Father Johnny Schleck concedes Cadel Evans is a stronger time trialist, outcome uncertain

Andy SchleckWith everything coming down to today’s concluding 42.5 kilometre time trial in Grenoble, Andy Schleck could be part of one of the closest Tours de France in history. He is just 57 seconds clear of Cadel Evans and is expected to finish behind him in the race against the clock, yet insists he should have enough time in hand to prevail and win his first Tour.

“I believe I have a good gap,” he said in a video interview after yesterday’s final mountain stage. “We are all tired and tomorrow will be hard for everybody, but I will keep fighting until the line. I am confident that I can keep it.”

Schleck was clearly jubilant to take over the yellow jersey. While Leopard Trek directeur sportif Kim Andersen seemed a little uncertain that he would hold off Evans, admitting to VeloNation that he was a little worried, the Luxembourg rider didn’t seem too concerned.

His father Johny Schleck, a former pro, was a little less certain. He was hopeful rather than convinced, conceding that a bigger buffer would have made things more sure.

“The goal was to take some seconds from Cadel Evans, but Cadel Evans is really in form and is very strong this year. They could do nothing,” he admitted.

“Cadel Evans is very good in the time trial, he is one of the best in the world. My guy is not so good. But this is the end of the Tour…we hope that 51 [actually 57] seconds for Andy gives the possibility to stay in the yellow jersey in Paris.”

Surprisingly, Schleck senior added that taking the Maillot Jaune from Thomas Voeckler was not a priority for his sons on Alpe d’Huez. They did that anyway, but he said that they would have done so in today’s time trial.