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You know... if they had a Michelob Ultras they could of had several and it would not of had much of an effect on them (joke- like an Australain would drink that swill)
Anyone seen comments from Frank? I have Googled and not found anything.
This thread is fun but I need to bow out now- its my eldest boys 1st day of big boy school and he is due home any minute now.
Anyone seen comments from Frank? I have Googled and not found anything.
This thread is fun but I need to bow out now- its my eldest boys 1st day of big boy school and he is due home any minute now.
theswordsman said:
Wait, you're seriously hinting that McGee has no control over the riders and allows them to ride hungover or drunk?
Wow.
If this had happened during the TDF, when AS was contending for yellow, would he have been kicked out? No way.
This was a relatively easy decision for Riis, because AS was not in contention. I doubt very much that he or any other DS would have the balls to kick out a contending rider for having some alcohol that, btw, would be long gone from his system by the time the race started. I'm still amazed Rabo had the guts to take out Ras, but at least that was for behavior that presumably indicated doping.
This was a relatively easy decision for Riis, because AS was not in contention. I doubt very much that he or any other DS would have the balls to kick out a contending rider for having some alcohol that, btw, would be long gone from his system by the time the race started. I'm still amazed Rabo had the guts to take out Ras, but at least that was for behavior that presumably indicated doping.
roundabout said:
Careful with that one. Bode came back and won. Schleck hasn't won the Tour yet.
Andy Schleck has performed extremely well in the only races he cared about this year. After seeing his performance in France I have a hard time comprehending how anyone could critique his ability to prepare for a race he intends to win. Granted this is an internet forum where we are entitled to wring out wet hankies and swing handbags, but in this thread we are really building quite the mountain out of this wee molehill. Bjarne Riis has not said that they were intoxicated. All of that is coming from us.theswordsman said:
I think people are forgetting 2 important points here when analyzing the 'we only had 2 drinks after dinner' quote:
- In Spain they often eat dinner at 11pm
- Andy is like 130 pounds, so 2 beers would render him totally trashed
All seriousness though, it seems like there has to be a back story to this, because certainly there must be other incidents like this, but I can't remember hearing a story in the last 3 years of someone getting kicked out of a race for these reasons. It's fairly obvious to draw the conclusion that Riis' decision is made easier by the fact that Andy and O'Grady are leaving, but to me it seems like this would be the type of thing you would do, were you in Riis' position, if this had been something that was a continual problem in the past, and something you had addressed time and again. That seems to be the only thing that makes sense to me.
Personally, I could see that as plausible behaviour from Andy S, since he only seems to take the Ardennes and the Tour seriously in the last few years. In a way, I find his attitude refreshing, because you usually find single-minded obsessiveness at the top level of sport, but he seems to have a bit of perspective and wants to enjoy life a bit, which is a nice alternative to the kind of tyranny that can develop at the extreme end of obsessiveness (see Armstrong, L). At the same time, if I was a teammate or DS, I could see how a rider with the kind of talent that AS has essentially phoning in a performance at a GT could come across as annoying and arrogant behaviour, especially when there are so many riders who are disciplined and sacrifice alot and would kill for the kind of natural talent that Schleck has.
Either way, I'm sure this kind of behaviour will go unpunished on the new Luxembourg team.
- In Spain they often eat dinner at 11pm
- Andy is like 130 pounds, so 2 beers would render him totally trashed
All seriousness though, it seems like there has to be a back story to this, because certainly there must be other incidents like this, but I can't remember hearing a story in the last 3 years of someone getting kicked out of a race for these reasons. It's fairly obvious to draw the conclusion that Riis' decision is made easier by the fact that Andy and O'Grady are leaving, but to me it seems like this would be the type of thing you would do, were you in Riis' position, if this had been something that was a continual problem in the past, and something you had addressed time and again. That seems to be the only thing that makes sense to me.
Personally, I could see that as plausible behaviour from Andy S, since he only seems to take the Ardennes and the Tour seriously in the last few years. In a way, I find his attitude refreshing, because you usually find single-minded obsessiveness at the top level of sport, but he seems to have a bit of perspective and wants to enjoy life a bit, which is a nice alternative to the kind of tyranny that can develop at the extreme end of obsessiveness (see Armstrong, L). At the same time, if I was a teammate or DS, I could see how a rider with the kind of talent that AS has essentially phoning in a performance at a GT could come across as annoying and arrogant behaviour, especially when there are so many riders who are disciplined and sacrifice alot and would kill for the kind of natural talent that Schleck has.
