Liege-Bastogne-Liege... Post-Race Thread
by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 26, 2009 10:52 AM EDT
in Live Races
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Andy Schleck, welcome to greatness.
- Andy Schleck
- Joaquim Rodriguez
- Davide Rebellin
- Philippe Gilbert
- Serguei Ivanov
- Simon Gerrans
- Damiano Cunego
- Benoit Vaugrenard
- Alexandr Kolobnev
- Samuel Sanchez
- Andy Schleck and anyone remotely associated with him
- untold scores of drunk Luxemburgers running around Liege right now
- J-Rod, who just stepped into the Spanish classics guy vacuum
- Anyone who cares about the Tour de France.
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Andy Schleck
Monument Winner
Year for the younguns, humm?
Funny to think that this is only the 4th win of Andy's pro career.
The other 3 being the 2005 Luxembourg ITT championship and two stages of the ’06 Sachsen Tour.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
Why he didn't bother with the sprint this time around
quite interesting that CSC/Saxo never has been able to get explosive finishers.
Fuck off flatbagger
sorry but phlippe
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
damn young skinny punks
i was hoping for tin tin again
Looks like Saxo rode a great race...about time too
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
I'm soooo happy!!
I finally get to see Andy WIN something big!
17th, eh? That might be enough to keep him in Div 1...for now.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
Yeah, it is just 30 points. On the other hand, they're his first for the year.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
Another 800 to go before I'll feel justified in having picked him
Could he finally be rounding into form?
Evans
should go back to wheel sucking as the only times that I have seen him attack have been fruitless.
he deserved to with his ride today
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
you'll just have to wait for Cadel's excuses...
I’m sure he’ll have some
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
That's cycling...everyone that doesn't win has some excuse...err Story i mean
errrr....am i supposed to sign this??
We ought not be so hard on Evans it's true
Gilbert is just more fun
by bradBordeaux on Apr 26, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
and that's what Thomas Dekker would probably say
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
ain't that the truth!
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
i hear ya, FB
it’s a lonesome feeling…
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
sorry mate, don't mean to knock on Evans
kinda weak performance though?
by bradBordeaux on Apr 26, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Somehow Evans brings it on
himself.
He knows one tactic and doesn’t adapt AND he tends to crumble in pressure situations.
Gilbert tries to make the race—and he read things absolutely right today: the “strong” riders sucked, so it was time to take it to him. He just didn’t have the legs to make it stick.
Yeah, Bb we agree.
time to take it
to “them”, not him.
It would be interesting to watch the replay to see if Evans tried to block for Gilbert like F/ Schleck did for Andy whilst Gilbert was away.
that seems like a possibility...
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
not a chance
busy thinking how to get back to Tracy Island
by bradBordeaux on Apr 26, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
In twenty years Gilbert will be remembered
not Evans…unjustly, i don’t know
by bradBordeaux on Apr 26, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
i agree
that it seems to be in his head – crumbles under pressure
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
Seems to me like your expectations of him are as high as his
He has achieved lots, we are proud of him here in Australia….and most would have never heard of Gilbert…or Valverde…who was the pre race favourite? Cadel Evans?
errrr....am i supposed to sign this??
We should probably be more proud than we show...
given that he has finished 2nd twice in the most difficult of all cycling races. I guess that’s just the Aussie “tall poppy” syndrome?
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
hang on
i’m not one of the ones vilifying him – i’m a diehard fan. but i do think it doesn’t come easy to him, this winning mentality thing, which is one of the reasons i respect his efforts.
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
sorry, wasn't actually having a go at you..
It was aimed at the general populace (and especially our media) – I agree with you, I don’t think it comes easy to him, I think he would prefer to be “super domestique” rather than the team’s main man..
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
naw, we're good :)
i think he’s been a sort of come-out-of-nowhere kid who came up from behind and kinda got thrust inadvertently into the limelight by those TdF showings in ’05 and ’06 and though he drives himself would rather not be in it – my 2 cents worth of armchair psychology :)
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
Yeh...sometimes the order of replies is a little damning...
it was just BB’s stirring and Cycle Girl’s Phillipe luvvy duvvy hormones that got me defending Cadel…I’m not keen on his chin to be honest!
errrr....am i supposed to sign this??
a little too Kirk Douglassy for me too..
but he’s a very proud Aussie and I think that’s probably why I kind of like the guy (even though he should have jumped ship from Silence last year)..or at the very least tried to get a decent DS?
