Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[patrick767]

If I had to choose the final squad, the bolded ones would be my choice.

Strike Popo, Monfort, or Zubeldia. Add Horner. Oh wait, Horner's not on the list despite being clearly superior. Guess Bruyneel's lost his marbles.

 

[patrick767]

probably papy horner wants a mano a mano with alberto finally,i have no idea

I don't know, but if Horner thinks he can go with Contador in a GT, he's delusional.

 

[webvan]

Horner is clearly not his 2011 self, was off to a good start at TA though, can't keep going forever can he...

 

[Bobby G]

Personally I'd take Gallopin. looked decent at Dauphine. Could place in the sprints deemed unsuitable for "pure" sprinters. Would be the danger man in most breaks also.

However, Bruyneel is an all for one kinda guy, so he won't take someone to win a stage incase (when) his captains fail.

 

[jens_attacks]

I don't know, but if Horner thinks he can go with Contador in a GT, he's delusional.

nah that's just me

chris is getting old unfortunately...that's all

 

[Anonymous]

Kinda stupid on Bruyneel"s part.

The best they can hope for is to compete for the team classification. One more guy who can climb is an asset, not a liability... especially with how fragile AS has suddenly become.

Last time Hog left Horner off the TDF team he threatened to resign and switch teams. It will be interesting to see the reaction.

At this moment I dont see RS winning a single stage... unless Cancellara comes good for one of the TT's. Wigans and Martin are going better and I think they'll both beat Canc.

 

[webbie146]

WTF NO HORNER? that sucks

I hope he will ride the Vuelta then..

 

[Christian]

If you go by merit Gallopin must get in! He rode well in every race he did this year and even though he hasn't won anything yet he always was battling it out at the front.

Also good to see Rast and Roulston in there ... I think that is the "Cancellara effect". He motivated them with his good performances and they did some good work for him. Same for Irizar.

Zubeldia has also shown decent form in Bavaria and Dauphiné.

Sorry for Horner! He rode like a champ in California but it was obvious he was far off his game. Maybe he'll have Vuelta leadership, which makes me feel bad for Monfort and Fuglsang but what can you do.

 

[roundabout]

I doubt Hog would leave Horner out just because he feels like it. Ok, he did it once, but this time around it's no longer the strongest team in the race.

 

[Anonymous]

I doubt Hog would leave Horner out just because he feels like it. Ok, he did it once, but this time around it's no longer the strongest team in the race.

I would say they are no longer even "very good."

Part of this is a team leadership problem.

 

[Cancellator]

Lots of negative replies on facebook from American fans about Horner's non-selection. I dunno whether it was the right decision, but this team is falling apart isn't it?

 

[Eusebio Kino]

What is Bruyneel thinking by leaving Horner off the TdF preliminary roster? He could have the powerhouse team of Fugslang, Kloden, Horner, and both Schlecks riding for whichever Schleck is strongest. There are a number of guys included that probably won't be nearly as strong as Horner. Bizarre.

Here's the list:
Fabian Cancellara
Jakob Fuglsang
Tony Gallopin
Linus Gerdemann
Markel Irizar
Andreas Klöden
Maxime Monfort
Yaroslav Popovych
Gregory Rast
Hayden Roulston
Andy Schleck
Fränk Schleck
Jens Voigt
Haimar Zubeldia

Horner is probably wishing he'd done like Leipheimer and found a different team this season.

Guessing what Johann was thinking is winning the tour. The Pro Peloton has become a different peloton than say in the 1960s. It is much more sports medicine oriented. My guess is that Johann has doctors who do physicals and blood/VO2 max testing, and are able to analyze future performances. Thusly Chris may be left out of the tour, however things might change.

 

[AntonioRossi]

I seriously don't understand what roulston might contribute to the team. Gallopin has had a good run last few weeks so might make a few top 10's in the sprints, but roulston and gerdemann are guys that could be left at home if Johan really wanted to go for the win

 

[thehog]

Kloden and Horner don't get on. It wouldn't work. Kloden is the best Dom going around. Horner is delusional. Thinks he's the 2nd best climber in the world. Hanging about in the US all year hasn't helped his cause.

