Frank Schleck

[mombus]

Is anyone aware of his plans for the rest of the season? I noticed Andy, Jakob, and Jens are all at California. He wasn't with the team in Italy. He's obviously not going for GC in France... unless a hopeful 3rd or something. Why is he not doing anything right now? Has he said anything about the Vuelta. Is he going to settle for 3rd at Liege for the year?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

He won the Criterium International too, in addition to 2nd at Liege.

Frank and Andy's season highlight thus far is chammy sniffing Gilbert at Liege.

 

[Ryaguas]

He still has Suisse and Dauphine to build up...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Is anyone aware of his plans for the rest of the season? I noticed Andy, Jakob, and Jens are all at California. He wasn't with the team in Italy. He's obviously not going for GC in France... unless a hopeful 3rd or something. Why is he not doing anything right now? Has he said anything about the Vuelta. Is he going to settle for 3rd at Liege for the year?

It's about the tour at this point.
I'm not convinced californa is the best prep. for le tour.
The best system imo:
Training > Dauphine > More Training > Tour.

Of course different different things work for different riders.
Sure him amongst others might ride the road race nationals also. Not that Luxemburg is too difficult.

 

[JPM London]

Is anyone aware of his plans for the rest of the season?

He's obviously not going for GC in France... unless a hopeful 3rd or something.

I don't know, but could be Suisse was high on the program before the tour? He won last year and it's often used as a Tour prep anyway.

Why are you saying he's "obviously not going for GC"? And then follow by saying he might go for a podium anyway? That statement makes no sense, mate.
If you haven't noticed the Schlecks always go into the races open minded and happy to support each other whoever's doing best. It's just that Andy is the pre-favourite. Maybe Andy is the better rider in physical terms, but Frank does have a couple of years experience more than his brother and, I think, sometimes shows himself to be a wiser rider.

If Conti rides the Tour this year I think it'll definitely take both Schlecks to match him - will be an interesting fight to see for sure...

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

He's obviously not going for GC in France... unless a hopeful 3rd or something.

He's definitely going for GC in France. A podium spot, no less.

Nothing's changed.

 

[Marcus135]

If Conti rides the Tour this year I think it'll definitely take both Schlecks to match him - will be an interesting fight to see for sure...

Andy can match Contador as was shown last year, he just cant get away from him. I dont think Frank can match him and could be dropped. However as has been seen in the past riders who participate in the Giro do not do so well in the tour (there are exceptions i know). This is Contador however, but with Andy another year older i think he would be a very strong challenger and could probably beat Alberto in the tdf this year, if he is allowed to race of course.

 

[Christian]

Fränk is doing the same preparation as the last couple of years.

Tour de Luxembourg, Tour de Suisse, National Championships.

Andy does Tour of California, then Tour de Suisse, Nats.

Usually Fränk needs less time to get into top shape so that's why he starts later. It's the same in the beginning of the season, where he can aim for a Top-10 in Paris-Nice (usually it is more mountainous) whereas Andy chooses the "flatter" Tirreno-Adriatico.

Then after the Tour we'll see. Maybe one of them will start the Vuelta or the October races in Italy.

 

[gregrowlerson]

I can't see AC beating an on form AS in the TDF after riding the Giro. A podium after going through all of that mountainous hell would be an epic achievement.

Frank has a shot at the podium this year. In fact all we need is Andy taken out of the equation and we have an epic TDF with numerous GC riders left of close to equal ability.

 

[greenedge]

I think he shall build up well for the TDF and challenge for a podium there. I think his program sounds good. He can maybe fit in a few smaller races too. Andy has chosen a good race to prep for. There are great quality riders there with SOLID domestiques, compared to Giro. If FL can do it so can AS, but hopefully without the drugs.

 

[Zweistein]

It's about the tour at this point.
I'm not convinced californa is the best prep. for le tour.
The best system imo:
Training > Dauphine > More Training > Tour.

Of course different different things work for different riders.
Sure him amongst others might ride the road race nationals also. Not that Luxemburg is too difficult.

You are forgetting regular visits to Dr.Ferrari in your schedule though. Otherwise, it is perfect.

 

[khardung la]

I can't see AC beating an on form AS in the TDF after riding the Giro. A podium after going through all of that mountainous hell would be an epic achievement.

It happened before, it can very well happen again, it would not be that epic. Contador was not at his best in 2010 TdF, and still won. He can recover from the Giro and be much better than AS in the TdF. that would not be a surprise for me.

 

[Midnightfright]

It happened before, it can very well happen again, it would not be that epic. Contador was not at his best in 2010 TdF, and still won. He can recover from the Giro and be much better than AS in the TdF. that would not be a surprise for me.

I think his climbing in comparison to Andys are very similar. The advantages he has on AS are initial acceleration and tatical nous. I dont believe theres anywas that advanatage along with his tt skills is enough to make up the effect riding the giro will have him at the Tour. I firmly believe it goes AC,AS then rest and there is alot bigger diffrence between Schleck and others the Contador and Schleck.

 

[veganrob]

It happened before, it can very well happen again, it would not be that epic. Contador was not at his best in 2010 TdF, and still won. He can recover from the Giro and be much better than AS in the TdF. that would not be a surprise for me.

Totally agree. Ac was nowhere near 100% and Andy was as good as he could be. If Alberto could go into TdF in top shape, Andy has no chance.

 

[c&cfan]

It happened before, it can very well happen again, it would not be that epic. Contador was not at his best in 2010 TdF, and still won. He can recover from the Giro and be much better than AS in the TdF. that would not be a surprise for me.

in fact I disagree.

it happened in the EPO era and in the era were the giro never was the main focus, but rather another pre-tour race. times are different now. to 99% of the contenders, that are only 2% (or lesse) than the peloton, to win the giro you have to focus all your season just for it.

to the other 1%, alberto, things are different. in fact, i can't see no one besides him that can do it fairly without tons of luck. and maybe, has cycling specialises and peaks are more defined, maybe he is the last one with that chance, because as the guy that hates him most (besides the forum trash) said:

"the most talented guy that ever raced a bike".