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
at least he wouldn't have to warn the reporters..
a dingo would have eaten them before he had the chance to warn them..tee hee
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
you're kidding right?
what’s rain? They’ve had a lot up north, but Perth has been dry…
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
i agree
fill in the chin a bit and get the dingo – no need for a big bodyguard then!
and yes, i was in the “shoulda jumped ship” camp too…
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
Sorry to stir...
referring to nickel17 comments above….it’s hard to watch a talented, dedicated bike racer, cock it up so often. I accept that finishing 2nd in the TdF two times is no slouch performance by any means, especially from a humble entrance. Kudos to the guy….he’s not my style of racer, but I shouldn’t hold that against him. Though, I stand by my comments regarding his performance in LW.
by bradBordeaux on Apr 26, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
no worries :)
though i’m not sure it can be said that Cadel cocks it up any more than his peers (and here I mean GC contenders who also ride the Classics). the trouble seems to be that he appears to cock it up at the most inopportune moments, and we are most privy to those as directed by media coverage. and i think people just don’t like him (public persona – few of us actually know these people) or his style of riding or both. and maybe there is more expectation from some quarters that leads to greater disappointment.
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
I submit
what’s the point of not attacking and not placing in the top ten…
by bradBordeaux on Apr 26, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I think i misunderstood your post
we agree right?
by bradBordeaux on Apr 26, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
is this a case of damned if he does, damned if he doesn't?
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
that seems to be about the size of it
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
glad you guys can't see me ride then..
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
i think we're agreeing... :)
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
lucky I'm not easily hurt....
sniff, snuffle, sob….
You guys are soooo much fun :-)
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
Rock on Ryder!
I love C, not because he rocks as a cyclist, but because deep down he's a band geek! LOL!
I think I saw 2 Garmen in that front group...I wonder who the 2nd one was?
Andy looks very happy on the podium. Chapeau!
I thought I did too. Martin was in great form. Maybe him?
I love C, not because he rocks as a cyclist, but because deep down he's a band geek! LOL!
Not a bad ride from Kolobnev either - where did Frank finish?
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
gilbert's 4th
is amazing.
Thanks to Gilbert and Andy Schleck for making this race be as exciting as it deserves to be.
Yes!
You have to try and sometimes fail. I like Gilbert.
Gilbert
might have thought rightly that he had no chance on the super steep climbs at the end and that if he was going to do anything he’d have to have some room before hand. In some ways, his attack seems pretty well timed given his abilities.
try and sometimes fail
Evans seems to be learning that too … yet interesting how the comments seem to be a lot more negative in general about Evans’s failed attacks, whereas Gilbert gets nothing but praise it seems for all his failed attacks ;-)
umm... what about Wednesday
wasn’t he blaming Evans for supposedly being indecisive? sounded really whiny from my perspective at the time (and I’ve always been a Gilbert fan)…
+1
i’m a Gilbert fan too, so didn’t like the sound of it. i hope these guys can get along…
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
otherwise the Tour is going to get very ugly for Silence..
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
and it will be tedious
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
sorry hit the wrong button
I meant to write – “you said you’d do….” but you said you’d do….you know, a little bit like he said / she said?
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
unlike the other day
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
wasn't very pleasant post-race on Wednesday
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
I think there is a bit of culture clash
Evans isn’t really that used to a leader-role in one day races. Gilbert basically only does ODR. I suspect Evans isn’t that in tune with the rules of the road when it comes to calling for support in these events.
My guess.
Moreover, it is my opinion that Alejandro Valverde is an asshole who should not be allowed to compete in bikeraces right now.
and quite probably a good guess if they are squabbling
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
or maybe he's feeling the pressure to get a win for Silence?
and Belgium?
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
belgium?
has 2 of 4 monuments this year
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
sorry, meant the pressure from the Belgian fans of Silence
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
culture clash may be right...
