Ok girls: let's take a big breathe and let's start discussing today's stage . It will be hard, but we can make it. Fot those of you who didn't watch it, below there's a little resume of it.
RESUME:
RESUME:
First of all it must be said that, according to many people, this afternoon a breakaway would have succeded. Therefore the riders faced the first two hours of race at a very fast pace. In fact there were so many people who wanted to go on a breakaway that, with 80 kms to go, the complex procedure of creating a breakaway appreciated by every team hadn't ended yet. At that moment the guys on a breakaway were 12 and amongst them there were Hoogerland, Roche, Hesjedal and Kreuziger. Unfortunately for them, in the breakway there was no one from Team Sky, so that the British team decided to pull as hard as possible in order to annihilate that action.
A few kms later, the final breakaway was finally formed. Amongst the lucky breakawayers du jour there were Hushovd, Boasson Hagen, Hesjedal, Roy, Ignatiev, Martin, Devenyns, Grivko, Perez Lezaun and Marcato.
With 20 kms to go, the riders had to face a 9 kms long climb, which was 5% steep. Then they would have been able to reach Gap after riding in front of the famous 'Passage Armstrong'. In 2003 in fact a Tour stage ending in Gap saw Armstrong riding through a field in order not to crash. Since then, that field has been known as 'Passage Armstrong'.
Hesjedal attacked on the last climb and Boasson Hagen tried to follow him. Poor Edvald soon found himself in a Garmin sandwich, since Hushovd soon got glued to his wheel and wheelsucked him during the whole climb. In fact, Hesjedal and Hushovd are teammates and, once again, their team showed that they're masters at sandwiching other riders.
Boasson Hagen reached Hesjedal with 2 kms to go, at the end of the final descent (which was very slippery and dangerous because of the awful weather). Ryder immediately started to work for his captain, who talked briefly with Edvald. When the sprint began, the World champion had no problems in taking the victory ahead of the Norwegian rider of team Sky. Once again, a Tour de France stage ended up with looking like the Nowegian National Championships. And, once again, the Norwegian chronists have had the chance of screaming that they own the cycling world.
As the battle for the stage victory became an all-Norwegian fight, the battle for the GC exploded on the last climb. And guess who started it? Mister Alberto Contador.
The Spaniard attacked three times and the first time Andy Schleck (with a big help from Cancellara) was the one who closed the gap to him. Then the Spaniard's second attack was neutralised by a super Voeckler, whereas the only ones who could resist Conti's last attack were Evans and Samu Sanchez. The trio worked in order to get a decent advantage on the other GC riders, which didn't look that brilliant.
At the beginning of the final descent, los Schlecks and Basso weren't in the first positions of the group and, as a consequence, they lost a lot of time from Evans, Sanchez and Contador. Andy Schleck seemed very uncomfortable on his bike and he had many problems while facing the descent. Frank, on the other hand, was in the same group as Voeckler and Cunego and crossed the finish-line before his brother.
While Monfort was desperately trying to help Andy, Evans crossed the finish-line with an advantage of 21" on Voeckler and Frank Schleck. Contador and Sanchez instead lost 3" from the Aussie. Basso crossed the finish-line 54" after Evans, whereas Andy Schleck crossed it with 1'09" of delay.
DISCUSSION TIME (aka the updated - and improved - part of this post):
So, that was a short resume of what happened this afternoon at the Tour. Now it's discussion. But first, let me explain you the reason behind the title of this post. I wrote a version of this post right after the stage, when I was very angry and, in a certain way, even happy for the outcome of the race. But then I watched the stage again because, after dinner, I still couldn't realise what had happened on that last stupid climb. Therefore I watched the last 20 kms of the stage once again, trying to let Logic rule over Fangirl. After all, when I saw the stage live I was blinded also by Fangirlism, which wanted Andy to attack and drop everyone else... Luckily, watching the stage once again was the right thing to do. After doing that, in fact, I realised that some of the critics that I had made to the brothers were unfair and that they were just the products of a particularly bitchy moment of mine. However, I'm not going to deny that I loved Contador's attacks on that climb :P
In that first post of mine, I wrote: 'I'm having a tough time writing this post. On the one hand, I'm very disappointed by the result of the Schleck brothers (and of Andy in particular), but I'd like to defend them anyway. After all, they don't like the rain, the final descent was slippery, yesterday there was the rest day, today's stage was very particular because it was short and because there was this climb on which, according to many people, nothing would have happened. These could be some excuses - but still, let's remind ourselves that the rain, the slippery descent, the final climb and the rest day were the same for everyone.
