Alberto Contador Special Episode | Ask GCN Anything Cycling

[@gcn]

Leave your cycling questions for us using the hashtag #TorqueBack 👇

[@joelaustin5602]

#torqueback hey guys. i was wondering if you are going to make a video about tt's. if you have please tell me as i am intrested.

[@rasmuslund6613]

#TorqueBack hey i am 13. last week i was training on a spinning bike. after a 45 minute session i went for a sprint. my max power was 1095 watts, but i am not a fast spinter out on the road. is there something i might improve to get faster on my roadbike in the sprints?

[@irfan_kmldn]

Rasmus Lund when your sprinting, get lower, bring your bike to your feet and choose the right gear. For more info watch the Gcn's video "How to sprint like Mark Cavendish"

[@MyaEna23]

Do you change your breakfast on the day of the race? Do you eat more calories? #TorqueBack

[@smachsimo]

rice you have to look at your progress against your own numbers first, it maybe watts/kg or simply how quickly your go through a certain climb full gas. Also pay attention to how much energy you spend before the climb, if you ride in front of the pack on the flat and other suck wheels, you'll be less fresh then them on the climb.

[@chrisleader7575]

What a lovely pair of human beings.

[@JamesGSO]

He seems like a really humble and nice guy!

[@bliszor]

I think he meant to ban power meters on races, not publishing the watts to the viewers, he's said it in other interviews if i'm not mistaken

[@juncearyoutube3336]

youre absolutely right, hes an emotional climber, that can lead to mistakes but is much more spectacular, and thats been lost in the recent years.

[@bdewit5237]

I love the bromance! Alberto is such a sweet and kind man. True gentleman. Very modest and yet confident. Matt seems to be able to draw out his 'informal' personality more than once over the past years. Well done and very entertaining and insightful. P.s. Interesting he felt less than 100% on the Spesh bikes (I ride a tarmac myself)

[@fatwheezer4894]

Matt manoeuvred like Sagan around the "biggest regret" question lol. Anyone fancy a steak?

[@lucianonarno1408]

Fat Wheezer cough cough doping cough cough

[@zemuguello3089]

It was edited, so we don't know if the question was asked fully and rebuffed or just silently skipped by Matt

[@tomz7129]

I know right. cringe! True professional Matt

[@fatwheezer4894]

Kelly , neither did Matt lol. I wasn't trying to have a go, l like Contador. Froome is a great rider but so ungainly. Contador looks great dancing out of the saddle.

[@fatwheezer4894]

Kelly, well said 🚲

[@DamianNAudio]

- Matt: I was a professional 10 years ago - Alberto: That's cute, me too

[@martiniendeffo6422]

Nice one

[@Ant4033]

To improve pro cycling I think he meant that he wants them to take out power meters, not to show power data.

[@johannesduenser]

Ant4033 i agree, that was what he meant! his english is really terrible! :D

[@andresomana4061]

Yep! I think the same

[@markzero8291]

"...put the watts out of the competition." You're right for sure, and I think he's probably right too.

[@rhiadmarhes9291]

But why not show watts. I would like to see the rider info.

[@jaykan6352]

Watts can be over analytical (like team sky). Results in duller killer instinct. Instead of riders relying on their instincts to attack (which is more exciting), they just ends up steadily riding away with a constant power.

[@smobytoe]

matt is just about to burst with happiness!!

[@joaquimnieva620]

greatest champion of our generation. best rider and great man of , he a big heart

[@dUNKYize]

Joaquin M. got caught with doping lol

[@mazpr2025]

Kaarel Trepp And you cant achieve half he has done with twice as much more dope than Marco Pantani, and all european cyclists together.

[@joaquimnieva620]

history of cycling will be smiling for alberto. the curent have been unfair to him they have screwed him over. he is the best gc rider of our years

[@zemuguello3089]

Tonio Rosales, I've heard/read this before, but I have no idea how to check. Any pointers? Who are the other riders that were caught with higher levels and got a pass?

[@frankhutton6747]

Joaquin M. Contador is not too bad as well

[@CAIrondad]

Thank you Matt and Alberto!!!!!! Great interview... Alberto looked great... fresh, relaxed, ready to slay the year ahead. I have no doubt he has a good Tour coming up this summer. Alberto - wishing you the VERY BEST this season!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Shruggy1010]

Just about to have a coffee, perfect timing GCN. :)

[@hayovandijk65]

Nice one! Love to see these interviews with great riders. Best part is that Contador is a Nice guy and doesn t feel that uncomfortable by a camera. And so the interview is fun to watch. Keep up the fun Matt!

