The names on this Long List are:
That's 14, and of course just 9 will be sent, which gives them a bit of flexibility to check on form, injury, behaviour etc.in the next few weeks.
I am sure that we are all really, really relieved to see that Mr Bruyneel has included both Andy and Frankie in the pre-selection: can you imagine the uproar if he didn't? He's already being criticised (*sniggers quietly in the background*) (oh, I'm so childish at times) for not including Chris Horner, a stalwart Shack rider, on the grounds that he's been suffering from a back injury, so I can imagine how much he would be criticised for leaving out the Schlecks.
So far, Fabian is the only one with a guaranteed place, so that leaves 8 places for 13 of them.
It will be interesting to see, over the next few weeks, who is dropped and who is confirmed: and clearly all Schlecklanders are expected to cross their fingers for the Leopards in the selection - not that we are biased oh no! (chorus of "Oh, Yes, We, Are!" from the crew of the SS Schleckland.)
Meanwhile the Tour de Suisse continues: I missed the beginning of it, as I was away on a course this weekend, and only had a short time on Sunday night to see LLB and catch up with some of the footage. I'm looking forward to eventually seeing yesterday's footage - Monday - as the peloton was apparently caught by a level crossing, when the barriers came down after the breakaway, but before the main peloton arrived. I am sooo looking forward to seeing that: do they line up neatly? Do they sneak up the sides to try to get at the front ready for when the barriers rise? Do any of them try sneaking around the barriers? And, for that matter, when the barriers came down, how far away were they? Did anyone try a dangerous weave around the barriers, or did the commissaire's car block them from doing so?
The news report said that Orica GreenEdge and Movistar "managed to get most of their riders through before the barriers came down"- which gives me a mental picture of the DS standing at the side of the crossing frantically waving them on like a school crossing patrol - but the commissaire's car made them stop and wait for the rest of the peloton. Can't wait to see that! And of course Frankie is still sitting in second place by 8 seconds, so Yay! Frankie!
Steephill TV say that the stage today has one big climb, a final circuit with some hills in it, and the finish is flat, but quite technical, and as there's a 90% chance of rain, it could be an interesting finish.
According the Chris Horner, who I would like to think is the leading authority on Chris Horner, his back is "fine":
ReplyDeletehttp://velonews.competitor.com/2012/06/news/horner-on-tour-selection-snub-my-back-is-fine_223336
"Horner said he learned about his exclusion from the RadioShack Tour team from his wife, who read it on the Internet and called him while he was out training."
Equal opportunity alienating of riders, I guess? It's a pity too, since Chris strikes me as a hard worker, and just the sort of veteran you would want at the Tour.
"According to Chris Horner", that is.
DeleteI have to say, the hoodoo that haunted Leopard Trek last year, seems to have followed everyone on Radioshack-Nissan. I don't remember there being this much tension on the Shack last year, and if you read the above article, Horner has said that his back problems have been precipitated by tensions on the team:
"Horner admitted that his back issues are triggered by outside stresses, and acknowledged that there is more stress on his RadioShack team this year than in the past."
Anyway, I hope Chris makes the US Olympic team at least.
Gosh that's a terrible way to let someone know they won't be going to the Tour. I really do wonder why they tell the press these things before they get the chance to tell the riders. It seems a rather insensitive way to do things (not that they seem to be going for Most Considerate Team Management of the Year award.)
ReplyDeleteHmm... imagine the outrage if Jensi doesn't make the final Tour selection?
Bris. Gal
Thanks for the link - wow, that's awful, shades of last year and the merger!
ReplyDeleteChris Horner certainly doesn't pull any punches in that interview, he comes right out and says it - there is nothing wrong with his back, he only heard about it when his wife read it on the internet and phoned him: and did you notice, he hasn't seen or spoken to Mr Bruyneel for over a month, when Mr Bruyneel "briefly visited the team" prior to the start of the Amgel race. Ah, that would be before the US authorities pulled him off into a darkened room to answer questions, wasn't it? *sniggers*
This is exactly what we had last year - vital, career-changing decisions are being told to the press before being told to the riders. How can any management team behave like this? It's a complete disgrace, and I note that the VeloNews article casually mentions that Horner is contracted until next year, so he won't be able to jump ship yet - although none of us would blame him if he did. He - Horner - even says in the interview that his back problems flare up as a result of stress: and oh yes, there has been some stress in Radioshack lately, hasn't there?
Poor man (Horner, not Mr Bruyneel), he's now desperatly hoping that this comment hasn't sabotaged his chances of Olympic selection. I hope that he DOES get Olympic selection, and I agree with Susan that Horner is a hard worker: it's not my job to say whether or not he deserved a place in the Tour squad, but I certainly hope that his Olympic chances haven't been scuppered by this situation.
My opinion of Mr Bruyneel is not improving: it seems as though he doesn't want to spend time with his riders, right up until the high profile bit when he's in the car or taking the credit. "Hasn't seen him for over a month"?? Is that normal?
Coug
There is outrage over this decision and how it was handled. And I hope Radio Shack expresses a bit as well. Chris is one of the best, total heart and gives it all and I really hope he gets the Olympic shot - although he likely won't after this "questionable press". Johan is just stepping in it right and left isn't he?
ReplyDeleteBE
Oh dear, Mr Bruyneel really could use some management lessons. Sharing news with your employees through the media is NOT the way to go. How stubborn can he be, having made that mistake several times over the past year..?
ReplyDeleteI really feel sorry for Chris, he's a good rider and a hard worker and he doesn't deserve to be treated this way.
The shortlist looks good to me, I think that no matter who will be in it, it will be a strong team. Now I hope they will be able (and be given the opportunity) to work as a team.
Inge
Aha, I hear those "beep beep" noises that road sweeping vans and delivery lorries make when they go backwards.. Mr Bruyneel has leapt to his own defence, read all about it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://velonews.competitor.com/2012/06/news/bruyneel-clarifies-radioshack-stance-on-horner-decision_223554
And he has put the blame fairly on Alain Gallopin for not telling Chris Horner clearly enough that if he didn't do TdSuisse, he wouldn't be considered for the Tour.
The only good point is that the interview is a good deal less acrimonious that many of Mr Bruyneel's recent statements, and he almost makes himself sound like a misunderstood guy, who is only trying to do the best by his riders. Almost.
Meanwhile the TdSuisse continues: Frankie is still in second place, and wearing the green KoM jersy, yay Frankie! and we have a couple more days of racing to go yet. We may yet see JvS on the screen!
Coug
NOOOOOO!! :(
ReplyDeleteAndy Schleck won't be riding TDF!
http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/Tour/120613_Andy_Schleck_rug_Tour_vraagteken
According to this article OGL has an broken vertebra.
More news will come at 16h. Then there will we a persconference in Luxemburg.
Jill
Oh sh*t! :( No wonder he could barely ride his bike after the crash. That must have been veeery painful.
ReplyDeleteInge
Velonation says Papa Schleck has confirmed he's out: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12105/Andy-Schleck-will-miss-Tour-de-France-due-to-spinal-injury.aspx
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer. TDF without Andy :(
Bris. Gal