Is Andy Schleck being criticised too much lately?

[LaFlorecita]

Just read a quote from Andy in the latest Cycle Sport America mag. As someone posted previously, he and Frank are the coverboys of the most recent issue and in that cover story/article/interview Andy states that had Frank not crashed that they would've "kicked Contador's ar$e". That is the exact wording of the quote. I personally can't recall a grand tour contender, other than Ricco, that talked more smack but consistently failed to back it up with the actual win. Frank has his whine about Sastre attacking the yellow jersey and implies that the Tour victory was stolen from him by his own teammate and of course Andy agrees.

To answer the OP's question, HELL NO Andy isn't being criticised too much lately! With quotes like the above, he isn't criticised enough. We hear all this talk about what a nice guy he is but the image that is presented through the media and some of his actions is quite the contrary. He's 26 now so when does maturity kick in and he begins to think before he speaks?

Additionally Cycle Sport states that Andy is the sport's greatest climber based on his performances in the Tour in 2010 and 2011. I'm not going to rehash the 2 tours and what transpired but I can't see where a rational cycling fan would conclude that he is superior to Contador in the mountains based the results of the past two Tours. Of course I'm biased so my perspective is bit skewed.

... and my respect for him drops to an all time low.

 

[Siriuscat]

... and my respect for him drops to an all time low.

I never had any respect for him.......someone needs to give him a good hard slap

 

[El Pistolero]

I had respect for him when he dropped his chain.

 

[The Hitch]

Andy is making a really good case for letting Contador off.

Lets get this straight. Frank crashes, andy doesnt wait cos its only bad not to wait for your opponents if Andy is the one left behind. He gets a minute from this, by comparison loses only 39 seconds meanwhile on the chain.

Despite being "the best climber in the world", he is unable to break Contador on Madeline, Ax 3 domainx or the brutal long Tourmalet mtf.

And yet he believes that if he lost his 1 minute advantage, he would have won the Tour.

How long until Andy says that he should have won the 2009 Tour?

 

[HL2037]

It's probably not a coincidence that Andy and Fränk are beginning to adopt the Armstrong/Bruyneel narrative and rethorical style. Sickening none the less.

 

[El Pistolero]

Andy is making a really good case for letting Contador off.

Lets get this straight. Frank crashes, andy doesnt wait cos its only bad not to wait for your opponents if Andy is the one left behind. He gets a minute from this, by comparison loses only 39 seconds meanwhile on the chain.

Despite being "the best climber in the world", he is unable to break Contador on Madeline, Ax 3 domainx or the brutal long Tourmalet mtf.

And yet he believes that if he lost his 1 minute advantage, he would have won the Tour.

How long until Andy says that he should have won the 2009 Tour?

He accused Contador of motor pacing on Verbier and Arcalis and that he wouldn't have been dropped if that wasn't the case. On Verbier at least.

 

[Forunculo]

He accused Contador of motor pacing on Verbier and Arcalis and that he wouldn't have been dropped if that wasn't the case. On Verbier at least.

Andy did at both and Cancellara at the ITT.

 

[No_Balls]

The tour coming up is so opposite compared to last year's Tour when it comes to Andy. He had a weak Contador, a course made for him, tons of unfair time penalties to his opponents, no Menchov and a healthy Frank to work with. This year, he's going to meet a very determined Contador and a course suited for a Cadel/Contador/Menchov type. I just don't see it happening this year for Andy. He's certain to lose big time in the TT's and I don't see anyone allowing him to get another big breakaway like last year. Therefore, his only chance is to somehow smoke Contador on some of the MTF's and yeah, not happening. He's seriously going to be lucky to hit the top 5.

Exactly. Contador just basically needs to stay with AS in the mountains (not likely though) and could concentrate to smoke him in the TT, Indurain-style. But of course he needs also go on the offense cause of Evans and this is not exactly good news for Andy.

Just read a quote from Andy in the latest Cycle Sport America mag. As someone posted previously, he and Frank are the coverboys of the most recent issue and in that cover story/article/interview Andy states that had Frank not crashed that they would've "kicked Contador's ar$e". That is the exact wording of the quote. I personally can't recall a grand tour contender, other than Ricco, that talked more smack but consistently failed to back it up with the actual win. Frank has his whine about Sastre attacking the yellow jersey and implies that the Tour victory was stolen from him by his own teammate and of course Andy agrees.