(in a language sense), because all I ever heard about Horner on the team was that he and Evans got along wonderfully well…
which is why I said typically & not always
he didn’t sound whiny to me just completely fed up with evans changing his mind during the race and paying havocs with strategy.
well, there were two different stories
one from each of them. frankly, i could do with both of them putting a sock in it and getting on with the job…
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
I'm still not convinced Gilbert's comments the other day had much merit
from everything I’d read, it sounded to me like Evans could have been trying to do the best for the team at all times, first pointing out that he wasn’t feeling great so they could ride for Gilbert in the hopes of getting a better result for the team, but then when Gilbert presumably pointed out he wasn’t feeling great either then Evans sucked it up and gave it a go and found he was feeling better than he thought. I thought that adjusting strategy according to conditions and events was a good thing in cycling, not something to complain about as Gilbert did. Just another perspective…
i wonder
how Gilbert is feeling about his move to Lotto?
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
wealthy?
Moreover, it is my opinion that Alejandro Valverde is an asshole who should not be allowed to compete in bikeraces right now.
probably not
given Cadel is always mentioning Silence’s small (I assume he uses the term on a comparative basis) budget..
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
The only time their budget is described as small
is when Cadel asks his DS if they can’t hire him some mountain-domestiques.
Moreover, it is my opinion that Alejandro Valverde is an asshole who should not be allowed to compete in bikeraces right now.
ha! you said it
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
did Gilbert say he wasn't feeling great?
I read that he wasn’t really contesting F-W, that he thought the Mur was too tough for him to win there
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
nope gilbert made a mistake signing for lotto.............
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
Indeed
Plus, my anti CdE bias/snark says JRod’s 2nd is because he didn’t have to spend any energy working for his captain.
Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste
Okay, why is my feed not freezing up during commercial time?
Mon coeur appartient à les forçats de la route.
sod's law - at least you can see it
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
The new guy commentating on CTV
needs to decide if a move is a good move or just a foolish move after the fact when it doesn’t work. Commentating is a hard business.
Andy:
“I was unsure when I made my attack, I was worried to be pulled back since there were many big names in the chasing group.
Our team rode a great race, we had many options and we had many guys who could win this race. All went according to the plan. Very happy.”
This is from the Finnish commentators translation, so take it for what it is…
Great race!
So love Andy's smile!
I love C, not because he rocks as a cyclist, but because deep down he's a band geek! LOL!
We need a trial run for ToM. I need to get Team Epic here for a race.
Hmmmmm… what can I tempt with? LOL. :-)
I love C, not because he rocks as a cyclist, but because deep down he's a band geek! LOL!
If "that's" all it takes, bring it on!
Some transcribing, a few bottles of wine, some beer, a bbq. Are you here yet? LOL!
I love C, not because he rocks as a cyclist, but because deep down he's a band geek! LOL!
In the history of strong attacks, Andy's has to be up there
he just blew past everyone.
Moreover, it is my opinion that Alejandro Valverde is an asshole who should not be allowed to compete in bikeraces right now.
He did it from like mid pack too.
By the time he came around the front of the pack he already had up a serious head of steam.
He had Saxo guys around helping him through the pack/caught breakway.
Oh well, just another sign of how important a strong team is in the position wars.
well not going to attack off the front! ;)
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
nothing on the official site yet
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
I caught the following from the brief graphic
11 – Hesjedal
14 – Freire
16 – Evans
17 – Dekker
(Nocentini was in there somewhere too, F. Schleck wasn’t in the top 20)
11. CAN HESJEDAL Ryder GRM 01’30" 55
12. ITA CARRARA Matteo VAC 01’30" 49
13. FRA PINEAU Jérôme QST 01’30" 44
14. ESP FREIRE GOMEZ Oscar RAB 01’30" 39
15. ITA NOCENTINI Rinaldo ALM 01’30" 34
Then Evans and Dekker—don’t know after that.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
curses
Evans wasn’t even in the top 15 after all that…
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
We score through 20 in this race, for what it's worth. Monument.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
well, that helps
but i was thinking also of the relative disappointment of not placing top ten having been in the run up…
Cadel tweet: Relaxing in the hotel room having the Dutch rock music scene explained to me by Thomas D.
Tired now, getting massage, then going to sleep
z
Moreover, it is my opinion that Alejandro Valverde is an asshole who should not be allowed to compete in bikeraces right now.
Now its Giro time!
but I will miss the classics…sweet ride by Andy.
I don't think there's much to criticize
in Evans, Gilbert, or anyone today – Schleck was just superhuman.
