Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[the sceptic]

Andy will be ready for the tour. Maybe he can teach sky a thing or two about descending

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Andy will be ready for the tour. Maybe he can teach sky a thing or two about descending

Lol. It is not inconceivable that he will teach Sky (Froome) a thing or two about climbing as well

 

[Lanark]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. He is looking good here, but it's a 30 men group in California, with few climbers present.

Still, it's good to see him ride better, even if he is just 'good' in the Tour, he can be a really disruptive force. Not win, but can make the job of the Sky train hell.

 

[Parrulo]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. He is looking good here, but it's a 30 men group in California, with few climbers present.

Still, it's good to see him ride better, even if he is just 'good' in the Tour, he can be a really disruptive force. Not win, but can make the job of the Sky train hell.

If what people are saying is true, that he went from the back of the pack to the front on a climb in no time and with extreme ease and then attacked the peloton, that is better then his usual level around this time of the year on his best years.

 

[Lanark]

If what people are saying is true, that he went from the back of the pack to the front on a climb in no time and with extreme ease and then attacked the peloton, that is better then his usual level around this time of the year on his best years

He was quite good here in 2011 as well (although he couldn't follow a turbocharged Horner): http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20393

In the Tour that year he wasn't as good as in 2009/2010 though. I'd love to see him be a genuine challenger this year, but I don't think he'll ever be as good as he was in 2010 again.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

He'll finish in front of TJVG tomorrow.

 

[Unkown]

He looked good, motivated as well which is really important for him. Sure there isn't a world class amount of climbers at the TOC but I think he will be a top 10 climber at this race judging by the way he looked today. And man does he look skinny, I could pick him out from the peloton just because of how skinny he looked in comparison to his teammates.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

There won't be improvement in California. Andy usually trains here.

Usually, yes - it is during his down period after the Classics and he probably would not be there if it weren't for Trek.

But this year he will have to continue what he is doing. This is a slow buildup from an extended period off the bike. He needs all the racing KMs he can get.

I don't expect anything too spectacular, but maybe show himself on one of the tougher stages would be good for morale.

 

[Afrank]

Was very happy to see Andy attacking the peloton for a bit today. He was looking good. I probably shouldn't be getting my hopes up, but I really hope (and expect a little) to see him do something special in the coming stages. Looked like he was just testing the waters a bit today, I could definitely see him going on the attack and perhaps getting a stage win. Hopefully on Mt. Diablo he shows some good climbing legs.

 

[karlboss]

After a tough period, showing signs of improvement at LBL and a glimmer today, I find myself really hoping he can get back to his best, and I've not been a fan in the past. Probably the whole overcoming adversity thing. I hope he doesn't complain about losing time on descents though.

 

[hfer07]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. He is looking good here, but it's a 30 men group in California, with few climbers present.

Still, it's good to see him ride better, even if he is just 'good' in the Tour, he can be a really disruptive force. Not win, but can make the job of the Sky train hell.

As much as I was impressed by how fit he looks & those accelerations- I rather hold my judgement when he perform against Contador & Froome- which are the current Top riders worldwide......

 

[The Hitch]

As much as I was impressed by how fit he looks & those accelerations- I rather hold my judgement when he perform against Contador & Froome- which are the current Top riders worldwide......

Contador is definately not a top rider atm unfortunately.

When Daniel Diaz gifting you a stage is your best result of the season, its not great.

Hopefully for the Tour though of course.

 

[Christian]

he probably would not be there if it weren't for Trek.

I don't know about that - it certainly has something to do with it but it is my impression that he really likes this race and that it has worked well for him in the past

 

[ultimobici]

Thought Schleck had retired!

Anyhow, I reckon there will be no meaningful improvement in his performance until Frank is back racing. His slide almost completely mirrors Frank's absence.

 

[Carols]

I don't know about that - it certainly has something to do with it but it is my impression that he really likes this race and that it has worked well for him in the past

He has always liked coming to the USA in the past. Something to do with CA girls and beer

This time he appears much more Serious than in the past at ToC. It was good to see him up front and showing himself!

