SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO
“I’m really disappointed. My stomach is full of anger, and I want to take my revenge … I will take my revenge in the coming days.”– Andy Schleck after losing the yellow jersey on stage 15.
“I didn’t know anything about the problems with Andy Schleck, but when I realized it I was already ahead of him. The only things that I saw was that he was beginning to attack and then he slowed down. I didn’t realize that he had a problem with the bike.” – Alberto Contador after the stage.
A lot of talking is going on after Alberto Contador’s decision to attack at the end of the final climb yesterday while Andy Schleck was struggling with his chain. After so much hard work from Andy and his team mates, losing the yellow jersey to an unlucky mechanical failure and an attack of strange character has without a doubt left a bit of bad taste in many people’s mouths.
The question is whether Contador should have waited for Schleck, or whether he was right to continue racing?
The recent precedents for waiting are well known: In 2003, Ullrich and the lead group appeared to wait for Armstrong when he crashed on the climb to Luz Ardiden.
And most recently, Fabian Cancellara neutralized the peloton following a massive crash on Stage 2 of this years Tour de France, which allowed dozens of riders – including Andy Schleck – to rejoin the peloton.
The argument made for waiting is that the riders want the Tour de France to be decided by strength and strategy, not accidents. Did Contador realized what had happened to Andy, as well as the question of whether or not the other riders would have stopped and waited with Contador since the race for the summit was really on at that point.
If Andy can take the jersey back before the final rest day on Wednesday, he will have just one more day of climbing to defend it before the time trial on Saturday, where its almost certain that Contador will finish ahead of Andy.
www.andyschleck.com – Photo: TDWsport.com
Totally unfair from contador. How could he say that he didn’t see what happened to shIeck… He clearly accelerated just after. I tought he was a great champion, the reality always shows the truth. Some will say that shleck didn’t wait contador on the “pavés” but it wasn’t the same type of course.
I remember few years ago, amstrong fell on the floor and beloki, basso and pantani wainting for him… Amstrong won the etape.
You can’t blame, Contador to react on Schleck’s attack, you can also not blame, Contador, Sánchez, Menchov for not stopping. The damage is not that big for Schleck, he would’ve lost in the time trail with the 31 seconds lead so it doesn’t really matter. Finally the one that is favourite to win the Tour is wearing the yellow jersey.
You cant always wait for people in a race. because its just that: A RACE
There’s a big difference in ‘waiting’ and ‘not attacking’ – contador out
guys, C’est le Tour! C’est la vie!
I’m sure Schleck will get the jersey back.
Get out of here Conta! You have just awakened a sleeping bear! Andy will unleash hell tomorrow and at Col du Tourmalet.