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Contador's mind games
It may be June and it may be the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré but one of the
battles for yellow in Paris at the end of July was on in earnest over the past
week.
Alberto Contador began the race for a second Tour de France victory
not simply by using the Dauphiné as part of his final preparation but as an
opportunity to get into the head of Cadel Evans.
Contador rode the Dauphiné like a man inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron.
In
the documentary of Schwarzenegger’s bid to win his sixth Mr Olympia, the soon-to-be Terminator revels in
his ability to psyche out his competitors before the big event.
This includes
having breakfast with his main rival, Lou Ferrigno, on the morning of the
competition and boasting about having already rung his mother to tell her that
he had won.
Contador has spent the past week doing all but have
breakfast with Evans in an effort to plant the seeds of self-doubt in the
Australian’s mind.
Wherever Evans went Contador would follow.
When Alejandro Valverde attacked on the Mount Ventoux, Contador, who was
in a position to challenge for overall honours, didn’t respond. He simply
followed Evans.
As Evans was chasing, every time he looked over his
shoulder for someone else to come to the front all he saw was a Contador content
to see his compatriot ride away.
On the penultimate stage, the last
opportunity for Evans to take time back on Valverde, Contador again simply rode
against Evans. In fact he rode almost as a team-mate of Valverde.
When
Evans attacked, which was constantly in the closing kilometers, Contador was
doing the chasing with Valverde on his wheel.
Contador wasn’t responding
to the attacks of Evans with his usual rapid acceleration but riding a more
controlled tempo that allowed Valverde a relatively comfortable ride.
It
looked like Contador was doing all he could to have Evans finish in second place
in the Dauphiné for the third year in a row in the hope this will set the
pattern in the mind of Evans for July.
This performance by Contador leaves the question, can Evans break the Dauphiné Libéré - Tour de France pattern of the previous two years?
Your Say
Attwodd
Of course Cadel can break the pattern, he has the talent and the heart with that killer Aussie instinct. But his Teammates need to grow some pinapples and step up to the plate, at the moment his team mates are better of playing lawn bowls at club level and having there partners bake them scones.
Blue Mountains
Of course there are those of us that think that Contador came third because he wasnt as strong as Cadel or Valverde... Have yet to see someone psyching out an opponent by being beaten by them...
Melbourne
Of course Contador is going to use Psycological games to get under Cadels skin. thats what it's all about, sowing the self doubt Cadel would have learnt a lot from being runner up twice, so we will possibly see a different approach to how Cadel exectutes his tour this time around. Sure, bobby from sydney, "People" dislike Evans, Armstrong, and the whole bleedin lot of the riders. Nobody likes someone who can do it better. The only thing lacking in a three tour, is a Samauri Sword. Some of those riders would cut a rivals throat when they are in competative mode
St Kilda
Well it was an interesting Dauphine thats for sure. Contador was cooler than Jack Nicholson at the Logies for the entire race and never looked to be in any difficulty. What I think will be interesting is whether or not Armstrong or Levi will work for Contador. Those two have been like lost lovers the past few weeks training together in Colorado and when it comes down to just the three of them with Cadel, the Schlecks, Carlos, and maybe a select few others who's going to work for who? Who's the Captain? If not dealt with properly I think there's a chance we could see the biggest demise for the team to be some in team fighting for supremesy. Remember T-Mobile with Vino and Ulrich chasing each other down a few years back. I think if Cadel can be cool (which I am sorry to say will be hard for the lil MTBer) he could really take advantage of a few situations that may unfold in them hills. Can't wait - Even got my boss to allow me to start late and finish late so I can sleep in after the late nights!!
St Kilda
Well it was an interesting Dauphine thats for sure. Contador was cooler than Jack Nicholson at the Logies for the entire race and never looked to be in any difficulty. What I think will be interesting is whether or not Armstrong or Levi will work for Contador. Those two have been like lost lovers the past few weeks training together in Colorado and when it comes down to just the three of them with Cadel, the Schlecks, Carlos, and maybe a select few others who's going to work for who? Who's the Captain? If not dealt with properly I think there's a chance we could see the biggest demise for the team to be some in team fighting for supremesy. Remember T-Mobile with Vino and Ulrich chasing each other down a few years back. I think if Cadel can be cool (which I am sorry to say will be hard for the lil MTBer) he could really take advantage of a few situations that may unfold in them hills. Can't wait - Even got my boss to allow me to start late and finish late so I can sleep in after the late nights!!
St Kilda
Well it was an interesting Dauphine thats for sure. Contador was cooler than Jack Nicholson at the Logies for the entire race and never looked to be in any difficulty. What I think will be interesting is whether or not Armstrong or Levi will work for Contador. Those two have been like lost lovers the past few weeks training together in Colorado and when it comes down to just the three of them with Cadel, the Schlecks, Carlos, and maybe a select few others who's going to work for who? Who's the Captain? If not dealt with properly I think there's a chance we could see the biggest demise for the team to be some in team fighting for supremesy. Remember T-Mobile with Vino and Ulrich chasing each other down a few years back. I think if Cadel can be cool (which I am sorry to say will be hard for the lil MTBer) he could really take advantage of a few situations that may unfold in them hills. Can't wait - Even got my boss to allow me to start late and finish late so I can sleep in after the late nights!!
Sydney
Mind games; I'm not so sure. I think perhaps they were both feeling each other out. I was surprised how strong Cadel looked. Too me it seemed that even if Contador attacked Cadel had the strength to go with him. Their TTs are both looking real good so it's hard to spilt them at this stage. Andy Schleck in my opinion is a real contender. He would have won last year if not for a junior mistake he made on one of the mountains where he lost minutes. Bring on the tour!
Gold Coast
I agree that Contador is playing mind games with Cadel by just hugging his wheel for the entire event (Dauphine). But what if he felt as though he couldn't drop Cadel on the climbs that would give Cadel a psychological boost and I suspect that Contador is playing his cards well. Whether they are great cards remains to be seen. I just don't understand why anyone wouldn't win a race of this calibre if they had the capability. No, I think the gap between Cadel and Contador is closing. The TTT this year will also be telling...
campbelltown nsw
i.d like to say that spanards ride for spain with some luck at this TDF australia may have more than just cadel up front esspecially The Dodger and with matty lloyd coming back to full fittness and simon gerans in good form as well maybe jusy maybe it could pan out that on some climbs they could be all together the same as the spanards and maybe unoffically work together to bring the biggest prize to australia p.s. the sooner we get a full blown national team the better it will be regards
Hawthown
interesting sam from perth how we can hear the same thing and interpret it very differently. i also heard matt’s interview on SEN. i got the impression he was virtually complementing cadel for not always being mr popular when he said cadel not fitting in at telekom with guys like ullrich and vinolourov, who have both had drug related suspensions, was a good sign of cadel’s character. as for contador I reckon he’s worried about cadel and that’s why he paid so much attention to him at the dauphine.
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