Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[hughmoore]

Any one else think it's ironic that as soon as Bruyneel leaves:

- the team starts to do well

- Horner is praised pointedly by both Frank. S. and Fabian C. for helping to close crucial gaps, etc.

- domestic harmony breaks out at RadioShack, with Frank S. noting, "The good performance is also reflected in the exemplary harmony within the team."

Rather than all this pitiable, low-class trash talk by the Hog through the media of his own riders, non-payment of riders not in his good books, the list goes on.... Been behaving like a mafia hood. What a disgrace.

Is it more that Andy is not there as opposed to Bruyneel?


Hugh

 

[Fidolix]

- I was criticized for not choosing Fuglsang for the Tour de France, but now everyone can see how well he does it in Austria. This proves that we do so well in the two races, it sounds somewhat strange logic from Johan Bruyneel in De Telegraaf.

Somebody please call Armstrong and remind him JB needs his medication EVERY DAY. Is this guy for real or is he just pretending to be completely insane?

More from same article:

- All of the uprising, there has been evidence that it was a good idea that I did not show up for the Tour. With regard to the agreement, which USADA would have signed with five of Lance's former teammates, I can say that it seems strange that four of the riders have volunteered at the Olympics.

- For American athletes, the Olympics something sacred. Whether this case has nothing to do with it, I can not say. And the whole affair is too sore for me to go into depth here, Bruyneel writes in his column in the Dutch newspaper.

 

[thehog]

Frank Shleck having a go at rival teams at the finish line..... Not sure why.

 

[BillytheKid]

Schleck's loss today has forced the logical choice of Klöden to the front. Like Wiggins, Klöden can afford some mananged time in the mountains, but I see him as only their best chance at a podium. They still hold a strong position going into tomorrow. Hopeful for Horner if they allow him to go...most likely Sammy Sanchez. Horner to be be used early? Zubeldia another option on the stage. The tactic may be decided in the moment.

 

[Forunculo]

Kloden the new GC leader

Poor Frank left alone...they even didn't give a bike for a couple of minutes.

 

[roundabout]

Maybe Voigt and Gallopin were needed at the front, maybe they would have been as useless as Popo*****, still a rider with a number ending in 1 should have had more support.

 

[airstream]

Sadly, a team microclimate was really way better last year. The Schlecks were always accompanied by Jens and Fabi during key moments line on flat. On the other hand, no teammate would be able to defend from crash. Hopefully, Frankie will grab a couple of stages.

 

[Angliru]

Kloden the new GC leader

Poor Frank left alone...they even didn't give a bike for a couple of minutes.

Well Frank made it clear he didn't want to be a leader/the leader for the Tour.

 

[Forunculo]

Well Frank made it clear he didn't want to be a leader/the leader for the Tour.

Yes Frank cowardly was looking for an excuse to explain his future flop and his past fluke on the podium.

Then his goal was Giro or Tour?
Or perhaps Swiss where he was beat by Costa?

I don't know if Bruyneel is on control from distance but the strategy today left Kloden on driver seat.

 

[El Oso]

Asked if Schleck's Tour challenge was somehow forever destined to be undone by crashes, Gallopin allowed himself a wry smile. "Last year he didn't fall and he didn't win the Tour either," he said. "We'll see how he is afterwards, but compared to how it could have been, it's not so bad."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schlecks-tour-de-france-challenge-unravels-on-the-road-to-metz

That's cold.

 

[Angliru]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schlecks-tour-de-france-challenge-unravels-on-the-road-to-metz

That's cold.

Frank said in the interview that "the Tour isn't favorable to us this year anyway". Who is the "us" I wonder? It's favorable to Kloden.

 

[BillytheKid]

Frank said in the interview that "the Tour isn't favorable to us this year anyway". Who is the "us" I wonder? It's favorable to Kloden.

"Us" can only be his other half Andy which I understand. VeloNews writes to the negative:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...g-2012-tour-de-france-with-a-full-hand_228043

Kind of scratching my head at this: Klöden, Zubeldia, Monfort, and Horner with Jens, Popo and Cancellara all have escaped the carnage so far.

Cancellara could be seen riding for Klöden and the climbing crew tomorrow.

Frank could still cause trouble by attacking wildly.

