Abandonandy's 2013 Tour buildup

[MichaelB]

Well, it appears that when he finished his first event for some time (312 days), GP Camaiore at the end of Feb, it appeared that the start of 2013 was heading in the right direction.

The failure to finish his 1st two events was pathetic (yes I'm an expert ), but whilst he finished 91st of 105 some 5:30 down on the winner at GP Camaiore , at least he finnished.

Tirreno was then crucial. Dropped in the TTT and coming in almost a minute behind his team, signs were ominous. Some wet and long days ensued, and whilst Andy finished the stages, albeit behind sprinters (Matty Goss was further up the leader board than him after some big climbs), Abandonandy returned to normal status where he abandoned with less than 50km pedalled in the 6th stage.

So, 75% abandon rate for 2013. Can it get better ?

As team bosses for RSN, you'd think they'd be a bit worried ......

[twizzle]

Lack of "juice".

[MichaelB]

Lacking something for sure ...

Motivation, care ....

radioshack just posted this in their PR for today's stage.

"While great numbers of riders dropped out today, RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK is only concerned about one rider. Guercilena continued in regards to Andy Schleck: “We were sad to see Andy abandon. He has been improving a lot but in these conditions, he wasn’t able to follow today. His condition is coming up but on a physically demanding day like today, it just wasn’t enough. We think he still suffers psychologically from last year’s crash. We hope he continues to work through this and that it passes soon. This is the most important thing. We want our Andy back. We think he can benefit from working with someone in the effort to help him find his old self. This is important to all of us.”

[jamesn184]

He needs to mature a little bit more and someone needs to give him some "hard love treatment"

[MichaelB]

He needs to mature a little bit more and someone needs to give him some "hard love treatment"

What he needs is to take a leaf out of Taylor Phinneys book and "dig into that suitcase of courage" and keep riding. Taylor rode the last 120km of the stage solo but finish outside of the time cut.

A good example of what can be done !!

[find_bruce]

He needs to mature a little bit more and someone needs to give him some "hard love treatment"

What he needs is to take a leaf out of Taylor Phinneys book and "dig into that suitcase of courage" and keep riding. Taylor rode the last 120km of the stage solo but finish outside of the time cut.

A good example of what can be done !!

Yeah, but then he wouldn't be the Abandonandy that we know & love ... to take the mickey out of

[MichaelB]

Whilst not a DNF, it was a DNS for the GP Nobili Rubinetterie. Was originally on the start list, but a late chnage saw to that.

So far, 3 x DNF, 1 92nd (AT) 5:30, and a DNS (some scurrilous rumours re drinking the night before).

Next race is the 2 day Criterium Internationale - Can he make 2 days in a row

[Pravda]

I'm no fan of Andy but from what I hear he's got the fear after that really bad crash last year. I've never (touch wood) crashed that bad but even the minor stacks leave you a bit shaken. Hopefully he can get his mojo back and shake up the tour.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[find_bruce]

It seems cyclingnews have so little faith in Abandonandy's ability to complete an event that they have taken to leaving him off the results for the Critérium International, but they love team mate Androni Giocattoli. In a truely remarkable performance on Stage 1 Giocattoli is reported to have finished 13th, 30th and 53rd and then backed up in the stage 2 time trial with 5th, 8th, and 71st.

I truely sucked today - I was so bad I even got beaten by Andy Schleck! In a time trial! Unfreaking believable. The only thing saving me from complete disgrace is that they left his name off the results. Now if you will excuse me I am off to the room of mirrors.

[MichaelB]

It seems cyclingnews have so little faith in Abandonandy's ability to complete an event that they have taken to leaving him off the results for the Critérium International, but they love team mate Androni Giocattoli. In a truely remarkable performance on Stage 1 Giocattoli is reported to have finished 13th, 30th and 53rd and then backed up in the stage 2 time trial with 5th, 8th, and 71st.

I truely sucked today - I was so bad I even got beaten by Andy Schleck! In a time trial! Unfreaking believable. The only thing saving me from complete disgrace is that they left his name off the results. Now if you will excuse me I am off to the room of mirrors.

