A. Schleck and O'Grady thrown out of Vuelta

[Cerberus]

Now that's an interesting idea I'd not thought of. Or maybe Conti going to Saxo was not so much a done deal as it may have been just a recruiting process between Riis and Conti. That alone would ruffle the Schleck bro's feathers.

It might be interesting but it doesn't fit the facts very well, as someone else already pointed out the Schleck team was in the works, long, long before Riis secured himself sponsorship for 2011.

 

[Ruxen1989]

From the time I spent in Europe, 1 Drink in Europe translates into 3 sheets to the wind in America.

And now we are talking about Denmark and we are probably the world champions in drinking.

I don't know what to belive in this case. SaxoBank says one thing and Andy another of course. And they couldn't disagree more. But if it is like SaxoBank says Andy has been disrespectful and if it is like Andy says Bjarne is overreacting. I would like to hear O'gradys or maybe his roommates version of the night.
Andys version: Two beers and hello to Bjarne.
SaxoBank: wasted home at 05.30 in the morning.

 

[Kellys Big Sprocket]

Ehrm, according to some sources it appears that is closer to the truth than Andy's own words of "two beers"... Coming back to the hotel a 5.30 in the morning would either be a proper night on town a two veeeeeeeery slooooooooow and loooooooong beers.

Crawling into the Hotel at 5.30am after a few scoups, a ciggie and holding a fish supper according to a certain blogger. Done it manys a time. Sure there is no harm in that. According to some sources Andys the new George Best of road racing I personally don't believe it.

 

[analo69]

Bjarne has just appeared on Danish tv. All he said was that he didn't want to comment any further. They have been pulled out due to breaking the rules of the team.

He seemed content though. When he is angry or dissapointed he normally shows it more on screen. But not this time.

 

[JPM London]

It might be interesting but it doesn't fit the facts very well, as someone else already pointed out the Schleck team was in the works, long, long before Riis secured himself sponsorship for 2011.

But that's the good thing about conspiracy theories - they don't have to make sense or fit with the facts. It's obviously quite plausible that Riis went to Contador at last year's Tour and said: You know, next year around March the brothers will be looking at a new team, so my plan is to be without a sponsor until a couple of months later, but that plan will only work if you agree to sign with me after next year's tour. Do we have a deal?". Yes - that's the way it went down...

But you do know, right, that Riis is only a pawn in this game - it's ultimately run by the Illuminati in their attempt to take over the world by ruining cycling...

 

[Jamsque]

But you do know, right, that Riis is only a pawn in this game - it's ultimately run by the Illuminati in their attempt to take over the world by ruining cycling...

Would these be the same 'Illuminaries' that were mentioned in CN's article about the Tour de l'Avenir yesterday? IT ALL MAKES SENSE!

 

[JPM London]

Bjarne has just appeared on Danish tv. All he said was that he didn't want to comment any further. They have been pulled out due to breaking the rules of the team.

He seemed content though. When he is angry or dissapointed he normally shows it more on screen. But not this time.

Why on earth would he say earier today that he'd comment later only to go on and say "no comment"? Boring...

 

[JPM London]

I find it ironic that Riis kicks two riders out of the Vuelta for "breaking the rules". Riis was never kicked out of anything, now was he?

If it's true they came back at 5:30 AM, then the best punishment would for them to have been to ride today's stage on the front. Nothing like 175K at 40K/hour in 35 degrees to bring some clarity to the situation...

++++++

You should be the DS!

By the way; when was Riis kicked out and of what?

 

[Angliru]

all sounds very odd to expel two of your best domestiques for a tour you're trying to win.
something wrong with the usual fines, etc...?
definately some politicking going on between Riis n the Schlecks... or is there a third rider over there on the grassy knoll?

In Andy's current condition, both mentally and physically, I'd say he isn't really contributing much to helping his brother. O'Grady as a veteran should be setting an example, a positive one for the young Schleck. Sounds like an ongoing problem that just came to a head. Riis wasn't directing the team at the Vuelta and thus wasn't present for the entire first week. Of course this is sheer speculation but Riis likely looked at the results and wondered why Andy was getting dropped when he's supposed to be assisting his brother. One can't be much of a help if you're 10-20 minutes back nursing a hangover.

 

[Archibald]

one wonders if Saxo Bank(-Sungard) are viewing this positively or negatively...

 

[Cerberus]

one wonders if Saxo Bank(-Sungard) are viewing this positively or negatively...

