Reacting with greater diplomatically than he’s shown recently, Johan Bruyneel has played down the significance of Andy Schleck’s lack of pace on today’s stage one of the Critérium du Dauphiné.
The RadioShack Nissan general manager held back from criticising the rider, saying that there was a chance that his form could yet come good over the next few days.
Schleck slipped backwards on the final climb of the day, approximately twelve kilometres from the finish, and conceded a massive three minutes ten seconds between there and line. He placed only 138th on the stage and now has no hope of a high overall placing.
“I didn’t expect to see that scenario at the end, but I’ve spoken with Andy. What’s clear here is that he’s had a lack of competition,” Bruyneel said, searching for an explanation. “We know that. We come here with different intentions other than to win. The main goal is to see how Andy is going in the mountains.”
Schleck has had a very quiet season thus far, and indicated that he would try to send out a signal this week that he would be ready for the Tour. The signal which was issued today was a disastrous one in terms of psyching out his rivals – who will take encouragement from his indifferent form – but Bruyneel hopes that things could turn around. “With a lack of competition in his legs, in theory we will see him getting better this week and by the end of the week we can see where he really is,” he said. “It’s definitely better if things like this don’t happen, but it isn’t a disaster.”
Bruyneel was recently quoted as saying that only Fabian Cancellara was assured of a place at the Tour de France. This was interpreted by some as strong arm tactics to try to show he was in full control of the team, and didn’t go down well with the Schleck brothers. Andy Schleck has finished second, first and second in the past three Tours and it seems inconceivable that he would be left aside, even if today’s display was embarrassing for the team.
Conscious of both the tension on the team and also the perception that it is in disarray, Bruyneel has moved to clarify things. “Recently it was reported that I said only Fabian Cancellara was guaranteed a spot on the Tour team. That is not what I said,” he stated. “Translations need to be correct. What I said was based on RESULTS Cancellara was the only one guaranteed to be on the Tour team. It takes nine riders to ride the Tour. Of course Andy will be there.”
The Critérium du Dauphiné continues tomorrow with a 160 kilometre stage from Lamastre to Saint-Félicien. The race lacks a high summit finish this week, but there are still big climbs where a clear indication of form will be seen. Many will be watching Schleck closely to see if he does indeed improve.