Contador: I will never Admire Armstrong (Page 2)

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I replied to you is because you are criticizing Contador for running his mouth after the tour seemingly because of his frustration he experienced through the tour yet you make no critiques for LA who did took public jabs at Contador via twitter and on the TV interviews.

As I said I am a fan of both cyclists due to their sport achievements, and LA has done other great stuff in his fight against cancer. However I must say I am bit turn off about what went on this year with team Astana and LA attitude. He stated he was coming back (without pay) to be a team player and grow awarness for the livestrong foundation.

Some where along the way he went for "I'll just be part of the team and support the team leader" to "we'll see who the strong man is and let the roads decide the leader". He has publicly said in previous years when someone on his teams was not riding for the leader the athlete would have been kicked out of the team, yet this year he created that situation.
IOW he did stuff he aknowldge unacceptable on his tour wins in previuos years. Yes Alberto could have just be the better person, keep his mouth shut and enjoy the win, after all he did the talking with his legs, aperently with horrible team dynamics and still kicked everyone's azzes.

There are some things emerging as to what went on and it doesn't sound like Alberto is all that off. LA ditched the team celebratory party, took public jabs, apperently while LA was treated as leader and even taking the best sleeping arrengments usually given to the team leader, Brunyeel rode behind LA on the final individual time trial when the team director always rides behind te team leader not to mention the yellow jersey, Alberto was placed to share a room with his supposedly only team friend; apperently before the final individual time trial when Alberto got to the lobby for his ride to the race everyone was gone, he has to call his brother to pick him up to get to the race.

All this reports are coming out on international media outlets and while the information might be bias (same as reading about LA in any USA media) I think there is some truth to it hence I don't blame Alberto to vent his frustrations. LA is a competitor and maybe he tought he had a chance to win the tour until Alberto prove him there wasn't any chance. until then it is when he reluctantly assumed the team player role. Still, LA and Brunyeel created a dynamic they had openly criticized about other teams in the past. Maybe Contador did ride for himself but it was his only way to win as he was been alianated on his own team, he felt he couldnt; trust Brunyeel and LA and in the process made some poor choices but in the end the objetive for Astana was to win per Brunyeel words hence all this drama is just extra. 

In the end, LA will now have what he really wanted again (his own team) and instead of using the livestrong awarness angle he can just openly say: "I want to win an 8th tour". Contador hopefully will have the freedom to be in a team who fully sopports him and then let their legs do the talking at the TdF next year and let the best win.

For all we know Conta is correct, LA is correct or both are at fault but most will pick the side of who they think is right...

1) Astana has been arguably the best team in the world because of Bruyneel. I do not think he would have won if he'd been riding for anyone else. >>> I guess we'll find out next year

2) I'm talking about before there were teams Jorge in the sense that we have now, radios, riding stages beforehand. There's a lot more science in it now and I didn't see Lemond welding his frame, changing his own tires, or carrying his own food. THAT'S what I meant. >>> gotcha

3) I agree a team of all Spanish talent would be GREAT if the Spanish had the market cornered on top level cycling talent - which they don't. >>> well considering Spain was a the top on the country general classification at the TdF, I think they have plenty of talent. (BTW, USA was 2nd)

Yeah, and as an American, I want to see an American win the race every single damn year. What's wrong with that, but if an American isn't the best rider in a given year, that's the way it is. >>> nothing wrong with that, just don't let your patriotism cloud your ability to be objective.

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By the way, here is the complete and correct translation for the interview: "My relationship with Armstrong is none, but apart from his personality, he's a great champion, has won 7 tours and done a great job in this one, but on a personal levelin terms of our relationship I don't have a great admiration towards his, and never will, but again as a rider, he's a great champion"

spanish version: http://www.rtve.es/...ng-nula/286686.shtml

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Meh, clash of egos.  The way it whould be for driven athletes at the top of their game.

I highly doubt that AC never had a rgeat admiration for LA when he was winning all his tours.  But, it's only for him to know.

BTW, I think the guy that has won the last four grand tours he's entered (arguably a feat near to LA's 7 TdFs) has the bona fides to bust some chops.

Should be a good 2010!  As if he needed any more, LA sure has the motiation for a killer training season

ETA - whatever LA did re: the team party, or in itnerviews, or took AC's seat on the bus, no one can argue that on the road, where it counted, he played the role of supportive teammate brilliantly and may have cost himself second place (certainly held Wiggins off) The same cannot be said of AC in certain stages.

Edited by ChrisM 2009-07-28 11:33 AM

Count me out.  I've never been a fan of watching half nekkid, angry, 130lb grown men in Jello. 

OMG Tony. That's brilliant.

 

Funny. Funny. Funny. And a most interesting visual.

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I can argue that; he did, only after AC proved he was the stronger man and probably AC's only way to prove it was to do his race. I was hoping for LA take 2nd and pulling for him; still all his comments don't match with his actions on and off the road. To believe LA was the ultmiate team player and supported AC all along is naive. AC rode for himself cuz he didn't even have the support of his DS. LA would have done the exact same if he would have had the legs to challenge Alberto. 

The cool thing is that next year both of them will have the chance to battle it off; LA will use his $$ and connections to bring a strong team; AC will have the chance to once again be the only rider willing to stand up against LA and beat him on the road. I can only imagine and hope Garmin brings AC onto their team...

A Spanish sponsored team is very different than a team of all Spanish riders. Yes, a handful of top riders in the world are Spanish. However, the drop off after them is steep. Even Phil and Paul commented during the TdF that the Spanish championship that AC held meant little because of the lack of depth. Furthermore, I doubt all of the Spanish riders are available as some have contracts with their teams.

One thing I am curious about, George Hincapie is the only person to ride with Lance on all his wins. What do the other former teammates have to say about him? What does Ekimov think, or Jose Azevedo, Ivan Basso, Manuel Beltran, Tom Boonen, Tyler Hamilton, Andy Hampsten, Reberto Heras, Victor Pena, Vandevelde, and Dave Zabriski to name jsut a few?

How was Lance as a teammate? I know some have been caught doping and others are still racing and may not want to speak up, but what about the others. We can all speculate, but we really know very little, and the little we do "know" is filtered through the press, which is not very good at what they do.

Doug

nm

Edited by ChrisM 2009-07-28 12:39 PM

Meh. Will definitely make it interesting for next year.  Doesn't sound like Contador is terribly gracious - he won the darn thing. Sure, it was the Lance show but he HFTU'ed and won.  'Nuff said.  Dunno, I expect a little more class from top athletes when talking to the press.  You can feel how you like but you don't have to say so to a reporter.

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 personal? really? last I check this is call a public forum in which we can exchange or debate opinions. If you think that by me stating that "IMO to believe LA was the ultimate team player is naive" is a personal attack, well, I don't know what to tell you. You said no one could argue bla bla bla, I just did and stated it why. Can't really see why is that personal but feel free to interpret it as it pleases you.

mmmm  OK

Since this is a public forum, and I never was good at minding my own business...I know what to tell you; arguing a point is one thing, calling someone naive is something else.

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Edited by Spokes 2009-07-28 12:54 PM