Does Andy Schleck lack the mental ability to ever win the TDF?

[BYOP88]

He can't like it all that much. He only has 9 wins on his palmares. I think he doesn't mind losing.

Well only 6 that count, the other 3 are from the Schleck family race.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Andy would be hard plussed to find many climbs in France that are longer and steeper than Plateau de Beille.

About time he shuts his mouth.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Not on twitter though:



Frank describes "the perfect strategy:



The magic bottles and gel:



Frank blaiming the others for their un-willingness to attack:



Andy blames the mountain:




Note the number of times "the perfect strategy" are lined out:

http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news/schlecks-animate-plateau-de-beille-finale

Well, what do you expect, when their boss/manager/DS/whatever the **** he is is talking sh*t as well

 

[No_Balls]

Well, what do you expect, when their boss/manager/DS/whatever the **** he is is talking sh*t as well

That was the one i was looking for. Thank you!

Yes, this only show that Leopards DS is on the same level as the two brothers and gives him freedom to operate like they want to. It will lead them nowhere:

Translation of the article:

Frank and Andy Schleck did not manage to run Alberto Contador key out of classification in the Pyrenees, although the Spaniard did not show his usual strength in the mountains. And perhaps a stronger Contador to requirement for a Leopard Trek captains can race.

Awaits the Alps, and here believe Leopard Trek boss Brian Nygaard fact that an attack eager Alberto Contador may be helpful for his team. It can help to break Cadel Evans.

"If it now is that Contador gets better and better, then it could also turn out to be our advantage if there will come more attacks in the Alps. Basso is also out and attack, and it could be the key to getting pricked for Cadel Evans, "he tour.tv2.dk.

Frank and Andy Schleck to go out and get time on Cadel Evans in the Alps, because the Australian pre-judged to be significantly stronger than the two on time trial on the penultimate stage.

So he sums up much of what his few fans around here thinks. He is to incompetent/lazy himself to shredd a mountainstage so he needs another rider to do his job.

 

[El Pistolero]

I think someone needs to tell Andy that in order to win at chess you need to sacrifice some pawns.

 

[thehog]

What's sad is Andy needs Contador more than he needs Frank.

Andy wants Contador to attack. If I was Alberto I'd sit tight.... just for fun so Tommy V can win.

 

[Boeing]

What's sad is Andy needs Contador more than he needs Frank.

Andy wants Contador to attack. If I was Alberto I'd sit tight.... just for fun so Tommy V can win.

that would be awesome. I think tommy V could follow Evans

 

[Jeanne]

I'm not sure if Andy wants to win the tour or if just wants to finish above Contador. Which must not be the same thing

 

[knewcleardaze]

As to how clever or dumb either Schleck is. I don't know.
I'm thinking they will go all out on Thursday. I'll even post my guess for Thursday's podium.
F. Schleck
A.Contador
C. Evans

 

[thehog]

that would be awesome. I think tommy V could follow Evans

I said after stage 1 Contador losing time was the worst possible scenario for Andy Shleck. Andy needs Alberto attacking so he can follow. Andy can't make a race - he doesn't know how. They don't have a race strategy. Well they do and that was based around Alberto.

What should they do from here?

 

[El Pistolero]

I just think Andy doesn't have the legs of last year. And he's dumb as hell, but I think his form is the main problem. He had no problem attacking last year even if Contador didn't pull once.

 

[icefire]

I said after stage 1 Contador losing time was the worst possible scenario for Andy Shleck. Andy needs Alberto attacking so he can follow. Andy can't make a race - he doesn't know how. They don't have a race strategy. Well they do and that was based around Alberto.

What should they do from here?

Andy attacked last year in Avoriaz and, IIRC, he also moved in La Madeleine before Alberto did it. Andy was ahead of Alberto in the GC, but Fränk wasn't there. So I guess Andy will only do his race this year if Fränk does a Beloki on the way to Gap.

 

[jilbiker]

I did say pre-TDF that AS is NOT in the class as AC. He reminds me of Ullrich, all skill and no discipline or mental toughness. He reminds me also of Agassi before he met (and was ready to listen) a coach that drilled discipline and mental toughness into him. Agassi was flicking the ball on the court and doing fun tricks but not winning majors.

major champions have not so much high skills as mental toughness and discipline. They can gfigure their way out of tough situations. jordan, Woods, Agassi, Armstrong (and I am no LA fan), AC, Federer etc. With current attitude, AS may win one accidental championship like ullrich or none at all.

AC has a tough situation now, Giro, crashes, etc, but he can figure a way out. AS? He still can't figure out a way to win. And with no practice during the season on how to win, it's tough.

 

[ricross11]

1. A Schleck 2. Evans 3. Voekler

 

[Cimber]

I just think Andy doesn't have the legs of last year. And he's dumb as hell, but I think his form is the main problem. He had no problem attacking last year even if Contador didn't pull once.

Last year he didnt have to worry about Frank keeping up. That might be the main problem.