DISCUSSION TIME (aka the updated - and improved - part of this post):
So, that was a short resume of what happened this afternoon at the Tour. Now it's discussion. But first, let me explain you the reason behind the title of this post. I wrote a version of this post right after the stage, when I was very angry and, in a certain way, even happy for the outcome of the race. But then I watched the stage again because, after dinner, I still couldn't realise what had happened on that last stupid climb. Therefore I watched the last 20 kms of the stage once again, trying to let Logic rule over Fangirl. After all, when I saw the stage live I was blinded also by Fangirlism, which wanted Andy to attack and drop everyone else... Luckily, watching the stage once again was the right thing to do. After doing that, in fact, I realised that some of the critics that I had made to the brothers were unfair and that they were just the products of a particularly bitchy moment of mine. However, I'm not going to deny that I loved Contador's attacks on that climb :P
In that first post of mine, I wrote: 'I'm having a tough time writing this post. On the one hand, I'm very disappointed by the result of the Schleck brothers (and of Andy in particular), but I'd like to defend them anyway. After all, they don't like the rain, the final descent was slippery, yesterday there was the rest day, today's stage was very particular because it was short and because there was this climb on which, according to many people, nothing would have happened. These could be some excuses - but still, let's remind ourselves that the rain, the slippery descent, the final climb and the rest day were the same for everyone.
Really, my mind is overwhelmed with feelings right now. If, on the one hand, I don't want to be too harsh with the brothers because they're human beings too, on the other hand it's true that I'm very angry and that, actually, I'm almost happy to see how things have gone. In fact, as a cycling supporter, I'm really happy for having finally seen a true champion like Contador attacking, an intelligent guy like Evans following him, a rider full of grit like Voeckler doing his best, and a cunning boy like Sanchez trying to take advantage from the fact that he's been very underestimated so far. Finally, some thrills coming from the race, and not from crashes and things like that.
As well as that, I'm 'happy' also because this afternoon I understood that, after all, I wasn't wrong when I criticised the Schleck brothers for not attacking. 'One should attack Contador as long as he isn't in good shape', I have often said in the last days. But still, LT guys kept on saying that there was still a lot of time to attack in this Tour. Now, as a reward for their strategy, they had the following thing: Contador is back in shape and in the next days he'll create problems to everyone'.
I'm not going to change or exclude that part of my post because, after all, it is true that I felt that way right after the end of the stage. I felt as I had taken my revenge on those people who hadn't listened to all the critics of the last days but, at the same time, I felt sorry for the brothers. Actually, I had forgotten to mention that at the time I was also relieved because, luckily, on Tuesdays my uncle and my father work until 7 pm, so they didn't have the chance of shouting at me right after the stage.
As far as my post-stage critics to the brothers are concerned, in the first version of this post I had written: 'First thing to say, Baby Schleck could have taken turns at the front with Contador, when he found himself at the head of the peloton, alone with him. In that moment, in fact, the two riders had a little gap on Voeckler and Evans and, by helping Conti, Andy could have managed to gain more time on his adversaries and to bluff in a great way, pretending to be in a better shape than he actually was. But, unfortunately, our boy decided to stay glued to Contador's wheel without helping him - and, right now, I'd like to know why he behaved in that way. Did he do it because Frank was behind him? Well, let me say one thing: if you always want to stay with your brother, buy yourself a tandem. Instead, if our boy was already 'a bloc' there, I think we should seriously start worrying'.
Actually, after watching the stage again I've realised that Andy didn't help Contador because, after all, their gap on their adversaries wasn't that big. Moreover, I realised a very weird thing: Andy looked ok until, with some kms to the top of the climb, he suddenly stopped pulling at the head of the peloton in order to ride to the opposite side of the road while looking backwards. That's when Contador attacked, that's when the final gap was created. A few seconds later, Andy went at the bottom of the yellow jersey group, but then he went back at the front of it, pulling in order to join Evans, Samu Sanchez and Conti. As long as Andy pulled, the trio had a little delay (20") from the trio. But then, when Andy stopped pulling and he left that task to Frank, things got worse. And, at the top of the climb, the brothers' delay from the magic trio at the front was 30". Now the questions are: what happened when Andy turned his head? And why did he suddenly slow down in such an evident way?
Well, unfortunately I don't have any answer to these questions. Did OGL have a bonk? Right now, that seems the only possible explanation to me. Especially because, after all, we saw a guy like Taaramae almost bridging up to the trio at the front with just one strong attack. Rein is a good rider, that's for sure, but the brothers should be better than him... Or, perhaps, Andy stopped riding full gas because he saw that Frank wasn't with him. If things really went that way, well, I can't help but repeating the 'tandem' bit of my original post :P
Another critic that I originally made to the brother is the following: 'I didn't like the fact that Andy (once again) asked the other riders to help him in his Contador chase. This afternoon, the one who was interested in not being delayed by Conti was Andy, and not Cunego or Danielson or Jeanesson!' I watched the stage again and I think that, if Andy really was on the verge of a bonk, his move is perfectly justifiable.