Exactly what i have hoped for. Being the Bruyneel/TREK great western hope he has to do plenty commericals and statements which is a good thing given his lazy attitude. I would be really surprised if he even hit a decent form in July (looking at the route will not help for his inspiration).

So all that is left for the boy is his airmouth. Which he uses more nowadays than his legs. I have even noticed that he is more cocky when not certain about the future.

 

[Angliru]

There are so many ridiculous quotes from this article that I'll just line up a few of my favs:

Andy: "For me, tactically, we didn't make any mistakes at the last Tour

Frank: "There was no one else who took things into their own hands, other than us. Who else attacked? Name one other rider. For three years, everyone's just been looking to us to attack. Who else is attacking?"

Frank (talking to the interviewer and Andy regarding the 2010 Tour): "It was really just the one stage that made all the difference, when Contador attacked when you dropped your chain, Andy. I mean if I'd been there..."

Strangely the interviewer states that "For them, the past is the past...." Which of course it is not since they can't seem to get over Sastre winning the Tour as evidenced by this quote from Frank:

"....I was in yellow on Alpe d'Huez and my own teammate attacked me" says Frank referring to the 2008 Tour's overall winner, his CSC teammate Carlos Sastre. "I've never seen that before--you're in yellow and your own teammate attacks you. So that was a disappointment. Maybe at the very end it was right, as Carlos won the Tour that year, but still today I wish that someone else would have won it. I could have won the Tour that year too. But you turn the page and move forward."

Just sad. I'm left a bit speechless by these two characters. I can only wish an epic fail in all their future sporting endeavors.

 

[Ferminal]

"....I was in yellow on Alpe d'Huez and my own teammate attacked me" says Frank referring to the 2008 Tour's overall winner, his CSC teammate Carlos Sastre. "I've never seen that before--you're in yellow and your own teammate attacks you. So that was a disappointment. Maybe at the very end it was right, as Carlos won the Tour that year, but still today I wish that someone else would have won it. I could have won the Tour that year too. But you turn the page and move forward."

lol Frank. I'm sure Bjarne was happy that he didn't leave it up to Schleck F's TT'ing.

 

[maltiv]

but still today I wish that someone else would have won it. I could have won the Tour that year too. But you turn the page and move forward."

This has got to be one of the most annoying statements in cycling that many people seem to agree on. How on earth Frank Schleck should have won that Tour is beyond me. He was passed by Carlos ****ing Sastre in the Time trial. If he were to win the TDF that year he would have had to put 5 minutes on Sastre on Alpe d'Huez, which would translate into the best time up Alpe d'Huez of all time.

 

[HL2037]

There are so many ridiculous quotes from this article that I'll just line up a few of my favs:

Andy: "For me, tactically, we didn't make any mistakes at the last Tour

Frank: "There was no one else who took things into their own hands, other than us. Who else attacked? Name one other rider. For three years, everyone's just been looking to us to attack. Who else is attacking?"

Frank (talking to the interviewer and Andy regarding the 2010 Tour): "It was really just the one stage that made all the difference, when Contador attacked when you dropped your chain, Andy. I mean if I'd been there..."

Strangely the interviewer states that "For them, the past is the past...." Which of course it is not since they can't seem to get over Sastre winning the Tour as evidenced by this quote from Frank:

"....I was in yellow on Alpe d'Huez and my own teammate attacked me" says Frank referring to the 2008 Tour's overall winner, his CSC teammate Carlos Sastre. "I've never seen that before--you're in yellow and your own teammate attacks you. So that was a disappointment. Maybe at the very end it was right, as Carlos won the Tour that year, but still today I wish that someone else would have won it. I could have won the Tour that year too. But you turn the page and move forward."

Just sad. I'm left a bit speechless by these two characters. I can only wish an epic fail in all their future sporting endeavors.

Years and years of careful image building thrown away. Stupid stupid stupid.

