Frank and Basso lead for Giro

[Swede1]

I think its a really good move (as long as Frank has been somewhat planning for it and is in pretty good shape). Because he could take a stage and maybe do top 5. Also separating the schlecks may just be the key to their success. Because that waiting for each other garbage just ruins their chances to actually win the Tour.

 

[orangerider]

Does Frank want to win at the expense of the Tour ? Will he rebel by soft pedaling after half way through?

 

[Christian]

I can see several problems with this.

1) Fränk hates riding in the cold. There is likely to be rain/wind in Denmark and later on snow and freezing cold in the mountains, he will be unable to perform in those conditions.

2) Fränk has never ridden with this team. Not even with Zaugg, Rohregger and Bennati if I recall correctly. Maybe once or twice with Machado and Klöden (if he comes) but you can hardly call this a real team.

3) This means Fränk won't ride the Tour of Luxembourg. It is not on Andy's schedule either - Luxembourgers will be p!ssed and will have to make due with Gerdemann and Laurent Didier.

4) This screws over Fränk's chances for the WC, which was one of his goals. Since he'll likely do the Tour, he can't do the Vuelta too but must take a break. There is no way he will be in good shape for the Olympics and Valkenburg. He doesn't care about the Olympics since the parcours doesn't suit him and he doesn't have a team anyways but with the right preparation he could have gotten a good result at the WC.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Contador... Frank Schleck
Messi... Darren Fletcher

The Giro 2008 was his most "ugly" victory. Levi and Kloden were invisible as helpers, but he won because his TT ability.

This year Scarponi won't loss 6 minutes with Frank

Don't hate on Darren

 

[roundabout]

Contador... Frank Schleck
Messi... Darren Fletcher

The Giro 2008 was his most "ugly" victory. Levi and Kloden were invisible as helpers, but he won because his TT ability.

This year Scarponi won't loss 6 minutes with Frank

Rubbish.

Klöden saved your hero's bacon on the stage Di Luca attacked.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

this has all eben a part of a cunning plan by bruyneel tryign to sperate the schlecks at all costs. he wants andy alone as he feels frnak holds andy down. while imo in terms of talent yes. in termsn of mentality it's the other way around

 

[Christian]

Well in any case it will be interesting following this race again, I haven't done so since 2007. I've heard it's been pretty boring anyways so no loss. This year Fränky's gonna light it up

 

[dlwssonic]

this is great! So much more interesting to see frank at the giro! He can do well without having to bother about his bro.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Well in any case it will be interesting following this race again, I haven't done so since 2007. I've heard it's been pretty boring anyways so no loss. This year Fränky's gonna light it up

you are such a loser cycling fan. you only watch a race when schlecks ride? my god. you totally fit the luxemburg schleck-fan image that I so vividly hate. they don't care at all for cycling

 

[will10]

Well in any case it will be interesting following this race again, I haven't done so since 2007. I've heard it's been pretty boring anyways so no loss. This year Fränky's gonna light it up

So you only follow cycling in July? Or only when the Schlecks are around? How dull, you miss out on a lot of great racing.

 

[hrotha]

So you only follow cycling in July? Or only when the Schlecks are around? How dull, you miss out on a lot of great racing.

He doesn't. If the Schlecks aren't there pumpinp up his hormone levels, it isn't fun for him.

 

[Christian]

Can you blame me? Races without Schlecks are generally boring, I think that is something we can all agree on. Even a guy from Trek said so!

 

[will10]

Can you blame me? Races without Schlecks are generally boring, I think that is something we can all agree on. Even a guy from Trek said so!

Good grief.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Can you blame me? Races without Schlecks are generally boring, I think that is something we can all agree on. Even a guy from Trek said so!

Well played, sir.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Can you blame me? Races without Schlecks are generally boring, I think that is something we can all agree on. Even a guy from Trek said so!

 

[dlwssonic]

Can you blame me? Races without Schlecks are generally boring, I think that is something we can all agree on. Even a guy from Trek said so!

even if the race has a schleck they are pretty invisible. except on race camera 3

 

[cineteq]

Can you blame me? Races without Schlecks are generally boring, I think that is something we can all agree on. Even a guy from Trek said so!

are you airstream, part deux?

 

[barn yard]

i would say frank schleck could win the giro this year but it is going to be cold so no amount of johan's 'preparation' will get him on the top step

maybe top 10

 

[Kwibus]

Can you blame me? Races without Schlecks are generally boring, I think that is something we can all agree on. Even a guy from Trek said so!

So all the Schleck bashing on this forum turned you into a troll. Well I can't really blame you for that

I'm glad Frank rides it and apparently he sees opportunities. Frank always tries to ride his best wherever he goes so let's hope he can spice it up a bit.

It's a bloody shame so many riders skip the Giro just to reach a top10 spot in the TdF while they could actually go for the win in the Giro. I'm specifically talking about the more talented climbers with lacking TT skills now.

Imo Rabobank for example should've let 1 of the 3 more talented dutch climbers (Gesink, Mollema or Kruiswijk) ride the Giro instead all 3 of them in the TdF which absolute no sense imo.

 

[gustienordic]

i would say frank schleck could win the giro this year but it is going to be cold so no amount of johan's 'preparation' will get him on the top step

maybe top 10

At least frank is much more fun to watch then his little brother. In races without andy he is exciting. But I do agree, there is no way he will beat Basso Kreuzinger or Scarponi.

 

[karlboss]

Liquigas look strong, and their domestiques are in form, I can just see Basso riding and losing a little time on some of the early shorter climbs to rujano, just to claw back boatloads on the long climbing days over multiple passes.
Frank said he had form in the ardennes, but didn't really show any...however not really a puncheur on his best days for fleche or amstel, and was out of position in liege and that was all she wrote, so who knows. I'd guess will ride for a stage and to find form for the Tour, and finish more or less 10. If he finds himself in the mix for a podium he'll race, but i don't think he will be.

 

[will10]

I'd forgotten that. Frank said he was one of the strongest at Amstel. Who are we to disagree. Frank will have no competition at Il Giro.

 

[cineteq]

I'd forgotten that. Frank said he was one of the strongest at Amstel. Who are we to disagree. Frank will have no competition at Il Giro.

Is this a post of someone who will have no competition?
"Plans changed unexpectedly,after 5 days no training, the first week in the giro will get pretty hard..."

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Trying to keep on topic, I'm curious to see just what strategy Basso and Frank employ. With Frank's new nameless DS and team, I'd expect him to sit and wait as long as possible and let others do the work. Years ago it was Basso's strategy to attack whenever he had the energy to do so, which would disrupt that. I don't know if he's got that anymore, but this could be an interesting contrast.

 

[The Hitch]

Trying to keep on topic, I'm curious to see just what strategy Basso and Frank employ. With Frank's new nameless DS and team, I'd expect him to sit and wait as long as possible and let others do the work. Years ago it was Basso's strategy to attack whenever he had the energy to do so, which would disrupt that. I don't know if he's got that anymore, but this could be an interesting contrast.

Bassos strategy is very simple.

Ride 19 days behind Szmyd.

On the 20th day follow Szmyd for 5 hours, then start a tt on the final climb and hope everyone will be dropped by the top.