http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sastre-to-give-full-attention-to-tour-in-2010?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=news_headlines

interesting to read about comments made by andy schleck.

The discord on the CSC team in the spring of 2008 hasn't gotten much attention on this forum, but there was doubt among some of Sastre's teammates that he had the potential to win a Grand Tour. There was discord during Pais Vasco in April and Sastre kind of isolated himself on the team, according to anonymous teammates. It could be that the Schlecks were among the doubters and Carlos never forgot it.

Anyway, Riis had Andy and Carlos in mind as co-leaders going into that Tour and the decision to have Carlos go for the win at the Alpe wasn't made until that morning, as I recall (Frank wore the yellow jersey at the time, but everyone knew his time-trialing was terrible). But it wasn't sewn up yet. Keep in mind that Sastre defended his lead brilliantly against Evans at the last TT before Paris. What Andy remembers is he sacrificed his chances for Carlos. What Carlos remembers is Andy may have doubted his leadership. There's no wonder that there might be some hard feelings.

This story came out in an excellent piece written by Andrew Hood, Velonews European correspondent based in Spain. It appeared in the 2009 Velonews Tour guide. It was never posted online that I'm aware.

mudrock:

What Andy remembers is he sacrificed his chances for Carlos.

That was Andy's job, has he forgotten that?

mudrock:

What Carlos remembers is Andy may have doubted his leadership.

I suppose one could forgive a young and naive Andy. He'll learn over time about teamwork and commitment, and hopefully he'll have a more constructive perspective in the coming years.

Any is crying because the newspapers wasn't full of headlines about HIS job on the team....... welcome to the TEAM-sport of cycling....

One huge team working together to put ONE man on the podium..... and the newspapers only write about the WINNER... not even the second and third (unless your name is Armstrong)... and definately not about the rest of the team-mates.... nor the bottle-carriers, bus-drivers, mechanics and so on...

Learn to live with it, dont make complete fool of yourself whining....

Do you EVER see Kurt Asle Arvens whine??? he's doing his job, to the fullest and beyond, and he's taking one for the team every day for 21 days during july EVERY freaking summer..... he could have won more stages if he didnt..... he could possible end up pretty good overall too....

That beeing said, I'm a Andy-fan, he will continue to do great stuff on the bike for years.

To get back on topic... Sastre looked a bit sloppy in this years Tour... can't wait to see him sharp'n ready next year... its going to be great.... Andy and Sastre can battle it out on those climbs... guess they won't give an inch! :D And then Sastre can TimeTrial Andy to second pace... hell yeah! :D

 

Even if Sastre gives the Tour his "full attention," I'd be greatly surprised if he's able to crack the top five, especially with all the other big names giving it their respective full attention as well.  I'll be heading to the Tourmalet next July to confirm whether that's the case. 

 As for Andy's comments, there's obviously a lot more to the war of words, but it seems (at least from Andy's perspective)  that Sastre, for whatever reason, didn't properly acknowledge or thank the efforts of his teammates in 2008.   Not acknowledging a domestique's contribution to your success can cause considerable bad blood.  Contador found that out himself this year.   But these inter-team tensions give us all something to talk about and add to the interest of the sport.

AlpeDHuez:

but it seems (at least from Andy's perspective)  that Sastre, for whatever reason, didn't properly acknowledge or thank the efforts of his teammates in 2008.   Not acknowledging a domestique's contribution to your success can cause considerable bad blood.  Contador found that out himself this year.   But these inter-team tensions give us all something to talk about and add to the interest of the sport.

I agree, if thats the case, then its Sastre that needs to do the "reality check" :D

Cycling is a teamsport that attracts individualists.... that makes for some interesting headlines now and then! :D