Team Grumpy 'must pull themselves together'

News reaches Team Grumpy HQ that the Chief of Luxembourg Cycling has told Radioshack-Leopard rider Andy Schleck he must pull himself together after a winter in which he didn't work hard enough (Luxemburg cycling chief: Andy Schleck must pull himself together | CyclingNews.com).

By an astonishing coincidence both riders in Team Grumpy have likewise seen (albeit less unaccountable) loss of form during the off-season, and are expected to experience a serious motivational speech from the Team Manager when the team regroups for the annual embarrassment that is the first 2-up of the season. Both Grumpy Bob and 'Grumpy' Art Vanderlay have apparently been exchanging plaintive text messages in a vain attempt to explain their lack of early season form. In particular, they both claim to have been ill for what seems like an eternity. The Team Manager is expected to demand doctors' notes for both riders.

On the other hand, it may be worth noting Team grumpy Rule #1:

Remember to make your excuses before the race, not after. Otherwise it will just sound pathetic.