Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[uphillstruggle]

Regarding why people diss Andy so much and perhaps Contador fans in particular.

Speaking for myself, I just get so frustrasted with him wasting his talent (to some extend) by moaning, ****ing and crying. He blames everybody but him for the failures. No one else is attacking (in situations where it is a lie or where a blind man can see with his cain, that no one else has a motive) or it is wet, it is warm, it is cold, it goes uphill in a wrong way, is goes downhill, the crowd was ugly, yo mamma etc.

I wan't to like him a lot more. I liked him a lot when he was younger and on his way and then he mentally stopped. Showing signs of placency rather then will to win.

There is still hope though and I for one is crossing my fingers. Still rooting for Contador though.

Andy is a whiner but Contador makes excuses when he doesn't win too. The difference being that Andy fails all the time and Contador hardly ever

I don't really blame Andy for going for the Tour win. First, being on the Tour podium probably makes you a bigger star than winning a Vuelta or Giro (international non-cycling-fan recognition that is) which means a big contract. Second he really thinks he can beat Contador which is great for the sport, and for me shows he has a positive attitude. Andy is the only guy who has constantly attack Contador at the Tour in the past few years. Everyone said Cadel should give up on the tour win remember.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Andy is a whiner but Contador makes excuses when he doesn't win too. The difference being that Andy fails all the time and Contador hardly ever

I don't really blame Andy for going for the Tour win. First, being on the Tour podium probably makes you a bigger star than winning a Vuelta or Giro (international non-cycling-fan recognition that is) which means a big contract. Second he really thinks he can beat Contador which is great for the sport, and for me shows he has a positive attitude. Andy is the only guy who has constantly attack Contador at the Tour in the past few years. Everyone said Cadel should give up on the tour win remember.

I just think when Contador makes excuses that they have the shine of truth, because you never doubt that he actually tried. With Andy you just have the feeling, that the going got hard and Andy went fishing.

He should go for the Tour, no arguing that, but he seems to lack the instinct of the attacker a little. If he went for it in races where he was not 100 %, perhaps he could sharpen his sences. You have seen how him and Frank has no clue what a 1-2 attack is. Frank attacks, get caught, and then Andy waits a minute before he attacks. Then there are his "sticking to the plan" when his opponents look weak, and he could gain time by attacking, but decides to wait.

I just have the feeling, that Andy needs to be soooooo much stronger then his rivals to gain time. He has to overwhelm his rivals instead of exploiting their weakness.

If that makes sence.

 

[Angliru]

Or if Evans wasn't sick.

Yeah, that too.

 

[movingtarget]

I just think when Contador makes excuses that they have the shine of truth, because you never doubt that he actually tried. With Andy you just have the feeling, that the going got hard and Andy went fishing.

He should go for the Tour, no arguing that, but he seems to lack the instinct of the attacker a little. If he went for it in races where he was not 100 %, perhaps he could sharpen his sences. You have seen how him and Frank has no clue what a 1-2 attack is. Frank attacks, get caught, and then Andy waits a minute before he attacks. Then there are his "sticking to the plan" when his opponents look weak, and he could gain time by attacking, but decides to wait.

I just have the feeling, that Andy needs to be soooooo much stronger then his rivals to gain time. He has to overwhelm his rivals instead of exploiting their weakness.

If that makes sence.

Contador is tougher, more versatile and more daring. For someone who rides the TT like Andy does, he has to be much more aggressive in the mountains and he descends like a novice. I would prefer to see Andy or Froome beat Contador in the Tour if Evans can't win but I am not convinced it will happen.

 

[gruppeto993]

Perhaps the tour is looking good for Andy this year since Frank will not be there. IMHO its much better to have one clear leader in Andy rather than play a waiting game to see who will be better during the race.

 

[the asian]

Perhaps the tour is looking good for Andy this year since Frank will not be there. IMHO its much better to have one clear leader in Andy rather than play a waiting game to see who will be better during the race.