As the Italian guys said, “Questo non é una vittoria, é un dominio di Schleck.”
He attacked where head an edge
The team had made sure that the race had been hard enough till then and after that they did a great job at blocking.
So superhuman or not, tactics are of importance in the classics.
sure
when are they not? But it was interesting to watch the post-race interviews, I had the rai3 feed, everyone they interviewed – Rebellin, Nibali, etc. – just shook his head and basically said it was Andy’s day, we’re just happy that we got to contest for 2nd.
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
They said the same before the race
And I’m just saying that at least we got to see a lot of well executed tactics along with this superhuman performance.
Which in my opinion is much less jarring than if he had done it all by him self or if he had out sprinted the competition or if he had time trialed away. :)
Positions 11 to 20
11. HESJEDAL Ryder 215 GARMIN – SLIPSTREAM 6h 35’ 56" + 01’ 24"
12. CARRARA Matteo 243 VACANSOLEIL PRO CYCLING TEAM 6h 35’ 56" + 01’
13. PINEAU Jérôme 66 QUICK STEP 6h 35’ 56" + 01’ 24"
14. FREIRE Oscar 43 RABOBANK 6h 35’ 56" + 01’ 24"
15. NOCENTINI Rinaldo 111 AG2R-LA MONDIALE 6h 35’ 56" + 01’ 24"
16. EVANS Cadel 51 SILENCE – LOTTO 6h 35’ 56" + 01’ 24"
17. DEKKER Thomas 54 SILENCE – LOTTO 6h 35’ 56" + 01’ 24"
18. DI GREGORIO Rémy 93 FRANCAISE DES JEUX 6h 35’ 56" + 01’ 24"
19. VALVERDE Alejandro 1 CAISSE D’EPARGNE 6h 35’ 56" + 01’ 24"
20. EFIMKIN Vladimir
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
Happy Puppy might be the saddest puppy of all today
I really think Cunego had this day as his biggest goal this year (followed by Worlds and Giro) and he was never even really a factor.
Moreover, it is my opinion that Alejandro Valverde is an asshole who should not be allowed to compete in bikeraces right now.
Suffering of Ardennes Week
I really think Cunego’s performance is a culmination of how hard the three races this week are. He went all out in Amstel and Fleche and just didn’t have it today. Valverde on the other hand is just a different story entirely.
I personally think it's due to the case in Italy giving him bad stomach
A bit like Fränk S. last year, can’t be fun.
ursula? are you working on a VDS thread, or shall I do it?
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
d'oh--never mind!
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
wahoooooo
Sorrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy but yay ya ya ya ya ya aya OMG go SexyBank
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
especially a sexybank man
Andy you said you were ready!!!!!!
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
Contador/Astana vs Schleck(s)/Saxo?
Could be very interesting – especially if both teams arrive at full strength. Will be down to the respective DS and team management to select the correct players (oops I mean cyclists)
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" Unknown
Stop talking like this
It makes me long for July so bad.
Oh my, I've just fallen in love with Roger De Vlaeminck's sideburns.
by TheFigurehead on Apr 26, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
OK Can I say I Picked Andy or Gilbert from the start
wahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
RTL showing the race again, now 25 km to finish
link at cyclingfans
heh
thanks for this – wonder if they’ll be showing it on continuous loop for the next week ;)
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
thanks
(I kind of slept in until about 17 km to go… figured in a month I won’t get any sleep when baby comes so if I can sleep now I’ll take it even if it means missing parts of races…)
LOL
My first piece of advice for all pending parents – sleep lots now. Really sleep; enjoy that luxury of sleeping without interruption. Treat yourself to at least one day a week where you sleep sinfully long.
Because odds are, when the baby arrives it will be years before you know that sleep again…..
Oh and get ready to become used to training rides that last longer than the hours of sleep you had the night before :-)
first comment noted from either Evans or Gilbert
CadelOfficial – Liege done: Nothing to do against an incredible Shleck and a very good Saxo Bank team. Compliments to them. 25 minutes ago from txt
I guess Andy has shown some form now this spring
How funny that discussion about two weeks ago seems regarding Andy Schleck not showing any form so far this spring. Ha. Although I wonder if his brother’s crach in Amstel was really a blessing in disguise for both Andy and Saxo. Would Andy have been allowed to race as the team leader and given this opportunity with Frank at full form. Guess we will never know. But worked out for the best.
