Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[Caruut]

Welcome back Air, What is your prediction for Frank? Top 5, podium or win??

Win so hard that the Italians stop wondering whether Coppi or Bartali is the best ever, because they know that it is, in fact, Frank.

 

[airstream]

Welcome back Air, What is your prediction for Frank? Top 5, podium or win??

do you say about the giro? it boils down to his will to compete and seize the opportunity. if frank can do that, he will top-3. though his champion ambitions all along raise my doubts.

as to your signature, i bethought one more time and came to conclusion that guy was right. exactly team leopard-trek rather than evans or contador was an outstanding and irresistible filling of that tour. they were expected to do something and most of any kind of emotions was adressed to them. basically they crystallized out nerve of gc fight. isn't it the reason to believe they made the tour?

 

[cineteq]

do you say about the giro? it boils down to his will to compete and seize the opportunity. if frank can do that, he will top-3. though his champion ambitions all along raise my doubts.

as to your signature, i bethought one more time and came to conclusion that guy was right. exactly team leopard-trek rather than evans or contador was an outstanding and irresistible filling of that tour. they were expected to do something and most of any kind of emotions was adressed to them. basically they crystallized out nerve of gc fight. isn't it the reason to believe they made the tour?

Hi airstream, your English has improved dramatically in a matter of weeks. kudos to you

 

[Angliru]

do you say about the giro? it boils down to his will to compete and seize the opportunity. if frank can do that, he will top-3. though his champion ambitions all along raise my doubts.

as to your signature, i bethought one more time and came to conclusion that guy was right. exactly team leopard-trek rather than evans or contador was an outstanding and irresistible filling of that tour. they were expected to do something and most of any kind of emotions was adressed to them. basically they crystallized out nerve of gc fight. isn't it the reason to believe they made the tour?

One has to consider the source. Can one stage be the determining factor on what team "made the Tour"? Especially when one considers that the move was one made as a result of what they hadn't done all the rest of the stages up to that point. It was a move of desparation--a last ditch effort to make up for the inability or lack of willingness to commit to putting their opponents under the gun in the first half of the event. The Tour podium was slipping away with an ITT looming. Europcar deserves the recognition it more than Leopard-Trek. It could be argued that BMC punched way above their weight to win the Tour or that Leopard-Trek simply made it easier for them and offered it up on a platter with their passive strategy.

 

[airstream]

One has to consider the source. Can one stage be the determining factor on what team "made the Tour"? Especially when one considers that the move was one made as a result of what they hadn't done all the rest of the stages up to that point. It was a move of desparation--a last ditch effort to make up for the inability or lack of willingness to commit to putting their opponents under the gun in the first half of the event. The Tour podium was slipping away with an ITT looming. Europcar deserves the recognition it more than Leopard-Trek. It could be argued that BMC punched way above their weight to win the Tour or that Leopard-Trek simply made it easier for them and offered it up on a platter with their passive strategy.

they made luz-ardiden and alpe-d'huez. though, probably, you watch the tour because of the stages and consider sanchez made luz, but i for myself wasn't absolutely concerned about who takes the stage, gc is way important. andy attracted attention like no other what's the difference what it was, desperation, inspiration or superpower? "Desperation" can characterize only your personal dissatisfaction from that. The man gave the move of the last 10 years in gts and that says it all

Hi airstream, your English has improved dramatically in a matter of weeks. kudos to you

thanks. i was amazed to read a linguistic analysis of my posts in this thread. antropometry turned out be great stuff.

 

[Afrank]

One has to consider the source. Can one stage be the determining factor on what team "made the Tour"? Especially when one considers that the move was one made as a result of what they hadn't done all the rest of the stages up to that point. It was a move of desparation--a last ditch effort to make up for the inability or lack of willingness to commit to putting their opponents under the gun in the first half of the event. The Tour podium was slipping away with an ITT looming. Europcar deserves the recognition it more than Leopard-Trek. It could be argued that BMC punched way above their weight to win the Tour or that Leopard-Trek simply made it easier for them and offered it up on a platter with their passive strategy.

But it was that one stage that made the tour, until that stage it was racing as usual, attack near the summit and win the stage, no big time gaps gained. But Andy attacked from far out and gained big time which made the other teams and team leaders work harder. For me at least it wasn't until that stage that the tour got good.

I agree with you that other teams deserve credit, and think that no one team can make a tour. But Leopard, I think, made the GC battle a real battle.

 

[airstream]

there's only one way out of syndrome of fangirl's depression - taking a walk with some boy or friends, i don't know...
if it doesnot help i offer to watch one of the epic giro videos

tre cime di lavaredo 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXeeWi4-Pg

starring:
the legend in maglia rosa
the legend in maglia bianco
didi senft
some random guys in yellow kits.

 

[El Pistolero]

Why are they climbing so slowly in the vid?

 

[The Hitch]

they made luz-ardiden and alpe-d'huez.

Hillarious.

I tip my hat.

