Frank Schleck's comments

[Don't be late Pedro]

Yes, a reeeeeeaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllly oddddddddddd comparison with a rider who wasn't in optimum form for the Tour because he had to do the Giro.

Yes, the comparison seems pretty straight forward. However, the mock outrage is actually laughable.

 

[Publicus]

I think René's comments are a bit clumsy (comes off weak instead of deflecting the pressure to be a contender), but generally ok. I think the comparison with Contador's situation last year is odd because René was neither targeting the Giro nor did he race it to win. In fact, when he was called up for the Giro he stressed how poor his form was and that he hoped to ride himself into shape. Of course due to unfortunate circumstances René pulled out of the Giro after 14 stages. Now given that he wanted to ride the Tour and was injured during the Giro, I have to wonder why he rode the Tour of Luxembourg or the Suisse? It's not like Bruyneel was really excluding riders from the Tour squad because of non-participation at the Suisse/Dauphine (I'm looking at you Jens!)--just Horner. Perhaps Contador's situation was on top of mind and most familiar to him, but it was a dumb comparison just based on the facts of the situation.

 

[Cimber]

Yes, the comparison seems pretty straight forward.

It might have been if Frank had finished the the Giro and the tough 3rd week. 2 weeks which were not super tough shouldnt be much worse than TDS.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

It might have been if Frank had finished the the Giro and the tough 3rd week. 2 weeks which were not super tough shouldnt be much worse than TDS.

All he is saying is that he has raced more that he would have liked and it will probably effect him later in the tour as it did Contador.

Even if had had raced all 3 weeks of the Giro I am sure people would be saying that is still was not as hard as the 2011 Giro and he should not compare it.

 

[Publicus]

****ing hell, never knew that they had middle names

I didn't either--came across it by accident. I think the fact that they both begin with "R" and the brothers carry themselves like they are twins is what makes it a more preferable reference to me than Frandy (or the other names). Nothing like tweaking roundabout's nose by using names their parents gave them. I'm such a child for doing so! Quelle horreur!!!

 

[roundabout]

Well tbh he did 2 weeks of the giro, and left before the really hard 3rd week. Contador did all 3 weeks of unspeakable tough Giro. So no the comparison of the Giro doesnt stick. Also he didnt train to peak for the Giro (as he thought he wasnt gonna do it), which means he took 2 weeks off the bike (more or less) after Liege.

But that aside, why did he do TDS if its such a bad thing for his preperation for the Tour? Its not like he expected not to do the Tour, or what?

Its a damn shame though. Had hoped atleast one of the Schleck would be in top form for the Tour. I fear it will be such a snoozefest with Sky controlling it all and noone to really attack. The Vuelta will be much more exciting.

Christ, point is that he thinks that he is in good form earlier than normal. And the only difference from his usual schedule is the Giro.

The comparison is that both didn't prepare optimally for the Tour because they did the Giro. Bludgeoning me with the details over and over won't change the underlying point.

 

[Armanius]

I was very surprised that Frank Schleck would say the things he did about not wanting to be the captain of the squad. I've never seen any competitor not want to be "the man." If Frank doesn't want to be "the man," then who will lead RSN? Andreas Kloden? Chris Horner, if RSN chooses to bring him back into the team? And more importantly, will Frank be able to work as a domestique for anyone other than his brother? RSN's woes seem unending.

Back to Frank, he didn't even complete the Giro. Nor did he dominate the Giro like Alberto Contador did last year. Could it be that Frank does want to be the captain, but is already laying the foundation for an excuse in the event he fails miserably like he did in the Giro? If that's the case, in my opinion, he should just not compete in the Tour.

 

[Caruut]

There is a defeatist element to it, but I think the statement also shows a (possibly unhealthy) degree of respect to Contador. It can easily be seen as Frank saying "Look, when Contador did this much racing, he was a shadow of his normal self. If he can't do it, what hope have I?". Yes, Contador had a tougher Giro-Tour double with a full, more brutal Giro and crashes in the Tour, but the point remains that these days, very few riders are going to have a proper crack at both the Giro and Tour.

All you Contador fans need to get a grip. Everyone knows that sportspeople are rarely 100% truthful in the media. This could all be a bluff, stop throwing a hissy fit every time anyone compares themselves to Contador.

 

[Publicus]

All he is saying is that he has raced more that he would have liked and it will probably effect him later in the tour as it did Contador.

Even if had had raced all 3 weeks of the Giro I am sure people would be saying that is still was not as hard as the 2011 Giro and he should not compare it.

I agree with everything up to the comparison with Contador. If he had raced all 3 weeks of the Giro, I think he'd have a stronger basis for the comparison. Frankly, I think if he drops the references to Contador there's nothing objectionable about his statement (save for the weakness he conveys). But I've said as much 3 or 4 times.

 

[roundabout]

I didn't either--came across it by accident. I think the fact that they both begin with "R" and the brothers carry themselves like they are twins is what makes it a more preferable reference to me than Frandy (or the other names). Nothing like tweaking roundabout's nose by using names their parents gave them. I'm such a child for doing so! Quelle horreur!!!

