Says Lance Armstrong would have won the Tour without Bruyneel
Andy Schleck this year became the first person to finish second three times in a row at the Tour de France. Alberto Contador showed he was strongest in 2009 and 2010 while this year Schleck had to play bridesmaid to Cadel Evans, who impressed throughout the three week event.
With only one victory to speak of [Tour de France stage 18 ed.] and a third place finish in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the 26 year old has decided to end his season due to dental problems that he is currently recovering from.
“All is well, do not worry,” he said speaking to Cyclism’Actu. “It’s true that I was not in great shape in recent months but I finally solved my health problems. The last week of the Tour de France I had some problems with my wisdom teeth.
“I did remove the wisdom teeth eventually, three in total, and I’ve got to the end of the season for me.”
Going into the penultimate day of the time trial in the Tour de France, Schleck held a 57 second lead over Cadel Evans, which at the time he thought would be enough. However, Evans proved too strong in the race against the clock, a discipline that has been the Luxembourger’s downfall throughout his career.
“I have already started working on it,” Schleck said speaking of his efforts to improve in the time trial. “You know, before the time trial in Grenoble, I really thought I’d win the Tour because I was almost a minute ahead. But Cadel Evans was stronger, it must simply be said.
“I know I’m lacking in the race against the clock. I have to gain power and strength and I have already started working on it. Not to mention my position on the bike that is not necessarily the best. The aim is to do weight training and spend time in the wind tunnel. I cannot lose the Tour again because of a time trial.”
Some may believe that Schleck will have his best chance at victory in the race next year, thanks to the addition of Johan Bruyneel to the team. The RadioShack manager has previously won the Tour de France seven times with Lance Armstrong and twice with Alberto Contador. Next year he will be joining Leopard Trek taking sponsors RadioShack and Nissan with him, along with some of the riders from the soon to be defunct team.
When asked what he thought of the experienced manager by his side, Schleck appeared to play down his significance. “Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France seven times and he would have done it with or without Johan Bruyneel.”
He then added, “I know who I am and I know what I can do. I will not change my ways of doing things according to this or that manager. Next year we will not hold back, and will be the best team in the peloton who can claim results in the Classics with [Fabian] Cancellara, [Jakob] Fuglsang and others and with [brother Frank and I] in the Tour. You will not be able to miss us, I tell you.”