Andy Schleck Discussion thread.

[airstream]

Nonsense. Contador, before he attacks, speaks multiple times to Klöden (not unlikely to ask how Klöden is holding on and if he's alright with him going solo). When AC attacked, the Schlecks were nowhere (they didn't even accelerate that much) but it was enough to crack Klöden, who totally bonked. Contador looks back sees what is happening, probably thinks WTF is Andreas doing, and holds back.

I think Klöden didn't (want to) admit to AC he already was on his limit, or just didn't see the bonk coming...

They were where they had to. With such a high level of contention it is impossible to catch an attack instantly after one worked at the front during 25k. If you really think, he could easily have gotten away from the Schlecks and won the stage, probably, we've got nothing to argue.

 

[LaFlorecita]

They were where they had to. With such a high level of contention it is impossible to catch an attack instantly after one worked at the front during 25k. If you really think, he could easily have gotten away from the Schlecks and won the stage, probably, we've got nothing to argue.

This isn't about Frandy airstream it is about Alberto and Klödi.

 

[Carols]

I think Linda Blair could play Andy, although she is getting on a bit, in the 1973 movie "The Exorcist" she was able to spin her head around 360 degrees.

Given Andy rides most of the time with his head looking backwards, possibly Linda may be the only person in the world capable of doing this also.


Regards



Hugh

OMG I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts!!

 

[airstream]

This isn't about Frandy airstream it is about Alberto and Klödi.

That was just a note regarding inexpediency of that move.

 

[LaFlorecita]

That was just a note regarding inexpediency of that move.

We'll never know what would've happened if Klödi hadn't dropped and Hog hadn't screamed in Alberto's ear what a ******* he is.

 

[El Pistolero]

Note to Klödi: be a better climber next time.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Note to Klödi: be a better climber next time.

It makes me sad how people put the blame on Alberto. It wasn't his fault Klödi couldn't keep up but thought/said he could.

 

[veganrob]

Alberto should have noticed that Klodi was delusional if he thought he could keep up.

What, does AC have to hold everybodies hand and show them how to shift gears properly to get up the mountain.

 

[hrotha]

It makes me sad how people put the blame on Alberto. It wasn't his fault Klödi couldn't keep up but thought/said he could.

It still was his fault that he didn't try any subsequent attacks and even gifted the stage to the Schlecks, hence making Klödi's fall utterly pointless. No matter how you look at it, it was a stupid mistake.

 

[cineteq]

It still was his fault that he didn't try any subsequent attacks and even gifted the stage to the Schlecks, hence making Klödi's fall utterly pointless. No matter how you look at it, it was a stupid mistake.

It's not a stupid mistake if you see it from Contador's point of view and the situation he was living with Astana. If he didn't attack or gifted the stage to the Schlecks that's his problem. In the end, it was the right decision because he won the Tour.

 

[Polish]

It still was his fault that he didn't try any subsequent attacks and even gifted the stage to the Schlecks, hence making Klödi's fall utterly pointless. No matter how you look at it, it was a stupid mistake.

And Alberto's pathetic lunge for the finish line was supposed to hide the fact that it was a gift. Pathetic.

No Gifts please.

Compare that finish to the one where HWMNBN'd passed Klodi at the finish line. "No Gifts" stage. Memorable legendary stage finish. Lots of pictures.
Any pictures of Alberto's fake lunge? Hope not.

 

[UpTheRoad]

Why is it only Contador is expected to shepherd around his domestiques? When has that ever been done where the leader waits for the others on a crucial mountain stage?

The Schleck's do so for each other (understandable, but they do it far too much and it may have cost them a GT or two), but I don't recall them doing any work for Cancellara on Arcalis and he was in yellow.

To be fair, Klodi is a much more relevant GC contender than FC is and FC was only renting the jersey, but the point remains that for Contador to receive the criticism he did from his own team for dropping Kloden nearly proves that he would have had a better "team" supporting him in 2009 if he were racing with Gadret and only Gadret as a teammate.

If Bruyneel was chewing him out over the radio, that is such a clear indication that JB is worthless scum.

 

[hrotha]

It's not a stupid mistake if you see it from Contador's point of view and the situation he was living with Astana. If he didn't attack or gifted the stage to the Schlecks that's his problem. In the end, it was the right decision because he won the Tour.

What. He would have won the Tour regardless. And I seriously doubt Klödi was part of the problem. Gifting the stage accomplished zilch, except for making him look like an idiot.

 

[El Pistolero]

Contador also said he had no problems with Armstrong during the Tour

I bet Boonen is such an idiot as well because he dropped Terpstra at Paris-Roubaix. Well no, no one talks about that. Domestiques are domestiques for a reason: they're not good enough (most of the time) to follow the leader when things get hot.

 

[El Pistolero]

What. He would have won the Tour regardless. And I seriously doubt Klödi was part of the problem. Gifting the stage accomplished zilch, except for making him look like an idiot.

It still was his fault that he didn't try any subsequent attacks and even gifted the stage to the Schlecks, hence making Klödi's fall utterly pointless. No matter how you look at it, it was a stupid mistake.