Another critic of mine instead regarded LT's team, 'which this afternoon didn't look that strong'. Even now that I've calmed down, I agree with what I had written. LT's lack of strength was also a consequence of Fuglsang's health problems but, imo, a Tour team shouldn't rely just on one helper.
I've also informed myself about the moment when LT guys eventually decided to talk to the press. Although Italian tv didn't manage to talk with anyone from the team until 6 pm, Danish guys were much luckier and they could talk to Andy immediately after the finish-line. Therefore, forget that original bit of mine about LT not talking to the press.
So far, perhaps this renewed post doesn't sound harsh at all on the brothers. But still, I have some critics about what they said after the stage.
First of all, I suggest you paying attention at the following sentence by Andy: 'Plateau de Beille didn't allow me to make any difference because it isn't a difficult climb'. OGL said this on Saturday, after facing a 15 kms long climb which is 8% steep. Considering that this afternoon he lost 30" from Contador on a 9 kms long climb, which is 5% steep, I can state that that sentence has just managed to make Andy look like a complete idiot.
Talking about the team website, instead, at first I had written: 'Once again, LT website did his best to justify los Schlecks. “We were a bit surprised that Contador went on the climb. We didn’t count out the possibility, of course. We know that he is a rider that attacks when he has good legs, but we had anticipated he would wait for the Alps". Surprised or, better, completely shocked: that's how the brothers looked like after Conti's attack. Luckily for cycling lovers, Alberto does attack when he feels good, and not just when a stage looks hard on paper. And then, if the brothers had't ruled out this possibility, how come that they weren't in the first positions of the peloton when Conti attacked?'
After looking back at the stage, I agree with the bit about Contador's skill of attacking whenever he has the chance. After all, I think we must be grateful to Contador for brightening up this Tour - after 14 stages, it was high time!
As far as the positions in the peloton is concerned, I think that the brothers should learn to race right behind their helpers. This afternoon instead O'Grady, Monfort, Cancellara and Posthuma (where were the other guys?) were behind BMC's riders, whereas the brothers were all alone, on the opposite side of the group.
As far as the brothers' shock in front of Conti's attack is concerned, I must admit that the most shocked one seemed Frank. Andy, instead, reacted very well. Or, at least, tht's what he did at first.
Another thing that I had previously written was: 'By reading LT's website, one gets the feeling that the brothers didn't do well because of the rain and of the final descent. Now, don't the LT guys look at the weather forecasts before the beginning of a stage? Didn't they know that there was a difficult descent at the end of today's stage and that, considering the weaknesses of the brothers, it would have been good to gave a guy like Cancellara (or Voigt or whoever else) in a breakaway? And didn't they know that the brothers had to do everything they could to tackle the descent in the first positions of the peloton?'
In this case I still agree with what I've said, since I haven't found any reference to LT riders trying to make it into the early breakaway du jour. And as far as my last question is concerned, I still agree with it. But still, I can't understand why Andy rode so badly downhill. Frank, who is usually worse than him, rode much better this afternoon!
Here's another one of my previous critics: ' "Contador knows all too well that the Schlecks don’t perform at their best in the cold and rainy conditions.It’s all part of the game - knowing your opponents and knowing their weaknesses. He knows the conditions today, coupled with the dangerous descent, were not our strong point”, Frank continued in the LT article. Since this is part of the game, and since everyone could have guessed that Conti wasn't at his best at the beginning of the Tour, why didn't YOU take advantage of his weaknesses? Seriously, this is getting ridicolous. If someone like me (who is not a cycling expert) had understood that Contador would have been in a good shape this week, that the brothers had lost too many chances in the last days and that today's stage could have been a threat to the GC, I wonder why LT's ds (who get paid for analysing races and predicting the eventual outcome of a race) didn't'. Well, sorry but here I still agree with myself (yes, I know, while reading this post you're thinking that I have a double personality ;)
Anyway, although this renewed post looks much more cold-blooded than my last one, I must say that I have a last critic to make to the Schleck brothers - a critic which didn't appear in the original post. In it in fact I had written: 'I realise I've been very harsh (and chaotic) in this post but, to use Natasha's words, 'emotions are high right now'. However, I'm not the only one who's being harsh on the Schlecks right now. In fact, I've taken a look at Cyclingnews' forum and I've read some disrespectful things about los Schlecks. In particular, it seems that Andy has recently talked to Danish tv and said: "Is this what people want to see, a Tour being decided by a descent and not by a climb? The riders have families at home!' According to another poster on that same forum, shortly afterwards Rolf Sorensen (who was standing in the rain, holding an umbrella) commented: 'Right now, I feel just like Andy Schleck: I don't want to do this anymore when it rains!' - So brilliant!'