 

[mulletCobra]

 

[Publicus]

I said after stage 1 Contador losing time was the worst possible scenario for Andy Shleck. Andy needs Alberto attacking so he can follow. Andy can't make a race - he doesn't know how. They don't have a race strategy. Well they do and that was based around Alberto.

What should they do from here?

Hope that Alberto's form is truly improving . . . but not so much that he drops them like a sack of bricks.

 

[ElChingon]

It seems the Schlecks are waiting for everyone to stop pedaling to show their stuff, otherwise they're not going to do anything because they may either go off the road or drop their chain if there is the minute amount of pressure on them. They are riding as if to not fail in any way that will cost them any more public credibility than they have already lost in previous years. At this point they are becoming the lessons people (trainers) are using to show what not to do in a race and how to ride to not lose a race. If they continue with this there will be a whole book on what not to do in a race staring the Schleck brothers with real life footage in each lesson. Even their last 2 vs 1 scenario was a major failure. With other riders critiquing them as well its become a laughing stock of jokes at every conversation.

Due to their antics it could be a podium of Evans, Sanchez (Sammy), and Voekler (in some order) and no Schlecks, which would be the best lesson to have in that book.

 

[thehog]

I agree. Andy wants his chain to slip again and for Alberto to take advantage. He'd love that. He hates the pressure and right you are he's dumb.

Problem Andy has is Alberto mentally destroyed Armstrong - the only man to do so. He doesn't stand a chance. Even if Alberto does nothing Andy will lose by just being Andy.

It seems the Schlecks are waiting for everyone to stop pedaling to show their stuff, otherwise they're not going to do anything because they may either go off the road or drop their chain if there is the minute amount of pressure on them. They are riding as if to not fail in any way that will cost them any more public credibility than they have already lost in previous years. At this point they are becoming the lessons people (trainers) are using to show what not to do in a race and how to ride to not lose a race. If they continue with this there will be a whole book on what not to do in a race staring the Schleck brothers with real life footage in each lesson. Even their last 2 vs 1 scenario was a major failure. With other riders critiquing them as well its become a laughing stock of jokes at every conversation.

Due to their antics it could be a podium of Evans, Sanchez (Sammy), and Voekler (in some order) and no Schlecks, which would be the best lesson to have in that book.

 

[Cobblestones]

Not on twitter though:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Publicus
I only saw him whining about two post-race controls. What else was said?
Frank describes "the perfect strategy:

Quote:
It was a hard day, and the team did everything we could to make it even harder,” Frank explained. “We had the perfect strategy putting two riders [Linus Gerdemann and Jens Voigt] up front.”
The magic bottles and gel:

Quote:
“The plan emerged that I would go with Linus in the breakaway,” said Voigt. “In the later part of the race, I would be there to help our captains as they were going up the mountains. We could give them fresh bottles and gels and pull a little bit. We knew it would be important to have someone around.”
Frank blaiming the others for their un-willingness to attack:

Quote:
By the end, we had all the favorites left, but most of them were just looking at one another,” Fränk continued. “Only me, Andy and [Ivan] Basso cared to attack. The others were only riding wheels. This is too bad for the GC battle.”
Andy blames the mountain:

Quote:
“It was impossible to make a difference today,” said Andy. “The climb wasn’t hard enough or steep enough. It wasn’t possible to make a gap even though I tried several times.”

Note the number of times "the perfect strategy" are lined out:

http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news/schlecks-animate-plateau-de-beille-finale

Two Schlecks calls for a

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Frank does ride to his limits.
Andy is more talented, he needs to really go all out in the alps and he should win. Frank should be an advantage not a disadvantage. However if he doesn't have the legs it can't mean Andy holds back.

 

[mombus]

Can I interject here? You are all crazy. Andy looked in absolute top form on this stage. I believe him when he said it just wasn't steep or hard enough to put any kind of wound into Evans, Contador, Basso, or Voeckler. When he came across that line at the top, he looked like he could've ridden another 20k up that grade (with ease). Everyone else in GC looked like they had been through the ringer. Andy simply couldn't drop anybody because they are all top class and the climb wasn't steep enough. Just you wait until the end of this week. He will win this tour... by minutes.

 

[blaxland]

The Schlecks biggest and dumbest mistake was leaving Bjarne Riis and Team Saxo...Epic fail...No DS to tell them when to attack..

 

[sashimono]

The Schleck problem has nothing to do with intelligence...

Because dogs are really dumb, yet they can chase and pass any bike going up a hill much better than either Schleck.

 

[2wheels]

Can I interject here? You are all crazy. Andy looked in absolute top form on this stage.

+1 to this comment on Andy's current form; he looked very liquid and easy whenever he punched it, and nobody else in the lead group looked nearly as comfortable. Please also remember that the LT mountain guys did their reconnaissance on the Alps stages, not the Pyrenees-- I truly believe that's where they will give their all.

That said, I'm still a bit disappointed by Fuglsang and Monfort's current form, and Gerdemann is just plain riding like a girl.