Andy Schleck abandons the Criterium du Dauphine but still hopeful to find podium at the Tour de France 2012
Another disappointing week for Andy Schleck concludes after the cyclist abandons Criterium du Dauphine during the stage 6 because of injuries.
However, the 2010 Tour de France is still positive that he can make it happen for his side during the coming edition of the French Grand Tour.
Andy has managed to find podium on three different occasions during the three-week race which makes him a pre-race favourite.
He finished second during the 2009 and 2011 editions of the race and secured the top overall spot during the 2010 edition of the Tour.
The Luxembourg professional cyclist is most likely to lead Team RadioShack-Nissan at the event and is hopeful to have his brother, Frank Schleck’s company at the race.
Andy had a knee surgery earlier in May and the cyclist believes it to be the main reason behind his poor performance in the current season.
Before the Criterium du Dauphine, the 27-year-old pulled himself out of the Volta a Catalunya and the Paris-Nice.
While commenting on his chances at the Tour de France 2012, Schleck noted that he still has three weeks before the Tour begins, which can make a lot of difference.
The cyclist had a disappointing Tour de Suisse 2011 but managed to find podium during the most recent edition of the French Grand Tour.
He briefed, “It is just that bad luck is following me in the last months”.
“I could not avoid it. Before this I had a left knee problem after my crash in a training camp in Sierra Nevada”.
“It healed and then I improved. Even yesterday, after my crash I felt okay in the climbs”.
“When I stayed in the saddle, my ribs hurt and I was suffering a lot but I came through the day. I was improving in the climbs and I was okay on the Grand Colombier”.
Andy started his professional pursuit with Team CSC in 2005 and stayed with the side by the end of 2012 season.
He penned a deal with Team Leopard Trek in 2011 and is continuing his second consecutive season with the side.
The 99th edition of the Tour de France is scheduled from June 30 to July 22 which will test the cycil.sts for a gruelling 3,496.9 kilometre across Europe.
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