Well, I can understand that Andy was probably annoyed, cold, scared and whatever else after the stage, but one should be careful with words even in such delicate moments. Especially because some could say that supporters prefer watching riders losing time on descents than losing time because of crashes. Moreover, if we have to be honest, Andy lost 30" on the climb, and other 39" in the descent. So, he didn't lose time just because of the downhill road. However, I know that 'the words lesson' is very difficul learn - actually, I've had a proof of that this afternoon, when I wrote the original version of this post. Andy, that's something we can learn together ;)
I'm not going to change or exclude that part of my post because, after all, it is true that I felt that way right after the end of the stage. I felt as I had taken my revenge on those people who hadn't listened to all the critics of the last days but, at the same time, I felt sorry for the brothers. Actually, I had forgotten to mention that at the time I was also relieved because, luckily, on Tuesdays my uncle and my father work until 7 pm, so they didn't have the chance of shouting at me right after the stage.
As far as my post-stage critics to the brothers are concerned, in the first version of this post I had written: 'First thing to say, Baby Schleck could have taken turns at the front with Contador, when he found himself at the head of the peloton, alone with him. In that moment, in fact, the two riders had a little gap on Voeckler and Evans and, by helping Conti, Andy could have managed to gain more time on his adversaries and to bluff in a great way, pretending to be in a better shape than he actually was. But, unfortunately, our boy decided to stay glued to Contador's wheel without helping him - and, right now, I'd like to know why he behaved in that way. Did he do it because Frank was behind him? Well, let me say one thing: if you always want to stay with your brother, buy yourself a tandem. Instead, if our boy was already 'a bloc' there, I think we should seriously start worrying'.
Actually, after watching the stage again I've realised that Andy didn't help Contador because, after all, their gap on their adversaries wasn't that big. Moreover, I realised a very weird thing: Andy looked ok until, with some kms to the top of the climb, he suddenly stopped pulling at the head of the peloton in order to ride to the opposite side of the road while looking backwards. That's when Contador attacked, that's when the final gap was created. A few seconds later, Andy went at the bottom of the yellow jersey group, but then he went back at the front of it, pulling in order to join Evans, Samu Sanchez and Conti. As long as Andy pulled, the trio had a little delay (20") from the trio. But then, when Andy stopped pulling and he left that task to Frank, things got worse. And, at the top of the climb, the brothers' delay from the magic trio at the front was 30". Now the questions are: what happened when Andy turned his head? And why did he suddenly slow down in such an evident way?
Well, unfortunately I don't have any answer to these questions. Did OGL have a bonk? Right now, that seems the only possible explanation to me. Especially because, after all, we saw a guy like Taaramae almost bridging up to the trio at the front with just one strong attack. Rein is a good rider, that's for sure, but the brothers should be better than him... Or, perhaps, Andy stopped riding full gas because he saw that Frank wasn't with him. If things really went that way, well, I can't help but repeating the 'tandem' bit of my original post :P
Another critic that I originally made to the brother is the following: 'I didn't like the fact that Andy (once again) asked the other riders to help him in his Contador chase. This afternoon, the one who was interested in not being delayed by Conti was Andy, and not Cunego or Danielson or Jeanesson!' I watched the stage again and I think that, if Andy really was on the verge of a bonk, his move is perfectly justifiable.
Another critic of mine instead regarded LT's team, 'which this afternoon didn't look that strong'. Even now that I've calmed down, I agree with what I had written. LT's lack of strength was also a consequence of Fuglsang's health problems but, imo, a Tour team shouldn't rely just on one helper.
I've also informed myself about the moment when LT guys eventually decided to talk to the press. Although Italian tv didn't manage to talk with anyone from the team until 6 pm, Danish guys were much luckier and they could talk to Andy immediately after the finish-line. Therefore, forget that original bit of mine about LT not talking to the press.
So far, perhaps this renewed post doesn't sound harsh at all on the brothers. But still, I have some critics about what they said after the stage.
First of all, I suggest you paying attention at the following sentence by Andy: 'Plateau de Beille didn't allow me to make any difference because it isn't a difficult climb'. OGL said this on Saturday, after facing a 15 kms long climb which is 8% steep. Considering that this afternoon he lost 30" from Contador on a 9 kms long climb, which is 5% steep, I can state that that sentence has just managed to make Andy look like a complete idiot.
Talking about the team website, instead, at first I had written: 'Once again, LT website did his best to justify los Schlecks. “We were a bit surprised that Contador went on the climb. We didn’t count out the possibility, of course. We know that he is a rider that attacks when he has good legs, but we had anticipated he would wait for the Alps". Surprised or, better, completely shocked: that's how the brothers looked like after Conti's attack. Luckily for cycling lovers, Alberto does attack when he feels good, and not just when a stage looks hard on paper. And then, if the brothers had't ruled out this possibility, how come that they weren't in the first positions of the peloton when Conti attacked?'
