Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[Don't be late Pedro]

Contador and Schleck should still be able to drop Froome. He's good, but they're on another level.

Agree with this to some extent. Contador and Schleck have proven themselves in the mountains many times to be the best riders. Froome while looking strong in the last Tour still struggled to drop Cobo in the 2011 Vuelta and lost time on the Angliru. That said, there is no climb as freakish in next years Tour.

The 2012 Vuelta is harder to read just because Froome was coming off the Tour.

Schleck is weakest in the TT (By some margin) so will be up to him to force the pace. If all three are on form it could be a great Tour.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Schleck is weakest in the TT (By some margin) so will be up to him to force the pace. If all three are on form it could be a great Tour.

I hope it won't be a "great" tour

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

I hope it won't be a "great" tour

Translation: I hope it is the Alberto show from start to finish.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Translation: I hope it is the Alberto show from start to finish.

Yes "Great" races kill me

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Yes "Great" races kill me

I wish we had an Ricco and a Vino 06 level there too to make the race exciting

 

[movingtarget]

Contador and Schleck should still be able to drop Froome. He's good, but they're on another level.

In 2010 they were on another level. In 2013 I doubt it.

 

[ferryman]

You say this as though Froome is going to ride the climbs in a defensive manner and poor Team Sky will have to construct a train to tow their hapless captain up to all main climbs. I can imagine many things, but the difference between 3 in the mountains won't be big.

I didn't mention Froome I implied the Sky train, which worked this year mainly because Andy and Bertie were not there. If, as you imply, Froome takes it to them next year bring it on, it should make for some great racing and probably from far out. Although much maligned, I can see the second assault up d'Huez as being where the cracks will appear big time

 

[ferryman]

You seem to be stuck on 2010.

Yeah, that was one hell of a season for Froome Don't fret, I get your point

 

[airstream]

I didn't mention Froome I implied the Sky train, which worked this year mainly because Andy and Bertie were not there. If, as you imply, Froome takes it to them next year bring it on, it should make for some great racing and probably from far out. Although much maligned, I can see the second assault up d'Huez as being where the cracks will appear big time

You didn't mention Froome, but you implied Froome saying about fundamental team role in a possible Froome success.

Personally I don't consider a role of train too big in this year Tour. Rather the train had a control function. Apparently, Froome was #1 climber and Wiggins with Nibali #2. In addition racing situation never made Sky go really full bore besides Planche des Belles Filles. These 2 always had some reserve I think.

 

[ferryman]

You didn't mention Froome, but you implied Froome saying about fundamental team role in a possible Froome success.

Personally I don't consider a role of train too big in this year Tour. Rather the train had a control function. Apparently, Froome was #1 climber and Wiggins with Nibali #2. In addition racing situation never made Sky go really full bore besides Planche des Belles Filles. These 2 always had some reserve I think.

You are correct with my implied implications BUT you miss the point that the Sky train only worked THIS year because the quality of riders like Andy and Bertie were not there. Yes, it was all about control but won't work against those two who would pick it apart. Leaving your new boy very exposed when the real action starts.

 

[phanatic]

In 2010 they were on another level. In 2013 I doubt it.

Also 2008 and 2009. And Bertie in 2011 at the Giro. Andy was a bit off that year, and, though his one stage victory was remarkable, it was only one stage. Andy might not be as dominant as he once was, but I think it's a mistake to expect Bertie to be no better than this year's Vuelta.

 

[Alphabet]

Froome, for me at least, hasn't proven that he can deal with a salvo of attacks from someone like Contador or Schleck. He can respond the first 3 or 4 times, but eventually they should be able to put some time into him. Also his peculiar climbing style- he seems to be on the verge of cracking and then finds a reserve of energy from somewhere and fights back on- won't work in his favour, Contador could just time his attack when Froome is at his weakest and get a fair sized gap.

Of course, I may (probably will) be mistaken.

 

[Herr Katt]

The infamous Schleck documentery which has been said to been destroyed by Johan Bruyneel. Not a joke actully but here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yscI_gCOaM4&feature=g-all

 

[airstream]

You are correct with my implied implications BUT you miss the point that the Sky train only worked THIS year because the quality of riders like Andy and Bertie were not there. Yes, it was all about control but won't work against those two who would pick it apart. Leaving your new boy very exposed when the real action starts.

Very likely Sky would have set the pace even if they had been there. The strongest team push the tempo even without having strongest climbers. As I see for you Froome and Wiggins are by far weaker climbers than Schleck and Contador.

 

[Christian]

The infamous Schleck documentery which has been said to been destroyed by Johan Bruyneel. Not a joke actully but here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yscI_gCOaM4&feature=g-all

What do you mean?

 

[Herr Katt]

I'am a lazy googler but I read somewhere that he had bought every copy of the film because he didnt want Andy to be percieved by the audience as a looser.
A man who was contempt by coming in second place or something like that.
Im sure someone will find it.

Yeah here it is http://www.atwistedspoke.com/schlecks-the-road-uphill-the-surprise-ending/

 

[maltiv]

I'am a lazy googler but I read somewhere that he had bought every copy of the film because he didnt want Andy to be percieved by the audience as a looser.
A man who was contempt by coming in second place or something like that.
Im sure someone will find it.

Yeah here it is http://www.atwistedspoke.com/schlecks-the-road-uphill-the-surprise-ending/

That's a joke...That website is the cycling equivalent of The Onion.

The same site also says that Scarponi will get a 3 minute ban for his involvement with Ferrari

 

[Herr Katt]

Hahah yeah I thought so aswell but I had a vague memory of reading it somewhere.. But its a good story. But seriously it could be a true story. You never know with The Hog

 

[calinmarian]

Very likely Sky would have set the pace even if they had been there. The strongest team push the tempo even without having strongest climbers. As I see for you Froome and Wiggins are by far weaker climbers than Schleck and Contador.

Where is this Andy Schleck:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymhQzwGH-BA .After he left Bjarne Riis team the only performance I saw from him was a epic stage win at Galibier in 2011 TDF.I hope that next year Andy comes back at full force.

 

[shades1]

The infamous Schleck documentery which has been said to been destroyed by Johan Bruyneel. Not a joke actully but here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yscI_gCOaM4&feature=g-all

fantastic documentary , thanks for the link !!

 

[Christian]

I'am a lazy googler but I read somewhere that he had bought every copy of the film because he didnt want Andy to be percieved by the audience as a looser.
A man who was contempt by coming in second place or something like that.
Im sure someone will find it.

Yeah here it is http://www.atwistedspoke.com/schlecks-the-road-uphill-the-surprise-ending/

Lol that's pretty funny, I hadn't read that!

 

[ferryman]

Very likely Sky would have set the pace even if they had been there. The strongest team push the tempo even without having strongest climbers. As I see for you Froome and Wiggins are by far weaker climbers than Schleck and Contador.

Oh please, let's get in to a debate about this I give you Contador, EVERYTIME he has come up against the two. I give you Andy AND THE SAME. Please tell me what I have missed. I'm missing your love for our Andy though

 

[serfla]

Looks like they've just woken him up

He blushed a little in front of Andersen

Another one fairy tale.

 

[Forunculo]

His body reflect lack of activity to me. Difficult times ahead to regain his former form

 

[serfla]

Short hibernation this winter.
It hasn't even started yet, and he's already awake.
Let's wait till January.