Yes,that's the title of a news that appeared on L'Equipe website this morning (here's the link http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2009/).The little article says that Andy may leave Saxo Bank to join sir Lancelot's new team,Radioshack.It seems that the main problem in this "trade" is that Armstrong doesn't want to employ also Frank in his team because the American thinks that Frank's presence may "brake" Andy's performances.
I don't know if this is just a non-sense rumour (L'Equipé is considered to be a good newspaper),but I hope Andy won't go to Radioshack.In fact if Andy starts to race with Armstrong,I don't think he will have a leader role.And I don't want to see one of my favourite riders acting as a helper at Le Tour for a rider I don't like.
Armstrong has created a lot of problems to Contador during the Tour and I don't want this to happen also with Andy.Between the Spaniard and sir Lancelot now there is a "words battle" on.Contador in fact has said that "My relationship with Lance Armstrong is zero,he is a great rider and has completed a great race but it is another thing on a personal level,where I have never had great admiration for him and I never will."Armstrong responded via Twitter by writing:“Seeing these comments from AC.If I were him I’d drop this drivel and start thanking his team.W/o them he doesn’t win.” Armstrong also wrote:“Hey pistolero, there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’. What did I say in March? Lots to learn.Restated.A champion is also measured on how much he respect his teammates and opponents.You can win a race on your own, not a Grand Tour.”
I think there's no need to say who I'm supporting in this "battle" and that I don't want to see a battle like this,maybe next year,between Andy and sir Lancelot.So,I hope that Andy won't go to Radioshack next year.
Anyway,let's talk about better things.Andy won yesterday's Criterium in Booxmer,Netherlands, by outsprinting Koos Moerenhout.Frank came in 3rd.
I've found an article in Dutch about the brothers and the criteriums they're racing in the next days (that's the link:http://www.sportwereld.nl/wielrennen/3397101/%20Broers_Schleck_lsquoon_tourrsquo.html).I can't understand Dutch,but with the help of my online translater I've managed to understand few things.Here they are:
I've found an article in Dutch about the brothers and the criteriums they're racing in the next days (that's the link:http://www.sportwereld.nl/wielrennen/3397101/%20Broers_Schleck_lsquoon_tourrsquo.html).I can't understand Dutch,but with the help of my online translater I've managed to understand few things.Here they are:Frank said:"We came here directly from France and we will stay in the Netherlands until Wednesday.I have no idea of how our performances have been received at home,I haven't read any newspaper yet.On Sunday I spoke with my father on the phone.Yes,Dad is proud.''
The goal of the podium in Paris hasn't been achieved,but the winner of stage 17 says that "is too early to look back on this year Tour".
Andy instead said that he's really proud of the performances of him and of his brother."We are the only riders who have attacked,I am proud of this.We have no regrets.''On Thursday the brothers will race a criterium in Luxembourg."That is certainly going to be a big party,''says Andy.The Schleck brothers will fly to the Spanish Basque Country on Friday evening with a private jet;in fact,on Saturday there's the Clasica de San sebastian.
For what I understood,the brothers will race a criterium in Stiphout (netherlands) tonight,one anohher criterium in Chaam tomorrow,"the Tour de France gala" in Luxembourg on Thursday and another criterium in Hamme on Friday.After racing in San sebastian on Saturday,the brothers will race in Belgium on Monday: Frank will be in Roosendaal,Andy will be in Lommel.
Talking about Criteriums,Cav won one of them yesterday evening.Designa Grand Prix (a race held in Denmark) was won by Aleksejs Saramotins of Team Designa Køkken.Second came the Emaciated Chickenman Michael Rasmussen,while 5th was Chris-Anker Sorensen.
On the 29th of July begins the Tour of Denmark.The Saxo Bank team for that race will be formed by Lars Bak,Nicki Sorensen (isn't he tired after the Tour?),Matti Breschel,Jakob Fuglsang,Frank Hoj,Kasper Klostergaard,Anders Lund and Alex Rasmussen.
(pic by Kochproductions.nl)
Yeah, and cyclingnews also posted that. L'Equipe is probably the best sourse for cycling info, but in these questions I prefer to believe riders at first point:) I read on Saxo forum, that Andy said: "I have a contract and I will definetely fulfill my contract.
RispondiEliminaWhen I speak with Lance everybody believe I will ride for Lance next year, when I speak with Alberto media believes I will ride as an helper for Alberto.
and finally the new team is not called radio schleck(lol:))".
I think next year he will definetely ride for Saxo. And Lance himself will ride for his team. But in 2011, when Andy's contract will come to an end, and Lance will be too old (if he can be too old:))... But again, I can't even image they (Andy and Frank) ride for another team then Saxo. Remember, Andy said in his blog after Frank's crash on Amstel, that Bjarne is like a second father for them...
There is a vid on nos.nl about the criterium where they ask Andy the question 'Are you going to ride for Lance Armstrong'. He was a bit annoyed, so he says: 'When I talk to Contador, the think I wanna ride for his team and when I talk to Armstrong they think I wanna ride for his team'. He also said that he is just going to fulfill his contract and after that he will see to which team he will go.
RispondiEliminaCyclingnews followed the article by l'equipe, but cyclingnews also mentioned that Armstrong might only want Andy and not Fränk, so if that it true, Andy won't go to Lance his team.
I didn't find anything about Andy's opinion on this story,so I'm glad to read your comments.
RispondiEliminaI can't even imagine Andy not riding for Saxo-Bank team,perhaps also because,following Andy and Frank,I've also started to follow the other riders of the team (Voigt and Chris-Anker Sorensen in paticular) and to support them in every race.
I'm very relieved to read that he's going to ride for Saxo Bank at least unti 2011! Thanks for the info!
Saxo Bank without the Schlecks would be heartbreaking but hopefully news sponsors will come along to get them to extend until 2011 at least so there at least two more seasons of them riding with Spartacus.
RispondiElimina