Contador: A more likeable character?

Earlier today I asked the question "@neilroad Not a Conta fan, but I liked that a lot. Does this TDF make him more likeable overall?" His response "@hbstache Pondering that same question."

It started quite the Twitter chat, with many people jumping in. It also started me thinking about how I viewed Contador myself

Pic I took post TT at Tour of Missouri.  He borrowed Levi's new bike and headed off to the hotel.  Not what I was expecting from a Tour winner.

• 2007 - I was pulling for him to beat Rasmussen at the Tour.  Full disclosure, I was riding RAGBRAI with Team LIVESTRONG.  It was easy for me to get in the spirit, Lance owned part of the team and that team was filled with guys I really liked.  Conta seemed likeable enough, he had comeback from a serious crash, was a bit quiet and appeared humble.  I was around Alberto for a few minutes at the Tour of Missouri a few months later.  My impression of him, was that he was very quiet and really lacked a strong presence compared to Popo, George and Levi. It was hard to believe he was a Grand Tour winner.
• 2008 - I still liked the guy at the time of the GIRO, but the Pistolero thing was wearing on my nerves.  I felt he and Levi got robbed with the Astana/ASO conflict.  
• 2008 - Vuelta This is where I feel Alberto's new "Pistolero" persona started to grow and take on a life its own.  He was critical of Levi's efforts in the final TT at the Vuelta.  They were gonna take the podium and Levi had been a faithful teammate and didn't follow Alberto's wheel on previous stages as it would have taken across rivals. I was stunned with the attitude and media comments of the new/real Alberto.
• Late 2008 - Alberto initially made positive comments about Lance's comeback.  Then quickly followed them up with comments about wanting to be the leader, leaving the team, etc. This was the point where most fans began to choose sides.  Much like Brady vs. Manning, you make a choice and you have your reasons.  
• 2009 Tour - We all know this story with the Lance and Conta team battle.  Everyone has their opinion of that situation.  I will say again, as I did on Twitter, I heard some 2nd hand stories from the Nike rep that was with the Team. The gist was that Contador was being a loner, and staying away from the other team members, etc. The Lance battle is what most people talked about, but I felt the most telling issue was the attack Contador put in, that took Kloden out of podium contention.  At this point I flat out did not like this guy! They had the chance to sweep the podium and he still attacked. At this point you were either pro-Lance or pro-Contador.  I had met and ridden with Lance, so it's pretty obvious who I pulled for.
• 2010 Tour - I felt his attack on Schleck and subsequent youtube apology were a joke.  I will agree with initial comments of Pro's like Steven Cozza, that the attack was not right.  There was no way he did not see Schleck come to a dead stop in the middle of the road.  After that stage I was really anti-Contador, as many were.  But, by the end of the Tour in 2010, I had to respect Contador's ability to manipulate the not so clever and naive Andy Schleck. I hated the stage finish on the Tourmalet, but thought Contador was brilliant trading a stage for the Tour.  He gave up 1 Mountain top finish and completely cleared up Andy's upset tummy.  I actually respected  Contador more than Schleck after this Tour.
• Clebuterol positive test - I was in the 90% of people that thought the steak excuses was completely BS.  Combined with plasticizers in the blood, I figured he just screwed up and took a transfusion of blood that was not completely clean of PEDs.  Had I thought before that he was using something?  He was brought into the sport by the kingpin of Operation Puerto Manalo Saiz so the answer was YES! I was not shocked that Spain cleared him, and that he was racing in 2011.  
• Giro 2011 - He was on the top of his game even with Beef Gate still hanging over his head.  He simply out rode everyone, while be tested more than he has ever been.
• This year's Tour - I didn't believe it was possible to win the most difficult Giro in years, and then win the Tour.  Alberto's luck was only slightly better than Lance's luck last year.  On several occasions this year, Alberto seemed mortal in mountain.  I didn't think he was going to win the Tour, but I didn't expect to see him get dropped by Thomas Voeckler.  Then came the attacks that showed he would rather lose this Tour than finish on the podium.  I will say those attacks and his post race interview today had me warm a bit to Alberto.
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Could it be that his mortality made him more likeable?  Was it the lack of "shady" moves during this race?  Did not seeing him do the "Pistolero" help? Is simply okay now that he is not going to win and then possibly have it taken away in court?  I am still not sure how I feel about Contador, but I am sure of one thing, cycling is better when he is riding.  There are teams and athletes that people want to watch because the like them or hate them. Contador is one of these characters; if he is racing, you know it is a must watch!  

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TDF Stage 2: Contador says "His lil' Pistolero wasn't happy!"

Our inside sources @ the TDF say Alberto Contador plans to protest today's UCI saddle inspection.  He claims that the adjustments he had to make kept his "lil' Pistolero and bullets" from being in a good position. He lost another 24" to his one of his main rivals Cadel Evans and now sits 75th overall.

After the stage Contador was visibly upset and made a call.

One has to wonder if he was on the phone with:

His butcher?

or

His BFF Valpitti?

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Contador and the #TDF. We have a few questions?

How is Contador able to ride in the #TDF?  Do we blame Spain?  Do we blame the UCI and their system? Has the CAS been dragging it's feet?  

Umm...this might be part of the problem!

I think this is a legit question?


