Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[ultimobici]

I completely agree

I don't root for any particular rider, rather I follow those that ride a full season, the likes of Gilbert, Rodriguez and the like. Even Contador is more of that type of rider than AS.

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

I completely agree

What if Andy focuses elsewhere, achieving mediocre races unsuited to his talents and this diminishes his chances of success at the tour?

His strengths are climbing and recovery, attributes which go a long way toward success in a gt. There are only three GTs each year and he is always at the biggest. Why does Gilbert or boonen not follow Andy on a HC mountain during the tour? Because they can't. Nobody moans about them. Gilbert needs short sharp hills on single day races to succeed. there are plenty such races throughout the calendar and that's why he wins lots. Andy needs three gruelling weeks with massive mountains to separate him from the rest.

Although Andy and Alberto are near equals in GTs they cannot be compared throughout the rest of the year. AC is just more diverse

 

[the asian]

It seems people are forgetting that Andy is a winner of LBL.

 

[LaFlorecita]

What if Andy focuses elsewhere, achieving mediocre races unsuited to his talents and this diminishes his chances of success at the tour?

His strengths are climbing and recovery, attributes which go a long way toward success in a gt. There are only three GTs each year and he is always at the biggest. Why does Gilbert or boonen not follow Andy on a HC mountain during the tour? Because they can't. Nobody moans about them. Gilbert needs short sharp hills on single day races to succeed. there are plenty such races throughout the calendar and that's why he wins lots. Andy needs three gruelling weeks with massive mountains to separate him from the rest.

Although Andy and Alberto are near equals in GTs they cannot be compared throughout the rest of the year. AC is just more diverse

so why is Alberto able to win 1 week stage races with NO tts while Andy isn't? Because he cares and Andy doesn't. I don't believe this BS about it diminishing his chances at the Tour. I actually think it would do him good to finally win a stage race.

 

[Echoes]

Contadull does not care at all about cycling. For him, it's just a way to achieve fame. He does not believe in this sport.

Has he ever won a major classic? No. Of course he hasn't. Miles away from that ! He never will because he's too worthless after 250km.

Usually, he would never race for more than 55 days a year. Which even his fans admit (not realizing how ridiculous it is).


Andy in his early days at least won classics, would always race some of them every year. He even performed at the Eroica. And of course, he's not Evans or Gilbert or Nibali, or any of these greats, and is rather a great disappointment.

But Contadull really ! A disgrace !

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

so why is Alberto able to win 1 week stage races with NO tts while Andy isn't? Because he cares and Andy doesn't. I don't believe this BS about it diminishing his chances at the Tour. I actually think it would do him good to finally win a stage race.

My point is, how do you know that Andy is capable of properly targeting and doing well in more than the Tour and LBL? JB tried to mix things up last year which turned out to be a disaster (injury aside). He alone knows his capabilities and limitations, not anyone on this forum

 

[will10]

Contadull does not care at all about cycling. For him, it's just a way to achieve fame. He does not believe in this sport.

Has he ever won a major classic? No. Of course he hasn't. Miles away from that ! He never will because he's too worthless after 250km.

Usually, he would never race for more than 55 days a year. Which even his fans admit (not realizing how ridiculous it is).


Andy in his early days at least won classics, would always race some of them every year. He even performed at the Eroica. And of course, he's not Evans or Gilbert or Nibali, or any of these greats, and is rather a great disappointment.

But Contadull really ! A disgrace !

Didn't you get a short holiday the last time you were preaching about the classics/complaining about GT obsession on this board?

 

[airstream]

so why is Alberto able to win 1 week stage races with NO tts while Andy isn't? Because he cares and Andy doesn't. I don't believe this BS about it diminishing his chances at the Tour. I actually think it would do him good to finally win a stage race.

You confirmed my post with that. You don't care about approaches, As any fragile-minded creature, you have your things and things you oppose to yours and dislike. That's it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

My point is, how do you know that Andy is capable of properly targeting and doing well in more than the Tour and LBL? JB tried to mix things up last year which turned out to be a disaster (injury aside). He alone knows his capabilities and limitations, not anyone on this forum

He doesn't even need to target races. He could try to win a mountain stage and then see what his position in GC is.

 

[Siriuscat]

I think " oh dear Andy" covers it.... cannot figure this guy out! Has he no professional integrity????

Has Airstream been in with the cliched excuses yet??

 

[ferryman]

I think " oh dear Andy" covers it.... cannot figure this guy out! Has he no professional integrity????

Has Airstream been in with the cliched excuses yet??

We are going to see a 'new' Andy in 2013. His professional integrity will be immaculate. He has started well by racing in TDU. Trust me, a new Andy is here.

Airstream lost all credibility on all things Andy many moons ago.

 

[movingtarget]

Didn't you get a short holiday the last time you were preaching about the classics/complaining about GT obsession on this board?

He's entitled to his opinion like everyone else.