 

[Angliru]

This has got to be one of the most annoying statements in cycling that many people seem to agree on. How on earth Frank Schleck should have won that Tour is beyond me. He was passed by Carlos ****ing Sastre in the Time trial. If he were to win the TDF that year he would have had to put 5 minutes on Sastre on Alpe d'Huez, which would translate into the best time up Alpe d'Huez of all time.

The argument that I've constantly heard from those that agree with Frank is that his being in yellow would've given him "wings", extra-motivation to exceed his typically abysmal TT performance.

 

[movingtarget]

Andy is making a really good case for letting Contador off.

Lets get this straight. Frank crashes, andy doesnt wait cos its only bad not to wait for your opponents if Andy is the one left behind. He gets a minute from this, by comparison loses only 39 seconds meanwhile on the chain.

Despite being "the best climber in the world", he is unable to break Contador on Madeline, Ax 3 domainx or the brutal long Tourmalet mtf.

And yet he believes that if he lost his 1 minute advantage, he would have won the Tour.

How long until Andy says that he should have won the 2009 Tour?

Not to mention the mistakes he made in 2011. Losing big time in Gap on a descent. Then after taking yellow with a courageous ride up Galibier he panics the next day and chases Contador when he should have let him go. Schleck was in yellow and Contador would not have stayed away on his own. He could have conserved energy while BMC and Leopard chased Contador down and tried to attack Evans up the Alpe. After his exertion of the day before he had nothing left and Evans had an armchair ride. With silly tactics Schleck made it much easier for Evans and Voeckler cost himself a podium with similar crazy tactics. Evans looked much fresher going into the TT and it was all over. The fact that he does not admit his errors unlike Voeckler and is still going on about races from a few years ago, says it all about Schleck. He does not try to win, he thinks he deserves to win.

 

[boardhanger]

I think the peloton has alot to do with it. It seems to have a 'You 1st Schlecks' attitude to chasing down breaks and attacks. We're prepared to acept the scraps that Contador leaves behind if need be. Lets be honest Evans TDF win was a vulture swooping down on weaken prey. I'm not knocking that, just pointing out the fact that the race rides for 17-18 days watching the Schlecks (who've won nothing by the way?) and reacts to them only. The motto 'he who dares' ever come to mind???

 

[Thomsena]

I think the peloton has alot to do with it. It seems to have a 'You 1st Schlecks' attitude to chasing down breaks and attacks. We're prepared to acept the scraps that Contador leaves behind if need be. Lets be honest Evans TDF win was a vulture swooping down on weaken prey. I'm not knocking that, just pointing out the fact that the race rides for 17-18 days watching the Schlecks (who've won nothing by the way?) and reacts to them only. The motto 'he who dares' ever come to mind???

Harsh on Sanchez.

 

[boardhanger]

Harsh on Sanchez.

My point was pretty black and white theory...but ye get my sentiment

 

[No_Balls]

There are so many ridiculous quotes from this article that I'll just line up a few of my favs:

Andy: "For me, tactically, we didn't make any mistakes at the last Tour

Very strange. If being promoted as one of the favourites, with the strongest team, a perfect route designed just for him, with the major favourite vulnerable due to chrashes and a rampant Giro in the legs, with decent form, and yet finishing barely on the podium (despite going for the win) is "no tactical mistakes at last Tour" then i am really confident this man will not win a grand stage race ever.

Frank: "There was no one else who took things into their own hands, other than us. Who else attacked? Name one other rider. For three years, everyone's just been looking to us to attack. Who else is attacking?"

Rather ignorant, ey?

Frank (talking to the interviewer and Andy regarding the 2010 Tour): "It was really just the one stage that made all the difference, when Contador attacked when you dropped your chain, Andy. I mean if I'd been there..."

Whats up with all this "ifs" and "buts" with Schleckettes?

Strangely the interviewer states that "For them, the past is the past...." Which of course it is not since they can't seem to get over Sastre winning the Tour as evidenced by this quote from Frank:

Problably the interviewer needed to translated his own version so it would be more fitting with the readers own conclusions. It would be disastrous if the great western hopes was unbelivable stupid. Which is a normal persons reaction to this reading.

