Designating a GC leader
07-29-09, 03:45 PM
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Designating a GC leader
Contador has been whining for almost a year now about not being the complete focus of the team.
At the Vuelta he was whining because Leipheimer almost beat him. At the time of the Vuelta, Lance Armstrong had not joined team Astana. The following is taken from an article just after the Vuelta:
Leipheimer's role at the Tour of Spain came with the understanding that he would be protected by support riders for most of the race, but also would work for Contador on certain days, most notably the stage that finished on the Alto de Angrilu, one of Europe's most taxing climbs.
Of course Levi did exactly what his role was. He probably could have won in Spain if he hadn't of supported Contador when he was supposed to, but he did, and he made up his time on the TT. After the race, Levi said;
"He was the big favorite from day one," Leipheimer, 34, told a few dozen journalists in the school gymnasium that served as a press room Saturday. "This puts a lot of stress on him personally. Me, I was pretty relaxed. For him to carry the weight of all the fans in Spain and the fans in the world, for him to win his national Tour, his third Grand Tour in the shortest time of anyone in history, this is a lot of pressure. He definitely deserved this. He showed he's the best, so there's no discussion."
A usually gracious Contador slammed Leipheimer after the Vuelta finish, saying he'd pursued his own agenda and made the result too close for comfort."
I mean, come on. Why did they go into Spain trying to tactically set up two riders? Does anybody honestly believe that Astana didn't tell Contador for almost a full year that they were going to tactically set up 2 riders (1 of Klodden, Levi, or LA) and Contador himself. He knew for at least 8 months prior to the TDF that he wouldn't be the complete focus of the team and that they would tactically try to set up 2 riders. Contadors obsessive whining to the press, his brother, his mother, and anybody who will listen is why most of Astana is not backing him.
Contador is the best rider in the world, but he is a jerk. Booo HOO. "Nobody will ride with me, nobody will help me, everybody is trying to hard, I need to be the only one, nobody will talk to me, everybody left me at the hotel, lance stole my car, nobody congratulated me, nobody came to my party."
Contador didn't ride like he was part of a team and so 50+ people treated him like he wasn't part of the time once the race was over. That had nothing to do with Lance and everything to do with Contador's attitude towards team Astana for the last year.
At the Vuelta he was whining because Leipheimer almost beat him. At the time of the Vuelta, Lance Armstrong had not joined team Astana. The following is taken from an article just after the Vuelta:
Leipheimer's role at the Tour of Spain came with the understanding that he would be protected by support riders for most of the race, but also would work for Contador on certain days, most notably the stage that finished on the Alto de Angrilu, one of Europe's most taxing climbs.
Of course Levi did exactly what his role was. He probably could have won in Spain if he hadn't of supported Contador when he was supposed to, but he did, and he made up his time on the TT. After the race, Levi said;
"He was the big favorite from day one," Leipheimer, 34, told a few dozen journalists in the school gymnasium that served as a press room Saturday. "This puts a lot of stress on him personally. Me, I was pretty relaxed. For him to carry the weight of all the fans in Spain and the fans in the world, for him to win his national Tour, his third Grand Tour in the shortest time of anyone in history, this is a lot of pressure. He definitely deserved this. He showed he's the best, so there's no discussion."
A usually gracious Contador slammed Leipheimer after the Vuelta finish, saying he'd pursued his own agenda and made the result too close for comfort."
I mean, come on. Why did they go into Spain trying to tactically set up two riders? Does anybody honestly believe that Astana didn't tell Contador for almost a full year that they were going to tactically set up 2 riders (1 of Klodden, Levi, or LA) and Contador himself. He knew for at least 8 months prior to the TDF that he wouldn't be the complete focus of the team and that they would tactically try to set up 2 riders. Contadors obsessive whining to the press, his brother, his mother, and anybody who will listen is why most of Astana is not backing him.
Contador is the best rider in the world, but he is a jerk. Booo HOO. "Nobody will ride with me, nobody will help me, everybody is trying to hard, I need to be the only one, nobody will talk to me, everybody left me at the hotel, lance stole my car, nobody congratulated me, nobody came to my party."
Contador didn't ride like he was part of a team and so 50+ people treated him like he wasn't part of the time once the race was over. That had nothing to do with Lance and everything to do with Contador's attitude towards team Astana for the last year.
Last edited by sccr2337; 07-29-09 at 03:49 PM.
07-29-09, 05:20 PM
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Before departing Armstrong expressed the wish that Alberto Contador the current team leader at Astana and winner of both the Giro d'Italia [Tour of Italy] and Vuelta a España [Tour of Spain] this season remains in situ with the team.
"I look forward to racing with him," said Armstrong. "Alberto is the best rider on the planet right now. We have to understand that, have to respect that. I'm not sure I can ride that fast right now. I hope it works out."
Lance Armstrong 9/24/09
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...--Cycling.html
**************************************************************************************************** *********
In the event that Contador and Armstrong manage to work in harmony, Bruyneel hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Armstrong being prepared to work for other team members, such as Contador.
"That's a question that Lance answered himself last week in Las Vegas – yes,” Bruyneel added.
"He (Lance) knows that the decisions are made in the team car and he understands the philosophy – the same one we've always had – we work for the strongest rider.
Buryneel on 10/3/08
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...e-astana-18832
**************************************************************************************************** **********************************************************************************************
"He (Contador) has worked very hard, earning the right to represent our team as the leader this July."
Buryneel on 6/25/09
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...r-leader-22177
Truth
Am I the only one on this forum who has been closely following this story form the beginning last year?
"I look forward to racing with him," said Armstrong. "Alberto is the best rider on the planet right now. We have to understand that, have to respect that. I'm not sure I can ride that fast right now. I hope it works out."
Lance Armstrong 9/24/09
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...--Cycling.html
**************************************************************************************************** *********
In the event that Contador and Armstrong manage to work in harmony, Bruyneel hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Armstrong being prepared to work for other team members, such as Contador.
"That's a question that Lance answered himself last week in Las Vegas – yes,” Bruyneel added.
"He (Lance) knows that the decisions are made in the team car and he understands the philosophy – the same one we've always had – we work for the strongest rider.
Buryneel on 10/3/08
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...e-astana-18832
**************************************************************************************************** **********************************************************************************************
"He (Contador) has worked very hard, earning the right to represent our team as the leader this July."
Buryneel on 6/25/09
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...r-leader-22177
Truth
Am I the only one on this forum who has been closely following this story form the beginning last year?
Last edited by Romans8:28; 07-29-09 at 05:59 PM.
