Andrew and Fränk: The Official Schleck Brothers thread.

[hrotha]

With your relatively consistant clinic opinions, isnt there a shadow that should be clouding your opinion of Frank?

Shadow? There's no shadow, sir. It is as certain as it gets without a confession or a positive test.
But I still think he's a nice guy and not a moron, unlike his brother.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I like Fränk, he's a nice guy and takes racing more seriously than Andrew. Unfortunately he insists on giving joint interviews with his brother and the fans inevitably lump them together, so everyone assumes they're both idiots.

Patrik Sinkewitz is a nice guy. He's also an idiot too.

 

[Christian]

On the other hand, a big chapeau to Gesink for beatingt he likes of Edvald Boasson Hagen, Dries Devenyns, Visconti, Vandevelde, Van Avermaet TGBMM Albasini, Flecha and Sinkiewitz in the Oman mtf.

Its moments like those that you know whose going to be podiuming the Tour de France.

 

[Havetts]

On the other hand, a big chapeau to Gesink for beatingt he likes of Edvald Boasson Hagen, Dries Devenyns, Visconti, Vandevelde, Van Avermaet TGBMM Albasini, Flecha and Sinkiewitz in the Oman mtf.

Its moments like those that you know whose going to be podiuming the Tour de France.

Nope, but in Gesinks defense alot of those are northern classics men who were be further in their form at that time, or atleast should be.

In Fränkie's defense, Sanchez, Wiggo, Klöden, Vino etc were there so clearly he's in better state than they're which is great .

 

[hrotha]

Patrik Sinkewitz is a nice guy. He's also an idiot too.

Yeah, but there's "dur dur look at me i'm clean i learned from my mistakes" idiocy, and then there's the kind of idiocy Andy spouts whenever there's a recorder or a mic in front of him. In no way I'm implying Fränk is clean.

 

[The Hitch]

Patrik Sinkewitz is a nice guy. He's also an idiot too.

Long John silver was a nice guy. Or so thought little Jimmy. The best bad guys are always nice.

 

[Christian]

Patrik Sinkewitz is a nice guy. He's also an idiot too.

lol. This reminds me of a quote I read in the clinic somewhere: "For all we know Tyler Hamilton was the nicest guy in the peloton".

Few people realize this, but Andy and Fränk is a story of biblical proportions. In fact, they always make me think of the quote:

"Bin ich denn der Hüter meines Bruders?" (Book of Genesis 4,1 - 16; loosely translates to "Do I always have to watch my brother")

It works in both ways: Fränk's clinic-related issues and Andy's big mouth and drinking issues.

Of course in the Bible Cain ends up killing Abel and all, hope it doesn't come that far

Also ... nice guys finish last!

 

[The Hitch]

Yeah, but there's "dur dur look at me i'm clean i learned from my mistakes" idiocy, and then there's the kind of idiocy Andy spouts whenever there's a recorder or a mic in front of him. In no way I'm implying Fränk is clean.

If you think Frank is any more high functioning then Andrew, then maybe this will change your mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7beszWUNm8

Also this was pretty stupid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1-WSpiTFR0

 

[Christian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1-WSpiTFR0

That was too bad, as he was actually on his way to win the overall, judging by his performance in the final mountain ITT he'd probably have taken it

 

[Havetts]

Oh lord, that crash on the descent looked like that could've been a bad injury. Seems luck is with the stupid once again .

But sure as hell Fränk atleast acts abit more mature than Andrew.

 

[El Pistolero]

If you think Frank is any more high functioning then Andrew, then maybe this will change your mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7beszWUNm8

Also this was pretty stupid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1-WSpiTFR0

Lol, Tom Steels' voice is extremely funny when Frank is about to crash.

 

[hrotha]

Unfortunately, a Google search for "Andy Schleck's most idiotic statements" yields nothing, so I can't really support my point, especially not with a >101ºF fever.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

By now he has collected a nice palmarès, and if he goes on for at least 5 more years by the end it should be pretty good. I hope he will collect some more smaller stage-race wins, so far he has Tour du Luxembourg, Tour de Suisse and Critérium.

