Luxembourg champion unable to catch Valverde but declares himself satisfied with performance
After finishing comfortably in the peloton in two of the races of the Challenge Mallorca two weeks ago, and the prologue and first stage of the Vuelta a Andalucía, Fränk Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan-Trek) finally stretched his legs in 2012, as he followed the attack of Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) to the finish of stage two. The Luxembourg champion crossed the line in fourth place, just ten seconds behind the Spanish stage winner, in the same time as Denis Menchov (Katusha) and Rein Taaramäe.
As it turned out, the steep climb to the finish at the Alto Santuario Virgen de Araceli proved ideal for Schleck to test his legs; to assess his progress in the early season race.
“Valverde was the man to beat on this stage,” said Schleck. “Everybody knew it. He attacked, took some seconds and we were unable to bring him back. But I’m happy with my stage.
“This is good for my morale to perform well on the first uphill stage of my season,” he added.
Schleck now sits in eighth place overall, just 22 seconds behind new race leader Valverde. With his season target coming at the Tour de France in July though, where he and younger brother Andy will once again present their two-pronged assault on the yellow jersey.
Although he couldn’t catch Valverde, whom he will hope to outride come July, Schleck’s day was declared a success.
“Fränk was good and he was motivated as well,” said RadioShack-Nissan-Trek directeur sportif Kim Andersen. “It was unfortunate that the 5km climb wasn’t as hard as we’d expected; only the final 500 meters were steep.
“Valverde is tough to beat on such a course.”