Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[Jancouver]

What's your thinking? Do you mean this race or at all?

I dont think he will ever again be able to ride with the best. He is done. Just look at his brother, he was out for two years and they trained all winter together. Frank is (almost) back, but Andy is just pathetic. He is missing something. Maybe what he is missing is a topic for the clinic

 

[movingtarget]

I dont think he will ever again be able to ride with the best. He is done. Just look at his brother, he was out for two years and they trained all winter together. Frank is (almost) back, but Andy is just pathetic. He is missing something. Maybe what he is missing is a topic for the clinic

Most bookmakers would say name your own odds re Schleck making the top 10 at the Tour even top 20. As for the clinic, yesterday's stage in Spain provides plenty of ammo but if you think too much about that side of things it takes all the enjoyment out of the racing. Let's just say there are no longer any surprises in the sport. Frank looks ok and will improve a lot with more racing. Top 10 might be a stretch for him too at this stage. Lots of hungry, younger riders out there now.

 

[Christian]

Nope, decidedly not looking good... even basque fans can only muster up a pitiful smile, and they cheer on everyone!

http://www.trekfactoryracing.com/si...screen/public/news/trek_4_3.jpg?itok=kXxHAIkC

 

[ferryman]

Nope, decidedly not looking good... even basque fans can only muster up a pitiful smile, and they cheer on everyone!

http://www.trekfactoryracing.com/si...screen/public/news/trek_4_3.jpg?itok=kXxHAIkC

When you have to use a search on the finish list to find out where he finished on a stage, that is bad. Unfortunately, I've had to more often than not these days. BUT, still not giving up on him just yet. Blind faith maybe, no probably

 

[movingtarget]

When you have to use a search on the finish list to find out where he finished on a stage, that is bad. Unfortunately, I've had to more often than not these days. BUT, still not giving up on him just yet. Blind faith maybe, no probably

After 2009 and 2010 many people completely wrote off Evans chances of winning the Tour and Wiggo winning the 2012 Tour would have been a long shot before the 2012 season started and then there is Horner and the Vuelta. Never say never but Schleck fans can't be too optimistic at the moment about him returning to his previous form.

 

[Savant12]

I think most Schleck fans would be delighted if he podium'd on any one day or stage race.

If he doesn't show something this year then this is the last year that I cheer Andy on as it is becoming depressing having to scroll all the way down to see where he finished each stage or race.

 

[saneguy]

When you have to use a search on the finish list to find out where he finished on a stage, that is bad. Unfortunately, I've had to more often than not these days. BUT, still not giving up on him just yet. Blind faith maybe, no probably

That is spot on! I have almost always started to do a CTRL + F "Schleck" coz you know hes gonna be down there somewhere. But I still cant stop hoping for something.

The thing that stumps me is - how can you be so off after one bad season? 2012 was a washout coz of the injury. 2013 was a return to racing. Fine.

Its bloody 2014! And still he cant stay with the front group? Dont win just stay there in the front! Put in a fight at least. Right now he is simply peddling like one of those spectators that wear a Lemond T Shirt and pedal in parallel to the race guys. Thats the Andy as of now. Dont know when will he change tracks and race with the race guys lol...

 

[argyllflyer]

Its bloody 2014! And still he cant stay with the front group? Dont win just stay there in the front! Put in a fight at least. Right now he is simply peddling like one of those spectators that wear a Lemond T Shirt and pedal in parallel to the race guys. Thats the Andy as of now. Dont know when will he change tracks and race with the race guys lol...

Or the the fat guy in the world champs jersey at Flanders last weekend trying to keep pace with the four leaders!

A Schleck 3-27 down in stage 2 at Pais Vasco, 30 secs behind F.

 

[VanBsr]

Or the the fat guy in the world champs jersey at Flanders last weekend trying to keep pace with the four leaders!

A Schleck 3-27 down in stage 2 at Pais Vasco, 30 secs behind F.

Frank punctured with 4k to go when he was in front group.

 

[Cimber]

I would really love to see both Contador and the Schlecklets back in top shape for july, but that wont happen with regards to Andy. Sadly. Frank seems to be coming along.

 

[Marco Pantani]

My gut feeling is telling me that he'll either feature in tomorrows break, or show himself with a nice ride up to Arrate.

Andys time is coming.

 

[Jelantik]

After 2009 and 2010 many people completely wrote off Evans chances of winning the Tour and Wiggo winning the 2012 Tour would have been a long shot before the 2012 season started and then there is Horner and the Vuelta. Never say never but Schleck fans can't be too optimistic at the moment about him returning to his previous form.

One thing we shouldn't forget, Evan and Wiggins are known for working hard and try to win race that they enters. Andy? we all know that he has his layback approach and only show up if the races are called LBL or TDF. So it's really hard to have a high hope for Andy. Just for how much he will commit compare to Evans and Wiggins. Saying that he will commit and actually doing it in and out in the race and training is another two completely different. I'm not surprise why we still skeptical. Right now, if he can make it to the top 10 climber in the world, then it's a triumph for him. But it's really hard to expect much from Andy, especially with a lot of young talent like TJ, Kwiat, Phinaut, Quintana start knocking the door. They even climb better than Andy currently. And sure enough they will improving over the years as Andy is trying to gain his form. Maybe by the time he gains it, these young talent has surpassed him already. If Andy wants to win the "real" TDF (not from the court), he got 2 big challenge. One, get back to be the top climber and two, be good at ITT. That's a tall order.