"....I was in yellow on Alpe d'Huez and my own teammate attacked me" says Frank referring to the 2008 Tour's overall winner, his CSC teammate Carlos Sastre. "I've never seen that before--you're in yellow and your own teammate attacks you. So that was a disappointment. Maybe at the very end it was right, as Carlos won the Tour that year, but still today I wish that someone else would have won it. I could have won the Tour that year too. But you turn the page and move forward."

And this thread is about they receiving too much criticism? I could just imagine how it is to be a Schleck-fan fearing for every time they just open their mouth. They seems to just hit new lows everytime they do it, though.

 

[Angliru]

Andy is making a really good case for letting Contador off.

Lets get this straight. Frank crashes, andy doesnt wait cos its only bad not to wait for your opponents if Andy is the one left behind. He gets a minute from this, by comparison loses only 39 seconds meanwhile on the chain.

Despite being "the best climber in the world", he is unable to break Contador on Madeline, Ax 3 domainx or the brutal long Tourmalet mtf.

And yet he believes that if he lost his 1 minute advantage, he would have won the Tour.

How long until Andy says that he should have won the 2009 Tour?

The "best climber" comment was made by the uncredited interviewer during the course of the article, although Andy made the same comment during the 2009 Tour.....after Contador had dropped him!

 

[No_Balls]

Andy is making a really good case for letting Contador off.

Lets get this straight. Frank crashes, andy doesnt wait cos its only bad not to wait for your opponents if Andy is the one left behind. He gets a minute from this, by comparison loses only 39 seconds meanwhile on the chain.

Despite being "the best climber in the world", he is unable to break Contador on Madeline, Ax 3 domainx or the brutal long Tourmalet mtf.

And yet he believes that if he lost his 1 minute advantage, he would have won the Tour.

How long until Andy says that he should have won the 2009 Tour?

You have to understand Andy to translate this proper. In Andys world there are just him and no others. If he loses it is "circumstances". If he wins (and that is a big if) it is himself doing it. Of course, he seldom wins, so he needs to invent a rather huge kit of excuses to fulfil this prophecy.

That is, basically, how a megalomaniac works.

 

[boardhanger]

That is, basically, how a megalomaniac works.

Did you know his school teacher said he'd walk to Paris if Andy wins leTour. As he caught a young Andy staring out a window in class and asked him what's he gonna do when older. Andy said win LeTour. That was when the bet was made. They interviewed the teacher 2 year ago and he was buying new boots....!! But they're gathering cobwebbs at the minute. I supose that was the birth of his megalamaina

 

[LaFlorecita]

The argument that I've constantly heard from those that agree with Frank is that his being in yellow would've given him "wings", extra-motivation to exceed his typically abysmal TT performance.

It didn't work that way with his little brother, eh?

 

[rzombie1988]

Exactly. Contador just basically needs to stay with AS in the mountains (not likely though) and could concentrate to smoke him in the TT, Indurain-style. But of course he needs also go on the offense cause of Evans and this is not exactly good news for Andy.



Exactly what i have hoped for. Being the Bruyneel/TREK great western hope he has to do plenty commericals and statements which is a good thing given his lazy attitude. I would be really surprised if he even hit a decent form in July (looking at the route will not help for his inspiration).

So all that is left for the boy is his airmouth. Which he uses more nowadays than his legs. I have even noticed that he is more cocky when not certain about the future.

Contador at full strength will have nothing to worry about with Cadel. I watched the last few tdf's this summer and before on almost every big climb, Cadel was dropped by Contador without any problems.

 

[theyoungest]

Contador at full strength will have nothing to worry about with Cadel. I watched the last few tdf's this summer and before on almost every big climb, Cadel was dropped by Contador without any problems.

Andy Schleck could do the same before last year though. Don't know if it's Evans who's improved, or Andy who's gotten worse (I think the latter).

 

[Angliru]

I wish some of the Andy supporters would chime in with their perspectives because I know while I may try to see things without a certain bias, it's always good to hear a different viewpoint. Maybe I'm not being completely fair to the Schlecks and don't realize it.