It attracted the attention of the press both at home and abroad. A couple of late night beers in the sweltering heat of Tarragona has cost Andy Schleck and Stuart O’Grady dearly.
Or has it?
Team captain and veteran of the nine-man Australian squad for the world road race in Geelong next month and 2010 Tour de France white jersey winner, may have been booted off the Vuelta but questions remain.
Was the decision too harsh? In isolation and in comparison to the headbutt incident with Mark Renshaw and the Costa vs. Barredo fisticuffs earlier in July’s Tour de France, definitely maybe.
Bjarne Riis has cited a team curfew as the reason. Both Schleck and O’Grady have suggested it “wasn’t that late”.
Whilst the details of what happened that evening are still sketchy, neither Schleck nor O’Grady is commenting. “What actually happened stays between us.” was the final word on the subject from the Australian.
Sources close to this reporter have claimed that one thing led to another and the “Jóvenes y el agitado” moved negotiations with new prospective Team Luxemburg sponsor to a secret location on the outskirts of Tarragona.
“We knew they were here somewhere, most probably in disguise.” claimed my man on the ground (known only as Manuel). “But it wasn’t until El señor O’Grady lifted his eyepatch to read a text message that I was able to recognise and capture them both on my brand new iPhone 4.”
When asked how Schleck and O’Grady reacted at having their photo taken, Manuel simple stated “Señor Schleck was a little, how you say, aturdido [stunned]. After that, señor Fenergan, I don’t know. I didn’t wait to find out.”
It leaves me only to wonder what could have been if the two were allowed to ride the following day.
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