Can Schleck really beat Contador in TDF

[Bristol Park Cycling]

Whatever this thread has been talking about, the most embarrassing moment during the Tour was when Andy Schleck attacked and then waited for Frank. It was utterly absurd. He clearly could be a lot closer next time if he is looking out wholly for himself.

 

[karlboss]

ventoux? when andy knew 1st was out but 3rd was up for grabs?

 

[Bristol Park Cycling]

ventoux? when andy knew 1st was out but 3rd was up for grabs?

Yes. But he could have gotten a lot closer if he was concerned only about himself. The idea that attacking would suddenly bring Frank up the road was plain stupid. If he can get a little bit closer to AC next time then all bets are off.

A lot of you folks don't understand that if AC is put under a little bit of pressure then it will be a completely different Tour. He made it look easy this year because he was never put under pressure. It could be very different for AC if he HAS to attack. We all remember Paris Nice.

Or for that matter, think how Armstrong looked unbeatable in yester year. It's all an illusion.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Yes. But he could have gotten a lot closer if he was concerned only about himself. The idea that attacking would suddenly bring Frank up the road was plain stupid. If he can get a little bit closer to AC next time then all bets are off.

A lot of you folks don't understand that if AC is put under a little bit of pressure then it will be a completely different Tour. He made it look easy this year because he was never put under pressure. It could be very different for AC if he HAS to attack. We all remember Paris Nice.

Or for that matter, think how Armstrong looked unbeatable in yester year. It's all an illusion.

I think you are the one that really doesn't understand. There is no illusion, the strongest guy wins in a GT. This year that guy was Contador, period. There was no way in hades that Andy S. was going anywhere without Contador, in fact if you had actually watched the stage you would recall that AS would only back off once AC had brought Armstrong back to him. More attacking would have eventually resulted in AC and AS arriving at the summit 2 min. ahead of everyone else and sprinting for the win. That would have been cool, but was not really necessary, besides with the top 2 slots locked up they were both playing the team game. They were playing that at the right time unlike when all the chamois sniffers claimed that Contador was wrong for his attack that dropped Kloden, which was too early in the game for worrying about other podium slots.

 

[Bristol Park Cycling]

I think you are the one that really doesn't understand. There is no illusion, the strongest guy wins in a GT. This year that guy was Contador, period. There was no way in hades that Andy S. was going anywhere without Contador, in fact if you had actually watched the stage you would recall that AS would only back off once AC had brought Armstrong back to him. More attacking would have eventually resulted in AC and AS arriving at the summit 2 min. ahead of everyone else and sprinting for the win. That would have been cool, but was not really necessary, besides with the top 2 slots locked up they were both playing the team game. They were playing that at the right time unlike when all the chamois sniffers claimed that Contador was wrong for his attack that dropped Kloden, which was too early in the game for worrying about other podium slots.

For the record I don't think Andy would have beaten Contador this year, but obviously he would have been closer without these cringe worthy attempts to make his brother follow, who could barely stay with the pack. That was obvious.

I utterly stand by my remarks that, next time, if A.S is able to concentrate on staying with AC and putting him under pressure, there is no telling what could happen. This invinciable bull**** could be right out the window. When you are closer to a rider they often completely lose it - you shouldn't be fooled by what happened this year. No rider is super human.

 

[SpeedWay]

How will Alberto's performance be affected by change in team management?
This is an interesting question. Will Alberto miss John Bruynneal or will he keep on training well and performing well under the new team manager for Astana?
I am also waiting for Alberto to confirm that he is staying with Astana through 2010.

This has been discussed ad nauseam by the rocket scientists here. Contador won this years tour without any team or management support. I hear for maximum exposure he may ride by himself with Fran acting as support, management, and domestique (only on the critical stages of next year tour though - wouldn't want to tarnish the image too much).

 

[kurtinsc]

I don't think Andy can beat Contador this year.

I don't necessarily think Contador will win, but he and everyone else knows that he's got to view Schleck as his biggest competition. If his team is weak, I can see another rider who he doesn't fear as much as schleck getting away... and Contador letting him go, then not being able to get the time back.

But if Schleck tries a move, Contador will counter, good team or not. He will not allow Andy to get any time on the climbs. Barring injury, Andy will definitely finish behind Contador next year.

 

[Velo Dude]

I don't know if he'll bridge the gap between he and AC in 2010, but I expect the race to be closer and more competitive between those two than it was this year.

Wouldn't that be bridging the gap?

 

[Hugh Januss]

Wouldn't that be bridging the gap?

Well technically that would be "closing the gap". Bridging the gap would be if they were even.

 

[Publicus]

Wouldn't that be bridging the gap?

When I said bridged the gap, I meant be in the position to beat him. I don't think he'll improve enough to beat AC, but he'll be a bit more competitive in the TT (I think he'll try to focus on it in the off season). As far the mountains go, I'm not sure there is much he could do other than drop his brother (I think in a way Frank is a mental crutch for him).

 

[Publicus]

Well technically that would be "closing the gap". Bridging the gap would be if they were even.

You said it better, with fewer words.