Andy Schleck’s annus horribilis continues with reports from Luxembourg stating that the RadioShack Nissan leader will miss this year’s Tour de France, thus ending a run of podium places in the event.
Schleck finished second in 2009, first in 2010 after Alberto Contador’s disqualification, and then second to Cadel Evans last year. However he has been in poor form this year and a crash during the time trial in last week’s Critérium du Dauphiné saw him exit the race due to injuries.
At the time Schleck said that the problem was not too serious and that he still had time to be ready for the Tour. However Wort.lu has stated that a MRI scan taken yesterday in a Luxembourg hospital has detected a fracture in his sacrum, where the spinal column joins the pelvis.
Reporters at Radio Luxembourg contacted him today. He declined to either confirm or deny reports that he’d miss the race. RadioShack Nissan has called a press conference this afternoon in the Maison des Sports in Luxembourg.
His father Johnny Schleck has confirmed to RTL’s Christian Ollivier that he will not ride the Tour de France, and that he faces a disruption of five weeks. It is not clear if this relates to training or racing.
Depending on his recovery, Schleck may be able to target the Vuelta a España. If so, he will be up against his big rival Alberto Contador there. The Spaniard is currently suspended from racing but will return on August 5th.
Schleck was named to RadioShack’s Tour de France pre-selection on Monday. Chris Horner was a controversial exclusion, with the team saying that the rider’s decision not to ride the Tour de Suisse prevented him from being considered.
Horner had been recovering from a back injury and preferred instead to train in the US, as he did last year prior to the Tour.
It is unclear whether Schleck’s injury means that the American rider might now be considered. He finished ninth in the 2010 race.