Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[webbie146]

Not disappointing at all. It was expected. You get lured by his statements that he will do something and his form is on the up but ultimately he isn't. This year he simply hasn't got it. If u r an Andy fan look to 2014. Somebody needs to stop him from racing and concentrate on training really hard a la Rocky Balboa. But unfortunately the sponsors may want him to race.

Yes that was what I was thinking but looking at his performance today I might have been wrong..

 

[Christian]

Andy Schleck : “But it’s true that I have always finished my Tours de France well, and that’s going to help again this year. In any case, I won’t have finished working when the Tour de Suisse ends. I still have some quality work to do. And if it doesn’t work out at the Tour, I won’t have any regrets because I’ll have done everything to go well there. And there’ll still be the Vuelta and the 2014 Tour…”

It should be noted that in the original interview they ask him directly whether he will go to the Vuelta and he says:

"In fact I don't know. It could well be, because it is the mandatory build-up for the Worlds"

So it's not sure yet but it sounds like he is inclined to do it

 

[The Blues]

It does. And Horner said the other day that he expected him to do it. It was in an interview where he said that he would go to the Vuelta to support Fränk, and that Andy would probably also be there. I hope it's true - if he's got anything left in the tank, that is.

But I don't think he has decided yet. We'll see.

 

[Gugashwill]

It should be noted that in the original interview they ask him directly whether he will go to the Vuelta and he says:

"In fact I don't know. It could well be, because it is the mandatory build-up for the Worlds"

So it's not sure yet but it sounds like he is inclined to do it

What's with The Quiznos Challenge?
Too far from the Worlds, invitation or Frank needs Vuelta?
If Andy's going to be off the podium in Paris, he should stay on Alpe d' Huez not allowed to get out of the Alps, and target Worlds - Lombardia.
If he podiums in the both, he's back.
I'm concerned about the Worlds, though.

 

[Afrank]

Not disappointing at all. It was expected. You get lured by his statements that he will do something and his form is on the up but ultimately he isn't. This year he simply hasn't got it. If u r an Andy fan look to 2014. Somebody needs to stop him from racing and concentrate on training really hard a la Rocky Balboa. But unfortunately the sponsors may want him to race.

I agree that for the big results we should be looking more to 2014. I don't expect a podium or real good GC place or anything like that from him in the Tour, maybe a stage win from a breakaway though.

Don't agree however that he shouldn't be racing. Last year he DNFed in almost every race he entered and essentially lost a year of racing. He needs racing to make up for that lost year and to help him get back to his old level. Plus racing will provide him with much more opportunity and motivation to go hard and all out in the race, something I don't think just training on his own would do.

 

[Gugashwill]

No voice from Andy.
Would be nice to hear some impressions. There's not much we can see.

 

[Alpechraxler]

He does easy trainingrides in switzerland. Yesterday 100 km in the pack climb at his own pace. Today 200 km in the pack and was seen on the front at the begin of the climb then softpedaled the rest.

 

[Gugashwill]

He does easy trainingrides in switzerland. Yesterday 100 km in the pack climb at his own pace. Today 200 km in the pack and was seen on the front at the begin of the climb then softpedaled the rest.

Sounds good.
But doesn't look alike.

 

[movingtarget]

If Andy rides the Tour. The GC at the end of the first week will tell the story. Either he is not trying very hard or he is only doing what he can.

 

[IndianCyclist]

I agree that for the big results we should be looking more to 2014. I don't expect a podium or real good GC place or anything like that from him in the Tour, maybe a stage win from a breakaway though.

Don't agree however that he shouldn't be racing. Last year he DNFed in almost every race he entered and essentially lost a year of racing. He needs racing to make up for that lost year and to help him get back to his old level. Plus racing will provide him with much more opportunity and motivation to go hard and all out in the race, something I don't think just training on his own would do.

