Although he’s undoubtedly disappointed not to win the Tour de France, Andy Schleck was philosophical yesterday about the race result, and accepted that he was beaten by a better rider. “We wrote history,” he told VeloNation, referring to the fact that he and Frank Schleck became the first brothers to finish on the podium of the race.
“Of course I would have loved to win – no doubt about that. Cadel deserved to win…he was the strongest over three weeks, but I will go home with my head high and come back to get that jersey next year.”
Schleck went into the race as one of the top favourites, having finished second behind Alberto Contador in 2009 and 2010. Contador wasn’t in the same form as before, most likely due to fatigue after his victory in the Giro d’Italia and also possibly because of the strain of dealing with his positive test result from last year. He was unable to finish on the podium, but Schleck found Evans blocking what would have otherwise been his first Tour victory. He held yellow after Alpe d'Huez (pictured), but lost a lot of time in the final race against the clock.
Looking back, there are various points where tactics could have been different, with an earlier, sustained attack on Plataeu de Beille one possibility. However he’s convinced that the he gave his all. “I did everything I could,” he insisted. “I was in great shape. The queen stage was the nicest victory of my cycling career so far. I have no regrets at all.”
He remains motivated and unlike many of those who peaked for the Tour, Schleck plans to keep racing right until the end of the season. He’ll have time to recover now, most likely taking time to do some fishing with his brother, then will build back up for the final months of the year.
“Colorado is going to be my next race,” he confirmed. “[Then] the world championships, and then hopefully at the end of the year with a good result in Lombardia.”