- Aug 6, 2010
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Andreas Klöden, the two-time Tour de France runner-up, will enter his fifth season under the guidance of Bruyneel and is no stranger to sharing the leadership. "For me to continue with Johan was an easy decision. Besides the misfortune at the Tour, 2011 was one of my best seasons with victories in numerous races. I have been on teams with other great riders so this situation is not new for me. If the Schlecks have the best opportunity to win the Tour, I will fully support them. If there is an opportunity for me and Johan decides that it gives the team the best chance to win, I will be ready for the challenge. But I have goals in other races as well - either to win for the first time or defend my title."
I like the positive attitude, in the aftermath of the TDF disaster. Sounds like he genuinely believes in his chances of a strong GC showing and possible return to the podium in Paris, as well as taking another overall victory in the Tour of the Basque country.
Well if Contador is suspended, Andy rides the Giro, Ivan rides the Giro, Scarponi rides the Giro, Evans doesn't get along well with Gilbert...
Next March/April is far more important to Kloden than most other possible GC contenders. We will learn a lot there, and if the news there is good, then it will once again be a matter of good luck in July - hopefully.
I like the positive attitude, in the aftermath of the TDF disaster. Sounds like he genuinely believes in his chances of a strong GC showing and possible return to the podium in Paris, as well as taking another overall victory in the Tour of the Basque country.
Well if Contador is suspended, Andy rides the Giro, Ivan rides the Giro, Scarponi rides the Giro, Evans doesn't get along well with Gilbert...
Next March/April is far more important to Kloden than most other possible GC contenders. We will learn a lot there, and if the news there is good, then it will once again be a matter of good luck in July - hopefully.
airstream
BANNED
- Mar 29, 2011
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If the things will develop as in this year Pyrenees, Klodi can even hit top-3.
Perhaps only Contador will be interested in attacking. For instance, I can't imagine Evans fretting and fuming in the mountains. Kloden is a fabulous wain. He climbs at steady pace miraculously. He did well on La Toussuire in 2006, he can't physically lose a lot on Peyragudes, being on form. Evans easily has to abandon the idea that he's the best time trialist among the main contenders. There're a lot of arguments for him actually. I expect a lot.
Perhaps only Contador will be interested in attacking. For instance, I can't imagine Evans fretting and fuming in the mountains. Kloden is a fabulous wain. He climbs at steady pace miraculously. He did well on La Toussuire in 2006, he can't physically lose a lot on Peyragudes, being on form. Evans easily has to abandon the idea that he's the best time trialist among the main contenders. There're a lot of arguments for him actually. I expect a lot.
- Feb 15, 2011
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airstream said:If the things will develop as in this year Pyrenees, Klodi can even hit top-3.
This could be one of Klodis best shots for a podium; lots of TT kms, a strong team to back him (if schlecks don't **** it up). He can TT quite well.
You really think Klodi's gonna get a shot? In '09 he was chief mountain domestique or at least had to nurse LA to the finish on Verbier. A few years before, albeit with different management, towed Vino's group when Vino was dropped. I would be thrilled if he did but I think '06 was his last best shot.
- Sep 8, 2009
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- Mar 8, 2010
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gregrowlerson said:
Man, even the biggest German Klödists look like haters compared to you.
That's really unique.
I hope he can start his 2012 preparation painfree and without any backissues.
If he can repeat his performances from last season, the Schlecks will be nice Edelhelfers and Klödi can Top5.
If Alberto should not start (I hope he will), this race may be wide open and even result in a winner, not everyone "wished" to see winning.
Thats what a German journalist stated. Meaning Klöden. They love Klöden.
And lets not forget Levi.
- May 5, 2011
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in a dream scenario, every single gc contender gets injuried, it is just Kløden, Levi and Vino left of "climbers" in the whole field
- Aug 6, 2010
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Cobblestoned said:Man, even the biggest German Klödists look like haters compared to you.
And this is what I posted in the 2012 predictions thread:
My 2012 prediction is that Andreas Kloden is going to win the Tour De France in a canter. It goes without saying that he will totally dominate the two lengthy individual time trials, but where he will really make his mark is on the Grand Columbier, where he will ride everyone off his wheel, and then, using his outstanding descending skills, increase his lead further. Klodi has been waiting for the inclusion of this climb ever since he became a GC contender, but instead he has had to put up with that God awful Col de la Columbierre, which to Klodi is like his kryptonite.
And I am not a fanboy at all
- Mar 10, 2009
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gustienordic said:
You can count on this. The only positive for Kloden out of this is that he won't be picked as a contender if Andy is selected as the protected rider. Kloden would be smart to stay under the radar, out of the wind as much as possible, bide his time until Andy mucks up as he inevitably will, so that he is in position to take a podium spot at minimum. Kloden could win the Tour if Bruyneel plays his cards right (and Contador isn't racing).