After looking back at the stage, I agree with the bit about Contador's skill of attacking whenever he has the chance. After all, I think we must be grateful to Contador for brightening up this Tour - after 14 stages, it was high time!
As far as the positions in the peloton is concerned, I think that the brothers should learn to race right behind their helpers. This afternoon instead O'Grady, Monfort, Cancellara and Posthuma (where were the other guys?) were behind BMC's riders, whereas the brothers were all alone, on the opposite side of the group.
As far as the brothers' shock in front of Conti's attack is concerned, I must admit that the most shocked one seemed Frank. Andy, instead, reacted very well. Or, at least, tht's what he did at first.
Another thing that I had previously written was: 'By reading LT's website, one gets the feeling that the brothers didn't do well because of the rain and of the final descent. Now, don't the LT guys look at the weather forecasts before the beginning of a stage? Didn't they know that there was a difficult descent at the end of today's stage and that, considering the weaknesses of the brothers, it would have been good to gave a guy like Cancellara (or Voigt or whoever else) in a breakaway? And didn't they know that the brothers had to do everything they could to tackle the descent in the first positions of the peloton?'
In this case I still agree with what I've said, since I haven't found any reference to LT riders trying to make it into the early breakaway du jour. And as far as my last question is concerned, I still agree with it. But still, I can't understand why Andy rode so badly downhill. Frank, who is usually worse than him, rode much better this afternoon!
Here's another one of my previous critics: ' "Contador knows all too well that the Schlecks don’t perform at their best in the cold and rainy conditions.It’s all part of the game - knowing your opponents and knowing their weaknesses. He knows the conditions today, coupled with the dangerous descent, were not our strong point”, Frank continued in the LT article. Since this is part of the game, and since everyone could have guessed that Conti wasn't at his best at the beginning of the Tour, why didn't YOU take advantage of his weaknesses? Seriously, this is getting ridicolous. If someone like me (who is not a cycling expert) had understood that Contador would have been in a good shape this week, that the brothers had lost too many chances in the last days and that today's stage could have been a threat to the GC, I wonder why LT's ds (who get paid for analysing races and predicting the eventual outcome of a race) didn't'. Well, sorry but here I still agree with myself (yes, I know, while reading this post you're thinking that I have a double personality ;)
Anyway, although this renewed post looks much more cold-blooded than my last one, I must say that I have a last critic to make to the Schleck brothers - a critic which didn't appear in the original post. In it in fact I had written: 'I realise I've been very harsh (and chaotic) in this post but, to use Natasha's words, 'emotions are high right now'. However, I'm not the only one who's being harsh on the Schlecks right now. In fact, I've taken a look at Cyclingnews' forum and I've read some disrespectful things about los Schlecks. In particular, it seems that Andy has recently talked to Danish tv and said: "Is this what people want to see, a Tour being decided by a descent and not by a climb? The riders have families at home!' According to another poster on that same forum, shortly afterwards Rolf Sorensen (who was standing in the rain, holding an umbrella) commented: 'Right now, I feel just like Andy Schleck: I don't want to do this anymore when it rains!' - So brilliant!'
Well, I can understand that Andy was probably annoyed, cold, scared and whatever else after the stage, but one should be careful with words even in such delicate moments. Especially because some could say that supporters prefer watching riders losing time on descents than losing time because of crashes. Moreover, if we have to be honest, Andy lost 30" on the climb, and other 39" in the descent. So, he didn't lose time just because of the downhill road. However, I know that 'the words lesson' is very difficul learn - actually, I've had a proof of that this afternoon, when I wrote the original version of this post. Andy, that's something we can learn together ;)
So, this were my two takes on today's stage. Sorry if this post looks very confused, but I'm a honest girl and, when I'm too harsh on someone, I can recognise it. To read the original post, read the parts written with a different colour. To read the revisited one, read the white parts. Sorry for the mess, once again.
Luckily, tomorrow is another day and, hopefully, the brothers will feel better. Btw, look out for the last descent: it is really, really tricky.
I should have visited the Tour tomorrow, but unfortunately some health problems of a familiar will prevent me from visiting the race.
Luckily, tomorrow is another day and, hopefully, the brothers will feel better. Btw, look out for the last descent: it is really, really tricky.
I should have visited the Tour tomorrow, but unfortunately some health problems of a familiar will prevent me from visiting the race.
Anyway. Schleck supporters of the whole world, let's rememember something positive: when the Tour hit Italy in 2008, Frankie got the yellow jersey ahead of Evans. And when it hit Italy in 2009, on the following day Frankie won a stage. Seriously, that boy should come racing in Italy much more often.