 

[peloton]

Well said my friend, I completely agree. One only has to look at the statistics:



This is very interesting, and I have done a report on Sigmund Freund in 10th grade so I think I know where this comes from.

Some people (although certainly not all the ones that are listed above) feel the need to simplify reality into binary tandems. Good and bad. Love and hate. Black and white. One means nothing without the other. This is very noticeable in sports: hence LaFlorecita deviding the forum into "Alberto fans" and "Andy fans", which, of course, could not be further from the truth. The success of Michael Schumacher is meaningless without the tears of Mika Häkkinnen, Barcelona's victory only counts because Real Madrid loses, and same with Contador: the only way his success means anything to his fans is by relinquishing in the misfortunes of his opposite (black and white, good and bad, etc.). This is why the vast majority of posts in the Andy Schleck thread are actually by self-proclaimed "Alberto fans".

But with the antagonism Alberto/Andy, there is yet another component, and that is a distinct extent of self-loathing. Let me explain. People are imperfect - they are lazy, snore, fail at tests, show up late to work, etc. That's why people admire the idea of perfection: just imagine being the best at what you do in every aspect of life. This wishful thinking is then projected onto athletes, actors, singers, because people only see them in a context in which they are, indeed, the best. Be it Justin Bieber at singing, Messi at playing football or Contador at cycling. In their own contexts they appear perfect, superhuman, demi-gods. Paradoxically, this is also the reason why we lust for celebrity snapshots: "Hey! Justin Bieber picks up his dry cleaning just like me! We are not so different after all!". Of course celebrities are normal people just like us, I am sure Contador snores and Justin Bieber picks his nose while Brad Pitt bites his nails.

The only thing people don't want to see is someone who reminds them of their own imperfections, someone who fails, has bad luck, comes up short: Andy. It is plain and simple self loathing. But the moment you realize that all your faults and flaws are actually what makes you likeable, interesting and human will be the moment you will emerge from your self loathing and become - mature. The exact quality that "Alberto fans" claim Andy doesn't have.

This one's on the house people

Thank goodness, I wouldn't pay a dime for your pseudo BS.
For most people, the world is not black and white, even if you want to think so.

I like riders who attack and make the race, be it Contador attacking in the mountains, Boonen on the cobbles or Cancellara in the time trials. I do give Andy benefit cuz of the injury, but not finishing another race, for whatever reason, he could've walked to the finish, and go on to the podium

I'm afraid your Freund BS won't help him much... Pathetic

 

[phanatic]

I personally root for Andy because I'm a romantic and I don't like everything mass, trivial and hackneyed. Andy Schleck has his own vision how he should ride and I appreciate it. In my view, a true fan never supports riders for his palmares primarily. A real fan roots for somebody who fills up his interior with positive things. I'm sure, vast majority of Contador fans (especially young guys or those who got interested year or 2 ago) support him because of titles. They root for him in order to say again and again:'Look! It is my guy. He has more titles than all these dudes taken altogether, but he anyway gets it. And I told you that it would be this way and it happens!" I'm not saying it is wrong. It is probably the opposite thing compared to what I feel. If Andy win the Tour, I won't gloat and brag 'I told you'. It would be taken very calmly. But when someone posts something like 'I hope Nibali [Froome] wins the Tour' and in a few minutes Hitch comes up with notorious 'It is ridiculous. They never beat Contador on the climbs. Could you call me a stage when they beat him? It is delusional', I feel very funny, because belief and support never imply any previous experience and stages when one beat other,

A fascinating tactic.

 

[purcell]

My point is, how do you know that Andy is capable of properly targeting and doing well in more than the Tour and LBL? JB tried to mix things up last year which turned out to be a disaster (injury aside). He alone knows his capabilities and limitations, not anyone on this forum

What we do know is that Andy is incapable of targeting, planning and winning anything much.

He is the single most over-hyped rider in cycling. If he gave a damn, or appeared to give a damn about any aspect of being a "professional" then he might be worth following, even if he didn't win.

Why anyone cares to follow his career, to care about his career, when it is clear that he doesn't is frankly beyond me.

 

[airstream]

I think " oh dear Andy" covers it.... cannot figure this guy out! Has he no professional integrity????

Has Airstream been in with the cliched excuses yet??

Omg, you are so acrimonious. If cycling had filled up me with that stuff, I wouldn't have followed this. Think about that, Cat.

 

[greenedge]

Thank goodness, I wouldn't pay a dime for your pseudo BS.
For most people, the world is not black and white, even if you want to think so.

Some people was said- not MOST, no need to be harsh.

 

[Christian]

Thank goodness, I wouldn't pay a dime for your pseudo BS.
For most people, the world is not black and white, even if you want to think so.

I like riders who attack and make the race, be it Contador attacking in the mountains, Boonen on the cobbles or Cancellara in the time trials. I do give Andy benefit cuz of the injury, but not finishing another race, for whatever reason, he could've walked to the finish, and go on to the podium

I'm afraid your Freund BS won't help him much... Pathetic

This is just your self-loathing speaking, free yourself from it and you will see the light.....

