...........
Can anyone show me where the "team" actually acted in the best interest of Contador and treated him as a true leader?
Dropping in him in a wind split peloton and actually putting riders in front to drive up a time gap?
Keeping him “throttled” from attacking rivals on mountain top finishes under the guise of hurting his team?
The only time the teams interests aligned with “supporting” Contador was when they coincided with supporting Lance. The TTT was important to LA, driving/controlling the peloton was important to LA, etc.
It was obvious to me that from the beginning, it was JB and LA plan to get Lance into yellow ASAP AHEAD of Contador. If they had been successful in doing that, Lance would have been anointed “temporary” leader (just pretending) and use it as further justification to throttle Contador. The longer Lance stayed in yellow the more it would have become impossible for AC to attack without being heavily, heavily criticized. AC knew this and took matters into his own hands.
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For all of the talk about AC being stupid and not understanding tactics, he did understand that he had to get the yellow before Lance. And he took matters into his own hands. He should have attacked sooner on arcalis and left no doubt about it. He would have been up 5 minutes on the field going into the TT.
Well, not exactly. I see Bruyneel as acting a little more benignly, happy to have either in yellow. Only he's pissed at Contador because he doesn't Follow The Plan. I'm with you all the way, though, on the race to be first in yellow and Contador taking it into his own hands. If Contador had followed the plan, Lance would have been his main threat, not Andy. And with team dynamics in the mix, Lance would have been the far more formidable opponent.
Then again, dropping a team leader in a wind split is pretty tacky, maybe even suspicious.
Regardless, Contador's not nearly as dumb as a lot of us think he is. He is winning.
Last edited by oldbobcat; 07-24-09 at 11:58 PM.
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I absolutely agree, except that if you read his quotes carefully, LA always said that AC is the "best rider". Of course he also said that he (Lance) is (or was) riding "to win", but that doesn't contradict his opinion of AC.
There a plenty of parallel situations. Jens Voigt, for instance, is referred to as the Saxobank "team leader", even though he may be the 3rd (or even 4th) best rider on the team.
What most of the people here seem unable to grasp is that a team leader - by definition - is not out only for himself.
There a plenty of parallel situations. Jens Voigt, for instance, is referred to as the Saxobank "team leader", even though he may be the 3rd (or even 4th) best rider on the team.
What most of the people here seem unable to grasp is that a team leader - by definition - is not out only for himself.
For instance the other day when Contador attacked without needing to and dropped his own team mate. This only hurt Astana and didn't really help Contador at all. The thing is that Contador is a really good guy but he has these impulsive tendencies and riding style. The way that he naturally rides he would almost be better off on a team that is not so strong. He could still win on his own without that much help from his teammates.
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Nothing at all questionable about what happened that day, AC just got unlucky.
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This illustrates the problems that Astana has with Contador. They know that physically he is the strongest rider on the team. But he doesn't quite seem to have the maturity, mental discipline, and personality of a team leader. Not only must the team leader be strong on the bike, but they must have a strong sense of tactics and respect for the other riders. After all, the other riders work their butts off to help the main GC guy so some moves can be harmful to other riders.
For instance the other day when Contador attacked without needing to and dropped his own team mate. This only hurt Astana and didn't really help Contador at all. The thing is that Contador is a really good guy but he has these impulsive tendencies and riding style. The way that he naturally rides he would almost be better off on a team that is not so strong. He could still win on his own without that much help from his teammates.
For instance the other day when Contador attacked without needing to and dropped his own team mate. This only hurt Astana and didn't really help Contador at all. The thing is that Contador is a really good guy but he has these impulsive tendencies and riding style. The way that he naturally rides he would almost be better off on a team that is not so strong. He could still win on his own without that much help from his teammates.
As its played out, nobody other than AC was strong enough to beat A. Schleck. And Kloden clearly wasn't as strong as Armstrong. Astana has two riders on the podium. Not inspite of AC's tactic deficiencies, but because AC and LA have demonstrated that they two of the top three riders consistently over 20 stages thus far.
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ed rader
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Yep, AC had to break from the Astana "team" tactics on that one. He should have attacked sooner and taken more time. He would have been reduced to having to pace Lance up all of the climbs if LA had gotten in the yellow at all. A lot of people criticizing AC for being dumb tactically. But that was the smartest move of the whole Tour. Once he corrected that bad break caused by Columbia, he was free to take the yellow.
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I see Bruyneel as acting a little more benignly, happy to have either in yellow. Only he's pissed at Contador because he doesn't Follow The Plan. I'm with you all the way, though, on the race to be first in yellow and Contador taking it into his own hands. If Contador had followed the plan, Lance would have been his main threat, not Andy. And with team dynamics in the mix, Lance would have been the far more formidable opponent.
From that perspective, the yellow Lance might have worn would have been strictly honorary, and they would likely have looked for the first opportunity to give it away.
Then again, dropping a team leader in a wind split is pretty tacky, maybe even suspicious.
Lance was ahead of the split. He couldn't see it form, much less do anything about it.
Regardless, Contador's not nearly as dumb as a lot of us think he is. He is winning.
He's not dumb, but I can't vouch for certain posters...
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The outcome to the tour could have easily been very different.
The kid is extremely strong and is definitely the future dominator of the tour. But he still has A LOT to learn. If he had half a brain he would stick with Bruyneel for the radioshack team so his training can continue.
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This illustrates the problems that Astana has with Contador. They know that physically he is the strongest rider on the team. But he doesn't quite seem to have the maturity, mental discipline, and personality of a team leader. Not only must the team leader be strong on the bike, but they must have a strong sense of tactics and respect for the other riders. After all, the other riders work their butts off to help the main GC guy so some moves can be harmful to other riders.
