Does he not realize that every other talented rider out there is listening to him at that press conference and putting themselves in Lance's place being on the receiving end of his hypersensitive ego?
Somebody who loves Alberto & wants to see him succeed needs to take him aside and explain to him that if he wants to attract the quality athletes he will need to help him win as many championships as Lance or Eddy have, and command their loyalty, he should suck it up like a big boy pronto & learn to be magnanimous even when he doesn't feel like it.
Nobody likes sore winners any more than they like sore losers, and they sure as heck don't want to get stuck on a team slogging it out on the most grueling athletic competition ever devised for 21 days for a pissy little twit who won't appreciate the sacrifices they'll be required to make for him and who can only be expected to balk selfishly at having to give back anything at all in return for their efforts.
Granted we know where his allegiance lies but, ever more tweets this time from Axel Merckx: “A champion is also measured on how much he respect his teammates and opponents. You can win a race on your own not a grand tour.”
I can't understand athletes who trash talk. Why give your opponents another reason to whip your butt? It's terrible d strategy, IMO.