Have a great day today and smile

 

[Pentacycle]

...

His strengths are climbing and recovery, attributes which go a long way toward success in a gt. There are only three GTs each year and he is always at the biggest. Why does Gilbert or boonen not follow Andy on a HC mountain during the tour? Because they can't. Nobody moans about them. Gilbert needs short sharp hills on single day races to succeed. there are plenty such races throughout the calendar and that's why he wins lots. Andy needs three gruelling weeks with massive mountains to separate him from the rest.

...

Completely true about Andy, his so-called super-talent doesn't lie in pure power output which is worse than Alberto's, but in recovery and endurance.

so why is Alberto able to win 1 week stage races with NO tts while Andy isn't? Because he cares and Andy doesn't. I don't believe this BS about it diminishing his chances at the Tour. I actually think it would do him good to finally win a stage race.

I think he really wants to win one smaller race, but as mentioned before his talent doesn't allow him to win 'easy' stages or stage races in preparation mode. He'd have to peak for PN/TA or P.Vasco to win them, while his best chances are indeed the classics. His current racing program won't hold him back in achieving the most possible in his career, he knows he can't win a week-long race so he doesn't try. The only thing holding him back in peaking in April/July is enjoying the other things in life too much, but that's his own personality.

 

[Christian]

All joking aside I think the Tour Down Under is actually a good assessment of Andy's current physical state.

Let's say the average stage at TdU is about 130 km, and the average stage or race the rest of the season will be 180 km (this is just a number I chose, could also be higher or lower.

Let's define the peloton (largest group at the finish) in TdU as the average speed. Andy never finished in that group IINM.

That means that currently, he is physically incapable of doing 2/3 of a normal race at average speed.


(But of course this is all theoretical, in practice other factors would need to be taken into account. For instance, a longer race would likely start slower or calm down in the middle, which would then allow Andy to follow the average speed longer)

 

[Angliru]

i could not have said it better myself , i mean no disrespect to any of the other riders of the 2O12 TDF but it ended up a boring race , once wiggo crushed that first time trial the race may as well have ended there .

I fear with the course ideally suited to Wiggins and Sky that even Contador may have been unable to stop Wiggins from the top step. Contador and Andy, had they been there and at their best, would've made it much more interesting as would Samu and even Hesjedal who stated that he felt fantastic at the end of the Giro and was looking forward to the Tour. I think Hesjedal would likely run out of gas by the 3rd week but I would like to think that they all collectively would have made an effort to bust up the Sky train in some way.

 

[airstream]

This is just your self-loathing speaking, free yourself from it and you will see the light.....

Have a great day today and smile

And anyway we made them deny all the things in a categorical way. It means only one thing: for ones the world splitted into 'black' and 'white' and anything more yet again. If someone had noted 'yeah, probably you are right in a way', it would've give a hope for more monosemantic interpretations. But we saw 'BS' and 'doesn't make any sense'. 'BS' is just a protective reaction on truth. So these guys really have black and white perception.

 

[Angliru]

Some Contadors fans remind me jealous 5 year old kids whom their parents inform that soon they have one more adding to the family. It brings fear, anger and jealousy. Fear truly paralizes. Trying to run away from fear, people begin to post delusional things like 'froome cant bring a spectacle' and mock Andy who is still recovering.

You must admit though that his issues with chains and shifting seem to be an on-going problem.

Still though, I recall over the past months that many of these very same Contador fans that you feel the need to constantly criticize had been showing Andy a great deal of respect and looking forward to his return to form and his battles in the mountains with the elite climbers of the sport.

 

[Afrank]

What we do know is that Andy is incapable of targeting, planning and winning anything much.

He is the single most over-hyped rider in cycling. If he gave a damn, or appeared to give a damn about any aspect of being a "professional" then he might be worth following, even if he didn't win.

Why anyone cares to follow his career, to care about his career, when it is clear that he doesn't is frankly beyond me.

It's ridiculous to say he doesn't care about cycling. At the beginning of 2012 the merger and Bruyneel shaking up and changing how he did things didn't work out and left him struggling to find his form (can happens to everyone). Then the crash came and he was physically unable to do much because of that. If you have read any of the recent interview with him, you can tell he truly does want to return to being competitive in the sport again. The fact that he's doing races that he would never have done otherwise (like Beijing and TDU), I think, proves this.

And how is he overhyped? People talk about him as a contender in the Tour, and a contender in the Ardennes. Which has proven numerous times he is.

 

[Carols]

Quotes from an Alberto interview:

Still confident about Andy Schleck as a rival?(If he is still on that elite league of riders)
Yes I am. I suffered him in first person. When you climb a mountain you have class or haven't got it. He has many things to say.

Andy has naturally endowed class as a climber. I for one hope he finds the motivation and love of the bike so he can display it and we can enjoy great battles. Plus please work on your shifting Andy!