He is on the GC list.

He might still not finish, there is a stage to go.

On a bigger issue front is Cadel.

Started albaze at Oman, and then it's downhill from there. Hope he can do better, and actually, I believe that he can, wheras Abandonandy .....


It will be interesting to see what the 3rd stage results reveal.

[MichaelB]

He finished

Miles down, but at least he finished .....

[find_bruce]

We were very disappointed with Abandonandy, to show our support for him, we all decided to abandon the race before it got too hard. Then the cheeky sod went and finished the race, just inside the time limit as well.

You are right about Cadel's year. From champion last year to 14 minutes off the pace, he has a lot of ground to make up before July.

[jcjordan]

He finished

Miles down, but at least he finished .....

Crashed in the TT which explains alot

[MichaelB]

He finished

Miles down, but at least he finished .....

Crashed in the TT which explains alot

Did he crash in the CI TT ? Or are you referring the last years DL ?

[twizzle]

We were very disappointed with Abandonandy, to show our support for him, we all decided to abandon the race before it got too hard. Then the cheeky sod went and finished the race, just inside the time limit as well.

You are right about Cadel's year. From champion last year to 14 minutes off the pace, he has a lot of ground to make up before July.

Dunno what virus he caught - but I sure as hell don't want it!

[jcjordan]

He finished

Miles down, but at least he finished .....

Crashed in the TT which explains alot

Did he crash in the CI TT ? Or are you referring the last years DL ?

This year. Scun a barrier which in a 2km TT is going to cost you.

Mind you he does not seem to be performing as you would expect from a favorite at this years TDF

[MichaelB]

Almost missed it, but yet another stage race start and another DNF.

Made it to Stage 5 on Vuelta Ciclista Al Pais Vasco (where he got 80th, 90th, 60th and 128th on the previous 4 stages).

Mind you, Abandonandy wasn't alone in not finishing the 5th Stage, but flippin heck ....

6 starts and 5 non finishes now ......

[jcjordan]

I have never been the greatest fan of either of the brothers but I am beginning to feel sorry for Andy.

He has had a hard comeback from his injury and it has just exasperated all his weak points.

With Radio Shack likely to fold at the end of the year it is very unlikely that either of the boys will find a team willing to take them on for anything other than a basic salary. This would make them both even more pissy.

I doubt either will be riding next year.

[MichaelB]

He's scheduled to start in Amstel Gold tonight, but whilst making +ve statements, is also hinting that it takes a while to come back ...

“Slowly, I am making progress,” he told the Luxembourg newspaper Le Quotidien. "I think I'm back on the right track. I don't know when I'll be back in good form. Maybe this year, maybe next year. I realize now that it was impossible to go from scratch to a high level, and that in just six months."

So, will he finish, and IF he does, will he be within cooee of the front ?

[Chuck]

I'd like to see Andy win the Tour just to read Michael's reaction

[Baldy]

Abandoned with about 60km to go at Amstel.

Giddy up

[drubie]

Pathetic even for him. Maybe foosball is calling.

[MichaelB]

I'd like to see Andy win the Tour just to read Michael's reaction

I don't think the odds can get any more tempting ...

Abandoned with about 60km to go at Amstel.

Giddy up

YHGTBFKM

And it was even warm !!!! No rain !!!!

This has become even more of a joke than even I could have imagined.

Apparently involved in a crash, but not badly hurt. Then again, so was Gilbert and he came 4th.


So that makes it 7 starts and 6 non finishes.

[MichaelB]

He FINISHED !!!!!! Fleche Wallone that is.

Down in 86th some 4:36 down, but he finished !!!

8 starts and 6 non finishes. The ratio is getting better ....

[find_bruce]

Dear Michael,

thank you for your support and words of encouragement. "to finish first, first you must finish" are inspirational words to live by and I am thinking of having them tattooed on the back of my hand so I can see them and think of you always.

Kind regards, your friend

Andy