[@MVProfits]

Alberto really answered the questions well. Not canned responses here. Good stuff. You, Matt. know how to put him at ease for sure. I would glow as well from his compliment on your riding ha ha. I'm sure you don't regret at all the pain of keeping up with these guys

[@maiee90]

his english is much better from last time interviewed. love this vdo.

[@johntrussell7228]

Contador is a cool guy. The more I see him in interviews the more I appreciate his dedication and love of the sport.

[@Majikplayer]

Matt is borderline giddy the whole time, or trying to hide his smile. True love. Great video.

[@leonielewthwaite7790]

Its great to see Alberto having some fun and enjoying himself. Well done GCN.

[@literoadie3502]

Nobody on the planet can beat Contador out of the saddle.

[@cyclejockey4397]

Enjoyed the video GCN. Contador is a hell of a climber !

[@joeirving5567]

Look at Matt's happy little face when Alberto compliments his riding :-)

[@crowy1983]

I prefer it when matt is interviewing at 300w+. I would like to see the next interview with Alberto climbing the mortirolo at 300w+ out the saddle. (without the leg warmers and bare arm combo)

[@p44doyle44]

Matt blushes like a school girl when Alberto compliments him.

[@MandoLarian007]

Truly gonna miss this legend! Cycling will not be the same without him.

[@rhiadmarhes9291]

Great vid. Alberto comes across as distant and severe when riding but in person he is very nice.

[@andresomana4061]

Guys! I think in 3:20 he did not mean to show the watts out. I do think he wanted to say that leaving the watts out of the competition would be better to make cycling about "sensations" as before, where you never knew what was going to happen. Nowadays, cyclists control themselves more because of their watts. Spanish speaker opinion from Alberto's response!

[@alexmarr409]

Love Bertie, seems like like a real gentleman.

[@BrunoZub]

Tour... Tour de France! 😂😂

[@phillwhitlam6999]

Great video, like these one to one's you get to see the guy's personality. keep em coming.

[@terryli5524]

When is Matt going to marry Alberto Contador?

[@EloraBlue]

As soon as Alberto said he'd work with animals if he wasn't a pro, he became my new favourite. Good on ya Bertie!!

[@newcleardayze]

Matt did the Lance "zip it" to Contador @4:06. Priceless!!!

[@Eduzumaki]

Amazing work gcn i loved, i gave my like in the beggining of the video cheers mate.

[@allskoolguru]

This guy is such class. Thanks Bert! #Vamos

[@Spartan_-du9wi]

Thanks ALOT! Always great seeing the G.O.A.T

[@smachsimo]

Matt just loves Berty, the smile on his face on the last caption is so telling. Good for you Matt, you should work on your Spanish, ¡la proxima intrevista in espanõl!

[@michaelalbany]

Alberto Contador, one class act.

[@pablofr74]

This guy is fantastic! I will miss him in the next tours...

[@alantaylor6691]

I know, he's been my fave cyclist of his era.

[@madmonkeycycling9098]

Heard that Specialized and all the fans, he wasn't happy with your marketing hyped bikes! Go Berty!

[@jakeofu]

Always thought Alberto's best day on a bike was that Annecy TT back in 2009. Nice to see he thinks so too!

[@alantaylor6691]

Yep I loved that one too, that was ace!

[@otodohorak2424]

#Torqueback Global Cycling Network Thanks a lot for choosing my question. Alberto has been my favourite rider for years :)

[@dssanders6100]

Matt took Alberto to the limit? LMAO! What a great CAMPION

[@Ivan-nu2um]

I like froome but never your heard from him.the best moment in a bike its when you broke the race like funté dé, or tdf 2011 For him a great race its just control and attack 3 km to the summit with his strength he can do the show and try big attack and not in the last climb of the day

[@santiagobenites]

Come to think of it, Matt's looking very lean and fit lately. There's hope, and a very good example for us old guys.

[@jamesnickless7664]

A great week on GCN for Alberts (Aero Albie and the always affable Sr Contator). Thankfully no Prince Alberts anywhere on display.

[@palmer3977]

Ohhhh look at Matt he's smitten ;-)

[@manuelaullo9729]

Vamos Alberto!!!

[@GSatiFan]

Thx for this interview.

[@LtStone1]

I would love to see an outtake of this interview, they look like its absolute fun!