Good Progress Andy!

 

[screaming fist]

Europeans don't come to America for beer

 

[saneguy]

Quite refreshing to see Andy riding up front / attacking. Seems he is getting back slowly to where he was. Still a long way to go. But good signs am seeing

 

[Carols]

Europeans don't come to America for beer

LOL No doubt Europe has better beer, but the CA girls and beer were a powerful combo for Andy

This year he seems much more focused on finding his form though!!!! Previous years ToC was a vacation for him, this time he is serious.

 

[the asian]

Good ride by Baby at TOC. Surprised to see him ride so well in the heat. Building up his form for the Tour.

And he's no doubt bolstered by the fact that there is even a worse descender than him (except his Elder Bro) in the Pro-Peloton.

 

[saneguy]

Well after a good day - a not such a good day in the saddle. Down 9.22 at the end. Brutal day in Calif though. 45C is not a joke...Surprisingly he made it to the bottom of the last climb in the group. But with 5 km to go he just couldnt hold any longer..read so many riders literally collapsed and some even taken straight to the hospital. What a day !

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Well after a good day - a not such a good day in the saddle. Down 9.22 at the end. Brutal day in Calif though. 45C is not a joke...Surprisingly he made it to the bottom of the last climb in the group. But with 5 km to go he just couldnt hold any longer..read so many riders literally collapsed and some even taken straight to the hospital. What a day !

Impossible to deduct much from ToC stage 2.
Im my eyes Schleck needs to lose some weight before the tour.
Still enough time to get ready for the July showdown.

 

[maltiv]

Impossible to deduct much from ToC stage 2.

Indeed, Schleck looked so good on stage 1, I doubt he can have lost all that form already! Probably just a case of dehydration, along with 90% of the peloton.

 

[Christian]

Well after a good day - a not such a good day in the saddle. Down 9.22 at the end. Brutal day in Calif though. 45C is not a joke...Surprisingly he made it to the bottom of the last climb in the group. But with 5 km to go he just couldnt hold any longer..read so many riders literally collapsed and some even taken straight to the hospital. What a day !

On the team website he said he didn't have the legs today, but feels that he is getting better and better. But even if he did have the legs today you have to ask yourself how much is it worth going all in in such horrendous conditions to finish 12th. Even well-respected forum member maltiv pointed out that

This is horrible preparation for the TDF really. Riding around constantly overheated and dehydrated won't get you anywhere...

And many posters in the stage thread reckoned that there would be DNF's tomorrow from sheer exhaustion. Again probably better to take it easy today and be able to finish the race rather than knock yourself out

 

[saneguy]

Impossible to deduct much from ToC stage 2.
Im my eyes Schleck needs to lose some weight before the tour.
Still enough time to get ready for the July showdown.

Lose still more weight. I thought he's looking pretty slender. Anyways if thats the case then he will surely lose considerable amount of weight in this ToC.

On the team website he said he didn't have the legs today, but feels that he is getting better and better. But even if he did have the legs today you have to ask yourself how much is it worth going all in in such horrendous conditions to finish 12th. Even well-respected forum member maltiv pointed out that



And many posters in the stage thread reckoned that there would be DNF's tomorrow from sheer exhaustion. Again probably better to take it easy today and be able to finish the race rather than knock yourself out

Agree no use pushing when there is not much to gain. If he says he is feelingn better in spite of having no legs I take his word. If only the weather would have been better we truly could have got an idea of how good he has been doing.

Btw what next for Andy after ToC? Critérium du Dauphiné or Tour de Suisse

 

[Narce_]

Impossible to deduct much from ToC stage 2.
Im my eyes Schleck needs to lose some weight before the tour.
Still enough time to get ready for the July showdown.

At least he finished the stage. I remember that maybe on Tirreno (or another race this spring, I don't know exactly) he DNF because the weather was too warm and the sun shone too brightly. So I'd call it an improvement since then.