How will Andy Schleck finish his 2013 TdF?

[TheEnoculator]

I'm sorry, I can't resist. I'm curious what the forum thinks of his Tour will be.

 

[Netserk]

Abandony will strike again.

 

[Miburo]

I always wondered if it's really true from the july-fans, guess i know the answer lol So many threads for the tour...prob already more than for the entire giro

Andy should go for stages, don't think he has it to be good in each MTF, he'll crack in one.

 

[Afrank]

Won't do much GC-wise I don't think. I'd say top 30 if he tries hard, maybe top 60-75 if he ends up losing a lot of time and targeting only stages. Which I think would be smart. Don't see him capable of challenging for a high GC place, but could definitely see him challenging for MTF stages. More so if he gets in the breakaways. Alpe du Huez I always though presents a good opportunity for him.

 

[TheEnoculator]

I always wondered if it's really true from the july-fans, guess i know the answer lol So many threads for the tour...prob already more than for the entire giro

Well, I'm not a July fan, I follow cycling all season long. But Schleck is an interesting subject, and with this being the 100th TdF and him being a former winner and all, I thought it's worth the poll. Schleck was supposed to be a contender along with Froome and Contador. But yeah, I know there are too many TdF threads already. But I just couldn't resist this.

 

[BigMac]

Some people just can't let go Andy... He will DNF simple as that. Top 10? In wonder land maybe. One can't get to top form in just a few weeks between TdS and TdF, not when he was so down on it.

 

[futures]

On a bike, if he finishes.

 

[Catwhoorg]

He will finish, early.

DNF

 

[williamp78]

Some people just can't let go Andy... He will DNF simple as that. Top 10? In wonder land maybe. One can't get to top form in just a few weeks between TdS and TdF, not when he was so down on it.

Actually I think we tend to have more polls in the off-season than any other time.

I think Schleck in do one of two things:
1) Really compete for a podium place
2) Fail miserably

I dont think he has the mental strength to do anything inbetween including stage hunting. If he isn't in contention then he'll either fade away or make no effort, or indeed abandon.

My heart hopes for one of the options but my head thinks the other.

 

[vcampbell]

Top10? Really? If he finishes, then top 50, but I think it will be a DNF.

 

[IndianCyclist]

TOP 50
but there is a catch in the wording- a top 10 is also a top 100

 

[Afrank]

Actually I think we tend to have more polls in the off-season than any other time.

I think Schleck in do one of two things:
1) Really compete for a podium place
2) Fail miserably

I dont think he has the mental strength to do anything inbetween including stage hunting. If he isn't in contention then he'll either fade away or make no effort, or indeed abandon.

My heart hopes for one of the options but my head thinks the other.

He said he doesn't see himself as a favorite for the race and doesn't think he could win it this year. So I think he is expecting he could fall out of contention. And him acknowledging that tells me he will still try to make efforts elsewhere, on stages most likely IMO.

 

[jens_attacks]

top 5 maybe even podium

 

[Christophe]

He has yet to show that he is really relevant in cycling post-comeback. He spent most of the season in a form where the big question has been 'Will he finish this race?' I say he finishes within top 20-30 places assuming he's sheltered and not having to sacrifice to support somebody else. Not better than that.

Maybe next year...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Schleck will be ready, his good old team too.

 

[Marco Pantani]

Seems only DNF voters have posted here so far. Personally i'm missing the winning option.

Always good to see people criticizing and underestimating him.
If we get high temperatures in July, degrees over 30°C , he'll hurt them all really bad.

 

[Bexon30]

top 5 maybe even podium

I think he could surprise a few people especially if he gets away on a mountain stage. But him and Contador are nowhere near their best so this could play in their favour with regards finding form.

 

[TheEnoculator]

Surprisingly most people think he'll finish top 10 so far. Do forum members really have that much faith in him? He's not mentioned even in the same breath as Purito or Valverde.

 

[shades1]

he will be ready , i can feel it !!

 

[melkemugg]

I smell a crash in the first week

 

[Hugo87]

It will be a surprise for me, if Andy finish The Tour and manage to get in the top-10, would be good for the sport but i have my doubts.

 

[Kwibus]

He has been progressing the entire year and the way he rode the TdS is the way he usually rides it, which makes it to predict.

Is this a sign he will actually be back at his best again or was he allready at his best in Swiss?

I actually considered him for my Tourpoule, but figured the risk was too big. The problem is... if he does well he would've made a difference..

 

[Oldman]

In the special "my little pony" motif team follow car. By stage 15...

 

[Liquigas]

Lots of confidence on him it seems.

 

[Christian]

I think a realistic and conservative expectation would be top-30. I think he will be in contention for a while but consistently lose time to the top riders. On the tricky stages he won't have good placing and lose time, then on the first real mountain stage he will lose a fair amount and in the third week have a complete off day. In the end it will be enough for somewhere between 25th and 30th, which IMO would be pretty good, nothing to write home about of course, but a good basis for the Vuelta and next year's Tour and proof that he is able to race at the highest level again.

I am hoping that his continuous time loss will enable him to go for Mont Ventoux or Alpe d'Huez glory!