No, nothing to do with tweaking my nose. Just cheapening any point you might make about them as you certainly don't use their names in a respectful manner.

 

[nowhereman]

Frank Schleck's comments: Delusions of Grandeur, supported by Fear of Failure. My, oh my, what a heady concoction!

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

I agree with everything up to the comparison with Contador. If he had raced all 3 weeks of the Giro, I think he'd have a stronger basis for the comparison. Frankly, I think if he drops the references to Contador there's nothing objectionable about his statement (save for the weakness he conveys). But I've said as much 3 or 4 times.

It seems to me that the vitriol generated for a (probably) throw-a-way comment seems extreme.

I agree completely on the weakness aspect but that is a different argument.

 

[Bumeington]

He was the best climber in the Tour de Suisse and was easily on the best form of all the contenders.

He has been on form since the Ardennes and to maintain such a peak is not feasible.

And no that isnt the reason behind them leaving Saxo, though it is partially the reason behind them moving to RSNT

Wiggins has been on form since Paris-Nice.....

 

[Gloin22]

Wiggins has been on form since Paris-Nice.....

But he only did Romandie where he wasnt great and below form he had in PN.

And then he did Dauphine and won it in TT. He didn't make any extra effort, the team did it

So 2 races since PN and in none he was great, he was good as expected in TT's just Rest, the team did it

 

[Publicus]

No, nothing to do with tweaking my nose. Just cheapening any point you might make about them as you certainly don't use their names in a respectful manner.

René and Raymond are their given names. Referring to them by their given names does not cheapen my point and is certainly not on the level of derogatory names bandied about here for various riders, including René and Raymond. The fact that I am critical of them at various times is all well documented, but calling them by their middle names is not, in and of itself, disrespectful. Now, these crayons and paste aren't going to eat themselves, so I better get going before my short bus arrives.

 

[*Falze*]

Yep this is indeed such a stupid statement. FFS Frankie-boy, Contador finished and won an ultra tough Giro, while u left an easier Giro before the hard part even began. How can u even compare that?

Couldn't agree more

 

[Bumeington]

But he only did Romandie where he wasnt great and below form he had in PN.

And then he did Dauphine and won it in TT. He didn't make any extra effort, the team did it

So 2 races since PN and in none he was great, he was good as expected in TT's just Rest, the team did it

Was Frank great in either the ardennes or the giro? I think it's a fair comparison

 

[roundabout]

René and Raymond are their given names. Referring to them by their given names does not cheapen my point and is certainly not on the level of derogatory names bandied about here for various riders, including René and Raymond. The fact that I am critical of them at various times is all well documented, but calling them by their middle names is not, in and of itself, disrespectful. Now, these crayons and paste aren't going to eat themselves, so I better get going before my short bus arrives.

You're right. A friend or a family member using middle names is not disrespectful. A nameless poster on a bb who 99% of the time has nothing good to say or looks for fault in every word or action using a middle name would mean that he doesn't respect the person enough to use the first name.

 

[Cimber]

Christ, point is that he thinks that he is in good form earlier than normal. And the only difference from his usual schedule is the Giro.

The comparison is that both didn't prepare optimally for the Tour because they did the Giro. Bludgeoning me with the details over and over won't change the underlying point.

1) Actually the Giro is a decent prep if u only do the first part, and spare yourself from the toughest part (its been done before)
2) Why did he do Lux and TDS if its not good prep?

 

[PosterBill]

It's hard for me to grasp much of the Schleck's press comments of late. Makes very little sense

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's hard for me to grasp much of the Schleck's press comments of late. Makes very little sense

You are not alone.

 

[roundabout]

1) Actually the Giro is a decent prep if u only do the first part (its been done before)
2) Why did he do Lux and TDS if its not good prep?

FFS.

Are you seriously going to argue now that Schleck hit form optimally???

Gah.

Or did you expect him to do a Horner and go training in June and be left out of the Tour shortlist???

 

[Cimber]

FFS.

Are you seriously going to argue now that Schleck hit form optimally???

Gah.

Erm no. I am arguing that 1) the comparison to Contador is bad since Frank did only did the first 2 "easy" weeks. 2) he/the team did lousy race planning to do Lux and TDS as Tour prep if it overburdens him.

The 2 weeks of Giro would have been ok as prep had he not done Lux and TDS, so why did he?

Or did you expect him to do a Horner and go training in June and be left out of the Tour shortlist???

Maybe have a chat with JB. He should know that it would be overkill to do 2 weeks giro, lux and TDS. Ofc he should be selected even if he only train in June. Horner didnt do the Giro so different story. If JB cant see taht he is a damn fool

 

[roundabout]

Erm no. I am arguing that 1) the comparison to Contador is bad since Frank did only did the first 2 "easy" weeks. 2) he/the team did lousy race planning to do Lux and TDS as Tour prep if it overburdens him

I give up.

 

[Cimber]

I give up.

Good (10 char)