So far I see only Frank that has the passion, eagerness and the urgency to be back to the top. He said that he has been training hard. And he walked the walked and talked the talked. We all saw in PN and CI some sparks from him. For Frank, I can be optimistic that he'll be back to his level. Andy?... hmm.. dunno when he is going to surface...

 

[movingtarget]

One thing we shouldn't forget, Evan and Wiggins are known for working hard and try to win race that they enters. Andy? we all know that he has his layback approach and only show up if the races are called LBL or TDF. So it's really hard to have a high hope for Andy. Just for how much he will commit compare to Evans and Wiggins. Saying that he will commit and actually doing it in and out in the race and training is another two completely different. I'm not surprise why we still skeptical. Right now, if he can make it to the top 10 climber in the world, then it's a triumph for him. But it's really hard to expect much from Andy, especially with a lot of young talent like TJ, Kwiat, Phinaut, Quintana start knocking the door. They even climb better than Andy currently. And sure enough they will improving over the years as Andy is trying to gain his form. Maybe by the time he gains it, these young talent has surpassed him already. If Andy wants to win the "real" TDF (not from the court), he got 2 big challenge. One, get back to be the top climber and two, be good at ITT. That's a tall order.

So far I see only Frank that has the passion, eagerness and the urgency to be back to the top. He said that he has been training hard. And he walked the walked and talked the talked. We all saw in PN and CI some sparks from him. For Frank, I can be optimistic that he'll be back to his level. Andy?... hmm.. dunno when he is going to surface...

Yes it's a shame to see talent not being realized. But like you said many young hungry riders emerging now and it won't get any easier for the Schlecks even if they hit good form. Andy is not convincing anyone at the moment.

 

[saneguy]

My gut feeling is telling me that he'll either feature in tomorrows break, or show himself with a nice ride up to Arrate.

Andys time is coming.

Well he did try to get into the break. But it didnt work. I doubt he can show up on Arrate. Would be a real surprise if it were to happen

 

[Marco Pantani]

Well he did try to get into the break. But it didnt work. I doubt he can show up on Arrate. Would be a real surprise if it were to happen

I understood the peloton just decided, they wanted a different group to go and that they were caught 40 kms into yesterdays stage.

 

[Taxus4a]

He was yesterday in the breakaway and at the end he finished in the group, so he is not very bad, although it is a pity noticed that of someone of his quiality.

Anyway, I hope him today in the top 20, or other way tomorrow to be a character.

If that is not the case, this year wont be a good year for him.

 

[Jelantik]

He was yesterday in the breakaway and at the end he finished in the group, so he is not very bad, although it is a pity noticed that of someone of his quiality.

Anyway, I hope him today in the top 20, or other way tomorrow to be a character.

If that is not the case, this year wont be a good year for him.

or another year... or another year after next year... and the merry goes around around. By that time he is already 34 and ready to retired. That's even a better documentary story than amstrong.

 

[VanBsr]

Meh...

70 SCHLECK, Andy TFR 03h 49′ 33″ + 10′ 04″

 

[podunavac]

or another year... or another year after next year... and the merry goes around around. By that time he is already 34 and ready to retired. That's even a better documentary story than amstrong.

And what's your story?
Year after year searching for the selfrespect in bashing and spitting the ones you'll never be even close to.
And by the time you're 50 you realize there's no selfrespect in being a mean mf behind anonymity of an internet forum.
Great story of a miserable character and wasted life. A wasted talent is a joke compared to it.

 

[trevim]

Meanwhile, a guy that also faced hard injuries that same year, is back with a stage victory

 

[Taxus4a]

Meh...

70 SCHLECK, Andy TFR 03h 49′ 33″ + 10′ 04″

It is bad, except if he is looking for the breakaway tomorrow.
His brother wanst at a high level as well...

 

[the sceptic]

It is bad, except if he is looking for the breakaway tomorrow.
His brother wanst at a high level as well...

I think its time to give up that these two will ever come good again. At least Andy.

 

[Angliru]

What I don't get is how does one go from publicly stating that they hope to climb with the best 10 climbers at a race earlier in the season, and fail to do so, not show any progress in form as the season goes along? Something must have given him hope that this was possible but nothing that has occurred since that time support this level of optimism. I think someone posted earlier that there must be something else that is limiting him that hasn't been disclosed to the media.

 

[pmcg76]

I think its time to give up that these two will ever come good again. At least Andy.

You should never give!! Remember the days when Greg LeMond would suck right up until the middle of june and then turn into a Tour winner/contender.
Gruppetto at the Giro=Tour winner.

 

[Marco Pantani]

Andy is not that bad. He rode at the front with about 35 kms to go.
Most people dislike, that he's been aiming for the ardennes and Tour only so far, but it is how it is.

We shouldn't conclude anything/much from the time gaps imo.
The build up went way better than last year, he did enough race days as well.

He'll be ready for the ardennes.