For instance the other day when Contador attacked without needing to and dropped his own team mate. This only hurt Astana and didn't really help Contador at all. The thing is that Contador is a really good guy but he has these impulsive tendencies and riding style. The way that he naturally rides he would almost be better off on a team that is not so strong. He could still win on his own without that much help from his teammates.
For instance the other day when Contador attacked without needing to and dropped his own team mate. This only hurt Astana and didn't really help Contador at all. The thing is that Contador is a really good guy but he has these impulsive tendencies and riding style. The way that he naturally rides he would almost be better off on a team that is not so strong. He could still win on his own without that much help from his teammates.
#39
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Speculation and hindsight.
Inadmissible.
Inadmissible.
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[QUOTE=DMF;9352945]Look, what everyone here seems to forget is that these guys have been riding together for the better part of a year. While we out here had no idea, within Astana they knew exactly who was stronger and where. No way they expected Armstrong (et al.) to match him in the mountains, and maybe not even the TT. This whole "four potential winners" gas is simply smart tactics. Don't let your opponents know what you're really up to.
From that perspective, the yellow Lance might have worn would have been strictly honorary, and they would likely have looked for the first opportunity to give it away.
If that's the case, why exactly is Lance so pissed at AC? If he really didn't expect to win.
In some measure because he is Following the Plan.
Yes, he followed his plan. But he won mostly because he is flat out the best rider. Dominant climber and tt'er.
From that perspective, the yellow Lance might have worn would have been strictly honorary, and they would likely have looked for the first opportunity to give it away.
If that's the case, why exactly is Lance so pissed at AC? If he really didn't expect to win.
In some measure because he is Following the Plan.
Yes, he followed his plan. But he won mostly because he is flat out the best rider. Dominant climber and tt'er.
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See, we don't really disagree after all. I knew you'd see the light.
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This illustrates the problems that Astana has with Contador. They know that physically he is the strongest rider on the team. But he doesn't quite seem to have the maturity, mental discipline, and personality of a team leader. Not only must the team leader be strong on the bike, but they must have a strong sense of tactics and respect for the other riders. After all, the other riders work their butts off to help the main GC guy so some moves can be harmful to other riders.
For instance the other day when Contador attacked without needing to and dropped his own team mate. This only hurt Astana and didn't really help Contador at all. The thing is that Contador is a really good guy but he has these impulsive tendencies and riding style. The way that he naturally rides he would almost be better off on a team that is not so strong. He could still win on his own without that much help from his teammates.
For instance the other day when Contador attacked without needing to and dropped his own team mate. This only hurt Astana and didn't really help Contador at all. The thing is that Contador is a really good guy but he has these impulsive tendencies and riding style. The way that he naturally rides he would almost be better off on a team that is not so strong. He could still win on his own without that much help from his teammates.
It would be hard for anyone to lead those riders other than LA, LA never accepted the role of 2nd best on the team.
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maybe contador will ride for armstrong in the vuelta to repay lance
for all the hard work he did supporting alberto in july...
for all the hard work he did supporting alberto in july...
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#45
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AG2R did a lot of work for the better part of a week to keep their guy in th jersey. Sure Astana still controlled the race, but they had an allie in AG2R that they would not have had if the Astana had the jersey.
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From a sports blogger:
NOT LANCE ARMSTRONG WINS TOUR DE FRANCE
He also wrote this, in his predictions, the day before:
"TOMORROW: Contidor over FIELD. Tough nut, Lance. Maybe next year. "
NOT LANCE ARMSTRONG WINS TOUR DE FRANCE
He also wrote this, in his predictions, the day before:
"TOMORROW: Contidor over FIELD. Tough nut, Lance. Maybe next year. "
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Interesting quote from Lance in an AP article here: https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090727/..._de_france_208
"Contador is that good, so I don't see how I would have been higher than that, even in the other years," said Armstrong, who won the Tour seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005 before retiring. "I think his performance this year would have beaten my performances in '01 and '04 and '05."
Sounds like someone has eaten some humble pie. Reality is finally setting in with Lance. At least he's coming to grips with it.
"Contador is that good, so I don't see how I would have been higher than that, even in the other years," said Armstrong, who won the Tour seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005 before retiring. "I think his performance this year would have beaten my performances in '01 and '04 and '05."
Sounds like someone has eaten some humble pie. Reality is finally setting in with Lance. At least he's coming to grips with it.
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LA has said repeatedly that AC was a stronger rider so where's the reality finally setting in?
I agree that the team 'gestalt' and politics were handled horribly this year, but show me one
time where anyone said lance was the stronger rider and should be the protected rider (as opposed
to team leader).
And I still maintain that the break on stage 3 wasn't subterfuge, I think LA just happened to
be at the front when the break occurred, nothing more.
Marty
I agree that the team 'gestalt' and politics were handled horribly this year, but show me one
time where anyone said lance was the stronger rider and should be the protected rider (as opposed
to team leader).
And I still maintain that the break on stage 3 wasn't subterfuge, I think LA just happened to
be at the front when the break occurred, nothing more.
Marty
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When LA benefited from the Columbia wind-split he had Popovich with him, and insisted "Poppo" take a turn at pulling to increase the gap to the peloton.
Poppo naturally hesitated because they should have been trying to SLOW the break to get their Team back up, but LA's force of character over-ruled Poppo, and pull he did.
Poppo naturally hesitated because they should have been trying to SLOW the break to get their Team back up, but LA's force of character over-ruled Poppo, and pull he did.
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I did..... and LA and the two other Astana riders were pulling at the front on multiple occasions after the split had formed. It was totally obvious that LA was driving the gap as far as he could get it. That was the moment it became crystal clear what his motives were (as if it was in doubt).