That's all from me for the moment - once again, please forgive me for the chaos I've made with this post. Simply, when I'm angry I just turn off my brain and open up my mouth. Not a good combination :P
That's all from me for the moment - once again, please forgive me for the chaos I've made with this post. Simply, when I'm angry I just turn off my brain and open up my mouth. Not a good combination :P
PS: A very kind reader, Kat, has left some very interesting comments and links in the comment area of the following post of mine: http://fede-myblog92.blogspot.com/2010/11/picspam-time-wonderful-pictures-of.html . Check them out!
Today I m too confused ‘coz of the race and ’coz of many others thighs…so I decided to take a few time to pounder my worlds waiting for a more relaxed mood to calm me down! But I must underline some few things:
RispondiElimina-I m sad not ‘coz of Andy’s bad shape …I m sad ‘coz I realized I got often angry hearing about some severe comments made around the Schleck…simply ‘coz they were right and I refused to accept them ‘coz I liked – and I still like the Schleck- too much…But now-u can see how much confused I am-.I love the Schleck but sometime I wonder if they fully love their job…I mean… with good things and worst ones: u have the duty to come out from the luxurious bus ant to talk with people…they seem to live in their little and familiar word…but this story is getting annoying: andy, since that famous 2007 when he became famous thanks to the giro, repeats not to care about pressures…when he got annoyed by people around he retired in his garden fishing and everything’s ok. the gap between not to care about pressures and not to show respect to the ones who are there just to carry out a duty like journalists do….is not that far . sometimes he seems not to care about us fans! I m really pissed off ‘coz I love Andy…I mean I love the personality, not behaving like this, he could became in cycling annuals: he has got charm, he attracts people in and out cyclingdome: I mean…look at how many documentary have been done before the tour started this year…
Today my poor eyes were forced to see on TV the poor Cancellara coming out the buss and starting complaining about streets and descents…no guys, it was not the right time to do! It s kinda like they are trying to build up a LT-word where things are not how they really are: I do not like it ‘coz it turns against one of cycling deepest features cycling, as life, is pure…it does not lays…sometimes it’s damned spiteful…sometimes incredibly generous. You must accept. Then those luxurious buses are getting annoying too if used like that: to hide from people!!
Really...once again I can’ t defend them! sorry…
Just a technical observation: Beppe Conti, Italian journalist, today said “ Schleck bros.. strong but really tactically unwary today one again”….can I say what!! They do not race for a entire year long!!! how could they be used to understand the race in a short time and to react !! Andy should race !race !race ! also to get use to manage a team as a captain. I got surprised when in a recent interview , to the question “ Can you see Andy as a leader?” Basso answered, but kindly…he likes him, “no I cannot” …
To let us know about this interview ad discuss it I’ll translate here some question\answer:
JOUR: “ how does he live his job?”
IB:” He alternates some different periods. When he really cares about an objective, he is really determined. in some others periods he kinda lives in his own word, he talks to the phone with friends, thinks about fishing. He’s still young, but when I was his age I was older…”
J:” Does he know how to train well?”
IB:”(…) I can remember that he was able to do everything easily even training without making a big effort. He doesn’t like specific works. When he understood to can win the tour, he began to enjoy also SRM”
J:” Ca you see him like the leader of his team?”
IB:” No, I can ride fast so the teammates follow him. (…)”.
Let’s talk, girls!!! But I sill have faith!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I probably did some mistakes in English, sorry!
Claudia
ahah!!! I wrote my comment before reading your second-mixed post!!I did the same:I saw the race once again !I still have my opinion about Fabian's post stage-comment...and I m still worried 'coz of LT sometimes surreal atmosphere but I must calm down if as u said Andy talked with journalists...but I still have my opinion about his desire, sometimes, to hide himself in "his way " as Basso said...but maybe we should just accept this aspect of his personality ( but pleas Andy...I can accept u as u are..but please let us enjoy your attacks climbing:) )....then this time brotherhood did not influenced th race I guess -and this is a positive aspect!!-!! about the Andy's sudden shift in the back of the little group...also on italian TV they made some observation around...but why LT did not say anything about???I guess Andy's health conditions were not that good...and it would explain also LT's attempt to move attention on some other problems like streets exc..if it was a technical problem they would have told abot...as Basso did about his broken saddle..
RispondiEliminafinally..about Basso' s interview...not I feel these worlds sounding quiet bad to my ears while a few hours before I kinda agreed!even better: I hope Basso to be wrong!! we have been maybe too harsh with the schleck 'coz I guess this night won't be that nice for them even without our criticals!poor guys;) !!fede we are so impulsive !!but u know what? ya, I just cant prevent myself from cheering for andy even if as "cycling-expert" I must admit that Contador is worthy of attention ..I really like his capability of doing the race!
someone said " quelli come me sono capaci di grandi colloere(...) e di grandi perdoni\ people like me are capable of great anger and great forgiveness" :)
Claudia
Rest day, girlfriends around, for some a new experience?