Either way, I'm sure this kind of behaviour will go unpunished on the new Luxembourg team.
That's why I question the CN quote of Riis saying they were out at 5:00 AM. Andy said that they met Riis in a bar on the way home. Either he's not telling us that they continued to stay out after that meeting, or Riis was misquoted as RR said. I can't see Andy making up a meeting with his boss in a bar at 1:00 AM.theswordsman said:
Now "a drink" and "two drinks"... that I find a little hard to swallow.
True. And others on the Saxo squad who would probably kill for the opportunity to ride the Vuelta.skidmark said:
Interesting... The Reuters story at Eurosport UK has a different version of the Riis quote. I don't totally trust that, either, especially with words left out, but here goes:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07092010/58/vuelta-espana-schleck-kicked-drinking.html
I'm pretty sure I saw another version of the quote as well. But neither story has the writer listed. Cycling News was so sure about the 5:00 AM thing that they put it in their subtitle.
I stopped reading the thread after my last post, but compare Schleck's pre-Tour 2009 to the same period in 2010 and see if there was a drop-off. I seem to recall him dropping out of one or more races in the spring because his knee injury from the winter was acting up. I always took it at face value, but getting kicked out of a grand tour, especially if the 5:00 is correct, and he lied about 1:00 to the press, allows people to ask questions.
I sure hope CN got the quote right.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07092010/58/vuelta-espana-schleck-kicked-drinking.html
I'm pretty sure I saw another version of the quote as well. But neither story has the writer listed. Cycling News was so sure about the 5:00 AM thing that they put it in their subtitle.
I stopped reading the thread after my last post, but compare Schleck's pre-Tour 2009 to the same period in 2010 and see if there was a drop-off. I seem to recall him dropping out of one or more races in the spring because his knee injury from the winter was acting up. I always took it at face value, but getting kicked out of a grand tour, especially if the 5:00 is correct, and he lied about 1:00 to the press, allows people to ask questions.
I sure hope CN got the quote right.
how seriously can you take anything from a race where after the first rest day Tom Danielson is still within striking distance on the GC?
Velo News article with the translation you gave: http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/09/news/riis-explains-decision-to-remove-schleck-o’grady_139158Race Radio said:
theswordsman said:
Ok, i very rarely play the man and not the ball, but here goes: you're a disgusting opportunist.
dos that look like a guy that would go against Riis rules.
http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-er-ked-af-det
I think not..
He look like a nice and well behave young boy, that would do exactly what Riis ask him to do..
http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-er-ked-af-det
I think not..
He look like a nice and well behave young boy, that would do exactly what Riis ask him to do..
Wow he looks skinny on that photo.
Anyway, in La Vuelta 2009 it was one of the worst kept secrets that Andy Schleck went to parties almost every day. I have no troubles believing this story.
Anyway, in La Vuelta 2009 it was one of the worst kept secrets that Andy Schleck went to parties almost every day. I have no troubles believing this story.
And come on guys
theres nothing to discuss about the team rules.
This is not a matter about Andy or Grady, but much more about the team and the team-spirit and respect for each other.
That is also some of the reasons why this team has been so succesfull in many years. (all 4 one)
these few weeks of a year´ where the team and riders are on top of the world, under so importen events, there are some very clear rules, that everybody shall follow and can understand with no doubt, and everybody !, no matter if the water-riders or the topstar.
If you dont follow these rules 100 % then the spirit and teamspirit will fall apart.
its all a matter on being on the edge of your game, or being secondary.
i can read a lot of people in here, says that is only that he has been drunk to late in the morning and not doping and really not a big deal.
its is a big deal, if he dosnt follow his ovn teamrules, then the respect will fall, and other rules would be challange, on everybody on the team (mechs and staff and riders).
Those few weeks a year they have to be totally on top of there game, and they get a hole lot of money to be that.
and these weeks there are some very strict rules so there are no doubt and anybody now whats up and down , and also so there body´can perform 100 %...
CN fellows´ its all about being number one or comming second.
I got undestanding for Riis decission.
GroupDenmark
theres nothing to discuss about the team rules.
This is not a matter about Andy or Grady, but much more about the team and the team-spirit and respect for each other.
That is also some of the reasons why this team has been so succesfull in many years. (all 4 one)
these few weeks of a year´ where the team and riders are on top of the world, under so importen events, there are some very clear rules, that everybody shall follow and can understand with no doubt, and everybody !, no matter if the water-riders or the topstar.
