Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[will10]

Quality

 

[Angliru]

Considering his facial expression he actually looked tired. In that case there's no way he'll be good for the TDF. He hasn't been great the two past years in TdS, but he hasn't been horrible either. In 2010 he was actually pretty strong in TdS (he launched a quite convincing attack on the stage Gesink won). That was also the year in which he was by far at his strongest in the TDF.

Being this horrible 1 month away from TDF is an abnormality even for Schleck.

Nahh. He'll put in a dig on the queen stage, go back into hiding and show up at the Tour climbing with the elite gc riders. How he does it I have absolutely no idea but I'm quite certain that he'll somehow show up in fighting form. He must have the ability to lose his form and regain it faster than of any rider in recent history. He can show absolutely nothing 2 weeks prior to his goal (Getting dropped by the likes of Geral Ciolek on a cat 3 climb!), and then be a world beater in 3 weeks.

 

[Arnout]

He did do an altitude training right? Typically riders can be quite tired just after that. That said, today's showing was beyond a bit tired.

 

[airstream]

Anyone doesn't care about training camps. Today is a big day for part of the forum. It is better not to spoil their party.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Anyone doesn't care about training camps. Today is a big day for part of the forum. It is better not to spoil their party.

Andy rides and act so he can **** with internet forums?

 

[thehog]

He did do an altitude training right? Typically riders can be quite tired just after that. That said, today's showing was beyond a bit tired.

As did Wiggins and everyone else....

 

[TheEnoculator]

Nahh. He'll put in a dig on the queen stage, go back into hiding and show up at the Tour climbing with the elite gc riders. How he does it I have absolutely no idea but I'm quite certain that he'll somehow show in fighting form. He must the ability to lose his form and regain it faster than of any rider in recent history. He can show absolutely nothing 2 weeks prior to his goal (Getting dropped by the likes of Geral Ciolek on a cat 3 climb!), and then be a world beater in 3 weeks.

I read somewhere recently that Gesink was compared to Andy Schleck and why Schleck was a more talented rider. Gesink has a high base level for his performance, so he doesn't really "peak" at a certain part of the season. If he's good in May and June, he'll be more or less at the same level in July, because his base level is aleady very high, he couldn't further improve dramatically during the season. Schleck, on the hand, has a low base level, and he gears his season towards peaking at the exact right moment, which is July. So gentically, Schleck is more talented because he can raise his level dramatically for a short period of time, over almost everyone else, whereas for Gesink, how good he was in TOC is pretty much how good he'll be in the Tour, and we all know you'd have to be much better to win the Tour than winning the TOC.

 

[Froome19]

I read somewhere recently that Gesink was compared to Andy Schleck and why Schleck was a more talented rider. Gesink has a high base level for his performance, so he doesn't really "peak" at a certain part of the season. If he's good in May and June, he'll be more or less at the same level in July, because his base level is aleady very high, he couldn't further improve dramatically during the season. Schleck, on the hand, has a low base level, and he gears his season towards peaking at the exact right moment, which is July. So gentically, Schleck is more talented because he can raise his level dramatically for a short period of time, over almost everyone else, whereas for Gesink, how good he was in TOC is pretty much how good he'll be in the Tour, and we all know you'd have to be much better to win the Tour than winning the TOC.

Exactly, its not only Gesink and Andy but also for example Contador and Brajkovic for example who can only peak for a very specific time frame.

Only thing disagreeable is that Gesink will be more or less same level in June, Gesink will be closer to his peak form than Andy but he still can improve his form.

 

[Angliru]

Anyone doesn't care about training camps. Today is a big day for part of the forum. It is better not to spoil their party.

You have this odd assumption that many here take great pleasure watching Andy soft pedal through the season with the exception of approximately 1 month of actually showing his true talents. All we wish is that he would show a bit more of this talent in any of the major week long stage races that are on the calender. That is all.

 

[Descender]

A disgrace for cycling. I wish he'd retire from the sport tomorrow.

 

[will10]

Exactly, its not only Gesink and Andy but also for example Contador and Brajkovic for example who can only peak for a very specific time frame.

Only thing disagreeable is that Gesink will be more or less same level in June, Gesink will be closer to his peak form than Andy but he still can improve his form.

Certainly not Contador, he is good whenever he races.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Exactly, its not only Gesink and Andy but also for example Contador and Brajkovic for example who can only peak for a very specific time frame.

Only thing disagreeable is that Gesink will be more or less same level in June, Gesink will be closer to his peak form than Andy but he still can improve his form.

Indeed. That's what I said too. He pretty much quoted my story except that I don't think Gesink will have the same level as in may/june. He will be better, even if only slightly. He can't make a giant leap in form like andy does.

 

[Publicus]

Considering his facial expression he actually looked tired. In that case there's no way he'll be good for the TDF. He hasn't been great the two past years in TdS, but he hasn't been horrible either. In 2010 he was actually pretty strong in TdS (he launched a quite convincing attack on the stage Gesink won). That was also the year in which he was by far at his strongest in the TDF.

Being this horrible 1 month away from TDF is an abnormality even for Schleck.

