Schlecks Rating of tour rivals

[Archibald]

it's just b*llocks that will spice up July, when Schlecklet c0cks it up again due to his underestimating the others and being too cocky...
had better put on a chainguard this year...

 

[ttrider]

Yeh sorry hitch i missed samu like the shlecks,
id rate him below Basso though i think the podium will be Basso Andy Samuel Sanchez then Menchov Gesink VDB

Of course this is based on the assumption of Contador getting banned, wish hes clear and on form as Andy demoted to 3rd would be hilarious

Samuel though has a poor team for flat and even mountainous terrain with no Anton and Nieve and descending is unlikely to make a difference in my opinion

 

[la.margna]

"Yeah he won the Tour once but the years before and after that he was far from the podium," Andy said.

"I don't see him as a threat for the GC. It was a fluke year and he had good teammates and although he won't say it he won the Tour because of us."

Sorry, Andy Schleck. You just lost a lot, lot of credit with me. No class.

 

[dolophonic]

Agree with the consensus... total tosser.
He seems to be FOS every time he opens his mouth. The article about his bike was more of the same BS.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I would rather have my rivals under estimate me than rate me as a threat. I think people are reading a bit too much into this.

This has nothing to do with tactics for me, but the comments her made. Very disrespectful and full of themselves.

Its based on the fact that i think Samu got access to a very good programme last Tour, which is what explains him dropping everyone bar the 2 obviously most juiced riders. Hes also been the strongest defender of Contador, absolving him of all guilt, asking people to move on, and saying that a Tour without Contador is like a Rolland Garros without Nadal.

Also Samu is a superior time trialists (or is this a point of contention with you guys too now) and there are a few descents where he can show off his (rightly or wrongly earned) "best descender in the world" tag.

no offense but just because you 'think' or have a 'hunch' that samu was on a better program hardly makes it true. And as youngest already pointed out, at the vuelta they were both fully fit (gesink was injured @ the tour before the climbing started...), a fairer ground to compare the two

As for descending, it has been a long time since I've seen samu take off and destroy the field on a descent. Couple of years actually.

Better TT'r granted, but if he slimmed down a bit or improved his climbing for his so called 'program', then it is highly likely his TTing would suffer.

You appear to have double standards... claiming Samu is the best because of the tour 10' climbing, yet claiming he is still a better TT'r then the rest, when at the same tour his TT was behind... Taking the best from different races isn't a fair assessment, as different training regimes and programs generally improve some areas of a rider (i.e Climbing), whilst having slighlty negative affects on other areas (i.e TT). Thus riders can perform better in different areas at different races.

in fact his tt'ing was good at the vuelta 09'

Anyway this is taking the thread off topic, and we are just gonna have to see what unfolds at this year's tour i guess. Until then, I can't see any evidence (solid and consistent that is) that will convince me of your point

Sorry, Andy Schleck. You just lost a lot, lot of credit with me. No class.

yeah.

I already didn't like the guy, but him (and frank) seem to be getting more and more full of themselves.

Blah I can't stand team leopard... It is a shame to because I like some of the guys on the team (i.e monfort) to, but the schlecks + spartacus I cannot stand.

 

[maltiv]

"Yeah he won the Tour once but the years before and after that he was far from the podium," Andy said.

- In 2006 he was 3., and arguably the best climber in the race. He followed up by a 4th place in Vuelta. In 2007 TDF he was 4th, and then second in vuelta. 2008 he won TDF, and then was 3. in the vuelta, followed by a 3. in the giro. That's 3 GC podiums in a row. Far from the podium? I think not.

"Going up the Alpe d'Heuz I gave up my yellow jersey for him, Andy was working for him and without me and Andy that year he would not have won it. We let go of the jersey for him," said Fränk.

Is this guy mentally ill? He ended up 4:28 behind Sastre in GC, and on Alpe d'Huez that day, Sastre gained 2 minutes on him. Even in reversed roles that day, Sastre would still have finished ahead of Frank on GC.

