Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[Hugh Januss]

radioshack just posted this in their PR for today's stage.

"While great numbers of riders dropped out today, RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK is only concerned about one rider. Guercilena continued in regards to Andy Schleck: “We were sad to see Andy abandon. He has been improving a lot but in these conditions, he wasn’t able to follow today. His condition is coming up but on a physically demanding day like today, it just wasn’t enough. We think he still suffers psychologically from last year’s crash. We hope he continues to work through this and that it passes soon. This is the most important thing. We want our Andy back. We think he can benefit from working with someone in the effort to help him find his old self. This is important to all of us.”

It sounds like they want him to work with a psychiatrist?
I honestly feel sorry for Andy..

I read he abandoned while the sun was still shining. If so, sounds like the guys who should be making sure he performs are instead making excuses for him.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I read he abandoned while the sun was still shining. If so, sounds like the guys who should be making sure he performs are instead making excuses for him.

the first part of the race was indeed good weather, the sun was shinign at the start and andy abandoned very early, so seems true

 

[Afrank]

You could be a little bit compassionate towards him instead of being a d**k.

I've been more compassionate to Andy then the majority of users on this forum for a long time. And I'm not being a **** at all, I could look back through any thread where Andy was discussed and find tons of posts worse then mine, I'm just getting really frustrated that he seems incapable of finishing a race.

 

[Afrank]

With these words, you have no way back. Cheering for Andy is not for weak in spirit.

I don't agree, cyclists are not gods; that once you declare yourself a believer of, you must always have faith in and support no matter what. I still would love to, and want to see Andy back in fighting form. And if he does I will cheer for him. But I'm not going to be making up excuses for him, he really does need to get his act together if he really wants to return. The first step in doing that will to be actually finish a race.

 

[Netserk]

Which is the last stage race Andy has finished?

EDIT: Just checked. Circuit de la Sarthe was the last stage race he completed. Since the 2011 Tour he has only finished 3 stage races That's almost 20 months with only 3 finished stage races

 

[airstream]

I don't agree, cyclists are not gods; that once you declare yourself a believer of, you must always have faith in and support no matter what. I still would love to, and want to see Andy back in fighting form. And if he does I will cheer for him.

OK. You root for the results, I root for the man. It's clear.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's amazing how the Andy fans are still sticking by him, despite the fact it's clear that he no longer has any motivation and should quit pro cycling altogether.

And last year he was talking all brave before the Tour of Beijing that his 2013 season started in that race. Just talk.

What the F**** is wrong with this guy? I am so sick of all this crap. I officially give up; finish a race, don't finish a race, I don't care anymore. There are hundreds more better and more exciting riders to watch! I'm done with Schleck.

I lol'ed

 

[Afrank]

OK. You root for the results, I root for the man. It's clear.

Rooting for any cyclist your rooting for them to get results. Rooting for results and rooting for the man is exactly the same thing. No matter what your rooting for the rider.
And for the record on a stage like Galibier for example, I wouldn't care if Andy was caught and finished at the back of the GC favorites group. I would support him and praise him for simply having the balls to go out on the attack from 60k out.

 

[Der Effe]

He's still gonna win LBL this year.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Some hope is coming back. He needs to finish Tirreno now. If he does, confidence and motivation will rise.
However, time's running out for the ardennes. Six weeks left to the Amstel, seven to LBL, so let's see.

I had to go back a week to find this post - at the time I agreed with it.

I actually think that it's been a good week for Andy and he battled on well. Only disappointment was he didn't get a little further on today before abandoning but overall it's a big improvement.

The Ardennes Classics are too soon - but if he can keep his motivation up he could finish in the first half of the race which would be a decent platform for the Tour.
He did something similar in 2010 - was off the back most of TA and we saw what he did in that Tour. Although in 2010 his base condition was better but he still can surprise - he is doing it the hard way, but he is doing it.

 

[Taxus4a]

Few years ago he had knee problems, he abandoned Tirreno at stage six as well (anyway he was 25 in one of the toughest, so a I meant he wasnt really bad), he was 8 minutes back in San Remo, and a month later he was super strong and was second in Flecha and won Liege.

So, he is on time, we need to see how his body assimilates this hard five days, He need just a little bit more to get confidence about himself, and he need as well lost his fears in descents.

This week has been hard for him, he just need to stop a little and take some days of active relax...

 

[Carols]

half of the peloton did not finish today... so.. it was not a big problem to not finish today...

