Frank Schleck's comments

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

This is what Wiggins' schedule looks like on PCM.

pic

wheres the 'form of my life' bars which apparently exist in every second race he enters

 

[movingtarget]

wheres the 'form of my life' bars which apparently exist in every second race he enters

He rode less than than half of the Giro. It just shows people what sort of pressure the Schlecks are under when they don't even want to be team leader in the most prestigious race of the year. So far it's been a horrible year for the brothers. I thought Frank did well in the Suisse Tour. It also shows the stress that neither Schleck seems to cope with very well. They should put Fuglsang in the team, someone who wants to be there for the Tour and the team.

 

[LaFlorecita]

You are right. Frank should not grade himself down that way.

I am pretty sure that the only passage of Frank's comment which one should take serious was the last sentence: "I don't want to be named as the leader, because if I put in a disappointing performance, then everyone can afterwards complain that I was not good enough". He will go to the tour and have some fun. Especially in the mountains.

Oh, and ACs Giro domination was because of weak competition, his Tour performance was because of strong competition, simple as it is.

Haha, funny

 

[blaxland]

Well done Frank,admitting the truth to all takes a strong person,chapeau

 

[the asian]

This seems as spill over from his fall out with Bryuneel. Even though the course is not his liking I can't imagine Kloden or Horner finish in front of F Schleck.
He's the still best bet for a podium in the RSNT squad, and this seems a shirking of responsibility.

 

[IlCobraFan]

He should pay his friend Fuentes once again, then I'm sure he will keep his form...

 

[noddy69]

Here is a question for everyone. Put yourself in a team managers shoes for a moment. Would you while putting together a squad consider signing the brothers?

If so why and if not why not?

I for one would not in the light of what is going on at the moment. The 2 lads dont come across as being team players at all. Public strops and dropping out of races to just plain not trying is what comes across to joe public unless its the tour. Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggans, Alberto, three who are mentioned(when available but thats not for this question) in the same light as the brothers when mentioning the tour, also go out to win other races.
Yes the tour is the grandest of them all, but there are other races and things expected of riders in what is a team sport. Personally I would want riders that were not in it for one thing, that gave a damn about the team and performance when they went out and not just themselves and above all worked for the team and adjusted to what the team needed them to do.

So for me a resounding no thank you, I wouldnt waste my money.....if I had it.

 

[Angliru]

Here is a question for everyone. Put yourself in a team managers shoes for a moment. Would you while putting together a squad consider signing the brothers?

If so why and if not why not?

I for one would not in the light of what is going on at the moment. The 2 lads dont come across as being team players at all. Public strops and dropping out of races to just plain not trying is what comes across to joe public unless its the tour. Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggans, Alberto, three who are mentioned(when available but thats not for this question) in the same light as the brothers when mentioning the tour, also go out to win other races.
Yes the tour is the grandest of them all, but there are other races and things expected of riders in what is a team sport. Personally I would want riders that were not in it for one thing, that gave a damn about the team and performance when they went out and not just themselves and above all worked for the team and adjusted to what the team needed them to do.

So for me a resounding no thank you, I wouldnt waste my money.....if I had it.

I may be one of the Schleck's worst critics but this particular circumstance and season I don't is entirely indicative of their team oriented attitudes. There has such a high degree of mismanaging of rider race schedules, what appears to be a lack of clear lines of communication between some of the riders and management and an inability of Bruyneel and his staff to create an environment where they are united as one as opposed to simply following orders from above. The Schleck's do display a sense of entitlement and do whine quite a bit but they do deliver in the Ardennes and the Tour and Frank is one to make his presence felt in most of the week long stage races that he enters. This season has been a nightmare for the riders and I primarily blame Bruyneel.

Edit: In answer to your question, I would bring them aboard but the environment would have to be ideal. Taking them out of their comfort zone to try to take them to the next level (a Tour victory) as Bruyneel seemed to try to do hasn't appeared to work. Bruyneel's disciplined/detached approach is opposite to what they were accustomed and it has seemingly had an adverse effect on Andy's performance in particular.

 

[noddy69]

I may be one of the Schleck's worst critics but this particular circumstance and season I don't is entirely indicative of their team oriented attitudes. There has such a high degree of mismanaging of rider race schedules, what appears to be a lack of clear lines of communication between some of the riders and management and an inability of Bruyneel and his staff to create an environment where they are united as one as opposed to simply following orders from above. The Schleck's do display a sense of entitlement and do whine quite a bit but they do deliver in the Ardennes and the Tour and Frank is one to make his presence felt in most of the week long stage races that he enters. This season has been a nightmare for the riders and I primarily blame Bruyneel.

Ill take that as a yes you would sign them then .

 

[BillytheKid]

He rode less than than half of the Giro. It just shows people what sort of pressure the Schlecks are under when they don't even want to be team leader in the most prestigious race of the year. So far it's been a horrible year for the brothers. I thought Frank did well in the Suisse Tour. It also shows the stress that neither Schleck seems to cope with very well. They should put Fuglsang in the team, someone who wants to be there for the Tour and the team.

Frank is sprewing a little propaganda. He's sole focus is the Tour.