RispondiEliminaPressure, frustration, anger, and fear unfortunately didn't bring out the best in Andy today. His emotional reaction is understandable, and yet I just want to put a muzzle on him. Oh, Andy. I wish I could find the right mix of words that are comforting, encouraging but firm.
RispondiEliminaI have faith they can redeem themselves in the Alps. A win is possible sure, but I just want to see good racing and no needless complaining. I loathe the mob-mentality hatred of the Schlecks, but criticism such as yours Miss Fede is perfectly valid.
Fede, as soon as I saw Contador, Sanchez, and Evans pull away, with no response from Andy, I knew it was time to turn off the TV. There is only so much I can take of Phil Liggett repeatedly shouting, "Schleck has cracked! Schleck has cracked!" So I went to the city to get away. Luckily, I live in a country where cycling doesn't enjoy as high a profile as it does in Europe.
RispondiEliminaI don't think I will watch the highlights of today's stage. I am airborne in 48 hours, and travelling is quite stressful enough!
I believe you are off to Spain soon? I probably won't be able to access the internet from France, so I wish you a wonderful holiday, and a safe journey there. :)
Don't read Leopard Trek's website from Spain, Fede! Spanish cuisine can be quite spicy, and is upsetting enough on the stomach on its own.
Oh, and not to make light of what happened on today's stage, but I did laugh out loud at your "tandem" bike comment. Hee hee, a very perverse, and silly part of my brain actually wants to see a Tandem de France :P
RispondiEliminaAndy really must learn to control his tongue. Some of the things he has come out with this Tour have been absolutely stupid. It seems like he doesn't want to race in the rain, on narrow roads, on descents. For goodness sakes, what's left? He is overtaking Mark Cavendish as the mouthpiece of the Tour.
RispondiEliminaIn all seriousness, I would like to congratulate Hesjedal, Boassen Hagen and Hushovd for the courage they showed in ripping down that descent. And thank you Sanchez, Evans and Contador for having the desire and willpower to attack the other contenders. True champions all.
I am sorry to say that Andy needs to show more courage, desire and willpower if he wants to be Tour champion.
Brenda
Sadly I have to agree with everything here. I hate to say it but Andy's starting to come across as a bit of a sore loser (although he hasn't actually lost the tour *yet*). A
RispondiEliminaAs a fan what lets me down the most is not the fact they may lose the Tour, but the fact that if this attitude doesn't change they will lose without trying and whining to the verge of petulance. TdF is an agonistic competition, if you want to achieve it, even partake it, show some agonism and competitiveness, we will appreciate the effort regardless the result. I don't want this Tour to be remembered as the one where they didn't do much action exept complaining as p*****s.
RispondiEliminaPlease forgive all this harshness, but I fear watching today's stage.
Francesca
Claudia: I was very confused too after the stage! And it's fun to see that watching the stage twice had the same effect on both of us:
RispondiEliminaat first I was angry, but then I was much more confident and relaxed. Although, unfortunately, I must agree with some of the critics that you made in your first comment.
As far as the press problem is concerned, I don't know when the brothers talked to the Danish journalists - but I know that they didn't talk to the other journalists at least until 5.30 pm (that's when I switched off my tv). Considering that the stage ended at 4.50, and that Basso talked with journalists at about 5.15 although the day hadn't been good for him, I think that the LT team didn't behave in a very nice way. RAI's De Stefano would have surely interviewed the brothers, if only had she had a little chance of making it. If she didn't make it, it was because the brothers (and the other guys of the team) hid themselves in a superb way.
I hate it when people behave in this way because, if you talk to the press when things go well, you should learn to talk to the press even when you have problems and or when you know you'll have to face critics (of course, I know that the Schlecks aren't the only one with this problem... Also Contador has it!)
As far as Cancellara's words, I laughed at them. If LT sees things in this way, then they should avoid taking part in Milano-Sanremo, in Roubaix and in Tour of Lombardy 'because the riders have families at home' and those races are too dangerous.
My father's comment about that excuse was: 'If los Schlecks see things in this way, then it's good that they never come to the Giro. Otherwise, Cancellara would neutralise every dangerous stage and they would threaten strikes and whine about the parcours on every single day'. Actually, I couldn't help but agree with him.
Basso's words are interesting, thank you for pointing them out! Ivan doesn't like saying negative things about his colleagues, so it's surprising that he said something like that about a friend of his.