Is that true? Doesn't he usually stink up the Tour de Suisse? Loses major time at some point, then gets into the break or puts in a major, but ineffective, attack at some point and then shows up at the Tour in phenomenal shape.

 

[Leonardus]

I read somewhere recently that Gesink was compared to Andy Schleck and why Schleck was a more talented rider. Gesink has a high base level for his performance, so he doesn't really "peak" at a certain part of the season. If he's good in May and June, he'll be more or less at the same level in July, because his base level is aleady very high, he couldn't further improve dramatically during the season. Schleck, on the hand, has a low base level, and he gears his season towards peaking at the exact right moment, which is July. So gentically, Schleck is more talented because he can raise his level dramatically for a short period of time, over almost everyone else, whereas for Gesink, how good he was in TOC is pretty much how good he'll be in the Tour, and we all know you'd have to be much better to win the Tour than winning the TOC.

I can agree with your main point but training and motivation are also very relevant factors for your base level and the way you perform in the less important races.
I simply can't believe that Andy just has the genetic talent to peak just once for a short period in a season and after that falls back on his low base level. The other way around, Gesink doesn't have the same level all season long, he also loses shape and builds a peak towards his major goals. But indeed there isn't such very specific peak moment like Andy has.

Still, today doesn't matter that much I think. If he did altitude training in the last couple of weeks than there's a good explanation why he got dropped. It's also possible he did it on purpose and just uses the harder stages this week to test himself. His only goal, as always, is the tour so until the prologue starts in Liege you don't know what his actual level is.

 

[Publicus]

Exactly, its not only Gesink and Andy but also for example Contador and Brajkovic for example who can only peak for a very specific time frame.

Only thing disagreeable is that Gesink will be more or less same level in June, Gesink will be closer to his peak form than Andy but he still can improve his form.

Call me a bit of a fan boy, but Contador seems to have a high base level and then the ability to take it up another notch for the big GTs.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I can agree with your main point but training and motivation are also very relevant factors for your base level and the way you perform in the less important races.
I simply can't believe that Andy just has the genetic talent to peak just once for a short period in a season and after that falls back on his low base level. The other way around, Gesink doesn't have the same level all season long, he also loses shape and builds a peak towards his major goals. But indeed there isn't such very specific peak moment like Andy has.

Still, today doesn't matter that much I think. If he did altitude training in the last couple of weeks than there's a good explanation why he got dropped. It's also possible he did it on purpose and just uses the harder stages this week to test himself. His only goal, as always, is the tour so until the prologue starts in Liege you don't know what his actual level is.

It's possible though. Last year Gesink came straight out of altitude training to Dauphine and got dropped in the first hilly stage as well. Later in the week however he was outclimbing Vandenbroeck and Wiggins on the Allevard, only Rodriguez (with Giro supercompensation was better). So definately not all hope is lost for Andy Schleck.

I just think Andy doesn't want to do anything in this race anyway. Even if he has good form later in the week he will probably ride on heart-rate alone. Maybe go on the attack once or twice to test himself, and then let go again.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Call me a bit of a fan boy, but Contador seems to have a high base level and then the ability to take it up another notch for the big GTs.

That has got nothing to do with being a fanboy.

 

[patrick767]

At this rate Bruyneel will be looking to dump the unmotivated, underachieving Schlecks ASAP. I guess when Radioshack merged with Leopard-Trek he thought they'd actually try to win races. That team has the talent to be huge and instead they're an expensive joke so far.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Call me a bit of a fan boy, but Contador seems to have a high base level and then the ability to take it up another notch for the big GTs.

As opposed to Andy, who has a high alcohol level.

 

[LaFlorecita]

As opposed to Andy, who has a high alcohol level.

 

[Froome19]

As opposed to Andy, who has a high alcohol level.

and the ability to take it up a notch at GT's

 

[JA.Tri]

It's possible though. Last year Gesink came straight out of altitude training to Dauphine and got dropped in the first hilly stage as well. Later in the week however he was outclimbing Vandenbroeck and Wiggins on the Allevard, only Rodriguez (with Giro supercompensation was better). So definately not all hope is lost for Andy Schleck.

I just think Andy doesn't want to do anything in this race anyway. Even if he has good form later in the week he will probably ride on heart-rate alone. Maybe go on the attack once or twice to test himself, and then let go again.

Agreed. Andy is not (currently) as slow as today's last ascent would/should indicate. I do despair that Andy does not show more of his undoubted talent...but that is Andy. He has shown he can "ride" the Ardennes. I have no doubt he could ride one week tours effectively (leaving aside motivation/other allied factors).

As others point out: his recovery/ability to multiple peak/sustained peak is an "unknown" "unknown" but to my mind there is no doubt, physically, he could deliver so much more on his talent.

At present Andy rides for Le Tour and that's about it. More's the shame.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

and the ability to take it up a notch at GT's

Take it up a notch? He needs to take it up like 5 notches. His only chance at victory is if they decide to cancel the TT and play quarters for beer instead.

 

[Angliru]

and the ability to take it up a notch at GT's

...like the 2010 Vuelta.

 

[Froome19]

...like the 2010 Vuelta.

Exactly what I was reffering to.