Schlecks Depreciation Thread

[Catty69]

I'm with Roche on this one. The constant looking around by Schelck just kills me. I'm hoping with one of his long intimidating( as much as a pencil neck 55kg guy can be intimidating) stares he runs into the back of a motor bike. Then he will blame the bike rider and Hinault will have the poor guy killed.

 

[maxmartin]

i definitely can see that happen

The next 2 stages could be interesting with the finishes, if Tommy V and Sanchez are still with the Schlecks, Basso then maybe with a downhill attack they could put the Schlecks and Basso under pressure, not sure how good Evans is at going downhill, compared to Sanchez but I know he's better than the other 3.

 

[dbrmuz]

Evans isn't ahead of Fränk now, but still is near as makes no difference given the vast yawning chasm between their ITT talents.

Yes,that's what I meant.I got a bit carried away

Evans would probably have to break a leg to time trial slower than Frank.

 

[thehog]

Yes,that's what I meant.I got a bit carried away

Evans would probably have to break a leg to time trial slower than Frank.

I'd say two legs just to be sure that Frank could beat him.

 

[the_kman]

I have no idea why the Schlecks get so much hate. Technically, Contador is the one that needs to attack. I imagine Frank and Andy were mostly just testing Contador. Given Contador's crash, if they weren't certain Contador was not going to hang with the GC contenders it would've been silly to attack and have Contador ride your wheel and then launch his own attack to take him back. Frank had over 2 minutes on him and Andy 1:45. They can both sustain that in the time trial.

It's not like they haven't attacked in prior years. There have only been a couple big stages, so I'm willing to wait for 18 and 19 before writing off the Schlecks. If they killed themselves last Saturday while Frank was ahead of the GC contenders and Andy was 9 seconds back from Cadel, everyone would be calling them idiots.

OP here: look, i do dislike the schlecks. but this isnt about that. Its about the poor tactics of the schlecks given their strength and the strength of the team.

Contador didnt attack because he isnt in good form: BUT that doesnt mean he will be in bad form come the alps. for him to limit his losses and bide his time is a success given his knee.

The schlecks though could hit the bunch and get valuable time against their rivals without getting yellow. it was a perfect opportunity missed.

Hell, contador may not comeback and the schlecks may hammer the rest in the alps. but why pass up the opportunity to put time between them and the rivals when they had a clear advantage.

imo: they need the team to hammer again; harder but not so early this time and do the one two over and over in the galibier stage

 

[42x16ss]

What stunned me on Plateau de Beille was Andy SITTING UP after gapping Basso, AC, Frank and SS by a couple of bike lengths maybe 2, 3 times!?!?

He looked more than capable of pushing on and eliminating those guys once and for all, he just had to be willing to have Frank lose time on himself and Evans. If Andy dropped the hammer he only had to deal with Evans in the Alps and he was clear for the win

ATM Andy's tactics are not those of a TdF winner. I hope Voeckler and Evans hold on in the Alps and either Samu or Basso sneak on to the podium. That would be awesome

 

[Tuarts]

 

[HL2037]

Apparently the Leopard tactics involved Contador attacking and making Evans lose time. Since this didn't happen, they are now complaining that Contador didn't follow their tactics.

It must be difficult for them though, since Bjarne Riis knows their each and every weakness and knows how they think. It's hard to play poker when the other player has seen your cards... They can not win now by being clever, being the strongest is the only way left.

 

[Carols]

Yes, but if Alberto does recover he will indeed attack, drop Evans and drag Andy with him I would certainly hate to see Andy win because Alberto lost time in a crash, has/had a bad knee and disposed of the oppositon. Only solution is Alberto needs to drop Andy also!!!

 

[dbrmuz]

Everyone dropped Andy today.

 

[Franklin]

The Shreks looked mighty fine today!

*Sob* *Sniffle* Thomas *Sob* *Gulp* Voeckler didn't want to help us *Sniffle* get back Alberto.... *Sniffle* and then *Sob* Gulp* he was so unsportsmanlike to drop me *Sniffle* *Sob* my *Gulp* training-wheels fell of.

And *Sniffle* I kept on shouting Fabian wanted this *sniffle* descent neutralized *Sob* *Gulp*, but they *sniffle* didn't listen!


But seriously... they are just to dumb to imagine... their one-two dream is killing all their chances. Maybe they can get it back on track again, but I think they have lost the window of opportunity on finishing AC. He clearly gets stronger.

 

[Arnout]

 

[roundabout]

Today's stage shines a different light on what happened in the Pyrenees and kinda puts their strength in perspective.

In other words it's possible that it wasn't silly tactics that were the main reason for what happened.

 

[luckyboy]

These are actual quotes from an interview Andy just gave for ITV4..

"[The time lost] It doesn't mean anything. I am still in good shape... The parcours is really badly chosen, a finish like this shouldn't be allowed."

 

[Arnout]

Today's stage shines a different light on what happened in the Pyrenees and kinda puts their strength in perspective.

In other words it's possible that it wasn't silly tactics that were the main reason for what happened.

No. They were attacking too late and were (among the) strongest in the Pyrenees, the time gain of Frank Schleck reaffirms that.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

 

[roundabout]

No. They were attacking too late and were (among the) strongest in the Pyrenees, the time gain of Frank Schleck reaffirms that.

They were?

Maybe we should start bashing Evans as well for not attacking Contador as it might come back to haunt him.

 

[Arnout]

They were?

Maybe we should start bashing Evans as well for not attacking Contador as it might come back to haunt him.

Do start it this moment.

There are three guys that didn't do the maximum in the Pyrenees as far as I could work out, Evans and the Schlecks.

Evans can be justified as he was in the best GC position and his terrain where he can gain time is not the high mountains. The Schlecks... well...

 

[Descender]

Pathetic stuff. Very sad to watch.

 

[jens_attacks]

not a schlecks fan at all but they're not done yet.huge mistake to say "i'm scared as shiit of those descents in the rain",tomorrow they will lose big time again.

 

[hfer07]

it just amazes me the lack of reaction from Andy in a situation like today's stage-very poor tactics & bad timing to choose to descend safety....He just proved once again he isn't ready yet to do what it takes to win the Tour

 

[Dutchsmurf]

The way Andy got dropped was great to see tho. One LONG attack by Contador, Andy countering, Andy having to sit down, Andy leaving a gap, bye bye Andy. My favorite moment of the Tour so far, because it shows how you do a proper attack.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

What a pathetic loser Andy is. Frank i don't really mind, and actually feel bad that he often gets as much hate here. But boy oh boy Andy sucks. At this point i think I'd rather see Evans win .

 

[luckyboy]

The only way Andy will ever win a Tour is retroactively.

 

[mightymac12]

What a pathetic loser Andy is. Frank i don't really mind, and actually feel bad that he often gets as much hate here. But boy oh boy Andy sucks. At this point i think I'd rather see Evans win .

I agree with your sentiment... but c'mon you don't really mean that.