The year Andy Schleck wins 2 Tours de France in one year?

Andy Schleck today was in yellow. Indeed he was declared the winner, just now in 2012, of the Tour de France 2010, after Alberto Contador lost his victory to the "contaminated beef" from a corrida doping case against him. For Andy Schleck it is a bitter victory, because he was denied the usual glory, thrill and fun of touring the Champs Elysées  in 2010 as the winner. And his fans were deprived too. His victory will forever carry a footnote, saying "after the disqualification of Alberto Contador".

The way Andy Schleck got the yellow jersey is almost a metaphor for what is wrong with 2012, and why he might not win 2 Tours the same year: This was a victory on paper by the end of the day, and the day he was clad in yellow, Andy Schleck was not a champion in top form. Actually for both Schlecks, the 2012 season has not been brilliant. But it shouldn't be that way. On paper they are two athletes  who have great talent  and can do very well. They have on paper the strongest team. They have on paper the infrastructure to support many victories, the most gifted and capable professionals managing and caring for the team. So where are the results, where is the problem?

It is somewhat unproductive and unhelpful to blame the Schlecks. To a certain point. The blame has actually to be something else, such as tough love. That's what they need, and tough love here it is:

You both are extremely gifted. So was Charly Gaul in the 50ies. Individually, that is great to have. But without a team all three of you could only be prima donnas. When Charly Gaul got this, after many glorious feats in several Tours without a final victory, and was accepting the evidence and listened to advice, that added up to his 1958 victory. His path to victory was talent, training, suffering and self-discipline. Those are all the physical and the mental ingredients that makes a winner.

 I was always convinced that in modern cycling, apart from the good luck to have great natural talent, all other attributes get acquired by methodological and science based physical and mental training. You do have the magical manager who set the scene for Lance Armstrong's many victories. Don't fight the magic. Physical preparedness can be fixed. Be careful of the emotional side and the negativity of conflict. It messes up the whole team.

Emotional preparedness comes with adhering to the idea that you have the best managers, that you are motivated, that many people contributed to get you the best team, that the Luxembourg  public will again camp on the slopes of the Alps to fire you up. But you have to be motivated, stick together with that team, work hard, persevere, suffer, impress the competition not only with your skills, but also your willpower.

No one can answer questions like these more accurately, and hopefully honestly than you: Did I prepare thoroughly for the 2012 season, do I want very badly to win, not only for me, but my team and my public, did I get out of recent competitions too easily, was I at the limit of my suffering, do I have the discipline to follow my preparation plan, even when no one is watching and lastly can I really subdue my tendency to reject authority and submit to the directions of a manager? All it takes is a quiet moment of deep honest if not brutal introspection.

You have it all together on paper, an exceptional configuration of talent, team, management and  public support. That doesn't happen very often. You are in such a privileged situation to see this through. It now is up to you to have the willpower to make it happen. 

Memorial Day 2012

This man holds a particular place in my heart.  Though I was barely born when SSgt Turner died in Luxembourg, it seems to me that I met him often, at least every Memorial Day since the day in 1992 when I met his 5 sisters when he was honored in his Pennsylvania hometown. It was so overwhelming, that I went to visit his grave in Luxembourg.

     

                             SSgt Day G. Turner

     I want to share again my old blog from 2009: http://egidethein.blogspot.com/2009/05/memorial-day-2009.html

Visiting last year.

American Cemetery and Memorial, Luxembourg - Hamm.

Here is Day Turner's official story. It can be found on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_G._Turner

Turner joined the Army from Nescopeck, Pennsylvania in September 1943,^[ and by January 8, 1945 was serving as a Sergeant in Company B, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. On that day, in Dahl, Luxembourg, Turner led his squad in the defense of a house against an intense German attack. Fighting hand-to-hand at times, the squad successfully repulsed the Germans and took dozens of prisoners. Turner was later promoted to Staff Sergeant, but was killed in combat exactly one month after his actions in Dahl. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on June 28, 1945 and buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial.

Medal of Honor Citation:

He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank position. When overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of withering artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined to defend it to the last man. The enemy attacked again and again and were repulsed with heavy losses. Supported by direct tank fire, they finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant refused to surrender although 5 of his men were wounded and 1 was killed. He boldly flung a can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and fought doggedly from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled hand grenade for hand grenade, bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was defending and fought on with the enemy's weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the defending squad were left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and a great number of wounded were counted. Sgt. Turner's valiant stand will live on as a constant inspiration to his comrades. His heroic, inspiring leadership, his determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest tradition of the military service.