“First of all we are not here to beat Alberto [Contador], we are here to win the Tour de France.” Those were words spoken by Leopard Trek team co-leader Frank Schleck at the pre race press conference yesterday. Although the Luxembourg national champion said they were there to ride their own race, he did admit hoping Contador is still tired from winning the Giro d’Italia in May.
“I think it’s been a hard Giro, not the way the race went but all the kilometers they’ve done,” said Schleck.
“All the climbing they’ve done, all the transfers at night they’ve done, traveling two or three hours at night after the stage, it costs a lot of energy and yes I hope he [Contador] is tired from the Giro.”
Frank and brother Andy will once again join forces to try and win a Tour de France for the first time. The younger Schleck, Andy, has twice been runner up to Contador in the two previous additions. As a consolation he won the young riders white jersey, which he is no longer eligible for.
“I go into the Tour I believe more calm than last year, because I know when I’m ready. In the mountains I’m going to be up there for victory,” said Andy.
This year in a twist, Contador is riding for the Schleck brothers’ previous team manager Bjarne Riis on Saxo Bank-Sungard. Many believe Riis to be a master at directing a race as well as understanding the Schleck’s strengths and weaknesses.
The brothers in turn have joined Leopard Trek, a new team set up in their home country to support them in their quest for Tour glory.
“With the team behind me and the riders around me and the staff behind me, everything in just 100%, everything is just perfect for now,” commented Andy.
“This team is better than ever before for me and Frank and I think that’s the biggest advantage.”
Race favourites Contador and Andy will first come to the fore when the race heads upward on stage twelve for it’s first mountain stage. However, the first week of the race will need the utmost concentration as they race through the Vendée and Brittany region where the wind could be an interesting factor.