Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[The Hitch]

I am not sure why people have the idea that Andy isn't very explosive on the climbs. His acceleration halfway up the Tourmalet in 2010 (and the fact that he was able to carry this through for close to 10 kms, distancing good climbers by 2 minutes plus) was one of the most impressive pieces of climbing that I have seen; alas for him - Alberto was just as impressive.

And didn't he finish on the podium a couple of times in Ardennes classic races (losing to Gilbert)? That would suggest a decent ability on shorter steeper climbs also?

He didnt just podium Ardennes, he won the main one.

Also his attack right before the chain slipped was explosive.

 

[Christian]

H
Also his attack right before the chain slipped was explosive.

Also his attack right after he got his chain back on was insane

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

To me Andy doesn`t look like a guy that really manage to take it all out on tt, plus he does not look comfortable on a tt bike, particulary downhill

 

[Christian]

Official: No Schlecks at Giro

Fränk Schleck: We will not do the Giro

http://www.velochrono.fr/actu/2011/frank-schleck-nous-ne-ferons-pas-le-giro/

Will riders like Klöden or Horner put themselves at your service?

If they are stronger than Andy and me, it will be we who will put ourselves at their service. But yes, on paper, there is a hierarchy. After that, there is the parcours, and things can evolve. If they have a chance to win the Tour, the hierarchy will not be respected. The goal is to win that race. That is what counts.

So you leave out the possibility to do the Giro?

Yes, I can confirm that Andy and I won't do the Giro.

So your program will be more or less the same as in 2011?

Yes, except one or two little things that could change. There are for example the World Championships in Valkenburg where we want to be competitive. That will be one of the objectives of the season. Maybe I will take it a little slower during the first two months of the season in order to be fresher at the end. We will also have to choose between the Tour de Suisse and the Dauphiné. That will maybe be the main difference in our preparation. One could see that Cadel Evans was able to profit a lot from the Dauphiné. We will discuss it with Johan and Kim.

He also admits to deficits in the mountains:

"We also have to progress in the mountains, because during the last Tour we were not able to distance a rider like Cadel Evans"

-> probable Klöden leadership at Paris-Nice (Fränk wants to take it slower in the early season)
-> possible Dauphiné participation for the first time ever IINM

 

[LaFlorecita]

Fränk Schleck: We will not do the Giro

http://www.velochrono.fr/actu/2011/frank-schleck-nous-ne-ferons-pas-le-giro/

Lol I was just about to post this.

On Topic: Stupid Schlecks, but honestly, I couldn't care less.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

so... who is gona make the "how many tours do Andy need before he wins it" poll?

 

[jens_attacks]

i still think they will go to il giro but announce just in late april
although seeing the schlecks working in le tour for klodi and papy old man horner is like a dream for me

 

[Christian]

English feature by velonation:

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10440/Frank-Schleck-Andy-and-I-will-not-be-riding-the-Giro.aspx

 

[mewmewmew13]

i still think they will go to il giro but announce just in late april
although seeing the schlecks working in le tour for klodi and papy old man horner is like a dream for me

LOL 'pappy' Horner

I can't help but think there are just too many GT guys in this whole mix...it is going to be one heck of a year in 2012...just seeing how the 'leaders' get sorted out in the races. Old Johan is really going to be busy with his multiple leader strategy

 

[airstream]

Presumably, nothing changed since the Tour route unveiling. They were on vacation and just repeated the words told at the presentation. The final decision will be made a lot later.

Are you serious about Horner? Was he ever a decent time trialist? Considering his age, I'm seriously worried about even whether he'll be able to help in the mountains.

 

[El Pistolero]

Presumably, nothing changed since the Tour route unveiling. They were on vacation and just repeated the words told at the presentation. The final decision will be made a lot later.

Are you serious about Horner? Was he ever a decent time trialist? Considering his age I'm seriously worried about whether he'll be able to help in the mountains.

He puts out bigger w/kg then Schleck, don't worry about him lol.

Of course there was no doping control at ToC.

 

[will10]

Presumably, nothing changed since the Tour route unveiling. They were on vacation and just repeated the words told at the presentation. The final decision will be made a lot later.