 

[Froome19]

One has to consider the source. Can one stage be the determining factor on what team "made the Tour"? Especially when one considers that the move was one made as a result of what they hadn't done all the rest of the stages up to that point. It was a move of desparation--a last ditch effort to make up for the inability or lack of willingness to commit to putting their opponents under the gun in the first half of the event. The Tour podium was slipping away with an ITT looming. Europcar deserves the recognition it more than Leopard-Trek. It could be argued that BMC punched way above their weight to win the Tour or that Leopard-Trek simply made it easier for them and offered it up on a platter with their passive strategy.

The tour would have been boring without them because the thing that truly defines the tour and how people remember the tour is in actual fact the GC battle and the GC battle would have entailed Evans tempoeing up all the climbs marked by everyone else.

Europcar was a nice side on but the race will not be remembered for Voeckler and Rolland's persistence as it was in everyones minds merely a side act to the proper thing.

BMC with Evans could be said to have made it, but if Evans wouldnt have been there would things have been less exciting? No because the GC battle would have been merely been fought out by Schleck and another rider in a totally different scenario.

The underlying fact is that the mountains are what makes the Tour and you need to race the mountains for it to be a good tour.

Everybody criticises the Schleck's for their perfomances at Luiz Ardiden and Plateau de beille but they seem to miss the fact that the whole tour would have transpired along the lines of those 2 stages if it wasnt for the Schlecks as the only people who were willing to attack were Sanchez and Contador who were already out of the picture and wouldnt have made the GC riders ride more intrestingly and Basso tried to put the pressure on as well (see the pyreenees and you will see how he and the Schlecks were the only ones actually trying however hard to do anything).

The stage to the Galibier was required but it wasnt what made the tour what is now is, what made the tour was the GC battle that that stage set up and of course that GC battle was due to the Schlecks.

So on two accounts a) because they made the GC battle and b) because they animated the mountains more than anyone else. The Schlecks imo made the tour what is was as because without them the GC battle would have been boring and that would have consituted a boring race

thanks. i was amazed to read a linguistic analysis of my posts in this thread. antropometry turned out be great stuff.

I though you didnt have the time

Nice to have you back though it is about time someone defended the Schlecks in a befitting manner and also i think you may have some fun in the last week of the Giro, its just a bit of a shame I cant see Frank being in contention coming into it

 

[The Hitch]

Why do you keep using they?

Andy was the contendor Andy's presence was required. Frank did jack ****.

If he wants to claim credit for making Luz Ardiden a good stage (and it wasn't even that) he can go **** himself and besides that he did nothing.

 

[airstream]

Why do you keep using they?

Andy was the contendor Andy's presence was required. Frank did jack ****.

If he wants to claim credit for making Luz Ardiden a good stage (and it wasn't even that) he can go **** himself and besides that he did nothing.

andy rocked the boat first having made Contador and Evans move and close the gaps. and only then Frank went off. yeh, correctly. i'm wrong regarding Frank and alpe-d'huez. but i'm suggesting about team contribution first of all

 

[The Hitch]

ave transpired along the lines of those 2 stages if it wasnt for the Schlecks as the only people who were willing to attack were Sanchez and Contador who were already out of the picture and wouldnt have made the GC riders ride more intrestingly and Basso tried to put the pressure on as well (see the pyreenees and you will see how he and the Schlecks were the only ones actually trying however hard to do anything).

The stage to the Galibier was required but it wasnt what made the tour what is now is, what made the tour was the GC battle that that stage set up and of course that GC battle was due to the Schlecks

You are forgetting the fact that if it wasn't for Contador's attack in Gap, Schleck would never have lost a second on that stage and would not have been forced to go 60k from the end on 18

Or do people maybe think that Schleck would have still launched a mega attack an hour from the end if his gap to Evans was a mere 9 seconds?

And if it wasn't for Contador nothing would have happened on 19 either.

Schleck and Cadel were both willing to ride in together for that stage. It is unlikley to say the least that 2 riders so willing to leave it to the tt would have tried anything, or that their teams would have done anything.

We probably averted one of those breakaway comes in 10 minutes before the peloton stages on 19.

 

[Froome19]

You are forgetting the fact that if it wasn't for Contador's attack in Gap, Schleck would never have lost a second on that stage and would not have been forced to go 60k from the end on 18

Or do people maybe think that Schleck would have still launched a mega attack an hour from the end if his gap to Evans was a mere 9 seconds?

And if it wasn't for Contador nothing would have happened on 19 either.

Schleck and Cadel were both willing to ride in together for that stage. It is unlikley to say the least that 2 riders so willing to leave it to the tt would have tried anything, or that their teams would have done anything.

We probably averted one of those breakaway comes in 10 minutes before the peloton stages on 19.

Schleck and Cadel were willing to ride together??

Schleck would always have tried his hardest to drop Evans on Stage 19 no matter what and thus Leopard Trek would have pushed the pace and so no it would not have been a breakaway win especially considering that the stage was to short for the break to get enough of an advantage before the peloton with Lepoard would have started to ride hard. The failed attack on the telegraphe was nice but by no means did it leave a lasting impression.

