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I’ve never been a fan of his, but as with any athlete of his sort, he has dedicated so much of his life to excel, and I think still deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
Unfortunately, it sounds like he isn’t being treated with much at all.
That said, I think this article nails it. Thoughtful, empathetic, gracious.
Interesting article.
I like Aru, I find him credible as Grand Tour cyclists go. I like that he has frailties and is not someone who turns out remarkable performance's year after year.
I also appreciate his brutal honesty of his own disolusion with his form.
I do agree with the writer that Saronni has been not only harsh in his public criticism even hinting at psychological issues. Character not strong enough etc.. Way to build Arus self esteem.
An utter arse of a man.
I hope he finds a new team that can give him the kind of support he requires to get a few victories in the future.
I mean look at Valverde... probably not the best example but you get my point.
He could have another eight years ahead of him! I hope he sticks it to Saronni.
i love Aru, always open to instant death/glory attacks and descends well... he's one who puts it all on the line.. great stuff !
I don't know why but I've never liked Aru. Obviously don't know him and basing this entirely from what I've seen and made up my own conclusions. I think when it goes his way, he gets energy from it, but when it doesn't he losses energy and gives up. He doesnt seem to have that killer winning attitude of never say die anymore which you need to win at the highest level. Probably why I liked cadel Evans so much.
On the other hand I like valverde but I'm always suspicious of his amazing abilities, he seems to get better with age!
I think the hardest thing in cycling must be when you train hard, ride hard but people are just better than you and there's this little bit inside that says "it's not a level playing field and I'll never be as good as them!"
He's a complex character but no doubting he's a great rider on his day. He had Iliac artery surgery last year for a problem that has ended the careers of cyclists in years gone by. Maybe he assumed he was going to see a better improvement than he has? He's struggled to live up to the rider who won on Planche des Belles Filles in 2017.
When athletes get on huge money and don't produce, it always generates some hate amongst fans as they see an imposter. Aru is in top ten of highest paid cyclists IIRC, when clearly he's nowhere near that elite level of performance.
I can't help but read his name in the voice of scooby doo.
I think the hardest thing in cycling must be when you train hard, ride hard but people are just better than you and there’s this little bit inside that says “it’s not a level playing field and I’ll never be as good as them!”
I can attest to that, on a total different level of course 🙁
I've never really taken to him. Tommy Voeckler is a little bit the same yet comes away from things with a "loveable" personality whereas are doesn't see to, I don't know why. Still, you'd expect a Team principal/ coach to have a bit more empathy with one of his riders rather than throwing him under a bus at the first opportunity.
I guess it might come down to how honest he has been with the team. If on the morning he's saying he feels like he'd like to do something and would appreciate support from the team and then has nothing in the tank, multiple times, then I guess you'd get frustrated as the DS.
There's probably a certain amount you have to pay for a GT winner and he maybe isn't worth that figure right now.
But, yes I think the article hits on exactly why it's been such a drug-ravaged sport. Weakness just isn't tolerated - whereas consistency while turning a blind eye, was.
Aru is someone I never warmed to but that is probably more formed from the prejudice of Vino + Astana + significant recovery and big performances deep in to a long stage race.
Above all else, pro cycling is a Team Sport. The best riders will shine in the best teams.
My anti-Aru prejudice is completely based on the fact that, although I'm not really into the whole 'souplesse' side of road cycling, he is f-ing appalling to look at when he's climbing. Looks like a traumatised Tony Hayers (from Alan Partridge) doing an impression of the rubber shark in the original Batman film. Horrifying.
I like Aru, he could have been lifted straight from Belle Ville Randevous!!!
Hope he comes good, good luck to him.
Aru is someone I never warmed to but that is probably more formed from the prejudice of Vino + Astana + significant recovery and big performances deep in to a long stage race.
He raced for Astana between 2012 and 2017 and had great success. Perhaps Alexander Nikolayevich Vinokourov is just a better manager and gets the best out of cyclists.
From Wikipedia
In 2007, he received a two-year ban from cycling for blood doping. In 2019, he was accused of race fixing by prosecutors in Liège but was later cleared of the charges[1].
Funny how Aru has been half the rider he was since he left. 🤔
2018
6th Overall Tour of the Alps
9th Milano–Torino
10th Overall Tour de Pologne
10th Overall Tour de Wallonie
2019
8th Trofeo Campos, Porreres, Felanitx, Ses Salines
2020
5th Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge
9th Overall Vuelta a Burgos
10th Overall Tour de l'Ain
This mental battle is for me the most interesting part of this year's tour. I believe the difference between the Chris Froomes / Alberto Contadors and the Aru / Pinots is more mental than physical. Pinot or Aru have a bad day and that's them for the rest of the tour. Froome or Contador have a bad day and they are planning crazy 60km attacks or figuring out how they can win stages, without having they baggage of that previous failure. Yates is a another example - does anyone think he has it mentally to win a stage having lost the Jersey? I can't see it.
He always looks like he’s trying to get off his bike when he’s climbing. I like the gurner, shame he’s pish right now.