Frank in particular needs to shut up. At least Andy Schleck has the results and the legs to back up his claims, but Frank has in reality never been close to winning a GT and never will be. Even now, when Sastre is getting old, Frank is barely even stronger than Sastre on the climbs, and Sastre can still put 2 minutes on him in a long TT as we saw in the Vuelta.

 

[Scansorial]

Sorry, Andy Schleck. You just lost a lot, lot of credit with me. No class.

Agreed. I know Carlos is past his prime and really doesn't have a chance, but show the guy some respect.

 

[sublimit]

At least Sastre is a racer and not a show pony. Andy is an annoying *** for these comments,and hopefully there will be no more neutralized stages if he falls off after this.

 

[Scansorial]

Let's assume Sastre hadn't attacked that day. Does F. Schleck really think he would have been able to keep his jersey after the final TT? Evans, Menchov, and Kohl (and yes, even Sastre) all spanked him in that TT.

He can say he took it easy that day, but does he really think he'd have a chance of being within a minute of Evans, for example, if everything was on the line?

I guess the other thought is that he would have attacked instead of Sastre, but lots of guys would have been marking him.

 

[El Pistolero]

The best JvdB can do next year is a third place imo. First or second is near impossible.

I agree with the Schlecks that Sastre won't be an important contender. Samu will put up a good show though and he's a big candidate for second or third if Contador is banned.

Although I'm not even bothering anymore with Evans at the Tour. He's going to screw it some how, the only question left is how?

AS is going to win this quite easily if Contador is banned. He might not win a lot, but he's not Poulidor

 

[euanli]

I've got that feeling Schleck winning the Tour would be more boring than watching Contador win the Tour.

Every stage trying to cross the line holding his brother's hand

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I've got that feeling Schleck winning the Tour would be more boring than watching Contador win the Tour.

Every stage trying to cross the line holding his brother's hand

lol, exactly!

 

[kurtinsc]

Is this guy mentally ill? He ended up 4:28 behind Sastre in GC, and on Alpe d'Huez that day, Sastre gained 2 minutes on him. Even in reversed roles that day, Sastre would still have finished ahead of Frank on GC.

Frank in particular needs to shut up. At least Andy Schleck has the results and the legs to back up his claims, but Frank has in reality never been close to winning a GT and never will be. Even now, when Sastre is getting old, Frank is barely even stronger than Sastre on the climbs, and Sastre can still put 2 minutes on him in a long TT as we saw in the Vuelta.

I don't know if it's that simple.

I don't know what Frank had left on the climb... but if he had some gas, he could have countered Sastre. Perhaps he even had MORE in the tank then Sastre.

If that were the case, then he might have been able to gain time. Cadel was struggling with injury. Enough to win the race? Not with the TT he rode... but they say wearing yellow give you wings... it certainly seemed to happen with Sastre. Frank may have had a better ride.

Frank at times just doesn't care (so does Andy for that matter). But when Frank does care... he can ride a decent enough TT and he can climb very well. He was probably the 3rd best climber in 2009 and a minute ahead of Sastre on the Annecy TT. When both are healthy and motivated, Sastre is only slightly better in TT's.


It's stupid for either Schleck to say anything out loud though, regardless of what they think.

 

[jens_attacks]

ok i have to admit: schlecks=huge aszholes and douchebags.i really hope the old blokes will crush them.but still, this on-going rivalry and talking shiit is very good for cycling.i don't want to see a tour just with guys holding their hands and friendships and without rivalries.so bring on the war!this time no one will wait for the cute little girl(no linus, is not you).

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

Sastre can still put 2 minutes on him in a long TT as we saw in the Vuelta.

With him coming off a broken collarbone, probably racing far too early and obviously being in pain and unable to obtain a good position on the bike, yes. Granted, Carlos had an injury-infected season as well, but at least he could go somewhat Aero.

He can say he took it easy that day, but does he really think he'd have a chance of being within a minute of Evans, for example, if everything was on the line?

I remember reading that he had mechanical issues that day, something with his saddle being broken or something. I bet if we look hard enough we can find it somewhere. I might be wrong, though.

People always act up as if the Schlecks can't TT worth a crap. Suisse TT this year is a testimony of the opposite. Yes, they're no solar rocket ships, but that at least makes them appear somewhat human - they're pretty big and slim, and something's telling me that's not what you want if you intend on going fast.


