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

[jobiwan]

To be honest, i´ll think of you as a good guy. Andy don´t deserve fans like you.

If he kept his mouth shut and just did the damn race properly he would regain his reputation from 2008/2009 which saw a exciting rider, able to stay with the best, and a future GT-rider. As the current situation is he is ALL talk and none deliverance. It looks like he is to preoccupied with whining, rather then racing, after every stage who doesn´t go his way.

He looks like the spoiled-brat in school who thinks to highly of himself but never proved it. We neved liked those guys

Yeah, it seems like at Leopard Trek, he doesn't really have anyone around him to talk some sense. Because it's a Luxembourg team, and he's the star, he's surrounded by a bunch of YES-MEN.

Unfortunately he reminds me a lot of LeBron James at this point. The talent is obviously there, but it's overshadowed by all the ridiculous talk.

Just like LeBron, no one's gonna tell Andy no.

Maybe Frank or Fabian will give him a good lesson, so I can change my signature back.

 

[Carl0880]

Nah, he deserves what he's getting today. The Andy-bashers have every right to say what they're saying today.

That said...
Still rooting for him, but he makes it quite hard on himself and us.
He needs a talking too, he's put his Team Managers and his own brother in Damage Control mode right now.

Hopefully he'll learn and be better prepared for future Tours.
I still think he has a shot in this year's Tour, but I doubt it.

The difference with Frank maturity and his has shown because I found Frank's answer to today stage very classy and honest. I was thinking the same as you, but I have to come back to this.

Grant it Andy is only 26, but he is not a young 26. Andy is currently on his 4th TDF, so he doesn't have the big learning curve of the Tour. He has finished on the podium the last 2 years, so he can't blame it on inexperience as a favorite or being in the lead. He has a top flight team at his exposure, and he also has a Top 5 contender as a teammate and a brother, who is willing to work for him.

Unless something changes, i think right now he just doesn't have what it takes to be a champion. This is not the same as winning a TDF, or even a Grand Tour. To me a champion is to win something when conditions are optimal for yourself. A champion is one willing to take a chance of failure because he wants to prove something that's unattainable or unlikely is possible.

I have a saying I used when I coach younger athletes and I followed in my life, its a quote that serves for my love for riders like Vino and GIlbert.

"I rather be a guy who chases for victory, and settles for a high finish, then a guy who goes after a high finish and hopes for a victory."

 

[Carols]

It may be mean but I was jumping up and down, clapping and hollering when I saw Alberto crack him Serves him right with his bragging and whining and carrying on. I hope it happens again in the next 3 days!

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

"I rather be a guy who chases for victory, and settles for a high finish, then a guy who goes after a high finish and hopes for a victory."

Or as in Football: Some guys coach not to loose (Timid-Turner), others to win (Belichick).

 

[thehog]

Yeah, it seems like at Leopard Trek, he doesn't really have anyone around him to talk some sense. Because it's a Luxembourg team, and he's the star, he's surrounded by a bunch of YES-MEN.

Unfortunately he reminds me a lot of LeBron James at this point. The talent is obviously there, but it's overshadowed by all the ridiculous talk.

Just like LeBron, no one's gonna tell Andy no.

Maybe Frank or Fabian will give him a good lesson, so I can change my signature back.

Riis was the one who kept his feet on the ground. When he won LBL it was Frank who gave Bjarne a massive hug to say thanks for grounding Andy. Riis was good for both of them. Andy had had everything his own way. He was a killer junior. At 16 he was beating guys in their late 20's. He's never had to work that hard. Bit like Ullrich in some ways. Andy just can't understand why he can't ride everyone off his wheel like he did when he was young. When your good that young you don't learn tactical skill.

 

[No_Balls]

Yeah, it seems like at Leopard Trek, he doesn't really have anyone around him to talk some sense. Because it's a Luxembourg team, and he's the star, he's surrounded by a bunch of YES-MEN.

Exactly what i said a couple of days ago. He needs a Mr Miyagi (spelling?) who could slap in his face saying: "You are not the best, not by a mile, but you could god damn become one. Only hard work will take you to the top."

Leaving Riis was not the best either. He then created his own, Luxembourg-based team, with him in the middle, surrounded with guys who says what he wants to hear.

Unfortunately he reminds me a lot of LeBron James at this point. The talent is obviously there, but it's overshadowed by all the ridiculous talk.

He could also use a mentor. To me, it looks like chain-gate has going deeper in him then we might realise. It sometimes sounds like "if it was not for that damn chain i could have won a Tour by now". I dont think he has realized how good the opportunity was when going into the first mountain stage, this Tour though.

Maybe Frank or Fabian will give him a good lesson, so I can change my signature back.

I´ll kinda liked your signature. Very clever and funny. Fränk wont say anything Andy didnt want to hear, not like they have looked out for each other. Canc might say a thing or two IF his role is to kill himself for a couple of seconds and no action in the mountains. Perhaps.

But since he has neutralized a stage for Andy, my doubts are there.

 

[red_flanders]

Yeah, it seems like at Leopard Trek, he doesn't really have anyone around him to talk some sense. Because it's a Luxembourg team, and he's the star, he's surrounded by a bunch of YES-MEN.

Unfortunately he reminds me a lot of LeBron James at this point. The talent is obviously there, but it's overshadowed by all the ridiculous talk.

Just like LeBron, no one's gonna tell Andy no.