- Aug 13, 2011
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"Those are the two guys who will have the most chances on our team. Andy and Andreas, they have the results." JB
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=9923
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=9923
- Mar 8, 2010
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Don't think Andy did too much wrong but team-internal pressure might help him.
It's like in football in very good teams, players fighting for their position in the starting 11.
Also made Alberto better and harder.
It's like in football in very good teams, players fighting for their position in the starting 11.
Also made Alberto better and harder.
- Aug 6, 2010
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Interesting comments from Andreas at the new teams official season launch for 2012:
The veteran Klöden admitted that he still harbours some solo ambitions of his own, but like Horner, is happy to put his shoulder to the wheel as he has done for Armstrong, Contador and Jan Ullrich in the past. "For sure, my dream is to win a grand tour – the Giro, Vuelta or Tour, it doesn't matter for me," he said. "I think I have the potential for this. I've had a lot of bad luck but maybe the dream comes true, we'll see."
And if he hadn't crashed out in 2011, would both Schlecks have made the podium? "Ha, maybe the Schlecks were lucky," he joked. "But now we have a nice team and I'm happy to be part of that."
Firstly I am (pleasantly) surprised that he believes he can still win a grand tour. Secondly I am surprised that he says "it doesn't matter to me" in regards to which one, because why focus on the TDF every year except for 2008? Kloden is not a rider who recovers well (compared to others he is more physically fragile); for example we have never seen him perform well post the TDF (when he has ridden it) in a season. It really isn't possible for him to ride more than one GT a year at a good standard.
The veteran Klöden admitted that he still harbours some solo ambitions of his own, but like Horner, is happy to put his shoulder to the wheel as he has done for Armstrong, Contador and Jan Ullrich in the past. "For sure, my dream is to win a grand tour – the Giro, Vuelta or Tour, it doesn't matter for me," he said. "I think I have the potential for this. I've had a lot of bad luck but maybe the dream comes true, we'll see."
And if he hadn't crashed out in 2011, would both Schlecks have made the podium? "Ha, maybe the Schlecks were lucky," he joked. "But now we have a nice team and I'm happy to be part of that."
Firstly I am (pleasantly) surprised that he believes he can still win a grand tour. Secondly I am surprised that he says "it doesn't matter to me" in regards to which one, because why focus on the TDF every year except for 2008? Kloden is not a rider who recovers well (compared to others he is more physically fragile); for example we have never seen him perform well post the TDF (when he has ridden it) in a season. It really isn't possible for him to ride more than one GT a year at a good standard.
- Aug 13, 2011
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gregrowlerson said:
The only GT he could have won was 06 and maybe 07 Tour or 08 Giro if he hadn't got sick. He has race the Vuelta 4 times before 08 but only finished win Ullrich won at 62. He could race the Vuelta this year and have co-leadership with Monfort and try to win.
- Aug 6, 2010
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SHAD0W93 said:
Yeah, '06 was a big chance, but unlucky with shoulder injury in late March that season resulting in a minimal preparation. '07 he definitely had the form to be right in the mix, but then had the injury and the team disqualification. Maybe a podium in '08 Giro if he didn't get sick, though not victory. Maybe he could have made it an Astana trifecta in the '08 Vuelta if he didn't lose 4 minutes in a crash on an early stage.
As for this years Vuelta, there is only rumoured to be one ITT, so not a good parcours for Klodi. Best to target the TDF and hope to be ahead of the Schleck's after the 38km ITT.
- Aug 13, 2011
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gregrowlerson said:
True 1 ITT isn't good for him but he might have podiumed this year in the tour without the crashes. The only way I see him being leader is if he is at least 2 mins in front of the Schleck's and even if he is they could still go against orders and do their own thing.
- Feb 20, 2010
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When he was riding for Hog with Lance in the team, it was all for one and one for Lance. Last year, there was no discernible leader at the Shack, so the competition was all about being the Tour leader. This year, the chances are the Schlecks are their guys, and so if he wants to lead a GT, he more than likely has to lead another one.gregrowlerson said:
That and he's probably become more realistic that, at this point in his career, the chances of his winning the Tour are pretty slim, so if he wants to win a GT he would be best off looking elsewhere.
- Jun 7, 2010
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Riding for Klöden?
Pacing him when he inevitably gets dropped?
Not attacking so that the pace isn't too high for Klöden so he can finish 5th instead of 8th?
Pacing him when he inevitably gets dropped?
Not attacking so that the pace isn't too high for Klöden so he can finish 5th instead of 8th?
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