I could argue that they did race with Fränk as leader today
Andy’s attack was “just” one in a string of attacks that kept the other teams working. Fränk was biding his time sitting on wheels waiting for Saint Nicholas, where the race is won and lost most years. It just so happened that the others couldn’t get the chase organized and Andy ran away with it.
I was thinking that too
Watching Saxo send CA Sorenson, then Kolobnev, joined by Kroon , then Andy, it seemed like Frank would have been next, but there was no need
"I get paid to hurt other people. How good is that? How good is that?
I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, that's good." Jens!
Yeah that would be the norm, but there are two things talking against this
1. Kolobnev and Kroon weren’t allowed to make a successful breakaway, they spent little time pushing te paceafter the gap was made.
2. (Which is more convincing) Fränk emediatly began spending energy on closing gaps, had he been the final shot in the cannon then he would have let Kroon and Kolobnev do this, at least till it was obvious that Andy’s breakaway had a chance to survive.
Good point, I think
It was definitely a team effort, though one of the comments I saw said that Andy Schleck really wanted to win it with a move like this one.
As for form or lack of it, A Schleck is a big race rider. He tends to show up when it matters, and sleep through the races where it doesn’t.
Chris Anker Sörensens comment:
“We came. We saw. We crushed them. And then we won”
From Ritzau via feltet.dk
So the crushing and the winning parts is not the same?
Oh my, I've just fallen in love with Roger De Vlaeminck's sideburns.
by TheFigurehead on Apr 26, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Love the SexyBank comment
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
On that point 4
hasn’t Andy been seen as the biggest challenger to Bert for a while now? I thought he would be before this race and I do even more now. To me, the 2nd at the Giro was more telling, he and Bert will have some good battles in the future but for now Andy needs to improve his TTing as Bert has or he won’t have much for him this year.
In Chauncey we trust!
maybe he'll spend May working on his TTing!
apparently he won’t do a single race until June and is going to “focus on the Tour 100%.” Man I’m already licking my lips for July. Going to have some dry lips by then. Plus it will be really hot so that won’t help any.
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah well guess who else isn't doing a race until June?
but Andy is doing the Frankfurt city loop on Friday and then taking a break. Oh and there is always the Giro to keep your lips moist.
In Chauncey we trust!
speaking of Contador
can someone remind me why he didn’t do this race?
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
;)
guess so…but it would sure be nice to see him at least putting in an effort during Ardennes week…read an interview with him last year in which (if I remember right) he talked about wanting to be a complete rider, contest the classics, especially LBL, which he called, if I remember right, “the most complex of the classics.” I know his team’s not set up to win here, but…no time like the present, Alberto.
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
He was going to do La Fleche for sure and maybe L-B-L until recently
my guess is he doesn’t want to ruin his moment or maybe he was exhausted from a pretty hefty early season schedule. Or didn’t want to get hurt before the Tour. I hope he does it next year but after missing the Tour last year it’s understandable that he would want to leave the classics out for this year and put full blown focus on Le Tour, although how sweet would it be to see him at Lombardia?
In Chauncey we trust!
yeah, good points
agreed on Lombardia too
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
He's been thought of
by enough of us. But they have yet to square off at the Tour, so it’s all been speculation.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 27, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
....and a word from Rodriguez and Valverde
JR – "I had a very good day in this race.Today, I think Andy Schleck was absolutely untouchable and nobody could do anything to take away the victory and we must congratulate him for what he has been able to achieve. For me, this is second taste of victory. Getting on the podium is a reward and I hope that one day I may win. I now hope to take my motivation to the Giro, another race that I love.
AV – “I expected to get a victory in my third classic but I also have to remember that I have modified my preparation to get to the Tour de France in the best condition possible, and sacrificing a bit in the Classic, so I have to settle for the results achieved in the Netherlands and Belgium.”
Valverde will not race in Catalunya
He has changed his usual program and will be racing in Romandie.
as a Valverde fan.....I am frustrated and intrigued by his Tour obsession
I wish he would accept that he is a brilliant one day racer and short stage winner…and be done with the Tour!!
Must say Andy at L-B-L is a perfect match
comparable to Devolder at Flanders. Andy almost won last year and was untouchable today, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t win at least 3 or 4 of these before his career is done.