Klöden shouldn't have raced against him on Verbier then. Contador gives, but he can also take. And in this case he took away Klöden's podium.

 

[hrotha]

Contador also said he had no problems with Armstrong during the Tour

I bet Boonen is such an idiot as well because he dropped Terpstra at Paris-Roubaix. Well no, no one talks about that. Domestiques are domestiques for a reason: they're not good enough (most of the time) to follow the leader when things get hot.

Boonen benefitted from dropping Terpstra.
Contador gained ******-all by making a half-hearted attack, dropping a teammate and isolating himself with his most direct rival and a teammate of his.

Surely you see the difference here?

 

[El Pistolero]

Boonen benefitted from dropping Terpstra.
Contador gained ******-all by making a half-hearted attack, dropping a teammate and isolating himself with his most direct rival and a teammate of his.

Surely you see the difference here?

You're never isolated when you're with the Schlecks.

He got time on Klöden before the time trial. How is that a bad thing? He nearly lost the Vuelta in a similar situation with Leipheimer. Astana wasn't a team. It's ok to ride against Contador on stage 3 and Verbier, but when he does it to them you're going to whine about it 2 years after the events? Mkay, makes sense.

 

[hrotha]

You're never isolated when you're with the Schlecks.

He got time on Klöden before the time trial. How is that a bad thing? He nearly lost the Vuelta in a similar situation with Leipheimer. Astana wasn't a team. It's ok to ride against Contador on stage 3 and Verbier, but when he does it to them you're going to whine about it 2 years after the events? Mkay, makes sense.

No, sorry, this is a serious discussion. Using a cheap Schleck joke as a cop-out won't do.

He didn't need more time on Klödi and you know it. I didn't say it was ok to ride against Contador, and I'm not whining about what Contador did either, but if the topic pops up I'm going to talk about it, because that's what a forum is for.

 

[El Pistolero]

I was being serious. How are these guys rivals for anyone?

LBL 2011 reminded me of Paris-Roubaix 1996.

 

[hrotha]

I was being serious. How are these guys rivals for anyone?

If you're not joking, you're being stupid.

 

[El Pistolero]

I'm afraid the Schlecks are being stupid with their "tactics". If you can even use that word to describe what they're doing in a race.

 

[Polish]

And Alberto's pathetic lunge for the finish line was supposed to hide the fact that it was a gift. Pathetic.

No Gifts please.

Compare that finish to the one where HWMNBN'd passed Klodi at the finish line. "No Gifts" stage. Memorable legendary stage finish. Lots of pictures.
Any pictures of Alberto's fake lunge? Hope not.

I'm afraid you are wrong here, Polish.

HWMNBN'd actually DID try to gift the famous "No Gift" stage.
Lance tried to gift the stage to Floyd, but Floyd was too pooped after hauling Lance, Jan, and Klodi over the mountains and valleys. Stage was just as epic for Floyd's performance you know. Maybe even more epic.

But I will agree Alberto's gift was stupid.

I mean, it is one thing to gift a stage to a team mate, like Lance to Floyd. But Alberto demoralised his team mate Klodi and knocked him off the podium. Could have been an Astana Sweep instead of an Astana Sandwich.

So I guess it WOULD be ok if Andy gifted a stage to Frank if and only if they were on the same team. Who knows, maybe Andy gifted that stage to Frank just like Alberto did. OK for Andy, pathetic for Alberto though.

 

[hrotha]

I'm afraid the Schlecks are being stupid with their "tactics". If you can even use that word to describe what they're doing in a race.

Yes, but this isn't about the Schlecks. It's about Contador, and putting himself in a numerically inferior position for no gain was not in his best interest. Simple as that.

 

[El Pistolero]

Yes, but this isn't about the Schlecks. It's about Contador, and putting himself in a numerically inferior position for no gain was not in his best interest. Simple as that.

And what help is a tired team-mate to him exactly? He didn't just bonk because of the attack, he clearly was on his limit. Got caught by Armstrong as well.

Numerically inferior position, bullocks

Didn't they teach you quality is better than quantity?

Contador wasn't in danger for the whole stage. Which supports my theory that the Shlecks have the tactical mind of a sheep. The only mistake he made was gifting away the stage.

 

[hrotha]

And what help is a tired team-mate to him exactly? He didn't just bonk because of the attack, he clearly was on his limit. Got caught by Armstrong as well.

Numerically inferior position, bullocks

Didn't they teach you quality is better than quantity?

Contador wasn't in danger for the whole stage. Which supports my theory that the Shlecks have the tactical mind of a sheep. The only mistake he made was gifting away the stage.

Having a teammate with you is always better than not having one. Even if it's just to intimidate your rivals, or to give you their wheel if you have a puncture. Droppking Klödi to isolate Contador was Andy and Fränk's job. It would have been justified if Contador had kept racing, trying to put time on his rivals and to gain something from the situation, but he didn't.

If he was trying to sabotage Astana's chances of another podium spot, he wouldn't have helped Armstrong in the last mountain stage.

The only reason why you disagree is because you don't want to admit Contador made a serious mistake.