I don't see how it can be viewed positively unless we're assuming they're getting some petty vindictive joy out of booting Andy. Posible I suppose, but I try not to think the worst of people without at least some evidence.

 

[Kazistuta]

A very calm Riis just appeared on Danish TV and refused to comment further on what he "breaking internal rules" means.

He answered very diplomatic, though, among others:

Interviewer: Will there be any consequences after this incident?

"This consequence should be hard enough"

Interviewer: O'Grady hasn't commented yet, Andy has stated that he found the exclusion a bit of an over-reaction. How do you feel about that?

"I've got no comments on that. Andy is a young kid, and hopefully he'll learn from this"

Interviewer: Is A.Schleck and O'Grady still a part of SaxoBank after this?

"Yes, both of them still rides for me"

We might have to wait until after the season to know the full background to BeerGate............

 

[JPM London]

We might have to wait until after the season to know the full background to BeerGate............

Did you just succesfully coin the title for this one?

 

[redranger]

Did you just succesfully coin the title for this one?

I think so

 

[analo69]

Did you just succesfully coin the title for this one?

I hope so. From now on and until Ronde van Vlaanderen 2011 nobody will talk anbout anything else than BeerGate

 

[Kazistuta]

Did you just succesfully coin the title for this one?

I'd like to think so ....but we might get a more specific title, when Stuey decides to step forward with the right amount and name of the implicated brand of alcohol... Amstel or Fosters FTW?

 

[Ruxen1989]

++++++

You should be the DS!

By the way; when was Riis kicked out and of what?

I'll add some more plusses!

Riis wasn't kicked out but that was because noone ever discovered his crime before he admitted. A crime that makes Andys night out look like a joke. He used dopping when he won the tour.

 

[amp300]

I hope so. From now on and until Ronde van Vlaanderen 2011 nobody will talk anbout anything else than BeerGate

About time we have a non-doping 'scandal' to talk about. Beergate it is!

 

[pedaling squares]

My point is that we are missing something, one or two drinks was not the reason they got expelled.

I believe 60% of anything Riis says.

Hard to say what happened at this point. Riis may have been upset that Andy treated this tour like a holiday in Spain, or this could have been a convenient excuse to make both Schlecks miserable. One drink can't be the problem, we've seen wine bottles on the table in team photos and N. Roche blogged about sending a bottle to his team last week. Hard to believe that Saxo would have a totally exclusive team policy. If liquor is really the issue it is more likely that the two riders went on a bender than had "a drink" as Andy put it.

 

[theswordsman]

I am starting to wonder whether the Schleck rebellion was triggered because within the team they already knew that Contador was coming to the squad in 2011.

During the early part of the Tour Contador was still signing with Astana and Riis was looking for a sponsor to replace Saxo Bank. Team Lux was already in the works and the Schlecks were gone..

 

[this_is_edie]

Unless those two came back stumble-drunk, this is ridiculous. Did Rihs throw Landis out of the tour after his bout with whiskey?

Different Rihs.

This is Bjarne Riis of CSC/Saxo/Sungard...., that was Andy Rhis of Phonak/BMC. One's Danish, the other Swiss.

 

[Angliru]

Now that's an interesting idea I'd not thought of. Or maybe Conti going to Saxo was not so much a done deal as it may have been just a recruiting process between Riis and Conti. That alone would ruffle the Schleck bro's feathers.

If Andy had known about this I doubt he would've kept it to himself as much as he loves having the eye of the media on him. He would've squeeled like a skewered pig.

 

[Boeing]

Internal team rules not related to doping?

What are those? Did the call Bjarne "Baldy" or something?

funny and I have heard from some if you have a receding hair line in pro cycling there is a good chance someone will call it "Bjarne-Brow"

 

[JPM London]

I'll add some more plusses!

Riis wasn't kicked out but that was because noone ever discovered his crime before he admitted. A crime that makes Andys night out look like a joke. He used dopping when he won the tour.

The doping is no news (and he had the cloud over him long before his admissions), I was just wondering about him being kicked out of anything, cos I don't remember that...

 

[theswordsman]

“The fact is that on the rest day yesterday, we chose to go out after eating late dinner, which people do in Spain,” he said. “We had no more than two beers each, then we went home at 1 o’clock and met Bjarne who was sitting at another bar.”

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/5...t-of-Vuelta-for-violation-of-teams-rules.aspx

They must be the slowest drinkers ever, unless they were at a strip club with a two drink minimum.