He has good form right on time.

I still say they should line up behind Klöden, but Schleck could reek havoc in the mountains if Klöden is also there.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Oh I see, I meant Wigans

Fair enough

 

[LaFlorecita]

Here is a question for everyone. Put yourself in a team managers shoes for a moment. Would you while putting together a squad consider signing the brothers?

If so why and if not why not?

I for one would not in the light of what is going on at the moment. The 2 lads dont come across as being team players at all. Public strops and dropping out of races to just plain not trying is what comes across to joe public unless its the tour. Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggans, Alberto, three who are mentioned(when available but thats not for this question) in the same light as the brothers when mentioning the tour, also go out to win other races.
Yes the tour is the grandest of them all, but there are other races and things expected of riders in what is a team sport. Personally I would want riders that were not in it for one thing, that gave a damn about the team and performance when they went out and not just themselves and above all worked for the team and adjusted to what the team needed them to do.

So for me a resounding no thank you, I wouldnt waste my money.....if I had it.

Never. I'd take Dani and Jesus over Frandy any day. Way cheaper and much better teamplayers.

 

[El Pistolero]

What the hell has Klöden done this year to keep getting mentioned?

 

[JimPanzen]

“I don't want to be named as the leader, because if I put in a disappointing performance, then everyone can afterwards complain that I was not good enough."

While I consider his statements about not being able to maintain his form forever to be plausible, the one above is not what I expect a so called team leader to say.

 

[BillytheKid]

What the hell has Klöden done this year to keep getting mentioned?

He had a knee problem early in the year?? Believe it or not, but I assume since he was able to do 7th in Suisse ITT, he's going better.

You obviously look at results only. I look things like the Verbier climb of the Suisse, Klöden took one easy looking pull at the start of it and split the field up nicely and just went the back, but thing is he was not blown, out for a training ride.

I am still surprise that so many people don't subcribe to the idea of peaking for an event. 20 years ago I was raise on it. It works, even Hinault's training book is based on the concept. Have you ever competed?

 

[BillytheKid]

“I don't want to be named as the leader, because if I put in a disappointing performance, then everyone can afterwards complain that I was not good enough."

While I consider his statements about not being able to maintain his form forever to be plausible, the one above is not what I expect a so called team leader to say.

If we could only put Horner's blind belief into Klöden's brain. He's too afraid of failure has ridden in the shadow of others his whole career.

These guys are getting a little old to put much faith in for the GC. Maybe they should just ride for stage wins.

 

[Publicus]

Never. I'd take Dani and Jesus over Frandy any day. Way cheaper and much better teamplayers.

Come on, really? I know Raymond can be a bit of pill sometimes, but on pure talent alone you'd obviously take them over Dani and Jesus. Nothing personal against Dani or Jesus, but there's no way I pass over the Brothers Schleck for them.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Come on, really? I know Raymond can be a bit of pill sometimes, but on pure talent alone you'd obviously take them over Dani and Jesus. Nothing personal against Dani or Jesus, but there's no way I pass over the Brothers Schleck for them.

Dani + Jesus instead of Frandy means money left for Alberto.

No really, I might have exaggerated a bit. I just think it is funny that Jesus has as much cq points as Andy

 

[zigmeister]

Frank is just sandbagging and screwing with people. Particularly Johan.

The Schlecks are tired and over the new management and operation that used to be Leopard Trek...when you aren't getting your paycheck on time, as rumored, and your "guru director" Johan is talking all sorts of crap, only to have to reverse the Chris Horner TDF decision, you might tend to say some things to pis& more people off to ensure you are gone in a few months with a new team and contract elsewhere.

I don't blame Frank and Andy at this point. Who else has a real shot at TDF podium on their team? Nobody. Frank is the guy, and his form is pretty darn good right now.

 

[dlwssonic]

I believe frank is bluffing a bit.
I believe he can still do well at le tour.

 

[Angliru]

Ill take that as a yes you would sign them then .

Yes, I later edited my original post. Kind of got carried away and neglected to answer the original question.

 

[cineteq]

Frank is just sandbagging and screwing with people. Particularly Johan.

I wouldn't be surprised if he'd chase down his own teammate, Horner, sort of reminiscence of Stage 14 2005. Wouldn't that be fun to watch?

 

[airstream]

I wouldn't be surprised if he'd chase down his own teammate, Horner, sort of reminiscence of Stage 14 2005. Wouldn't that be fun to watch?

With Horner in Vino's role?

 

[cineteq]

With Horner in Vino's role?

You got it baby! With Schleck as Ullrich, and Klöden as himself

 

[airstream]

You got it baby! With Schleck as Ullrich, and Klöden as himself

I think, Papy Horner'd better act Beppe Turbo on Port de Pailheres so that all unnecessary junk (Menchov, Wiggins and Evans) would be dropped!

Today due to nostalgy I've rewatched Evans and Contador on Galibier in 2007. God, they were climbing REALLY twice as fast as riders climb nowadays. And afterall Evans dared to say:"Thanks, guys, that you believe in clean sport!"?! Damn...
Sorry for posting off-topic.