Posted on 07/03/2015 2:38:45 PM PDT by Baynative
BTW, what happened to the Schleck brothers this year? Neither one is in the TDF...
Andy retired in 2014 citing a knee injury and plans to open a bike shop and cafe.
Frank had some drug problems in 2012, was suspended, was reduced to 12 months and was racing in 2015.
Don’t know much more about the two. Once you’re off the top the media kinda’ forgets about you.
I will NEVER forgive that a-hole Alberto Contador for denying Andy his rightful win of the 2010 TdF. Andy was awarded the win retroactively *two years later* in 2012 after Contador was found guilty of doping (or was it a banned substance? I can't remember the specifics).
Anyway.. Contador's "illegal actions" robbed Andy of his rightful place on the top podium in Paris, being awarded the Yellow Jersey and hearing his national anthem, etc.
My husband and I have BOOed Contador in the TDF every since.
And now that you've told me Andy has retired, that denied experience for him makes me even more sad. That was Andy's once in a lifetime win of the greatest cycling race ever.
Once you’re off the top the media kinda’ forgets about you.
True...
Paris police open fire on car at Tour de France barricades
“PARIS (AP) — Paris police were searching for a car that struck a taxi and crashed through barricades set up near the Tour de France finish line on Sunday morning, drawing police fire hours before the arrival of the cyclists and spectators. Police said they didn’t suspect terrorism....”
Somebody trying to get a better view for the finish?
If Conti did anything to irk me it was the Chaingate incident on the Tourmalet. There’s no way he didn’t see Andy stop on the side of that climb and know he was having a mechanical.
Besides, given the era that the Schlecks spent most of their time riding, there’s a pretty good chance they may not have had clean hands.
I think Andy was very gracious after Contador was stripped of the yellow. He stated something to the effect of wanting to win on the road and that winning in court did not make him happy. He also mentioned that he battled Contador in that race and he lost.
That spoke volumes about the mans character.
Besides, given the era that the Schlecks spent most of their time riding, there’s a pretty good chance they may not have had clean hands.
See PeteB570's post in #102 re: Frank Schleck.
I think Andy was very gracious after Contador was stripped of the yellow. He stated something to the effect of wanting to win on the road and that winning in court did not make him happy. He also mentioned that he battled Contador in that race and he lost.
That spoke volumes about the mans character.
Wow. Yes it does...
Off topic, but... noticed your screen name. Do you know when the next season of South Park starts on Comedy Central? ;-)
Looking forward to TDF 2016...
I think the new season starts on Sept 16th. Let’s hope it’s a good one. The last few seasons have been a bit stale.
As far as the Frank suspension, I recall it but am pretty sure it was for a diuretic that even the agency who suspended him had said he accidently ingested. His biological passport and hair samples were both clean of any PED’s and around the time that he tested positive, it was in the midst of the whole Armstrong/Bruyneel doping scandal. As a result Bruyneel did not attend the 2012 tour and I’m inclined to believe that due to the scrutiny the team was under, Frank was most likely telling the truth in that instance.
I’m not so sure about the whole $10,000 transfer a few years earlier to a doctor who was busted in the Puerto sting (I think his name was Fuentes). Although Frank was later cleared, it just seems like too much of a smoking gun for me to believe that he was not doping. Although I hate to lump Andy in with his brother, given the closeness of the two in their careers and ambitions, it does not take much of a stretch of the imagination to arrive at the conclusion they were probably doing the same thing.
Finally, while Contator may be an arrogant, unethical schmuck, perhaps his one saving grace is that at least he looks like he belongs on a bike. Chris Froome has an almost unwatchable painful form and if my girl friend had taken a drink every time I shouted “Quit looking at your stem!” over the past three weeks, I would have to check her into the Betty Ford Clinic. It’s like he’s a giant praying mantis that has mistaken a bicycle for a prospective mate.
/froomerant
Oh and Bay, as Nutmeg points out, thanks for all you do each year. Love the ping list.
Cheers.
Thanks from me as well. The whole doping thing is discouraging but the Tour is still an amazing test of athletic toughness and in a beautiful setting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.