Critérium du Dauphiné 2012 stage 2, 160km, Lamastre→Saint-Félicien

[Gloin22]

Because he has been the best long TTer in GTs over the past 5 years.

It's a valid reason to expect good things, even if he may well be on the decline.

While I agree his decline began last year imo and I have seen nothing this year from him.

Is he doing Andy tactics ?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Menchov had knee problems all spring. It's hard to gauge where he's at now. I'd reserve some judgment until the Tour start.

 

[will10]

People over-rate him in my opinion for this Tour anyway becasue he won GT's few years ago.

Top 5/7 contender but not much more in my humble opinion.

I rate Gesink, JvDB higher than Menchov for Tour.

'People' said the same of Evans before last year's Tour.

Menchov has been doing rubbish rides at prep races since Andy was in nappies. Write him off for the Tour at your peril.

 

[undencem]

Andy Schleck is bluffing ; no need to show all before TdF. Let the others think he is not fit

 

[Dedelou]

Andy Schleck is bluffing ; no need to show all before TdF. Let the others think he is not fit

Don't worry, most of his competitors are real pro who don't rely on thinking to judge a racer's shape but generally use a couple of simple tactics to test who has what in their legs comes the Tour.

 

[Lanark]

'People' said the same of Evans before last year's Tour.

Menchov has been doing rubbish rides at prep races since Andy was in nappies. Write him off for the Tour at your peril.

Evans hadn't been at the top of his game in GC's for some years before the 2011 Tour, but he did have a great season untill then, although it hadn't paid off in GT's, it was clear that Evans was a changed man after his 2009 World Championship. The same can't be said for Menchov this year. Although writing him off would be silly, I do think Menchov's decline is permanent (perhaps for reasons better discussed in the clinic).

 

[ferryman]

Andy Schleck is bluffing ; no need to show all before TdF. Let the others think he is not fit[/QUOTE]
Is that mentally or physically

 

[The Hitch]

I was watching the replay today, and the strangest thing happened.

Harmonn was on one of his speeches about Cadel, and then saw Schleck and said "Andy Schleck has never really attacked like Cadel Evans".

The same Andy who won, Lbl and took a minute on the Tourmalet, and attacked 60k out to win a stage by 2 minutes?

 

[kjetilraknerud]

"Meantime, team talking-point Andy Schleck finished the 160km stage 1:47 behind Moreno, 100th man across the finish line with RadioShack-Nissan manager Johan Bruyneel encouraged by the effort."

That's funny!