Maybe Contador spiced up the other stages and helped to alter GC but of course that leads to a number of "what might have beens" and of course he was never prominent in terms of GC on the mountain stages which was the point I was trying to make in that only the Schlecks had the ability and were the ones who truly made the mountain stages, and for your sake, specifically Andy.

 

[The Hitch]

Schleck and Cadel were willing to ride together??
.

Don't get the smiley.

Take a look for yourself. They rode the entire climb together, and at a pretty slow pace at that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3nMyFKxUxM

Hell they were even arguing about who should pull on the front.

 

[The Hitch]

that only the Schlecks had the ability and were the ones who truly made the mountain stages, and for your sake, specifically Andy.

This isn't about me. You can say what you want, but don't be surprised to see people ask that you back it up.

You treat Frank schleck as one of 2 people who made the race.

I called you out on it. Had i not done so someone else would have.

Now since you have been called out on it, you can a) concede that it was a mistake, or b) defend your claim and back it up with some evidence.

So what evidence do you have then, that they guy who rode every interesting stage in the pack without making a single attack, is the one who made the race interesting?

He did not take a pull in the ttt.
He was not seen in any stage until an attack on luz which gave him 30 s.

He did nothing on Plateu de Baile.
He did nothing in Gap.
He did nothing in Pinerrolo
He did nothing in 18.
He did nothing in 19. Pretty much everyone else in the top 10 did something at some point on that stage. Frank sat back the whole time.
He did a weak *** tt on 20.

To think of it, Frank Schleck spent less time on the fron in the 2011 TDF than Cavendish did.

Yeah, he really made it interesting all right

 

[Froome19]

This isn't about me. You can say what you want, but don't be surprised to see people ask that you back it up.

You treat Frank schleck as one of 2 people who made the race.

I called you out on it. Had i not done so someone else would have.

Now since you have been called out on it, you can a) concede that it was a mistake, or b) defend your claim and back it up with some evidence.

So what evidence do you have then, that they guy who rode every interesting stage in the pack without making a single attack, is the one who made the race interesting?

He did not take a pull in the ttt.
He was not seen in any stage until an attack on luz which gave him 30 s.

He did nothing on Plateu de Baile.
He did nothing in Gap.
He did nothing in Pinerrolo
He did nothing in 18.
He did nothing in 19. Pretty much everyone else in the top 10 did something at some point on that stage. Frank sat back the whole time.
He did a weak *** tt on 20.

To think of it, Frank Schleck spent less time on the fron in the 2011 TDF than Cavendish did.

Yeah, he really made it interesting all right

Yes I made a mistake by including Frank and I think that was pretty clear.

I believe he did contribute to his brothers perfomance but the tour wouldnt have been much different without him.

 

[airstream]

Don't get the smiley.

Take a look for yourself. They rode the entire climb together, and at a pretty slow pace at that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3nMyFKxUxM

Hell they were even arguing about who should pull on the front.

The tempo was high. But Andy dwelled in a deadlock state. He realized that couldn't drop Evans while Frank was so weak that even couldn't take some pulls. Andy had to protect himself setting the pace all the way up to the top. If he had slowed down for a little while, Evans would have gotten away from them and it would of been the end even then

 

[mr. tibbs]

The tempo was high. But Andy dwelled in a deadlock state. He realized that couldn't drop Evans while Frank was so weak that even couldn't take some pulls. Andy had to protect himself setting the pace all the way up to the top. If he had slowed down for a little while, Evans would have gotten away from them and it would of been the end even then

Why did Andy need Frank to attack Evans? Why couldn't he put in an attack himself, like every other climber who has won the Tour? I think this fraternal self-limiting is the main critique people have of Andy.

 

[airstream]

Why did Andy need Frank to attack Evans? Why couldn't he put in an attack himself, like every other climber who has won the Tour? I think this fraternal self-limiting is the main critique people have of Andy.

Frank could have made Evans chase which could save energy for Andy and he could have attacked later. Because that's a very vital story. They are all human beings. And in the Tour there are no riders who are able to attack and gain time over the rest on all of 3-4 decisive stages especially after a 60k solo the day before.

 

[karlboss]

The man gave the move of the last 10 years in gts and that says it all

Landis wants a word with you.

 

[airstream]

Landis wants a word with you.

Well, sadly, Landis move can't be confirmed by the protocol and hence has a reduction factor.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Andy Schleck ‏ @andy_schleck
Also for sierra nevada Popo Heimar Toni and my self all out thoughts goes to Wouter an his Fam. We keep you in our minds my buddy. sad day

 

[Froome19]

Andy Schleck ‏ @andy_schleck
Also for sierra nevada Popo Heimar Toni and my self all out thoughts goes to Wouter an his Fam. We keep you in our minds my buddy. sad day

At least some riders can focus on the important stuff

 

[lejarreta]

Never thought I would say so...

but I'm begining to like this guy.
(sorry, bit off topic, but today is special for me)
http://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/201.../frank-schleck-animo-leones-201205082033.html