Fränk Schleck's march towards an Ardennes Classic win started today at the Paris-Nice stage race in France. The Luxembourger of Leopard-Trek wants to win one of the late April races before aiming at the Tour de France.
"I've not prepared specifically for this race," Schleck told L'Equipe, "but it is important to evaluate my fitness level before my first major goals: País Vasco and the Ardennes."
The race started today in Houdan with a road stage; Belgian Thomas De Gendt won it and took the overall lead. The race continues through Sunday in Nice. The major difference this year is a mid-race time trial, 27 kilometres, from Rognes from Aix-en-Provence, on Friday.
"It will be difficult to get a top five. There is a 27-kilometre time trial and the stages that precede it the will not make big differences," continued Schleck.
"The most impressive team on paper is probably HTC-Highroad with Tony Martin, who will be the leader. This Paris-Nice is made for him, there are no long passes. I also think [Roman] Kreuziger, Alexander [Vinokourov] and, among the French, Sylvain Chavanel. There are others too, so the race will be quite open."
For Schleck the Paris-Nice is a pass towards the three Ardennes Classics at the end of April: Amstel Gold, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. He won Amstel Gold in 2006 and is keen to win another. He would also be happy to help his brother and Leopard team-mate, Andy. Andy Schleck won Liège in 2009.
The Tour de France follows in July. Andy finished second the last two years and Fränk finished fifth in 2008 and 2009. Last year, he crashed on the fourth day and abandoned.
"The goal is obviously to win, especially after last year where I had to leave after four days," Fränk Schleck continued.
"If one of us is stronger than the other, he will help the other win. That's the deal between us. But if it was a real mano-a-mano between us, we'll manage. I think he will have to slip me few bills he wants me to let him win!"
Andy Schleck will race the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race in Italy. It starts on Wednesday in Carrara with a team time trial.