No, he'll either skip the Tour or abandon halfway.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Perhaps the tour is looking good for Andy this year since Frank will not be there. IMHO its much better to have one clear leader in Andy rather than play a waiting game to see who will be better during the race.

That's not why Andy Schleck waited so many times. It's clear who's the best GT specialist between the two of them. Frank has never waited for Andy, either.

I agree with your main point, though.

 

[Forunculo]

It's confirmed. No Frank for Andy and very likely no Fabian.

Horner, Kloden, Zubeldia, Monfort, the austrian climber etc. A notable core of helpers but against Sky empire they are kids

Saxo has improved, BMC can display an interesting van Garderen-Evans duo. Andy needs his best form and unfortunately I don't think we can see it in 2013.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

It's confirmed. No Frank for Andy and very likely no Fabian.

Horner, Kloden, Zubeldia, Monfort, the austrian climber etc. A notable core of helpers but against Sky empire they are kids

Saxo has improved, BMC can display an interesting van Garderen-Evans duo. Andy needs his best form and unfortunately I don't think we can see it in 2013.

F Schleck is now a shoe in for the Vuelta.

 

[serfla]

It's confirmed. No Frank for Andy and very likely no Fabian.

Horner, Kloden, Zubeldia, Monfort, the austrian climber etc. A notable core of helpers but against Sky empire they are kids

Saxo has improved, BMC can display an interesting van Garderen-Evans duo. Andy needs his best form and unfortunately I don't think we can see it in 2013.

I'm not sure about Cancellara yet.
Maybe he's raising his stocks for the Tour. He did express intention to ride the Giro, but I don't know now... Wiggins and Sky will be strong opponents in time trials, and to take the jersey on a road stage will be difficult for Fabian.
Also, I think ASO would like to see the best of the best in each discipline for the anniversary edition. So, it might just be raising the stocks.
Anyway, even with Cancellara Leopard doesn't look close to Sky. Somewhere around BMC and Saxo.

 

[T-Nielsen]

It's confirmed. No Frank for Andy and very likely no Fabian.

Horner, Kloden, Zubeldia, Monfort, the austrian climber etc. A notable core of helpers but against Sky empire they are kids

Saxo has improved, BMC can display an interesting van Garderen-Evans duo. Andy needs his best form and unfortunately I don't think we can see it in 2013.

So thats 4 old men that does not give sh()t, a class act, an old class act, an austrian and a galloping frenchman or a fading ukrainian...

My guess he will have have, at best, 4 team mates that will give 100% for him. He deserves better.

 

[T-Nielsen]

F Schleck is now a shoe in for the Vuelta.

The idear of another Purito vs. Contador showdown would make him fake another crash.

 

[Afrank]

It's confirmed. No Frank for Andy and very likely no Fabian.

Horner, Kloden, Zubeldia, Monfort, the austrian climber etc. A notable core of helpers but against Sky empire they are kids

Saxo has improved, BMC can display an interesting van Garderen-Evans duo. Andy needs his best form and unfortunately I don't think we can see it in 2013.

Andy (in form) is not the type of guy who needs a ton of help in the mountains, so losing Frank I don't think is that big a loss to their Tour team. Frank also wouldn't have been that much help in the TTT, so in that regard it's good.

I wonder if this might turn out to be a blessing in disguise though. I think this could free Andy up more. After all, 2010 which most people believe to be his best Tour performance, was done without Frank.

 

[gruppeto993]

I think it would be a waste if radioshack don't send kiserlovski to the tour. He can offer some help in the mountains. Horner, monfort and Zubeldia will help, its just Kloden who doesn't seem to give a crap about racing anymore. And I dont think Andy needs that much help in the mountains if he is on form. He doesn't need a train like Wiggins does. Jens and Fabian are vital though for the TTT and the flats.