Till he was with Riis, he was literally driven by Riis to prepare well which is probably why he was able to match Contador in 2010. After Riis they gave him too much leeway due to his star status. The result is he lost the Tour to Evans and the disastrous 2012 season and the non-existent 2013 season. On his own he is not going to train hard. Somebody must be after him for that.
All the races he is doing, he is merely soft pedaling at the end instead of driving hard ( I really don't see him gasping for breath at the end like some other riders Talansky for eg.) and the more he finishes in the pack, the more he is going to lose motivation. IMHO he is wasting his talent.

 

[Afrank]

Till he was with Riis, he was literally driven by Riis to prepare well which is probably why he was able to match Contador in 2010. After Riis they gave him too much leeway due to his star status. The result is he lost the Tour to Evans and the disastrous 2012 season and the non-existent 2013 season. On his own he is not going to train hard. Somebody must be after him for that.
All the races he is doing, he is merely soft pedaling at the end instead of driving hard ( I really don't see him gasping for breath at the end like some other riders Talansky for eg.) and the more he finishes in the pack, the more he is going to lose motivation. IMHO he is wasting his talent.

He's riding much harder in races than I think he would do on his own in training. Look at California, In 2 breaks, do you think he was soft pedaling in those breaks? And for all we know he is gasping for breath when he finishes, don't know about you, but I don't often see the finishes of the guys that finish far down where he has been finishing. And there are much more opportunities to go hard during a race than just the finish.

Racing provides him with the opportunity to get in breaks, to lead the pack every now and then, go hard on climbs (even if he may finish them with the pack), and get racing miles in the legs (something he needs after 2012). The more he races like he did in Cali the better. Not sure he will try anything in TDS considering it's prep for the Tour, but it would be good for him the get in a couple breaks later on. Wouldn't surprise me if he did.

 

[hfer07]

I quite find entertaining to read some of the posts here so filled with blinded optimism about Andy, which anyone of course is entitled to opine whatever they like, but frankly to deny what is so evident here is either naive or foolish-as Andy himself might be.....

I just read a magazine a couple days ago in which Bernard Hinault offers his opinion on the Tour contenders-and when I came across RS, he pointed out that Andy just lost the plot-the talent might be there but is all in the head, and what the public might get from him the most from years to come is a stage win- but as far as GC aspirations-he has to completely fix that aspect - which BTW is the toughest one- and then regain the hunger for competition once he had.......

overall- this is what I foresee for him come June 29th: A TDF where he either DNS or crashes early-even worse a lame "illness" appears to pull out, so he would start BS'ing people about getting ready for La vuelta, which will turn out the same as Le Tour, so he can just "end his demanding 2013 calender".......................................................just pathetic

 

[Jelantik]

One thing for sure though. When Andy get his form back, he is probably the only GT contender (with podium record) who has the experience of riding in the breakaway Maybe that would give him some new strategy or something

 

[masking_agent]

I quite find entertaining to read some of the posts here so filled with blinded optimism about Andy, which anyone of course is entitled to opine whatever they like, but frankly to deny what is so evident here is either naive or foolish-as Andy himself might be.....

I just read a magazine a couple days ago in which Bernard Hinault offers his opinion on the Tour contenders-and when I came across RS, he pointed out that Andy just lost the plot-the talent might be there but is all in the head, and what the public might get from him the most from years to come is a stage win- but as far as GC aspirations-he has to completely fix that aspect - which BTW is the toughest one- and then regain the hunger for competition once he had.......

overall- this is what I foresee for him come June 29th: A TDF where he either DNS or crashes early-even worse a lame "illness" appears to pull out, so he would start BS'ing people about getting ready for La vuelta, which will turn out the same as Le Tour, so he can just "end his demanding 2013 calender".......................................................just pathetic

I agree , Andy's quite fragile mentally and this has been his downfall. I think the best thing for him is a new team, a part from his brother, a change of environment, so he can rejuvenate his hunger on is own.