In Chauncey we trust!
though hasn't it been rare lately
that one guy gets away alone? I ask because it’s tough to see him winning against some of the other perennial contenders (Cunego, Valverde, even Gilbert) if he doesn’t get away alone.
Then again with that team – they were so good today – you might be right.
by plinytheelder on Apr 26, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
It has, but I think if he had to he could have attacked later and won
Saxo is the strongest team in the Ardennes(5 of their 8 riders finished ahead or within the first chase group) and they can control the race for him. He will probably have to find another way to win but I can see him attacking on the Saint Nic and staying away, plus usually there are only very few riders who come to the finish together and then he could still out kick them if needs be.
In Chauncey we trust!
perfect tactical storm
combined with sub-par contenders without lieutenants to throw away.
Say you’re Valverde—all you’ve got left is J-Rod and yourself. Unless you or J-Rod can drop the bunch, there’s no point in towing Frank Schleck back into the race.
ummmm...no...Andy did NOT almost win LBL last year
The younger Schleck was ridng for his brother Frank last year. It was the correct decision to have the younger Schleck be the designated lead this year.
….and when Valverde won his second last year…the media and experts said the same.,…that he could when 3 or 4.
100%
guarantee, no way, zero chance, Schleck TTs well enough to win a GT this year. Which is softening up an early statement I made. Very nice ride today though.
It'll be a long shot that A. Schleck will ever win the Tour...
he could win the Giro or Vuelta but I don’t think he will ever time trial well enough to win the Tour. Especially with a person like Contador around…I know he is young and everything but he would need to drastically improve his TT’ing over the course of many years, even if it took a little away from his climbing, so he could have a shot.
A nice fact though…The last man to win L-B-L and then win the Tour sometime in his career was Hinault when he won in 1977 and 1980…Last man to podium at L-B-L then go on to win the Tour was pre-cancer Lance in 1994 and ’96.
Has anyone ever won LBL and then the Tour in the same year?
Apart from E Merckx of course. In the dictionary underneath outlying data points should be a picture of Eddie from 1969; pick any race, he probably won it!
Nope...nobody has won it in the same year...only 3 guys have ever won the tour and L-B-L sometime in their career .
Those being Kubler, Merckx, and Hinault…So this race really is not a good predictor of somebody who will win the Tour one-day…
I mean only 7 people have ever podium’d at L-B-L and then won the Tour sometime (Robic, Kubler, Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Roche, and Armstrong) and all of them with the exception of Armstrong won when race specialization was not around. So if you go by the stats, then it is almost a slim to none chance that Schleck could go and win L-B-L and then go and win the Tour in his career even at such a young age. But anything can happen I guess….
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 6:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Merckx 1969
Are you sure that Eddie didn’t do this double in 1969?
Hi Wikipedia entry suggests that he did. I know that he won the TDF in 1969; that’s the year that he won the triple, all three major jerseys in the one year. Think about that for a moment…
But I agree with you, history suggests that the odds of Andy winning the TDF this year just took a major nose dive.
Maybe that;s why Contador sat out that race?
Oh whoops I knew Merckx did it in 69...
he also did it in ’71 and ’72…Yeah and Contador, being very studious, saw these facts and then said he would never win L-B-L on purpose because then he would never win the Tour.
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Jacques Anquetil
is also on the list of winners of both the Tour and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. He won L-B-L in 1966.
by Susie Hartigan on Apr 27, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
nice catch
Andy is certainly a once-a-generation rider. It will be interesting to see what else he can win.
I’ve been expecting a Tour win any day now, myself ;-)
I disagree.
He has the correct body type for the Tour.
Long ’n Lean
He already has exhibited that his body has a natural ability to maintain itself in grand tours.
This is actually a major overlooked key trait
I am very confident that his TT ability will improve as he goes into his late 20’s as that is typically how it goes.
Plus
if there were ever a year for the mediocre TTers to win the Tour, this would be the year. A 15k and a 40k TT seem manageable, and he’ll have help on the TTT. I would worry more about Andy’s chances in the Giro (is he racing this year?) with that 62k TT…
That is true...but he would have to take all of that time back on the mountain stages...
There are 2 ITT’s and 1 TTT. Unless his TT dramatically improves, it would be near impossible to take that so much time in the mountains from the Astana juggernaut.