 

[the asian]

Kiserlovski is riding the Giro. Don't think he'll do the Tour.

 

[Froome19]

Yep he is leading at the Giro.

 

[Parrulo]

Yep he is leading at the Giro.

sharing leadership

 

[The Hitch]

sharing leadership

yep. Cancellara first half. kiserlowski 2nd.

 

[ferryman]

yep. Cancellara first half. kiserlowski 2nd.

Joking aside. Take it as read, Cancellara will be at the head of the TTT come Tour time. Simply no way Andy can do without him.

 

[Old School]

The idear of another Purito vs. Contador showdown would make him fake another crash.

HAHA! You made me laugh so hard I hurt my side!

This poor rider has probably been the target of the most jokes over the last 5 years....other than the guy on Oprah.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Joking aside. Take it as read, Cancellara will be at the head of the TTT come Tour time. Simply no way Andy can do without him.

Exactly.




...

 

[gruppeto993]

I think fabian will only do the first two weeks of the giro then go home and prepare for the tour. Since there is a TTT, I can't see how the team will be ok with him not participating. Him, jens, kloeden and monfort are vital for the time trial.

 

[Christian]

So thats 4 old men that does not give sh()t, a class act, an old class act, an austrian and a galloping frenchman or a fading ukrainian...

My guess he will have have, at best, 4 team mates that will give 100% for him. He deserves better.

I'm not exactly sure who are the 4 old men and who is the class act

IMO it's not that big of a deal. They are not the favourites and I doubt they will have to control the race at any point. The question is how long they can hang on to the Sky train. If in good shape I think Horner and Zubeldia have the best chances.

It's a pity for the TTT without Cancellara but in any case they will have a decent team. As for Rohregger I doubt he'll make the team, he's never been above B-team even at LEOPARD TREK. Popovych might not make it either, since Bruyneel is gone. I hope he will be replaced by Roulston or Rast for example. I think Laurent Didier also has decent chances because he is Andy's designated shadow for this year.

IMO:

Andy, Zubeldia, Monfort (sure deals), Gallopin (likely), Voigt, Horner, Klöden (depending on form). Outside chances: Didier, Roulston, Rast, maybe Busche if Horner is not an option for the token american?

 

[T-Nielsen]

I'm not exactly sure who are the 4 old men and who is the class act

IMO it's not that big of a deal. They are not the favourites and I doubt they will have to control the race at any point. The question is how long they can hang on to the Sky train. If in good shape I think Horner and Zubeldia have the best chances.

It's a pity for the TTT without Cancellara but in any case they will have a decent team. As for Rohregger I doubt he'll make the team, he's never been above B-team even at LEOPARD TREK. Popovych might not make it either, since Bruyneel is gone. I hope he will be replaced by Roulston or Rast for example. I think Laurent Didier also has decent chances because he is Andy's designated shadow for this year.

IMO:

Andy, Zubeldia, Monfort (sure deals), Gallopin (likely), Voigt, Horner, Klöden (depending on form). Outside chances: Didier, Roulston, Rast, maybe Busche if Horner is not an option for the token american?

I guess MAYBE there is a slight and yet technical chance that I have messed up my counting. Although in my defence Kloden, Zubeldia and Horner is old enought to count for 4 old men.

Montfort is the class act (one of my personal fav.) and Voigt the old class act. If I were in charge (Granted, there are many many many reasons why that would, should and can not happen. Just the courtorders alone...) I would not bring Kloden.

 

[Forunculo]

Andy, Zubeldia, Monfort (sure deals), Gallopin (likely), Voigt, Horner, Klöden (depending on form). Outside chances: Didier, Roulston, Rast, maybe Busche if Horner is not an option for the token american?

I agree with that thinking. Since there is no Johan anymore, and Guercilena and Andersen are the guys at wheel, the 9 of the Tour will be mostly leopard. Zubeldia and perhaps Kloden and Horner, but I prefer to see youngger riders