 

[El Oso]

Frank said in the interview that "the Tour isn't favorable to us this year anyway". Who is the "us" I wonder? It's favorable to Kloden.

I didn't catch that at first. I would presume that "us" = Schleckettes since they are the team, or that Frandy are so co-dependent that there is no singular

I don't think they (Schlecketts) consider anybody on the team other than themselves, Cancellara and Jens

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Asked if Schleck's Tour challenge was somehow forever destined to be undone by crashes, Gallopin allowed himself a wry smile. "Last year he didn't fall and he didn't win the Tour either," he said. "We'll see how he is afterwards, but compared to how it could have been, it's not so bad."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schlecks-tour-de-france-challenge-unravels-on-the-road-to-metz

That's cold.

It's true, though. It's not a big loss for the team, as he couldn't possibly repeat that 3rd place anyway.

IIRC, the team would rather have him win 2 mountain stages than finish 9th on GC. They have other riders who could do the latter.

 

[greenedge]

Monfort and Kloden will be a strong combo though- i expect them to finish in the top 10 and maybe even higher.

 

[SilentAssassin]

It's already been a success really for radioshack. Winning the first stage, then maintaining the yellow up to the mountains. I think Schleck could get a stage win in the mountains as well.

 

[Christian]

Monfort and Kloden will be a strong combo though- i expect them to finish in the top 10 and maybe even higher.

It's already been a success really for radioshack. Winning the first stage, then maintaining the yellow up to the mountains. I think Schleck could get a stage win in the mountains as well.

+1 for both ...


Surely Fränk must be annoyed because he got his bike so late and only Popo helped him but in the end it makes sense. He said he didn't want to be the leader anyways. Klöden was still in the first group, he could have also crashed and then they would have needed all the manpower they got for him not to lose time as well.

Today Fränk will probably be sore all over but I'm sure he'll try to get a prestigious stage win later on

 

[the asian]

I bet Frank is ruing his decision not to take up the responsibility of team leader.

 

[Parrot23]

More ironies for Radioshack: they now have a nominal team leader, Kloden, who has absolutely zero leadership abilities, it would seem. I have nothing against him as a fan, but the foregoing seems like a fact. That said, I hope he does well, but it's a pretty weird situation here.

 

[BillytheKid]

More ironies for Radioshack: they now have a nominal team leader, Kloden, who has absolutely zero leadership abilities, it would seem. I have nothing against him as a fan, but the foregoing seems like a fact. That said, I hope he does well, but it's a pretty weird situation here.

Klöden's a enigma for sure, but still he's finished on the podium before and on paper is the best ITT guy they have for GC.

If this team can attack in the mountains and force chase after chase, all Klöden has to do is follow. What kind form he has is questionble however.

Horner is saying that Zubeldia is now the other GC man, then possibly him, but he did say, to paraphrase, that the mountains will decided.

That and mayhem.

 

[screaming fist]

I have a feeling Klöden will bonk on some mountain stage. And Zubeldia? Seriously? They shouldn't be riding for a GC top 20 but stage wins.

 

[webvan]

Indeed, Zubeldia has done nothing in the TDF since 2003 when he was flying with teammate Mayo...Kloden? Well it's now or never, maybe that will give him the motivation he generally lacks.

 

[Ferminal]

Klöden's a enigma for sure, but still he's finished on the podium before and on paper is the best ITT guy they have for GC.

If this team can attack in the mountains and force chase after chase, all Klöden has to do is follow. What kind form he has is questionble however.

Horner is saying that Zubeldia is now the other GC man, then possibly him, but he did say, to paraphrase, that the mountains will decided.

That and mayhem.

Of course Horner would say that about Klöden

Klöden is the only one who can ride a conventional GC, Zubeldia/Monfort/Horner/Schleck should be attacking - obviously not all together, but one or two each big day with the others helping Andreas.

 

[roundabout]

Hmm. Best "mountain" stage for Zubeldia since about, uh, 2003?

I didn't see the stage, but what happened to Horner and Klöden to be beaten by Gallopin and cancellara?

 

[thehog]

Hmm. Best "mountain" stage for Zubeldia since about, uh, 2003?

I didn't see the stage, but what happened to Horner and Klöden to be beaten by Gallopin and cancellara?

Looks like a blood bag mix up...