Smartest move the Hog has made since he broke the clutches of the Feds in the US.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Not really surprised that Horner isn't going to be riding although it's a bit of a kick in the teeth not to make the 14 unless he's being promised Vuelta leadership. I hope so - that's a race that suits him better than the Tour anyway

Mind you I'd take Horner over Fuglsang any day. Fuglsang shouldn't be anywhere near the Tour team after his no-show displays in that race the last couple of years but I suppose Bruyneel won't have seen that yet

 

[webbie146]

Horner tweeted this yesterday: "Just finished a 600 mile week. Legs are tired but should be coming around just in time! Weather is good for two more big weeks of training."

He will be disappointed.. Hope he can do the Vuelta:

 

[cineteq]

I doubt Hog would leave Horner out just because he feels like it. Ok, he did it once, but this time around it's no longer the strongest team in the race.

Obviously he did.

This was his next-to-last tweet yesterday (Sunday):
@hornerakg
Just finished a 600 mile week. Legs are tired but should be coming around just in time! Weather is good for two more big weeks of training.

 

[trevim]

Bruynel talk about the need of results and then leaves out the 2nd best placed rider on the Dauphine. Good way to motivate the riders to perform. Why is Gerdemann in and Machado out?

At the end of day, this is better for Machado anyway. This way he can ride the Vuelta with a free role.

Gallopin, I doubt he stands a chance. Merit clearly is not the criteria.

 

[AntonioRossi]

Gallopin, I doubt he stands a chance. Merit clearly is not the criteria.

Sorry, have we been watching the same races the last few weeks? Gallopin is the only rider who should be included because of merit. He is the only one guy who is giving RSNT some results (minor placings in the dauphine) as of late. Not saying he should be included but he has done something lately. That whole list could be a subject to getting in the tour team through merit. Obviously canc is recovering well but no one else on that team deserves to go to tour because of their results. No one has shown anything

 

[trevim]

Sorry, have we been watching the same races the last few weeks? Gallopin is the only rider who should be included because of merit. He is the only one guy who is giving RSNT some results (minor placings in the dauphine) as of late. Not saying he should be included but he has done something lately. That whole list could be a subject to getting in the tour team through merit. Obviously canc is recovering well but no one else on that team deserves to go to tour because of their results. No one has shown anything

I think you didn't understand what I mean. Gallopin deserves to go based on the quality of his results this year. I just said that he probably won't go because merit doesn't seem to be important for Bruynnel otherwise Gerdemann would be out, Horner in,etc....

 

[AntonioRossi]

I think you didn't understand what I mean. Gallopin deserves to go based on the quality of his results this year. I just said that he probably won't go because merit doesn't seem to be important for Bruynnel otherwise Gerdemann would be out, Horner in,etc....

ah oke. Got you. I totally agree

 

[Race Radio]

No Horner!? WTF?

 

[cineteq]

Bruynel talk about the need of results and then leaves out the 2nd best placed rider on the Dauphine. Good way to motivate the riders to perform. Why is Gerdemann in and Machado out?

At the end of day, this is better for Machado anyway. This way he can ride the Vuelta with a free role.

Gallopin, I doubt he stands a chance. Merit clearly is not the criteria.

I wonder if this is Bruyneel's own decision or the Schlecks have a input on the team? Do they have an issue with Horner? I remember the incident when Horner offered a wheel to Frank but he refused it. Then Horner made fun of it on twitter.

 

[ansimi]

I'm a bit surprised that the American sponsorship wouldn't warrant the inclusion of an American rider. Have Americans adopted the Schlecks?

Even if he's not riding great, Horner can be counted on for great interviews so I'll miss that.

I hope Gallopin gets to go and I hope there are other plans for Machado to show himself.

 

[Race Radio]

How is it that Horner does not even make the short list? Beyond his climbing ability he is one of the smartest tactical guys in the sport. He even has led out some of the best sprinters.

Makes no sense