 

[Christian]

Till he was with Riis, he was literally driven by Riis to prepare well which is probably why he was able to match Contador in 2010. After Riis they gave him too much leeway due to his star status.

This is a common myth - already during Riis years he mostly worked with Kim Andersen.

overall- this is what I foresee for him come June 29th: A TDF where he either DNS or crashes early-even worse a lame "illness" appears to pull out, so he would start BS'ing people about getting ready for La vuelta, which will turn out the same as Le Tour, so he can just "end his demanding 2013 calender".......................................................just pathetic

I agree, just pathetic.......................... .......................... oh no wait that is just a hypothesis

 

[Christian]

Regarding his form I am not too psessimistic despite the recent performances. I feel like he was better than this at Pais Vasco, LBL and California, so it could just be a temporary setback and the form could come back

 

[IndianCyclist]

One thing for sure though. When Andy get his form back, he is probably the only GT contender (with podium record) who has the experience of riding in the breakaway Maybe that would give him some new strategy or something

He already did that in Tour 2011 and won one epic stage & lost the plot in the other with Contador

 

[webvan]

Most memorable for me of Andy '10 was what he did for a couple of minuted after chaingate, went full gas and passed those ahead of him like they were going backwards

Indeed, that was a very powerful climb, just zipping by Armstrong, would have been iinteresting to see his watts at that very moment! Let's hope we get to see Andy like that again...

 

[avanti]

Perhaps he should hire Jens Voight as his coach in 2014. starting this fall.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Perhaps he should hire Jens Voight as his coach in 2014. starting this fall.

Yes, would like to see Andy shouting "shut up legs!" for once

 

[nick101]

was really good to see andy in the breaks at cali - different style of racing to usual. as for his gc ambitions I don't think this year he will win the tdf. top ten is possible and even podium (but I doubt that), possible mountain stage win though. he's racing the vuelta this year also? his mental state this year is his downfall, so I this year will be more about regaining his hunger to win. I really hope he does the giro and vuelta next year. I can remember the 07 giro when he did the third fastest time ever on the zoncolan. he needs a double gt year in his legs to win the tdf. look at contador in the 09 tour after doing the 08 giro and vuelta. by only focussing on the l-g-l and the tour he really is limiting himself both physically and mentally. he can't expect to win those races by just soft pedalling lead up races

 

[Afrank]

was really good to see andy in the breaks at cali - different style of racing to usual. as for his gc ambitions I don't think this year he will win the tdf. top ten is possible and even podium (but I doubt that), possible mountain stage win though. he's racing the vuelta this year also? his mental state this year is his downfall, so I this year will be more about regaining his hunger to win. I really hope he does the giro and vuelta next year. I can remember the 07 giro when he did the third fastest time ever on the zoncolan. he needs a double gt year in his legs to win the tdf. look at contador in the 09 tour after doing the 08 giro and vuelta. by only focussing on the l-g-l and the tour he really is limiting himself both physically and mentally. he can't expect to win those races by just soft pedalling lead up races

He hinted at doing it, but we won't know for sure till after the Tour at least if he will do it or not. I wouldn't get my hopes up too much yet though, Schleck also said he would do the Vuelta after his crash last year. It will depend largely on what happens in the Tour I think. It would be a very good decision for him to go to the Vuelta though.

Also agree with you on this year being about regaining his hunger to win. Getting that hunger back is an important part in his comeback.

 

[nick101]

who's andy's ds at leopard trek?? is it kim Anderson??

 

[Roude Leiw]

Andy is getting massive flak from his boss according to this:

http://sport.rtl.lu/news/aktualiteit/442996.html

Spoiled by money and Becca wants to throw him out after the TDF....

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Andy is getting massive flak from his boss according to this:

http://sport.rtl.lu/news/aktualiteit/442996.html

Spoiled by money and Becca wants to throw him out after the TDF....

well, money men going to the golf club don't like to be ridiculed....