Kim Anderson seems to be telling him no pretty publicly here. Maybe he'll learn something, the blowback from those comments is going to be huge.

http://bit.ly/qHKCPB

Imagine Bob Roll's take if Contador had said such a thing. What will his comments be tonight?

 

[UpTheRoad]

Too bad Angelo Z isn't the race director for the TdF. He would have responded to AS's comments by telling him publicly to quit his whining. I am guessing Prudhomme will be more diplomatic, perhaps even silent. Hinault might have some choice words in response.

 

[kurtinsc]

Yeah, it seems like at Leopard Trek, he doesn't really have anyone around him to talk some sense. Because it's a Luxembourg team, and he's the star, he's surrounded by a bunch of YES-MEN.

Unfortunately he reminds me a lot of LeBron James at this point. The talent is obviously there, but it's overshadowed by all the ridiculous talk.

Just like LeBron, no one's gonna tell Andy no.

Maybe Frank or Fabian will give him a good lesson, so I can change my signature back.

In defense of Lebron, he really doesn't talk that much. A lot of people around him talk, and his face shows up everywhere... but he's pretty bland with the media.

 

[Cobblestones]

Too bad Angelo Z isn't the race director for the TdF. He would have responded to AS's comments by telling him publicly to quit his whining. I am guessing Prudhomme will be more diplomatic, perhaps even silent. Hinault might have some choice words in response.

Right. The whining will go down really well with the 'pas de cadeaux' badger.

 

[jobiwan]

Kim Anderson seems to be telling him no pretty publicly here. Maybe he'll learn something, the blowback from those comments is going to be huge.

http://bit.ly/qHKCPB

Imagine Bob Roll's take if Contador had said such a thing. What will his comments be tonight?

Seems Anderson and Brother Frank are in full Damage Control Mode.

As for Bob Roll, part of me wants to tune in to watch the madness, but then I'd have to watch today's stage again. Too depressing for me!

 

[No_Balls]

Andy should hand in his balls (if he hasn't done so already) and try the TdF Feminin. Although, come to think of it, Nicole Cooke and Emmy Pooley will still ride with more panache.

Good one.

 

[Publicus]

Yeah, it seems like at Leopard Trek, he doesn't really have anyone around him to talk some sense. Because it's a Luxembourg team, and he's the star, he's surrounded by a bunch of YES-MEN.

Unfortunately he reminds me a lot of LeBron James at this point. The talent is obviously there, but it's overshadowed by all the ridiculous talk.

Just like LeBron, no one's gonna tell Andy no.

Maybe Frank or Fabian will give him a good lesson, so I can change my signature back.

Bingo. That comparison has been bouncing around in my head for a bit now and I've been hesitant to roll it out, but he does have some striking similarities.

EDIT: and let me say, I do have a respect for Frank. He handled today like a true champion as well. Picked himself up and dusted himself off, say chapeau to his rivals, and promised to return another day to fight. His brother could learn a lesson or two from him. And Kim Anderson was spot on in his comments as well. All is not lost unless Andy becomes unglued over the next day or so.

 

[LaBici]

I am not sure what games the Schlecks have been playing, but I think Contador is in better shape than many people think including A&F. He will come out of his shell in the last two climbs of the Alps. Count on it. He was just a phenomenal poetic climber in the Giro. He is ready to capture a double grand tour.

now the Schlecks have a worry on their hands

 

[auscyclefan94]

Strong rumours out of Luxembourg were that Andy partied very hard during the off season. He lacks discipline and the brothers rely on each other too much.

 

[Paco_P]

Unfortunately he reminds me a lot of LeBron James at this point. The talent is obviously there, but it's overshadowed by all the ridiculous talk.

It's not the same - there is no basketball skill at which Lebron is not among the very best (except perhaps shooting) - passing, defense, going to the rim - whatever.

Schleck can't time trial and he can't descend mountains. He is quite average in two skills necessary to win a big tour.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

appropriate bump. Not to say Andy has the win locked up, far from, but he was brilliant today.

 

[Edwardsc]

Funny how it's gone so quiet in this thread...

 

[BYOP88]

Well it's been a long day, newbie. But as of yet Schleck still has no TdF wins and after the effort today surely he's going to pay tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[Angliru]

Funny how it's gone so quiet in this thread...

He still hasn't won the Tour yet. Extraordinary, gutsy performance though. He should be commended. Now when he begins publicly and privately showing respect for his opponents and taking responsibility for his own mistakes instead of blaming others he will have shown that he's matured. His performance today changes none of that.

 

[Edwardsc]

Yes, I'm a newbie. Well observed.

But I have been watching this thread since it's inception, eager to add something but not wanting to risk coming a cropper... which is probably something numerous posters should've done too.

No, he hasn't won the tour, but I think he's answered doubts about his mentality.

 

[BYOP88]

Well he did do a "great" ride today but he always had the Frank excuse/option to fall back on if he failed.

 

[luckyboy]

Yeah he won't win a Tour.

 

[Bennyl]

well he could...

 

[usedtobefast]

Yes, I'm a newbie. Well observed.

But I have been watching this thread since it's inception, eager to add something but not wanting to risk coming a cropper... which is probably something numerous posters should've done too.

No, he hasn't won the tour, but I think he's answered doubts about his mentality.

i would say so as well. i was having my doubts about his focus. i think today showed he could attack and make it stick. good for him and his team.