Last year after TdS he was argueably in the form of his life, some said even above Andy, and he was nowhere near that at the Vuelta. He got 5th in two GT's, once with a screwed-up knee and once with a metal plate in his shoulder and after not racing for 1 month. A GT win is rather unlikely but a podium, especially at this year's TdF, is within his reach if he is in top form.

If he was in the form of his life that TdSuisse, then why did he lose almost 1m15 uphill on Gesink, an attack that lasted 4km before they reached the top.
The same gesink who just barely held on to a 6th place a month later (according to his power numbers with the SAME form he had in TdS)
I just don't see Fränk cutting it in gt's.

No I didn't want to drag Gesink into this, but it's a good comparison to use in this instance. Form of life F.Schleck loses 1m uphill on maybe the 5th/6th climber in the world.
It's just not good enough, not for a gt-winner anyway

 

[Christian]

If he was in the form of his life that TdSuisse, then why did he lose almost 1m15 uphill on Gesink, an attack that lasted 4km before they reached the top.
The same gesink who just barely held on to a 6th place a month later (according to his power numbers with the SAME form he had in TdS)
I just don't see Fränk cutting it in gt's.

No I didn't want to drag Gesink into this, but it's a good comparison to use in this instance. Form of life F.Schleck loses 1m uphill on maybe the 5th/6th climber in the world.
It's just not good enough, not for a gt-winner anyway

Last year Fränk went hard in Tour du Luxembourg, a relatively "easy" race, ended up losing to Carrara by one second. Afterwards he said "I'll take it slower at TdS, I don't want to come into top form too early", and that's exactly what he did - he took it slow and decided not to go all out on chasing down Gesink - and he still won. Then two more weeks of fine-tuning and he was in top form for sure ...

 

[ferryman]

Andy won't need any ITT improvement to win this year's TDF. Which he will.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yeah, but there's "dur dur look at me i'm clean i learned from my mistakes" idiocy, and then there's the kind of idiocy Andy spouts whenever there's a recorder or a mic in front of him. In no way I'm implying Fränk is clean.

I am not implying Fränk is clean (or dirty, though we can go to the clinic for that), nor am I implying that Sinkewitz is disingenuous, and to be honest I don't even consider his return to doping to be totally idiotic, after all it did alright, at least for a while, for Riccò and continues to do well for di Luca, who has just returned from his second stint away.

The fact of the matter is, I've met Patrik, and putting dope aside, he was a really nice guy. But I also think that he's very good at saying or doing the wrong things at the wrong times and putting his foot in it - Andy is similar in that respect when it comes to saying things without really thinking through what's actually being said.

 

[The Hitch]

I am not implying Fränk is clean (or dirty, though we can go to the clinic for that), nor am I implying that Sinkewitz is disingenuous, and to be honest I don't even consider his return to doping to be totally idiotic, after all it did alright, at least for a while, for Riccò and continues to do well for di Luca, who has just returned from his second stint away.

The fact of the matter is, I've met Patrik, and putting dope aside, he was a really nice guy. But I also think that he's very good at saying or doing the wrong things at the wrong times and putting his foot in it - Andy is similar in that respect when it comes to saying things without really thinking through what's actually being said.

Did you just say that you wont accuse people of doping outside the clinic before saying that you know Di Luca is still doping? Or did i misread?

Also meeting Sinkiewitz seems to have left quite a mark on you. This is not the first time youve introduced this story in conversations about who does or doesnt dope.

Im not complaining or anything, the story does have a point and your contributions are always worht reading, Im just saying that it seems to have touched you in a way.

 

[biokemguy]

What's on Frank's chest

Didn't wanna start a whole new thread for this question.

What's the bulge on Frank's chest during the TT?
http://www.youtube.com/user/worldcyclingchannel3#p/u/3/TH_WkOGv6MM

It's most apparent at the slow-mo replay at ~9:34.

Is it simply radio equipment? Although there's a bulge on his back that looks more like a radio. Those aren't banned for TT's are they?
Okay that's two questions...

 

[gregrowlerson]

This is a good thread to start up.