Are you serious about Horner? Was he ever a decent time trialist? Considering his age, I'm seriously worried about even whether he'll be able to help in the mountains.

"seriously worried"?

 

[jens_attacks]

Are you serious about Horner? Was he ever a decent time trialist? Considering his age, I'm seriously worried about even whether he'll be able to help in the mountains.

look at him,he's laughing at you

 

[airstream]

look at him,he's laughing at you

And what? Horner was allowed to swagger at the ToC and that perfomance hugely increased his GT chances? Or Horner alongside with Rujano are particulary honoured riders in this forum?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Presumably, nothing changed since the Tour route unveiling. They were on vacation and just repeated the words told at the presentation. The final decision will be made a lot later.

Are you serious about Horner? Was he ever a decent time trialist? Considering his age, I'm seriously worried about even whether he'll be able to help in the mountains.

Horner finished top 10 at the TdF in 2010 even after towing his Lanceness around.

Speaking of decent time trialists, any guesses as to when Andy Schleck will become one?

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Horner finished top 10 at the TdF in 2010 even after towing his Lanceness around.

Speaking of decent time trialists, any guesses as to when Andy Schleck will become one?

I would say top 20 in the tour is DECENT

 

[webbie146]

look at him,he's laughing at you

Haha nice picture, the guy is always laughing no matter what

I remember that a other cyclist crashed pretty hard and damaged his bike. He could not continue, and it was still 2K to the finish. Horner gave the guy + bike a ride up the mountain lol!

Awesome dude

 

[auscyclefan94]

English feature by velonation:

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/10440/Frank-Schleck-Andy-and-I-will-not-be-riding-the-Giro.aspx

They are both idiots. I am sceptical that Bruyneel will make them into good tt'ers. Riis is a darn good director and has been able to make guys who couldn't tt in the past to be able to do a good tt. If Riis hasn't been able to do it then JB won't. Andy should do the giro. It has lots of mountain stages, a TTT where he can gain lots of time but also enough time to compensate for any losses to better time triallists in the final tt.

 

[Christian]

I would say top 20 in the tour is DECENT

Sadly that's the only ITT all year he gets a decent result though.

I remember that a other cyclist crashed pretty hard and damaged his bike. He could not continue, and it was still 2K to the finish. Horner gave the guy + bike a ride up the mountain lol!

Awesome dude

Wow could you elaborate on that story, sounds awesome and the picture is pretty cool I'd never seen or heard about that before. Horner really seems like a nice guy with a funny accent

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I would say top 20 in the tour is DECENT

What about the other TTs he's done?

One decent time trial and 20 ****ty ones don't make a decent time trialist, IMO.

Edit: Looks like I'm just repeating what Christian already said. Sorry.

 

[karlboss]

If it was my choice Andy would do the Giro for the win and see what he can do at the Tour. However I really do look forward to the action if Andy focuses on the Tour. imagine the sort of Attacks the etam will have to put together to get the time they need, then again I can't recall any such tactics from JB

 

[pastronef]

So you leave out the possibility to do the Giro?

Yes, I can confirm that Andy and I won't do the Giro.

one could bet any amount of $ they would not ride the Giro.

 

[theyoungest]

What about the other TTs he's done?

One decent time trial and 20 ****ty ones don't make a decent time trialist, IMO.

Edit: Looks like I'm just repeating what Christian already said. Sorry.

Andy Schleck is a pretty good time trialist in the Tour. And that's all that matters, at least to him. Still has to do much better though.

 

[pugdog]

Sadly that's the only ITT all year he gets a decent result though.



Wow could you elaborate on that story, sounds awesome and the picture is pretty cool I'd never seen or heard about that before. Horner really seems like a nice guy with a funny accent

http://gritandglimmer.com/chris-horner-gives-fallen-rider-and-bike-a-2k-ride-to-the-finish/
that's the Chris Horner story.

I wonder if the Schlecklets insistence on concentrating on the Tour isn't Becca induced rather than any particular mania of theirs?

 

[killswitch]

Frank is ruining his brother's career... The hog should make them ride different GTs with no communication between the brothers during the GTs Andy rides.