Sun 26 May 2013 | 
Schleck deserves his own moment
Email to friend
Print
Enlarge textNow that the dust has settled regarding the immediate cycling future of Alberto Contador, perhaps it's time to reflect on where Andy Schleck stands in all of this.
Andy Schleck drives his RadioShack-Nissan team during the 2012 Mallorca Challenge (Getty)
- 15 Comments | Join the discussion
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has, by default, promoted the Luxembourger from runner-up to 2010 Tour de France champion status as a result of El Pistolero's fall from grace.
Schleck has conceded it's not the way he wants to remember a race in which he was beaten by his Spanish rival, who was subsequently rewarded by accepting the yellow jersey high above the cobbled sectors of the Champs Elysees in Paris.
Having your name etched in the history books as a Tour de France winner is one thing but standing on the podium in front of the glare of millions of worldwide viewers is another.
Unfortunately, Andy has never had the chance to savour the experience . . . not yet anyway.
So, if the UCI, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) can change the course of history (as in Bertie's case) why can't the same be done for Andy?
Andy is one of the World Tour's most likeable characters who has all the qualities of an elite racer and is an exceptional human being.
He's never been questioned or come under suspicion for doping and it goes without saying he has thrilled us all with his fighting determination on two wheels.
When finishing second behind Contador in 2010, many suggested then that "his time will come”.
Well, I'm not so sure.
Despite linking up with Johann Bruyneel and the newly-formed Radioshack-Nissan Trek team, I'm yet to be convinced Andy is capable of winning the Tour.
He has been poor in the time-trials and given the 100km of TT laid down for this year's event, I fear he may miss out again.
But that's beside the point.
If Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme cherishes the rich history the his institution has to offer, which he does, then perhaps he can add to it by awarding Andy the yellow jersey for his 2010 victory when the race winds down in Paris this July - win or lose.
How cool would that be?
A back-dated winner of the Tour finally rewarded in a fitting ceremony on one of the world's most famous boulevard.
While we're at it what about Oscar Pereiro, crowned 2006 Tour winner after the shame Floyd Landis brought to the sport back then?
Actions speak louder than words and it’s up to these sporting bodies to make the move.
top
Blog Home 
Comments (15)
Previous 10 |
04 Mar 2012 18:19 AEST
From: Mt Colah
definitely should be a jersey/trophy presentation to Andy and Oscar Friere at the teams presentation prior to TDF 2012 - at least Prudhomme should make the offer and if the riders accept.. fantastic.. if not.. no problem - move on!
03 Mar 2012 10:51 AEST
From: geelong
I agree, but it should be done. It's important to see the righting of wrongs and acknowledge the mistake and shame of those who cheated to claim the title in the first place.
27 Feb 2012 23:59 AEST
From: Warrnambool
“Andy is one of the World Tour's most likeable characters” – well I for one don’t like the arrogant bastard! After the degrading comments he made about Cadel prior to the 2011 TDF, he should be shown the contempt he dishes out!
13 Feb 2012 12:43 AEST
From: Sydney
Ermm I think you've missed the point here. Mike is talking about Andy winning the 2010 tdf because of Contador being disqualified for doping. The point is Andy won fair and square because he didn't cheat.
11 Feb 2012 18:23 AEST
From: Lazytown
Sorry to be cynical, but what would you do if Lance was caught with doping? How many other Yellow jerseys would that be?
11 Feb 2012 2:32 AEST
From: Adelaide
Instead of doing it at the end of the race and running the risk of overshadowing the deserving winner, how about doing it before the start of the 2012 Tour in a ceremony honouring all the other previous champions still competing. Then start a new tradition of all previous champions competing again to wear the yellow jersey on the first day of the 2012 Tour.
10 Feb 2012 19:19 AEST
From: Dumbelton
Tommo, I was just thinking about this the other day! You read my mind, at least that's what the voices are telling me..lols Anyway, what I would really like to see is Andy and Bertie replay that fateful moment when poor Andy dropped his chain, and Bertie took advantage. We can stop it at this moment, and just look at the grin on both their faces! That would be really something!
10 Feb 2012 18:43 AEST
From: Fremantle
"He's never been questioned or come under suspicion for doping". His brother Frank admitted paying money to Dr Fuentes in 2006 which is suspoicious. As he and Andy are insperable I think it is fair to say that Andy should also be considered suspicious, at least in 2006!
10 Feb 2012 14:59 AEST
From: Melbourne
Not a bad idea Tommo, but I agree with some of the sentiments that it will drag up the messy past when the focus should be on the new champion this year (i.e Cadel). The ASO won't like that. Perhaps it would be better to do this as part of the opening team presentations as a compromise. That way it would at least be televised and make the news.
10 Feb 2012 13:27 AEST
From: Rosanna
Excellent suggestion. Furthermore I feel badly for Andy that he does not see it as a victory because it is; he covered the territory in the quickest time. Perhaps it is time that they put a fourth man up on the podium just in case someone there fails a test in the future.
Join the discussion
PLEASE NOTE: All submitted comments become the property of SBS. We reserve the right to edit and/or amend submitted comments. HTML tags other than paragraph, line break, bold or italics will be removed from your comment.
Most Popular
- Wiggins might not be a popular winner (447)
- Sense of sedation in Brad's ground-out Tour success (152)
- Not a Good Friday (100)
- Where is Cadel? (68)
- Sleepless in Sydney (65)
- Cadel should carry the flag (60)
- Best and worst of 2009 (58)
- Spanish inquisition clears Contador (58)
- Get ready for the Giro (58)
- Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't (53)
About this Blog
Stay in touch with the ProTour road cycling season with SBS's cycling blog, featuring race reports, video highlights and blog coverage of every race of 2010, as well as details of SBS's racing coverage
Mike Tomalaris
Other Blogs
TV
- Living Black
- Italian Food Safari
- Thalassa
- Luke Nguyen's Vietnam
- Behind the Scenes: The 2009 Deadly Awards
- My Family Feast
- Costa's Production Blog
- Eurovision 2011
- Swift and Shift Couriers
- Global Village
- My Bogan Diary
- The Road to the White House
Food
Films
Documentary
- Britt Arthur
- Catharine Lumby
- John Birmingham
- Rory Medcalf
- Mark Jones
- Emily Booth
- Bob Wurth
- Andy Martin
World News Australia
Sport
- The Circus
- The Interchange
- The Hangover
- Lip Service
- Deep in the Dust: On the Dakar trail
- Dakar Dreams
- The Finktank
- Open Season
About SBS
Business
Internet and Technology
Cycling Central
- Joe Ward
- Tom Palmer
- Bridie O'Donnell
- Sarah van Boheemen
- Stuart Randall
- Rochelle Gilmore
- Matthew Price's Broom Wagon
- Anthony Tan's Velo Files
- Matthew Keenan
- Kate Bates
- Al Hinds
- Philip Gomes
- Scott Sunderland
- Mike Tomalaris
Festival Reports
Tour De France