I think it is possible for the Schlecks to do a 1-2 in the TDF, though I don't wish that to happen as the racing might be a little boring. I think Frankie is a little underated. I think he is one of the best GC/GT climbers in the world (top 5). How else could he be a strong podium contender in the '08 and '09 Tours when he was horrible in the time trials? We don't know how Frank would have gone last year, and the Vuelta was an afterthought, seeing as his season had been geared around July.

Take the Queen stage of the '09 Tour to explain Frank's climbing ability, and how the brothers can work as a team. They distanced everyone bar AC (who may not compete this July)......and they did all the work - except for AC getting rid of Klodi

Come July AS is probably the favourite. Then you have a group of Basso, Gessink and Evans, and possibly Sami and Frank are in that same conversation.

Even if AC rides I can't see him winning the TDF if he rides all of the Giro before it.

 

[Cimber]

Agreed. I'm interested to see how Andy will perform without what I saw as a paternal presence keeping him focused and prepared

Well it was Kim Andersen who was the in charge of training the two Schlecks.

Regarding the Tour I foresee them both to show up well prepared (unless Frank has one of his usual crashes). I dont think they will be able to do a 1-2. But they definately have a huge chance of winning. Esp if Contador wont ride it. But even if Contador does show up for the Tour they got a good chance, since Contador will be a bit exhausted from a very hard Giro. But Berti is Berti and he will always be in the Mix. The TT will as always be a problem for them (though they look strong for the TTT). Frank have sometimes pulled a good TT, but thats only the shorter ones. he usually suffers on a long 50 km TT. Andy is usually better in the long ones, esp TTs towards the end of a 3 week stage race.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Last year Fränk went hard in Tour du Luxembourg, a relatively "easy" race, ended up losing to Carrara by one second. Afterwards he said "I'll take it slower at TdS, I don't want to come into top form too early", and that's exactly what he did - he took it slow and decided not to go all out on chasing down Gesink - and he still won. Then two more weeks of fine-tuning and he was in top form for sure ...

I still have that stage as a video file.

And if that's taking it easy, then I'm the queen of England. He even went into the counterattack with Oliver Zaugg to try and catch Gesink. And he only lost more time...

 

[Archibald]

personally, I reckon they should take on Contador and do the Giro - things to prove n all, instead of taking the soft option Tour

 

[Flamin]

Lol, Tom Steels' voice is extremely funny when Frank is about to crash.

You mean Hans De Clercq

 

[Angliru]

I am not implying Fränk is clean (or dirty, though we can go to the clinic for that), nor am I implying that Sinkewitz is disingenuous, and to be honest I don't even consider his return to doping to be totally idiotic, after all it did alright, at least for a while, for Riccò and continues to do well for di Luca, who has just returned from his second stint away.

The fact of the matter is, I've met Patrik, and putting dope aside, he was a really nice guy. But I also think that he's very good at saying or doing the wrong things at the wrong times and putting his foot in it - Andy is similar in that respect when it comes to saying things without really thinking through what's actually being said.

I think the difference between Patrik and Andy is that Patrik simply puts "his foot in it" as you state but Andy, IMO seems to think he possess some type of charm that allows him to make ridiculous statements that somehow flies with at least the English speaking media and some fans. With him the statements arrive with a hint of arrogance and complete lack of humility that is completely absent from his older sibling's responses.

 

[Christian]

Well it was Kim Andersen who was the in charge of training the two Schlecks.

True. Riis had a big influence on both of them in the beginning of their career, he was the one who discovered their talent. But lately he was more of an "absentee owner", quite anderstandable since he had to search for a sponsor. I think the Schlecks spent most of their time with Andersen (who also lives in Luxembourg IIANM) and Riis showed up for the Classics and the Tour. Well, and for the Vuelta.

I still have that stage as a video file.

Of course you do.

Is it simply radio equipment? Although there's a bulge on his back that looks more like a radio. Those aren't banned for TT's are they?
Okay that's two questions...

Good question. I have no idea what it is but there were certainly no radios, DS's shouted instructions through a megaphone