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The year of the Pistolero or NOT?

With news of his arrival at Saxo Bank camp and a possible 1 year ban, I started thinking about a year with Pistolero.  Much like the Yankees, Duke basketball, The New England Patriots or Lance Armstrong, not many are on the fence about Conta, you either love him or hate him.  You watch to see him attack and win, or you hope he will not just lose, but get beaten!  Here is our take on 2011 with or without the Spaniard.




Say hello to his little friend!


Another year with Contador:

1. A pissed off Contador will be focused and ready to prove he did not need a Spanish Big Mac to win races. Alberto will attempt to win all 3 Grand Tours in one year. He will attack everything, including his shadow, as he tries to prove he is innocent.
2. Contador vs Schleck (on the road, not on another horrible commercial).  Each plays their part in this feud, with Conta looking smarter and just as strong.  Say what you will, but Andy got played on and off the road at the Tour last year.  Both are needed to make this the modern Hinault vs Lemond; Lance vs Jan battle. If Andy gets punked again, we just might make the "SHUT UP GIRL PARTS" tee @DivasTourFrance requested in his honor.
3. Contador being attacked by everyone that ever dreamed of a podium.  Let's face it, he has his work cut out for him this year.  Many have ridden with him and have an axe to grind and others don't like the way he raced the TDF. Other riders HATE Riis and the way he does business.  All non-Spanish riders might take turns putting him under pressure.
4. Marketing, marketing, marketing (Specialized, SRAM, Sidi, etc). Images of Conta riding, sleeping, levitating etc... Spanglish commercials aplenty.
5. The Pistol salute on Mountain Top finishes (while wearing the crotch eagle on his kit).  This gesture usually gets one of 2 comments "Man that is so cool!" or "Finger guns looked stupid when we were 6 and still do!"
*They might rig up a remote "wing" gun that the crotch eagle can fire when Conta posts up.
6. The tone of fans on the road would be interesting.  Will the majority cheer as he has been "vindicated" or boo like they did at Vino last year?
7. A more flamboyant TT helmet than last year.  Rue Paul thought that thing was loud; 2011 would be even more out there. Picture an eagle face on the front with aero-carbon feathers to match the eagle on Saxo kit.

A year without Pistolero (if he is suspended)

1. 3 stage races wide open for the likes of Schleck, Basso, Evans, Van Den Broek, Menchov, Nabali and others.
2. NO FINGER GUN SALUTES! More hate this than love it, so we say this is addition by subtraction.
3. US Bike Company Feud scoreboard is updated to read "Trek 1 and Specialized -1,000".  If you follow this US bike company rivalry, you will appreciate the impacts of the signing of Andy Schleck and/or Alberto Contador.  Major $'s lost on marketing for Specialized as they have to re-think everything from print ads to their booth at Interbike. Even a year later if/when he comes back, it will be like trying to market the love child of Floyd and Ivan Basso. Can you sell that? Especially in the US?
4. Chalk up one more for Espana as they are far and away the worlds best at doping in sport (or just getting caught) and trying to drag their feet during the process.
5. 2nd Winner of the TDF in 5 years to lose the jersey either means a cleaner sport or less careful athletes. This also means more stupid questions and coverage from the ball and bat crowd.
6.  Andy Schleck gets a pass on having to grow a pair for another year. He got played last year, and thinks Conta is his BFF.  Meanwhile the Spaniard laughs all the way to the podium and the bank.  Without Alberto racing, how can Andy show he has the stomach/stones to be a great champion?
7. Bjarne Riis finally loses the ability to get a sponsor.  Riis has proven over and over again he is bullet proof (Mr. 60 doped himself, had riders busted in Puerto, and still gets sponsors) this would be the end of his streak.

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EXCLUSIVE: Contador talks about hair test for Clenbuterol

Today in Mallorca, Alberto Contador arrived to join his Saxo Bank-Sungard team for their training camp.  He was met at the aiport by a reporter from Rueters.  The reporter wanted to discuss recent developments with his postive test for Clenbuterol.  We have received a transcript of the impromtu press conference:
Reporter:  "Alberto are you aware that Detlef Thieme, director of Germany's WADA-accredited lab in Kreischa told the AP that their is a way to check for Clenbuterol in hair samples?"

Contador (In English) "I did not hear about a hair test in my race radio, it was not working correctly." "I did not see this Detlef have an issue as I was attacking all out."

Reporter: "Alberto this news came out today not during a race." "Were you aware of this test?  Is that the reason for your hair cut?"

Contador (fading to Spanglish) "Test, I'm not sure of a test...umm..my hair cut corte de pelo? Bjarne told me to umm...No Se?"
Contador's handler steps in to explain. "Alberto was visisted by the Director of the Vuelta who was traveling with his personal barber.  He offered his services to Alberto and he accepted."  "Next question?"

Reporter "This seems odd, that you shaved your head on the day the news of this test came out. Are you sure you did not do this to prevent further testing?"
Contador's handler. "Alberto did nothing wrong in this matter and has always liked the looks of Levi Leipheimer even if he has never respected him as a cyclist"

Contador whispers in his handler's ear...

Contador's handler "He means he likes the style of Levi's head but not in a Ricky Martin way, not there is anything wrong with that way."

Contador walks off saying "No Mas..O me da mi pistola"