With regards to the actual Topic of the thread: Yes, it's absolutely, one hundred percent, rate-A, perfectly crafted, hand shaped nonsense. I think the problem with all of this is that they're getting overhyped in their country. Anyone who did watch the team presentation and is familiar with their language could easily tell that everyone in that room, the presenter in particular, was one hundred percent sure that the team (and subsequently: the Schlecks) would crush anyone and anything standing in the way of Luxemburg getting a TdF Champion. It's not mainly the issue with the Schlecks themselves, it's the Luxemburg Media that have completely lost it.

The end result of this are, of course, statements like the ones of today: They need to trash-talk to appease the masses. All glory to hypnotoad.

 

[pedaling squares]

Except the berating of Sastre. That is pure junk and shows yet another reason why he is a ***.

Exactly. Sastre has shown up to more GT's than most photographers and consistently competes for the podium. And if memory serves, Sastre didn't steal the yellow jersey so much as Frank lost it by not having the legs and the balls to take it to Paris. I don't read too much into their lack of mention of other contenders. I don't know how long the interview was or what quotes didn't make the article.

Sorry, Andy Schleck. You just lost a lot, lot of credit with me. No class.

And with me. Such a great rider, I wish he'd only let his legs do the talking.

 

[hfer07]

So basically they are publicly ruling Contador out of the TDF... how the fvck can they say that openly? Has MacQuaid already "made" arraignments to "clear" the path for Andy? It is professional & ethical to even mention rivals at this time of the season? are they so sure of who's going to challenge them, regardless of what might happen from here to July?

I kind of liked them but after this horrendous opinion I can only say that they need to mature-Specially Andy-but must of all- they need to win a GT to begin with to be entitled to open their filthy mouths, so their words might be accountable for something....

 

[rzombie1988]

Riders should really let their agents do the talking.

I really think he's worrying too much about Cadel though and not enough about Menchov.

 

[ak-zaaf]

I can't believe they didn't mention Mollema.

Assholes.

 

[Frosty]

I can't believe they didn't mention Mollema.

Assholes.

Probably because he strikes fear into them so they are trying to block him out of their minds

O/T but what Mollema's plans this season? Is he going to going for the tour or aiming at the giro/vuelta?

 

[theyoungest]

Probably because he strikes fear into them so they are trying to block him out of their minds

O/T but what Mollema's plans this season? Is he going to going for the tour or aiming at the giro/vuelta?

The Tour. They will regret not mentioning him.

 

[Christian]

Lol I'm fairly amused by the short term memory of some people here on the forum.

When Andy was nice to Contador ---> what a d-bag, Cipo is right, he has a vagina, he should talk more trash and be more agressive

When Andy talks trash ---> what a moron, he should show some modesty and respect, hope he gets destroyed by Contador in every race

The hypocrisy level is ridiculous.

He is the logical favourite for the Tour, he got asked who he thinks his main rivals will be, he answered the question. Just because he left your favourite rider(s) out doesn't mean he knows nothing about cycling. It was just his opinion. If you don't like it, take a crash-course with Cipo.

Why didn't they mention Contador: If he can race it goes without saying that he is the main favourite
" " " " Menchov: It's not looking so good for Geox

 

[hrotha]

Just because he left your favourite rider(s) out doesn't mean he knows nothing about cycling. It was just his opinion. If you don't like it, take a crash-course with Cipo.

Did you even read this thread.

 

[theyoungest]

Did you even read this thread.

Yeah, I was wondering about that too... no-one cares who the Schlecks do or do not name as Tour favourites.

 

[The Hitch]

Yeah, I was wondering about that too... no-one cares who the Schlecks do or do not name as Tour favourites.

Actually i do care.

TO rate JVDV above Samu Sanchez is an insult equal to or worse than the stupid statement about Carlos Sastre. It would have been more polite engage in a tirade of insults against his family, call his mother a **** and say that he thinks his grandma can climb faster than Sanchez on the Tourmalet, than to rate VDB above the Asturian.