[@MaddieJrockxD]

Wow, they must have been scared to bits, riding alongside with Matt's DISC brake bike!

[@myinochi]

I enjoyed how long it took Matt to ask the "have you changed your position?" question vs the 5 seconds the answer took.

[@danielgosling9900]

I love the bromance. I'm envious :)

[@xbatman5297]

EL GRANDE GRANDE ALBERTO !!!!

[@markrskinner]

Can't help but like the guy.

[@johnnyhanel]

love this man. no homo

[@Oldgames1000]

Matt with the Lance Armstrong zip the lip haha!

[@moba4allyt840]

Grande Alberto! !!! siempre adelante! !

[@niteriderband4713]

Contador, what a great champion!

[@Estrobot]

Can we nominate Matt for a #WattageBazooka for dropping Contador?

[@NielsHeldens]

Good to see that the relationship between Matt and Alberto has been restored.

[@NielsHeldens]

Not what I was aiming for. But yeah, they always have been, yes.

[@shirleymorris5561]

Niels Heldens restored? what went wrong?

[@willian.direction6740]

Two great blokes sharing some time together WoW. Who was the young fella with the short hair cut. Thanks Matt

[@Adventurer_Gaming]

Cool interview!

[@grzegorzcichosz8240]

love his english ;]

[@sattvavasavadasengupta711]

#TorqueBack I am a 15 year old boy, living in India. There is not much culture of cycling in India, especially when when people think a Rs.10,000 (141 Euro or 120 pound ) bike is expensive. My question is, that I want to go in the junior nationals, and the last years 20 km time trial speed of juniors whas 42k per hour. So how do I train for winning the gold when my average speed is about 30k per hour? Btw, I have a Btwin road bike and frequently comment under you videos. Cheers :-)

[@Va4esS]

good to see Matt back with his old mate

[@GarySomersprofile]

Wow!! Matt dropped Contador, your fitness must be as good as ever!

[@dug553]

good luck and good health for you Berti

[@raphaeltiziani7476]

More of those great pro intervieuws!!!

[@bigdazz8636]

The man's a legend, Alberto Contador's pretty good too B0)

[@nateisnotemo]

I think Alberto might have been trying to say "Take power metres out of competition" not "Release Watts after competition"

[@notamechanic1628]

The question about 1 change in racing. Did he mean to show rider data? Or take "watts" or power meters away from the riders? I think that could excite and change a lot of race outcomes.

[@P1ea5eho1d]

love videos like this

[@AlexBoshuizen]

My hero!

[@narutoqweavatar]

What color socks should I wear if my shoes are half black half white? :)

[@lucianonarno1408]

narutoqweavatar half black, halfwhite socks!

[@narutoqweavatar]

If I had that, I would totally wear that!

[@jaykan6352]

Floral pattern socks. A man that can rock floral pattern socks takes balls. Your competition will tremble in fear when they see it

[@narutoqweavatar]

If I had socks like that I would also wear them!

[@mindciller]

That's me. I'm the BOSS

[@deheckler]

We All know that Alberto has won Three TDF's and no doubt will win another one!

[@viktorkralj]

grande alberto :DD

[@flyfishnewengland]

Hello from Boston. Love what you guys are doing -- thanks for the great show! I'm coming to England to hike the Lake District with my wife this summer, and want to rent a road bike to cycle for a few days, but have never done this. Can you recommend either a company that rents high quality bikes in the UK (not neccessarily in the Lakes) or simply how to go about cycling while traveling like this? Many thanks! Ben #TorqueBack

[@TheLuckyJedi]

Matt Stevens; hand talking extraordinaire

[@steepspoon]

Do bike manufacturers test how their aero road bikes perform in a bunch? We've all seen images of bikes being tested in the wind tunnel, but do the bikes behave similarly in the wind tunnel as they would sitting in a bunch, or even in a paceline? Are aero frames more or less efficient than traditional frames when your nose is NOT in the wind? #Torqueback

[@davidgriffin1546]

Matt w/ the fresh fade!

[@jj95east]

#TorqueBack After cycling pros retire, what do they typically do with their lives?

[@shirleymorris5561]

jj95east depends if they still love cycling. after years of training some pros just want to get out of the game, some others become presenters in the cycling world, if they like the camera. some get involved behind the scenes in pro racing. some become personal trainers. some of the lower ranked riders may end up doing some non sport job or following a totally different career.

[@manoahgutknecht4277]

Class act!

[@dsenunez]

Damn! Matt was the best at interviewing.

