Astana? What will happen?

[Bala Verde]

I always thought Menchov's English wasn't too bad (nothing special, but better then Sastre's English) in the interview's he has done. But if need be has Oscar Freire English is quite good and apparently Juan Antonio Flecha and Pedro Horillo, if they are not fluent in English, then they are close to being fluent. Did Freire know English before he joined Rabobank (or before when he was at Mapei) or did he learn it when he joined?

Menchov was forced to take some language courses since he joined RAB. I think at first, he was too shy to use the 'basic' English he knew. (I guess just like many people who learn a new language, they don't like to speak it when they don't know how to say something, which word to use etc). Gradually his English has improved and now he seems to feel much more comfortable. I think for journalists it's easier to appraoch him now.

Freire I don't know, I guess his Mapei years where he worked together with a few Belgians, could have contributed to his english. Although many were Italians, I think it depends on who he was fielded with.

Horillo has a BA in philosophy, and wrote columns for El Pais, so his level of education and the 'part-time' job he had, could have something to do with it.

Flecha was born in Argentinia, but moved to Spain in his childhood. As a classics specialist, with Fasso, he shared leadership with Cancellara, and it's generally not the environment that attracts Spanish racers...

 

[inputjoe]

When was this done? If it's recent then I'm very very afraid that Astana will completely **** it up. Does Armstrong really believe that he is stronger than Contador and able to win the Tour? Or does he just believe that after he has gained the yellow jersey he can hang on with the rest of the guys if Contador sets a fast tempo up the few final climbs? I just took a look at the profile of the first stage and the TT should suit the Armstrong of old very well. I'm still thinking of Cancellara or Evans for the win but if Lance has indeed made huge leaps in his form in the past month he might very well beat Contador.

The interview was done a few days ago.