I completely agree with you about the fact that Andy (and Frank) should race more. I'd love to see them taking part in Tour of Lombardy in order to win it!
Oh, and I also agree with you about LT's little world. Sometimes I have the feeling that the guys of that team got brainwashed at the beginning of the season!
After today's stage, however, I feel more confident for the Tour of the brothers. A rider can have a bad day, can't he? And tomorrow, let's all be ready to suffer in front of Its Majesty Le Galibier!
PS: Don't worry about your English, it is fine :)
@ Barbara: LOL!! I thought about that explanation too, but I don't think that Johnny allowed Andy to take it too easy on Monday ;)
@ Natasha: Just like all of you, I criticise the brothers because I want the best for them. I try not being too harsh, but I want to be honest and impartial when I write about cycling. I'd love to see a Schleck in yellow in Paris, but I can't avoid criticising them. Actually, I'd love it if they came across the critics that we've all recently made. After all, we criticise these guys because, as cycling fans, we'd love to see them putting on a good show, racing all year long and doing things like that. But, as Schleck supporters, we'd also like them to get good results and, more important, we'd love to help them avoiding some mistakes that can make them become hateful to the eyes of Cycledom. That's why I criticise them. After all, I think that pretending that everything is always fineisn't good. In that way, you just manage to ruin people. By criticising people in a caring way, instead, I think that you can take the best out of them, and help them avoid future mistakes.
@ Figbash: Figgy, we're both about to leave and we'll both be flying in the European sky on Friday, how cool!!
RispondiEliminaThank you very much for the the holiday wish :) I hope you'll have a great time too in France and that you'll be able to see a Schleck in yellow in Paris! If you have that chance, please, go bananas also for me!! Bonne route, my dear :)
Ahah, I don't think I'll follow LT website while I'm in Spain. I'll try to watch the Grenoble TT, but after that the Tour will be over for me.
And as far as Spanish cuisine is concerned, well, one good thing about being Italian is that you can find a restaurant cooking the traditional dishes of your homeland whenever you go!!
This Tour is getting really stressful! This afternoon I risked a heart attack in the last kms and I'm sure I'll be very stressed in 24 hours time! I prepared my suitcase this afternoon, while watching the stage, so that I'll be able to suffer properly tomorrow ;)
LOL at the LT website comment!
A Tandem de France? Well, I think the brothers would have no problems in winning it in front of the couple Sanchez/Contador!
@ Brenda: As usual, I agree with everything you said :)
The brothers really risk to become known as 'the p***ies of Cycledom' and this is really annoying. If they don't want narrow descents, wet roads and things like that, they should take part just in Paris-Tours. Too bad that, given their sprint skills, they'd never win it.
Yesterday afternoon I had the temptation of making a picspam post: Under the name 'CHAMPIONS', I would have posted pics of Hushovd, Contador, Evans and Sanchez. Under 'LOSERS', well, I would have put the brothers. Seriously, I was so angry! But still, I try being 'construnctive' in my critics and doing a thing like that would have been just bitchy and depressing.
The brothers tomorrow will have their chance to shine. Hopefully, they'll show that they're good at attacking, and not just at talking and at turning their heads.
@ A: Hopefully the brothers will have a super day tomorrow and they'll manage to win this Tour.
Come on girls, tomorrow at 3 pm (French time) I want you all on your sofas, ready to cheer for the brothers and singing the 'Eisen Andy' song (the Luxembourgian anthem and the 'Allez Andy' songs are accepted too). Come on girls, let's prove our supporting choruses: (*singing*) Allez Andy, allez Andy, allez Andy...
@ Francesca: I completely agree with you. Luckily today's stage wasn't that bad (if you haven't done it yet, I suggest you not visiting LT website) and, hopefully, tomorrow will be even better. After that, the guys won't have any excuse.
People love watching riders who give it all even if they don't win. On the other hand, riders who win or whine without giving it all aren't warmly welcomed. Hopefully, tomorrow the brothers the brothers will give it all and they'll win at the same time.
I think the brothers will do what we want ;).
RispondiEliminaIt was such a nice surprise to watch them entering the finish line and the look on Alberto's face.
@Fede you really think Johnny was out there watching the hotel-room-door and knocking on it when when he thought it was enough? LOL
When I saw the brothers crossing the finish-line together with Conti, I was so happy that I could have cried. By doing so in fact they managed to avoid post-stage critics and that can just do them good. Moreover, Alberto realised he's not the strongest one - on paper, he and Sanchez (who are both great time trialists and who ride well when the road goes downhill) should have been able to take a gap on the brothers, but instead they didn't :) Well done Schlecks!
RispondiEliminaLOL! That interesting image hadn't crossed my mind as long as I didn't read your comment ;) Poor guys, being so controlled even on the rest day!