[@PenfoldSmith]

MS that was a great interview...

[@vladimirsilva4705]

great personality!

[@jj95east]

#TorqueBack Why are some, if not all, bike shop employees/ owners very uptight?

[@christopher2206]

Because they have to deal with many people who overestimate their abilities and under estimate the value of hard work. Everyone thinks they could be a pro but most can only be decent at best. It is very tiresome to see people complaining about the weight of a bike or a TUBE, when they themselves are overweight and lazy. These same people will bring a bike in for repairs the day before a "race" needing a tune up or work done mid season expecting it to be done that day. If all the owners and employees seem uptight maybe you should be more introspective and ask yourself, why you make them so? Go work in a bike shop and then you will know why so many Owners and employees are uptight and it will also make you a positive customer that offers relief to these "uptight" people.

[@jj95east]

Thanks for your reply. I see where you are coming from but its interesting that you assumed that I myself have done anything to deserve uptight treatment. A bike shop is a business and therefore it ought to, at least, try to treat customers with equal respect and care. You are also overgeneralizing when it come to the weight of the bike and people. One would think that a bike shop is employed by experts who can help and educate those who are not. So, perhaps their questions and concerns about bike weight and tubes and anything else comes from a small amount of knowledge about the sport. My question comes from observations and not first hand experience, therefore your comment "Go work in a bike shop and then you will know why so many Owners and employees are uptight and it will also make you a positive customer that offers relief to these "uptight" people" is irrelevant.

[@christopher2206]

I was merely stating that working in a bike shop would answer your question more thoroughly. I might add that working in a bike shop would expand a persons knowledge. You are contradicting yourself. An observation is a firsthand experience. LOL. I am only explaining the dynamics of the attitudes you are inquiring about; "Why are some, if not all, bike shop employees/ owners very uptight?" That is a pretty generalizing statement. So maybe I should reword my statement to simply state that people who make owners and employees uptight are ignorant people. It is a very stressful position. Try it out if you want to understand the mentality of employees and owners. I am not truing to make a statement about you or attack you. I only want to answer a question. Good Day.

[@jj95east]

An observation and first hand experience, in the context of what we are discussing, are different. I have not experienced uptight service but have observed uptight service in the same proximity. Also, I did not overgeneralize because I used the word "some." But thanks for clarifying your position and intent. Ride on.

[@jlyonia]

Spend more time in guitar shops. You'll never worry about bike shop people ever again!

[@trudgin62]

Matt you interpeted Berto's answer wrong i think re the Watts.. Berto has said several times he would like to the see the back of meters and the data.. ie Watts out.. not, out there, but out, gone, no more. and you could see his hesitation that he didnt think you understood, but thought maybe he didnt understand. Unfortunate because it implied the opposite of his intention

[@MrQuirinus]

Sotaque muito forte, Hehehe, esse é o Alberto.

[@kryghyzho7868]

Just out of curiosity, did you ask him what he didnt like about his Specialized bikes last year?

[@ewanchadwell6222]

Do teams carry round race leader jersey's with them? Do track sprinters change bikes between rounds? Is it better for my bike to leave it in a certain gear when I'm not riding it? Do some riders race with their phones for apps like strava? Should sprint stages be shorter to give a breakaway a better chance of staying away for longer making it more exciting? In the summer, why didn't Peter Sagan wear a yellow jersey with rainbow bands? Is it better to buy an expensive road bike or 2 cheaper road bikes (1 for training one for racing)

[@ewanchadwell6222]

#torqueback

[@martiniendeffo6422]

This Guy is a big fan

[@davidmahoney7960]

he's awesome

[@scottheitmanmarinesurvey3557]

wow gret job recovering from your stroke im about back from mine as well

[@elenaeustace3268]

Great video

[@brown2666]

Hello guys. I need some advice please. I am looking to get into road cycling. I want to buy my 1st bike and am looking at an endurance road bike. Could somebody tell me if the canyon Endurace cf is a good bike?

[@hawkmantm465]

Feelin the love for Matt there, Contador and Stevens - a match made in heaven! Excellent interview and great work on the English from Berty.

[@mtb8396]

Kolejny koksiasz !

[@jamieliversidge5543]

I MADE IT!

[@markshumaker928]

Tips for starting a cycling club? #TorqueBack

[@CharlieBennici]

Torque*

[@shirleymorris5561]

notmark hello

[@Keorvane]

Can you ride competitively with a hydration pack? If not, why?