I don’t think Andy is doing the Giro…
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
You could also have said the same thing about Valverde
when he finshed 3rd at the Vuelta in 2002 at age 22…doping or no. He has a similar body type to Schleck while not as lean but he is still skinny. Then he scored a 3rd place in Hamilton at the 2003 World Championships.
I am not saying that they are the same because Valverde definitely has a stronger sprint and might not be able to go as fast in the high mountains…Valverde has consistenly posted top 10’s in Grand Tours he has entered and has podiumed on a three occasions.
The one thing that could be a BIG similarity is that they have both suffered from that one bad day that just takes them out of contention.
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
TdF
I don’t think we have really seen what Andy is capable of in the tour. He was riding entirely for the team last year so we don’t know whether he could have taken alot of time in the high mountains, ala rasmussen. I really hope he is given some free reigns this year to really go for it in the high mountains.
Yeah when rasmussen took a lot of time he was just concerned about getting mountain points...
It wasn’t sustained over and over …Even if he was given protected rider status this year, He couldn’t take chunks of time out of a team like Astana with Contador, Leipheimer, Kloden, Horner, Armstrong, Brajkovic, Popovych, Rubiera, and Zubeldia. He might be able to go for a stage but even then they know he is a strong rider and will not let him go unless he is down on the G.C.
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Now your just throwing around names(some not worth mentioning) :p :)
Like Astana is the only team with strong riders.
It will be interesting to see if Saxo can repeat last year’s deed and through tactics isolate the competition in the mountains with the use of non-climbers.
Another thing to look forward to is the internal issues on Astana. Armstrong has been focusing a lot on TdF.
Good luck with that
For Saxo to isolate Contador it’s going to take Bjarne swerving the teamcar wildly to the right when passing the AstanaPajamaTrain.
Yeah that would still be a challenge...
no matter how strong they could pull, Cancellara and Voigt, would have a tough time getting rid of Leipheimer and Armstrong…not to mention the others.
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
So you expect Armstrong to be Contador's waterboy?
Because if Armstrong and Leipheimer ride their own chances, then they are to no more help than Cadel and there won’t be a reason to isolate Contador from them.
That’s all I’m saying. :)
LA might not be fetching bottles
but if you are expecting a Bruyneel-led team to race against each other I think you will be spending many July-days in a dark corner, sad and disillusioned.
As much as I would love to see it happen that scenario is just not in the cards.
Why do you think I'll be sad and disillusioned? oO Only if the race is decided from day one.
And there’s nothing unrealistic about predicting internal issues, heck it happened on CSC last year even though they’ve been spending many resources on avoiding it.
It’s no longer a secret that Armstrong all the time has been focusing on TdF, and been training on key parts of the route.
Vuelta last year
Levi was stronger than AC, yet he obeyed team orders and supported Contador. Not like the disruption CSC had in the Vuelta.
Armstrong, if he survives the Giro, will be a wild card in the Tour.
Bert bitched about Levi after the Vuelta, though.
Don’t know what kind team dynamics went on behind the scenes during the race.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
He said that it was a misunderstanding in the media
and that he was thankful of Levi, not sure what really went on but seeing the raced well together at Castilla Leon I can’t imagine they are feuding that much.
In Chauncey we trust!
I read that, too.
I just didn’t believe him. What he said to the Spanish press was pretty specific—that it wasn’t normal for someone working for you to finish within a minute of your time, and that if the time trial had been much longer, he didn’t know what would have happened. Saying he was misunderstood after the fact seems a lot like team-mandated damage control.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
Ah, the Spanish press, so very reliable
hell I don’t know what went on but I don’t see it being a bid deal this year. Looks like issue resolved if there was one and hopefully Levi finally gets his chance to lead a GT in 12 days, that’s right, only 12 more days!!!!
In Chauncey we trust!
Oh he all ready has had chances with Rabobank and Gerolsteiner...
Though it is his first chance to lead as Levi 2.0…not to be confused with Tom Danielson 2.0.
And if he doesn’t seize this chance at the throat…then he is fucked.
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes Levi 2.0 is not comparable to old Levi
of course I just read this beauty
Please note that the internet rights for the Giro d’Italia are still under negotiation with the rights owners. We are working as swiftly as possible to confirm this event and hope to bring you confirmation in the very near future.