He will be ok at tour de france... I hope so!

I guess not if you're a quitter.

But then there was Taylor Phinney riding 4 hours alone off the back to finish but missed the cut and he says:

“I didn’t make it, but I learned a lot about myself and what I can put myself through, so that’s the plus side I guess,” said Phinney. “It was a big day. It’s surprising what you can do to yourself sometimes.”

That is a bike racer, just like his dad, not a quitter like Andy!

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

I guess not if you're a quitter.

But then there was Taylor Phinney riding 4 hours alone off the back to finish but missed the cut and he says:

“I didn’t make it, but I learned a lot about myself and what I can put myself through, so that’s the plus side I guess,” said Phinney. “It was a big day. It’s surprising what you can do to yourself sometimes.”

That is a bike racer, just like his dad, not a quitter like Andy!

In fairness, Andy has accomplished more in his career than Phinney ever will

 

[airstream]

these situations are incomparable, because Andy couldn't keep up the pace of the peloton straight from the stage start.

 

[ultimobici]

In fairness, Andy has accomplished more in his career than Phinney ever will

Seriously? Phinney is several years younger than Schleck, yet has a very impressive track record. On top of that he seems to have a work ethic to match his prodigious talent. Perhaps Schleck should take a leaf out of Phinney's book?

 

[MartinGT]

I would love to see Andy get back up there as I think it would be good for the sport.

However, I seriously think his motivation has hit an all time low now and I cannot see any way back

 

[gthx_gthx_]

I'm only hoping that he comes in top form in July. Because in top form he is one of the best climbers , and I'd love to see him against the Sky Train.

The More climbers in the tour , the better it'll be.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Seriously? Phoney is several years younger than Schleck, yet has a very impressive track record. On top of that he seems to have a work ethic to match his prodigious talent. Perhaps Schleck should take a leaf out of Phinney's book?

Indeed. In a few years Andy will be retired and Phinney will be winning world tt titles. Seriously, does anyone see Andy as having achieved more than Fabian?

 

[Pentacycle]

Seriously? Phoney is several years younger than Schleck, yet has a very impressive track record. On top of that he seems to have a work ethic to match his prodigious talent. Perhaps Schleck should take a leaf out of Phinney's book?

Phinney was taking it fairly easy in his first pro year though, back then he said he took it all for granted, but I think his father getting ill drastically changed that. Often you see that riders can turn disappointments and personal problems into determination.

 

[cineteq]

Indeed. In a few years Andy will be retired and Phinney will be winning world tt titles. Seriously, does anyone see Andy as having achieved more than Fabian?

Weren't Fabian and Andy best buddies? He mentioned Horner yesterday, but zero on Andy.

 

[TheEnoculator]

I would choose Phinney over Schleck on my team any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[the asian]

Another wasted year for Andy. He might even retire at the end of the year if the team folds.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Indeed. In a few years Andy will be retired and Phinney will be winning world tt titles. Seriously, does anyone see Andy as having achieved more than Fabian?

I personally would take Schleck's GT record over 10 world ITT's. That is perhaps simply a preference for racing styles.

Nobody here knows the comparative work ethics of Andy and Taylor. We are arm chair pundits, second guessing, with no knowledge of their respective preparation records. Also, a fair comparison of motivation would be when Phinney has had a serious fall on the bike and is clearly struggling mentally.

 

[Carols]

I personally would take Schleck's GT record over 10 world ITT's. That is perhaps simply a preference for racing styles.

Nobody here knows the comparative work ethics of Andy and Taylor. We are arm chair pundits, second guessing, with no knowledge of their respective preparation records. Also, a fair comparison of motivation would be when Phinney has had a serious fall on the bike and is clearly struggling mentally.

Humm like when he had a hole in his foot from a crash in the Giro and it was all covered in ice and bandages but he carried on? Or using his father's serious illness to provide determination and fortitude on a 4 hour solo ride on a rainy brutal course?

I'd take Phinney any day...Hardman that one!

 

[Publicus]

Andy is in a tough spot. His team is putting a lot of pressure for him to perform (see comments in front page article), which I'm not sure is the right approach given Andy's psychological makeup (from what I can deduce from afar). I don't think he has the mental fortitude to have this recovery process happen in full view of the public. I don't now if I feel sorry for him, but I do recognize he's in a very tough spot. Hopefully his team or his dad have the good sense to get him to a sports psychologist ASAP!