If you dont follow these rules 100 % then the spirit and teamspirit will fall apart.
its all a matter on being on the edge of your game, or being secondary.
i can read a lot of people in here, says that is only that he has been drunk to late in the morning and not doping and really not a big deal.
its is a big deal, if he dosnt follow his ovn teamrules, then the respect will fall, and other rules would be challange, on everybody on the team (mechs and staff and riders).
Those few weeks a year they have to be totally on top of there game, and they get a hole lot of money to be that.
and these weeks there are some very strict rules so there are no doubt and anybody now whats up and down , and also so there body´can perform 100 %...
CN fellows´ its all about being number one or comming second.
I got undestanding for Riis decission.
GroupDenmark
Arnout said:
There's a humorous throwaway line in this month's Cycle Sport magazine about Andy giving his phone number to loads of podium girls too. I'm starting like this guy a lot.
cyclestationgiuseppe said:
when Sastre publicly announced his departure from Saxo while in the Vuelta- Riis behavior was really undesirable and bitter nonetheless- so I can picture a similar situation with the young Schleck happening. BUT what rumor has it is that the "drinking & late night owl" activities are part of the "rebellious & immature" behavior/ nature of Andy's. I think Riis just found the easy way to terminate the mutual cooperation-they'll move on..
but yet again this dosnt look like a guy that would do anything other that what he is being told.
http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-er-ked-af-det
i love the look ín Andy´s eyes.
But yet again, hes maybe afraid of making a Sastre..
and i cant being easy to see his biggest rival taking his seat on his team and on the most succesfull and strongest team at the moment 2010.
And self having a ???? unsure-future on a comming team, where it all still have to be made..
http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/riis-andy-er-ked-af-det
i love the look ín Andy´s eyes.
But yet again, hes maybe afraid of making a Sastre..
and i cant being easy to see his biggest rival taking his seat on his team and on the most succesfull and strongest team at the moment 2010.
And self having a ???? unsure-future on a comming team, where it all still have to be made..
I'm still looking to find out who got the quote right. I thought I had a live one with this Google Translation
but they cited Cycling News as their source. Other sites like VeloNews have Riis saying the details are between him and Andy. Whatever Bjarne said, I expect it to be the truth, because if you toss a top rider out of a grand tour and lie to make them look bad in the press, you get sued.
Two choices left. Either it was 5:00 AM, and Schleck lied in a press release to cover his ****. Or Cycling News blew the quote, and their stories are being repeated around the world.
To make the situation more confusing, some stories are saying that the guys went out Sunday night, which would have had them coming in late on a rest day, not a race day. How difficult is it to get this story right?
but they cited Cycling News as their source. Other sites like VeloNews have Riis saying the details are between him and Andy. Whatever Bjarne said, I expect it to be the truth, because if you toss a top rider out of a grand tour and lie to make them look bad in the press, you get sued.
Two choices left. Either it was 5:00 AM, and Schleck lied in a press release to cover his ****. Or Cycling News blew the quote, and their stories are being repeated around the world.
To make the situation more confusing, some stories are saying that the guys went out Sunday night, which would have had them coming in late on a rest day, not a race day. How difficult is it to get this story right?
Riis has taken himself too seriously. Chapauae Andy and Stuart. Where is your sense of humor Bjarne?
flicker said:
theres nothing to discuss about the team rules.
This is not a matter about Andy or Grady, but much more about the team and the team-spirit and respect for each other.
That is also some of the reasons why this team has been so succesfull in many years. (all 4 one)
these few weeks of a year´ where the team and riders are on top of the world, under so importen events, there are some very clear rules, that everybody shall follow and can understand with no doubt, and everybody !, no matter if the water-riders or the topstar.
If you dont follow these rules 100 % then the spirit and teamspirit will fall apart.
its all a matter on being on the edge of your game, or being secondary.
i can read a lot of people in here, says that is only that he has been drunk to late in the morning and not doping and really not a big deal.
its is a big deal, if he dosnt follow his ovn teamrules, then the respect will fall, and other rules would be challange, on everybody on the team (mechs and staff and riders).
Those few weeks a year they have to be totally on top of there game, and they get a hole lot of money to be that.
and these weeks there are some very strict rules so there are no doubt and anybody now whats up and down , and also so there body´can perform 100 %...
CN fellows´ its all about being number one or comming second.
I got undestanding for Riis decission.
GroupDenmark
but im still dissapointed, that Andy is not in tommorows stage.
And Andy and Riis shall end there 3-5 years companyship like this..
tsk tsk..
And Andy and Riis shall end there 3-5 years companyship like this..
tsk tsk..
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