Because of this, we advise prospective customers interested in the current live races (and the races so far this year) to invest in the Premium package. This purchase will be refunded if you choose to upgrade to a Gold or Silver subscription at a later date (NB no later than May 21st). In the event that we are unable to carry the Giro d’Italia we will arrange compensation for Gold North America and Italian Pro Cycling package subscriber
They will not ruin my excitement but they better get those rights!
In Chauncey we trust!
they were direct quotes
from an interview published in Marca if I remember right – I read it in Spanish, it sounded every bit as bad as what we heard in English.
by plinytheelder on Apr 27, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, I'm not looking for turmoil of soap opera proportions :D
Let’s say Saxo put some of its power riders(Jens, Kurt, Karsten, Fabian..) in a breakaway before the first mountain.
And then Andy + Frank + CAS launch a semi attack on the first or second mountain, joining the breakaway.
This means they’ll have domestics while the other favourites are isolated, a tactic which worked last year(deeper than re-cap though).
Now for the “internal issues” I was talking about:
As we saw in Paris Niece it’s too early for Alberto to set his own pace and ride them off, as he can be wheeled back in beforre the last mountain.
So what will they do, will Lance and Levi protect him against the wind and will they bring him water? Things which obviously will drain themselves.
But more important, will Lance and Levi cover the attacks? And if they do cover/participate in successful attacks, can Alberto just let them go? If not, then he’ll have to cover every single attack like in Paris Niece and we know they will come each time he needs a drink or something to eat.
It’s important not to forget the other big riders like Evans, they will also attack and then it will be about mind games. Sadly we never got to see it last year, but Riis said he planned to use Saunier Duval’s attacks(but then they were caught).
The important work has to be done before the final climb over several stages, slowly draining the competition.
This is just an example from last year, but unless JB for the first time to my memory use a different tactic than the train, it will work again(Knowing Riis he’ll most likely try off other tactics too, like when the team created a hole in the finish on a flat stage so Sastre could earn a few sec, too bad the judges didn’t like this dirty trick).
I was just thinking that if you as a Saxo-fan
pin your hopes on winning that way, it might be a long sad summer ‘cause I don’t see it happening.
True, I am indeed a huge Saxo fan :D But I'm an even bigger fan of TdF
I do not care so much about who wins but how the Tour is raced.
It’d be boring if the old power train returned intimidating all competition, so I mentioned Saxo’s ’08 strategy and internal issues on Astana as a way to spice things up.
Yeah I know I am being Astana heavy(and yes some American's name was mentioned)
and as much as it hurts me to say it but Astana could sweep the podium at the Tour.
They could have a roster with 7 riders that have gotten top 6 at a Grand Tour…now thats depth. La Vie Claire had the same “problem” internally in 1986 and came out with 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 7th.
And now I’m going to stop because if I use Astana one more time, I will puke…
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Spot on about Valverde!!
I became a huge fan after his first Vuelta podium…just loved how he rode a smart and agressive Vuelta at 22.
his tt will probably improve
because of the simple fact that his team mate is the world’s best.
"Race radios in Cat 4?"
How many chronos has he even really done?
If you’re working for someone else, you tend not to go all out in the time trial, no?
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 27, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually some of the domestiques go all out so that they can be used as pacing devices for the team leaders
So they know which sections that they truelly must bury themselves in. Hamilton did this for the Chosen one while at Postal.
by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 27, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
can we work on the Schlecks
victory salute first?
"Action without thought is a form of insanity, thought without action is a crime"
- Albert Einstien
Patrik Sinkewitz
Off-topic here but did anyone else notice that Sinkewitz is riding again? In the Giro del Trentino, with a team called PSK Whirlpool.
And a report on Telekom-T-Mobile doping and the Freiberg clinic is already being leaked. Among other items it names Kloeden along with Kessler as having visited the clinic before the 2006. Just what Sinkewitz said.
Yeah but I was taken by surprise
that is was presented as news that T-Mobile had an active doping program in ’06, we pretty much knew that from seeing all those riders caught.
The difference is that if this report really does contain actual evidence
Klöden could be suspended.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
Sinkewitz testimony is part of the evidence in the report
so those two sources aren’t independent of each other. There is probably more evidence than his testimony though.
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